Rice appeals to Chinese to ease Taiwan tension
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said today that she appealed to Chinese leaders to find a way to ease tensions with Taiwan, saying that the mainland’s anti-secession law aimed at the self-ruled island has aggravated the situation.
“Clearly the anti-secession law did increase tensions,” Rice said at a news conference after meeting President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders.
Rice said she told Chinese leaders that “the most useful path would be to find ways to reduce tensions”.
Rice didn’t give any details of possible steps that she might have suggested to the Chinese. But she repeated Washington’s criticism that the law was “not helpful” in maintaining regional peace and stability.
The law approved by China’s ceremonial parliament on March 14 authorises military attack if Taiwan, split from the mainland since 1949, tries to make its independence permanent.
Rice also appealed to the European Union not to take proposed steps toward lifting an arms embargo on China.
She said that “is not a wise course” and could worsen tensions between China and Taiwan.
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