U.S. and Hong Kong (2002)

State Department Noon Briefing, August 5, 2002

Deputy State Department Spokesman Philip Reeker briefed.

Following is the State Department transcript:

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U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing Index
Monday, August 5, 2002 - 1:20 P.M. EST

BRIEFER: Philip T. Reeker, Spokesman

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

MR. REEKER: Welcome back to the State Department, everybody, on this Monday afternoon. Secretary Powell and his traveling party arrived back from their Asia trip Saturday night, so the Secretary is here at the State Department today.

I would like to take this opportunity at the top to announce the travel of Deputy Secretary Armitage, who will be going to Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, China and Japan for meetings with senior officials in each of those countries. He will begin by visiting Colombo on August 22, following the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's visit to Washington last month. Then he will travel to New Delhi August 23 and Islamabad August 24, where he will build upon his June visits to those cities and review the steps India and Pakistan have taken since that time to further deescalate tension, obviously following up on Secretary Powell's visit to South Asia last month. Discussing initiatives to expand US bilateral relations with both countries will clearly be on the agendas in both capitals.

And then the Deputy Secretary will be in Beijing August 25 through 27. During that visit he will consult with senior Chinese officials on a variety of bilateral and regional issues, including preparations for the October visit to the United States of the PRC President Jiang Zemin, which the White House announced, I believe, last week.

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QUESTION: My question is regarding Taiwanese President Chen's remarks about each side is a country and considered important and the urgency of passing legislation on a referendum. I would like to know, at such a very moment right now that US Government is paying full attention on fighting anti-terrorism and has so many domestic affairs, that there might be some agitated intention between the two sides of the straits because of Chen's speech. So will the Bush Administration reckon President Chen as a troublemaker or consider him as testing the bottom line of US Government, or even he is abusing the goodwill from the Bush Administration?

MR. REEKER: I think perhaps the White House already responded in some ways to the broad sweep of your question. But as you know, the United States policy, which is a longstanding one, is a "One China" policy, and our policy has not changed at all. We believe that issues between China and the People's Republic of China are matters to be resolved by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Our interest and concern is that any resolution be peaceful, and that policy has not changed at all.

Yes, sir.

QUESTION: I have two questions. One is that you mentioned that Jiang Zemin is visiting US in August --

MR. REEKER: In October, in October.

QUESTION: October, sorry.

MR. REEKER: Yes, the White House announced that last week, I believe.

QUESTION: You know, he has been cracking down on Falun Gong for about three years, and I wonder if US Government will discuss this issue with him?

MR. REEKER: It is certainly an issue that we have taken up with China before: our views on human rights and the opportunity for freedom of expression, as guaranteed in international human rights instruments. In terms of the specifics of the agenda, let us get a little closer to that visit, which is a couple of months away, and then we can look at that.

Terri.

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QUESTION: Can I go back to Taiwan?

MR. REEKER: Sure.

QUESTION: The statement from Taiwan has caused some very strong reactions in the mainland. And has the State Department or any of the agencies in the administration done anything to persuade or discourage each side to tone down their rhetoric?

MR. REEKER: I think our position is quite clear. I repeated it just a moment ago in response to your colleague's question: we have a "One China" policy. Nothing has changed in that regard at all.

QUESTION: On another subject --

QUESTION: Can I have a follow up? Well, not really a follow up, but also on China. The Foreign Ministry has called the Minister in the US Embassy in Beijing expressing the -- well, they're not very happy with the fiscal year 2002, the supplementary appropriation bill that linked Taiwanese military personnel as those from NATO, from allied countries, things like that.

MR. REEKER: I am not really sure of the characterizations you're making, and I am not aware of that particular phone call. I don't think I have anything new in that regard. The supplemental bill was passed some time ago.

QUESTION: Did President Jiang give the US Government an alert ahead before he gave his speech?

MR. REEKER: I am not aware of anything in that regard. Our policy is quite clear: we have a "One China" policy. Nothing has changed in that regard. Okay? Anybody want me to say that again?

Yes, sir.

QUESTION: Phil, you know the US policy, of course, is "One China", and also the observance of the three communiqués. People call it theology, you know, given the fact the Taiwanese President, not only President Chen but his predecessor President Lee, have repeatedly said, you know, Taiwan and China are two states. So this is very contrary to the United States "One China" policy. Don't you think, in the light of that, that "One China" policy is kind of becoming threadbare?

MR. REEKER: No. Now, Barry had a question.

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QUESTION: My second question is about Hong Kong. It has been widely reported that Hong Kong Government is putting on a political trial on the few Falun Gong practitioners who practice meditation peacefully in front of the Beijing Garrison Office in Hong Kong. And many people concerned about Hong Kong's one-country and two-systems commission, promise to --

MR. REEKER: I would have to look into it. I am not aware of the trial or any of the details surrounding it. I can check and see if we have any details or there is something we want to say about that.

Behind you, yes.

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QUESTION: According to your understanding, there is one Taiwanese high level official is coming towards Washington, DC, and her name is Ying-wen Tsai and that she is ready to give Washington, D.C., her explanation about the background of President Chen's speech. Do you think it would be --

MR. REEKER: I am not aware of it, so it is something I'd have to check into to. I don't know anything about it.

Thanks.

(The briefing was concluded at 2:20 p.m.)

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