Taiwanese Rally Renews Attempt to Join UN

Otherwise, 'our relations will suffer constant trouble or even tension'

(NEWSER) - Hu Jintao is willing to make diplomatic nice-nice on all facets of US-China relations—with two important exceptions, reports the Christian Science Monitor . Taiwan and Tibet. Both "concern China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and they represent China's core interests," he told US business leaders today. "We should treat each other with respect." Or as the CSM translates: "Butt out." More»

Summit, aimed to boost business, is highest-level contact since 1949

(NEWSER) - China's president met today with the leader of Taiwan's governing party, the BBC reports, in the highest-level talks between the two entities since the split in 1949. Wu Poh-hsiung is visiting China to discuss cooperation on transport and tourism, and pressed Hu Jintao for a greater global presence for the island; Hu expressed gratitude for Taiwan's role in earthquake relief. More»

President-elect Ma favors reunification with (a democratic) China

(NEWSER) - Taiwan’s China-friendly opposition party handily beat the island’s ruling party in today’s presidential election, signaling smoother relations between the feuding governments, Reuters reports. President-elect Ma Ying-jeou, who won the vote over the Democratic Progressive Party 58%-42%, campaigned on a call for stronger economic ties with Beijing. More»

(NEWSER) - China's President Hu Jintao blasted the "extravagance and corruption" of some Communist officials at a key party congress today as he warned that the nation's promise has "fallen short" of public expectation. He also cautioned that "independence" forces were growing stronger in Taiwan and that the island must return to Beijing rule. But Chinese leaders will "make every effort to achieve peaceful reunification," he vowed. More»

Govt. officials confirm plans for long-range cruise missile capable of hitting China

(NEWSER) - As China quietly stockpiles weapons aimed at Taiwan, the renegade island confirms it is developing its own cruise missiles capable of hitting the mainland, including Shanghai and many military bases. The controversial weapon, intended to "make China hesitate before launching any attack," is more likely to ramp up the arms race between the countries, reports the NY Times. More»