`Irrational' China should mind its own business: Tsai - TW

[dArKeR]

REUTERS , TAIPEI
Friday, Nov 21, 2003,Page 4

Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told China to mind its own business yesterday after Beijing said Taiwan was risking war by pushing for a new constitution and referendums.

The Cabinet said China was being "irrational" and interfering with its internal affairs, and Taiwan's top policymaker for Chinese affairs criticized Beijing for persistently using the threat of force.

"Military threat is not an effective solution to cross-strait problems. It shouldn't even be an option," Tsai said in a speech to delegates of the Overseas Chinese Commission yesterday.

For two straight days, China's state-run press had focused on its Taiwan policy.

Wang Zaixi (王在希), vice minister of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, was quoted as saying on Wednesday that Taiwan's "extreme push for independence" crosses China's red line and risks war.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/11/21/2003076669