U.S. and Taiwan (2006)

U.S. Department of State

Interview With Kerry O'Brien of Australian Broadcasting Company's 7:30 Report

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Sydney, Australia
March 16, 2006

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: On China, in the limited time we have left. You said, I think, that you don't want China to become a negative force in the region. How do you define the point at which they become a negative force?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, China is a rising power -- there's no doubt about it -- and it'll be influential one way or another. I prefer to think about how they become a positive force. And they become a positive force by being a responsible stakeholder. They become a positive force by playing by the rules in the international economy, by having an intellectual property rights protection, by opening their markets fairly to product from outside, by living up to the rules of the World Trade Organization. They become a positive force by playing I think what they have a positive role in the six-party talks concerning North Korea. They become a positive force by becoming more open, more open toward their own people and religious freedoms and democracy, as well as more open toward the rest of the world, and by being a force for stability.

The United States has excellent relations with China. We have had very good relations since the beginning of this Administration. But we recognize that China is in transition and that we have to, with our friends and allies in the region, help to create conditions in which China will be a positive force.

QUESTION: Last question, briefly. Taiwan. China is Australia's third biggest trading partner and it seems that China's importance to Australia is just going to keep growing. Do you acknowledge that if the worst happens over Taiwan at some point and America decides to go to Taiwan's defense, that it's possible that Australia might opt to sit on the fence? How easily would the U.S. accept that position?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, I'm not very fond of hypotheticals.

QUESTION: I thought you might say that. (Laughter.)

SECRETARY RICE: Yeah, I think that with --

QUESTION: But it is a real situation.

SECRETARY RICE: Well, with Taiwan we have a very clear policy. The United States has a "one China" policy. We based that on three communiqués that were signed with the Chinese. And we also have obligations to help Taiwan defend itself.

But we've been very clear with China and with Taiwan that we don't expect anybody to try to change the status quo unilaterally. From time to time we have had to say to Taiwan that it has engaged in behavior that is problematic for stability. From time to time we've had to say to China don't threaten with missile batteries that look as if they're aimed at Taiwan.

But I think that most would tell you that the United States has been a kind of upright anchor in this policy. We've kept to our principles but we've also recognized our responsibility to help the Chinese and Taiwan avoid any conflict, which would be in no one's interest -- China, Taiwan or the region.

QUESTION: Condoleezza Rice, thanks very much for talking with us.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you. It was good to be with you.

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