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---"Focused Coverage Informed Perspectives"---Thu, Oct 16, 1997 edition

Remarks from Evergreen's Chang stir KMT officials say time is not right to discuss 'three direct links'

Also in this edition . . . 1: Vice Premier foresees no major changes in Mongolian Affairs policies 2: Jiang cast as able student of Deng's theories on diplomacy 3: With 'Taiwan question' on agenda, officials urge Washington not to erode island's status 4: electronics exhibition promises broad showing of wares 5: Hewlett-Packard establishes hub in Taiwan 6: Chongqing city to phase out dumping of raw sewage in Yangzi 7: 100,000 relocated so far to make way for dam 8: EU secures pledge from China to restore full diplomatic relations with Denmark after summer of perfunctory treatment 9: police track down mass killer 10: National Library celebrates 85th anniversary with opening of multimedia room 11: Independent joins Liberal Party, boosting it to level of Democratic Alliance 12: Provisional Legislature President will run for NPC seat 13: high school drop-outs targeted by government program in wake of Monday's arrests, but some see more harm coming from this 14: arms expo opens in Bangkok 15: second report in a series on China's largest province

( Inside China Today -- Daily News Home Page ) Inside China is running a "Best Site Contest", looking for the best China site on the internet. Now, we are neither (overly) proud, nor do we know what truly constitutes the 'best' China site. But we think China Informed is pretty good, and if you would be so inclined, you might nominate us :) ---Editor

STRAIT RELATIONS

Cross strait relations: KMT officials admonish Evergreen's Chang for his comments Responding to comments by Evergreen Chairman Chang Jung-fa, who urged the government to lift the ban on direct links, several KMT Central Standing Committee (CSC) members yesterday said talks between Taipei and Beijing should not include discussion of the so-called three direct links - -communications, transportation and direct trade- -which Taipei currently prohibits. Chang's comments caused a storm of controversy at the CSC's regular session yesterday. Several CSC members said the current political atmosphere is not right to lift the ban. ROC General Chamber of Commerce Chairman Wang You-theng criticized Chang for only thinking about how Eva Air could fly direct flights to the mainland. Wang praised President Lee Teng-hui's "Go slow and be patient" policy regarding investment in China. KMT Business Management Committee Director General Liu Tai- ying also voiced opposition to Chang's idea of negotiating direct links. He said the nation's security would face threats from China if the links were to be opened. He pointed out that Taiwan now controls the aviation restriction across the Taiwan strait, and after the three direct links begin, the control will belong to China and would put Taiwan in danger. CSC member and prominent businessman C.F. Koo agreed that more discussion and negotiations should take place before discussions begin on opening up the three links. However, Chinese National Federation of Industries Chairman Kao Chin-yen said the sooner the ban was lifted the better. He claimed that the political issue is the major problem. See also Wed, Oct 15, 1997 edition for more information; http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/focus/86101601.htm and http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/focus/86101602.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article) Mongolia: Vice Premier foresees no major changes in Mongolian Affairs policies Vice Premier John Chang said yesterday there will be no major changes in Taiwan's policy toward Outer Mongolia. Taiwan has traditionally seen Outer Mongolia as part of its territory, even though Outer Mongolia declared independence from China in 1921 and is now a United Nations member. Chang said Taiwan does not oppose developing substantive ties with Outer Mongolia and is willing to assist it in economic development, but political relations between the two sides will not see any major changes at the moment. Kao Koong-lian, chairman of the Cabinet-level Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission, suggested at yesterday's meeting of the KMT's Central Standing Committee that the government treat Outer Mongolia as a "special region" and lift all unnecessary restrictions on bilateral trade and economic exchanges. See also http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/commerce/focus/86101607.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article)

SUMMIT COVERAGE

Diplomacy: Jiang cast as able student of Deng's theories on diplomacy ( SCMP Internet Edition ) Internal documents apparently portray President Jiang Zemin as the able student of Deng Xiaoping's theories on diplomacy, reports the South China Morning Post. The paper quotes from the document: "Deng's policy towards the West, including the US, was contained in the axioms 'keep a low profile, never take the lead' and 'don't strike first but nail your enemy while striking back'," "Deng also instructed the party to pacify the US temporarily through strategic concessions so that China can get maximum elbow room to develop. Jiang is supposed to have developed these tactics further in his efforts to mend fences with the US." In the run up to the Jiang-Clinton summit this month, the government is emphasizing the positive aspects of Sino-US relations, reports the paper, and is releasing opinion polls which cast the US in positive light, apparently revealing a shift in opinion which for two years had been 'anti-American.' China would also want to solidify its relations with America in order to isolate further Taiwan which garners much support from the US government. By law the government is obliged to defend Taiwan. The paper also notes that in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province in southwestern China, a memorial has been established to commemorate the heroic services of the Flying Tigers. They were the American flyers in World War Two who ferried vital supplies to China, and when they recently returned to Kunming the city treated them as 'heroes', reports the paper. Taiwan: With 'Taiwan question' on agenda, officials urges Washington not to erode island's status ( Sources: Reuters and the China News ) Taiwan urged the United States and China yesterday not to make decisions that would harm the island in their upcoming summit Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Chang King-yuh said the government's bottom line on the Oct. 29 Washington summit was not to erode the island's status. A senior official of the Strait Exchange Foundation said he was given private assurances by US officials that President Clinton would not alter his policy on Taiwan when he meets China's Jiang Zemin. Observers say Jiang is likely to make US support for Taiwan a central issue in his talks with Clinton at the summit, the first state visit to the US since 1985. Clinton's acceptance of a full-blown state visit has caused jitters in Taiwan-- particularly in the hypersensitive stock market--that crucial US support for the island could weaken.

