SENIOR Politburo member Qiao Shi has warned that China will remain under pressure from America unless the Taiwan issue is resolved speedily.
Chinese sources said yesterday that the Politburo had decided that more aggressive steps must be taken to solve the 'Taiwan problem' in response to Washington's alleged efforts to increase support for the pro-independence movement on the island.
And more senior cadres and government departments have joined the 'woo-Taiwan' campaign since President Jiang Zemin unleashed an eight-point reunification overture last month.
Chinese sources said that the Politburo Standing Committee had, since late last year, repeatedly discussed the Taiwan issue in view of apparent improvements in ties between the US and Taiwan.
'So long as Taiwan remains outside the embrace of the motherland, the Americans will always have the upper hand in Sino-US relations,' Mr Qiao, who is also Chairman of the National People's Congress, said at a recent internal meeting.
It is understood that Mr Qiao's views were shared by the standing committee, including Mr Jiang, who is in overall charge of Taiwan policy.
The sources said a taskforce under the Taiwan Affairs Office had spent about two months drafting Mr Jiang's eight-point initiative.
