CHINESE leaders yesterday issued moderate warnings on Taiwan, saying the use of force against the island would result only from foreign interference or attempts to pursue independence.
At the opening session of the Preparatory Committee plenum in Beijing, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen reiterated no military threats would be aimed at 'the compatriots of Taiwan'.
'We oppose all foreign forces which interfere in this issue of Taiwan,' he said. 'We advocate peaceful reunification under the principle of one China, two systems.' He said China's Taiwan policy principle would be 'lenient'.
'We will never give up our commitment to use force. However, this is not directed against the people of Taiwan but the interference of foreign forces,' Mr Qian said, indirectly referring to the United States.
He said Taiwan would be allowed to maintain its army provided that it agreed to the one-China principle.
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State Councillor Luo Gan, who is visiting Venezuela, also stressed that China preferred to solve the Taiwan issue by peaceful means.