TAIWAN BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

Electronics: exhibition promises broad showing of wares ( Source: the China News ) The six-day Taipei International Electronics Autumn Show is set to run from October 16-21 and, according to event organizers, will display a broad selection of the latest in electronic products, the paper writes. The event is organized by China External Trade Development Council (CETRA) and the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA), and has attracted a record 1,904 exhibitors who will occupy 2,339 booths to display 'cutting edge products', the paper writes. Falling into eight distinct categories, the exhibitors will show off their wares in such areas as consumer electronics, electronic components and parts, manufacturing equipment, computers and peripherals, instruments and meters. Foreign exhibitors will also have a place, as there will be 300 exhibitors of telecommunications, satellites and cable TV equipment. The paper notes, developments and sales for Taiwan's electrical and electronics products have experienced a significant boom in the last two decades. In the first half of 1997 exports grew five percent over last year to US$17.75 billion. 'Meanwhile, imports grew by 12.7 percent to US$12.66 billion. Taiwan now ranks third in the world as a source of information products. As more and more overseas buyers turn to the island for supplies,' writes the paper. Online Trade Show - Taipei Int'l Electronics Show provides more details on the exhibitors and their wares. Computers: Hewlett-Packard establishes hub in Taiwan Hewlett-Packard (HP), currently the world's third largest computer maker, has recently designated Taiwan as its Asia-Pacific maintenance hub for computer hardware, test and measurement products and express service. Huang Ho-ming, president of HP Taiwan, yesterday said the establishment of the regional maintenance hub here is in keeping up with the information technology firm's move toward decentralization in the fast-developing Asia-Pacific region. Hong Kong will remain its regional financial and administrative center, Singapore and Japan manufacturing centers, and Taiwan has moved up to be the maintenance center. Huang said HP's head office had chosen Taiwan to play a greater role in regional operations as a result of its impressive compounded annual growth rate in sales, tipping over 30 percent. HP is only the second major foreign manufacturer to establish a regional hub here for some of its operations. The first was the Netherlands-based Philips early this year. See also http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/economy/86101614.htm and http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/hitech/86101609.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article)

CHINA

Chongqing: city to phase out dumping of raw sewage in Yangzi ( Rising water level brings new sewage system plan ) Chongqing city will implement programs to stop the dumping of raw sewage into the Yangzi river within the next five or six years, reports the China Daily. Funded in part from the World Bank, the scheme will require extensive engineering to sever sewage lines running in areas which will be submerged by the new Three Gorges Dam. The China Daily reports, the long-term goal is to upgrade sewage treatment facilities in the urban center, but notes that Chongqing being one of the oldest industrial centers, it will be time consuming to re-engineer the lines built over the last century. Chongqing is located at the confluence of the Yangzi and Jialing rivers, in the upper reaches of the Yangzi river. The urban center sits atop a completely terraced rock, and where streets would normally provide avenues of movement, there are often stairs in Chongqing. Three Gorges Dam: 100,000 relocated so far to make way for dam ( Residents in dam area relocated smoothly ) The government announced that 100,000 people have been relocated to make way for the Three Gorges Dam project. An official for the project tells the China Daily of the challenges being faced: "The 1,084-square-kilometre Three Gorges reservoir will submerge two cities, 11 counties, 114 towns, 1,711 villages, 34.8 million square metres of houses and 1,599 factories. About 1.2 million people must be relocated," writes the paper. Denmark: EU secures pledge from China to restore full diplomatic relations with Denmark after summer of perfunctory treatment ( EU Says China to Restore Normal Ties With Denmark ) China will restore full diplomatic relations with Denmark after snubbing its for actions in April to admonish China for human rights problems, reports Inside China. "The Commission said the guarantee was given by Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (pictured) to European Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan, who is visiting China," the paper writes. See also the Mon, Apr 7, 1997 edition, Wed, Apr 9, 1997 edition, and Wed, Apr 16, 1997 edition for background information on this story. Crime: police track down mass killer ( Police Capture Suspected Mass Killer ) Inside China has a Reuters dispatch reporting on the capture of a suspected 'mass killer' arrested for 14 deaths in Beijing, Hebei and Xinjiang. The paper notes that the Chinese media has brought unusually extensive coverage to the case, although crime reports themselves are a mainstay of the tabloid press there. The government has been in the midst of an anti-crime drive, cracking down on violent offenders and pushing the themes of a harmonious society. Library: National Library celebrates 85th anniversary with opening of multimedia room ( National library opens reading room to public ) The National Library celebrated its 85th birthday yesterday by opening a newly constructed multimedia reading room. Equipped with 22 computers and video services, the library is being celebrated for its cutting edge technology. One thing to note about libraries in China is that often free access to the stacks is not open to all. Even on university campuses, it is not uncommon for undergraduates not to access a library until their final year in school. Readers who have more information on this might send word this way, and we can publish it for everyone.

