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Lawrence  Chung

The US Republican Party's reiteration of its support for Taiwan as "a sound democracy and economic model for mainland China" drew applause from Taipei this week, but flak from Beijing.
The party also stressed its opposition to unilateral action by either side to alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
It said all issues regarding the island's future must be resolved peacefully, through dialogue, and be agreeable to the people of Taiwan.
"If [mainland] China were to violate those principles, the US, in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act, would help Taiwan defend itself," the party's policy statement said.
Analysts, however, said that even if the statement was more than just campaign rhetoric, Taiwan should not entertain the illusion of all-out support from the Republicans if they succeed in ousting President Obama.
And the analysts noted that the US has an established cross-strait policy that was unlikely to be drastically altered under a new administration.
The Republicans outlined their principles and ideals at their convention in Tampa, Florida.
While praising the steps taken by Taipei and Beijing to reduce tensions and improve economic ties, the policy statement also refers to Taiwan as "a loyal friend of America".
The statement was praised by Taiwan, with the foreign ministry expressing Taipei's "gratitude to the Republicans for their friendly and positive position that reaffirms US support".
The ministry added: "There is no question that Taipei-Washington relations now stand at their highest level in 30 years."
It said this was a "direct result of the increased mutual trust characterising exchanges since [Taiwanese] President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008."
In its policy statement about China, the Republicans condemned Beijing for its "pursuit of advanced military capabilities without any apparent need; suppression of human rights in Tibet , Xinjiang and other areas; religious persecution; a barbaric one-child policy involving forced abortion; the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong; and its destabilising claims in the South China Sea".
It also said that, should they take the White House, they would adopt a "firm response" to "serious trade disputes" between the US and China, "especially Beijing's failure to enforce international stands for the protection of intellectual property and copyrights, as well as its manipulation of its currency".
In response, Beijing lashed out at Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's proposed Asia policy, calling it worrying and an "outdated manifestation of a cold war mentality".
A commentary by Xinhua on Wednesday said: "While it is convenient for US politicians to hammer China and blame China for their own problems, they should be fully aware that their words and deeds are poisoning the general atmosphere of US-China relations."
And the China Daily, in an editorial, snubbed Romney's policy as a "China threat" theory that focuses on "containing China's rise in the Asia-Pacific through bolstering the robust US military presence in the region".
The editorial went on to say: "As to Romney's suggestion that the US step up arms sale to Taiwan, it lays bare his ignorance of the fundamentals of Sino-US ties, as this is the most sensitive issue between the two countries."
Richard Williamson, a special adviser to Romney, said on Tuesday that the Republican presidential candidate opposes the Obama administration's decision to not sell the new F-16 C/D fighters to Taiwan.
The Obama administration agreed to sell only updated versions of F-16 A/B fighters to Taipei, despite repeated requests from Taiwan for the more advanced C/D versions.


US Republican Party's backing for Taiwan angers Beijing

News

China

Xinhua slams 'cold war mentality' and says ties with America are being poisoned, while Taipei hails the party's 'friendly and positive position'
