UNITED NATIONS : Singapore cautioned Taiwan against baiting
China by pushing for independence, and urged the United Nations to
prevent relations between Taipei and Beijing spiralling out of
control.
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"The push towards independence by certain groups in Taiwan is most
dangerous because it will lead to war with mainland China and drag
in other countries," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo told
world leaders gathered at the UN General Assembly.
"The international community should also not allow the
deteriorating relationship across the Taiwan Straits to get out of
control," Yeo said. "At stake is the stability of the entire
Asia-Pacific region."
Taiwan and China split in 1949 at the end of a civil war and
Beijing continues to view the island as part of its
territory.
Tensions have been rising between the two sides since the
re-election of pro-independence Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian,
with Beijing renewing its longstanding vow to take the island by
force should it declare formal independence.
"Like in the Middle East, the international community has a strong
vested interest in supporting a peaceful resolution of
cross-Straits conflict," Yeo said.
China took over Taiwan's UN seat in 1971 and opposes the island's
membership of international bodies under its official name, the
Republic of China (ROC), or even under the name of Taiwan.
Last week Taiwan vowed to continue its fight to join the United
Nations despite its 12th consecutive failure to gain a seat.
- AFP
China joins in now... Taiwan is going to hate us, better be
careful