HONG KONG

Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun: Independent joins Liberal Party, boosting it to level of Democratic Alliance ( Party strengthened as independent joins ranks ) Provisional legislator Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun has joined the Liberal Party, believing the move improves her chances for winning the textiles and garment seat next year, reports the South China Morning Post. The paper notes, with the addition of Mrs Leung, formerly an independent, the Liberal Party's 11 members now equals that of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong. Mrs Leung sits on the Hospital Board and will serve as the party's spokeswoman for health issues. In business she is the director of two textiles and dyeing factories and the Textiles Council of Hong Kong, the paper writes, and will campaign on shedding the "sunset industry" image attached to textiles and garment manufacturing, reports the paper. Rita Fan: Provisional Legislature President will run for NPC seat ( Rita Fan in battle for NPC ) Saying she supports the 'one country two systems' policy, Provisional Legislature President Rita Fan will campaign for a seat in the National People's Congress, reports the South China Morning Post Airport: ( Chek Lap Kok to be regional control hub ) It was decided today that Chek Lap Kok airport will assume authority over air traffic control in the Pearl River delta, reports the South China Morning Post. The airport is set to open in April.

REGIONAL

Society: high school drop-outs targeted by government program in wake of Monday's arrests, but some see more harm coming from this Minister of Education Wu Jin yesterday urged parents to work with his ministry to prevent children from dropping out of school. He said dropping out of school creates more social problems. While testifying before the Legislative Committee on Education, Wu said his ministry should take responsibility for the death of a girl tortured by a group of high school dropouts . On Monday fourteen teenagers were arrested for locking a 14-year old girl in a room for five days, shaving her head, raping her and beating her to death. Wu said his ministry will strengthen a program requiring vocational training for junior high school graduates who do not continue school. Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Liao Cheng-hao said he opposes the proposal to increase penalties for juvenile delinquents. He said adults should not try to avoid their responsibility for juvenile delinquents. See also Crackdown on truants after fatal teen rape from the South China Morning Post, http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/taiwan/86101614.htm and http://www.chinatimes.com/papers/ctimes/editor/86101602.htm (Chinese BIG 5 encoding) (Note: Access to China Times articles are limited to subscribers. As the paper's system is currently configured, to access an article listed here you must first go to the front-page at http://www.chinatimes.com and from there locate the article) Military: arms expo opens in Bangkok ( Bangkok Post Oct 16, 1997 - Dealers take aim at Defence Asia '97 Region's top military officials will attend ) Defence Asia 97 is being held this week in Bangkok, reports the Bangkok post. The paper says, that the annual event is a battleground for arms makers fighting for lucrative contracts from various countries. "Some 6,000 visitors as well as top military officials of Asean, China and Australia have been invited to attend the exhibition which also includes the Defence and Technology Conference that will discuss current defence issues in the region," writes the paper. Asean: Japan to push for an integrated market of 500 million people Thai bail-out package held up as masterplan is a Oct 16, 1997 article in the Bangkok Post. Xinjiang: second report in a series on China's largest province ( Xinjiang's aim: Keep sand off road ) The China Daily is running another one of their series singling out a particular region in western china. This time it's Xinjiang, and reporter Zhao Huanxin writes in his second of four articles on efforts to keep the 566-kilometre Tarim Desert Highway open from the encroaching desert. Xinjiang: ( Mild Earthquake Strikes Xinjiang ) Xinjiang was hit by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale. No casualties have been reported, reports Inside China. The paper reports, "The tremor struck a remote part of the Kunlun Mountains some 180 km (110 miles) south of the city of Hotan at 4.30 a.m., the official said by telephone." The same official explained that China is going through a period of increased seismic activity. Taiwan: ( Quake Rocks Eastern Taiwan, No Damage Reported ) A tremor of 4.6 on the Richter scale hit in western Taiwan today. "A Central Weather Bureau statement said the quake's epicenter was 16.4 km (10.3 miles) due north of Taiwan's eastern coastal city of Hualien and some 12.5 km (7.8 miles) beneath the earth's surface."

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