VZCZCXRO6756
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #4321/01 1780651
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 270651Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9400
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004321 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON KOLY CH TW
SUBJECT: JUNE 27 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: CROSS-STRAIT SHARED 
MARKET, HONG KONG 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, OLYMPICS, TAIWAN 
SCHOLARS' IDEAS ON REUNIFICATION, TOURISM, CHARTER FLIGHTS 
 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. Key points at the June 27 Taiwan Affairs Office 
(TAO) press briefing were: 
 
-- The Mainland supports resuming consultations on a 
cross-Strait "common market" based on the "1992 Consensus." 
 
-- The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games 
(BOCOG) has been fair, open and transparent in working with 
enterprises as sponsors, partners and suppliers, including 
those from Taiwan. 
 
-- China hopes to remove "political interference" from 
discussion of the Olympic torch relay route. 
 
-- The TAO hopes increased understanding among Taiwan 
compatriots on the success of "one country, two systems" in 
Hong Kong will promote peaceful reunification.  End Summary. 
 
Cross-Strait "Common Market," Vincent Siew 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  At the June 27 regular TAO press briefing, spokesman Yang 
Yi said the Mainland advocates jointly exploring 
establishment of a cross-Strait economic cooperation 
mechanism and resumption of consultations on a "common 
market" based on the "1992 Consensus," in response to a 
question about Ma Ying-jeou's push for a cross-Strait common 
market.  In reply to a question on his views of Ma's Vice 
Presidential candidate, Yang said he has had no previous 
contact with Vincent Siew. 
 
Olympic Business Opportunities, Torch Relay Route 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶3.  The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games 
(BOCOG) has been fair, open and transparent in working with 
enterprises as sponsors, partners and suppliers, Yang said in 
response to questions about Taiwan businesses reportedly 
believing the bar for participation is set too high. 
Taiwanese companies are included in the current 61 corporate 
sponsors of the Games, he added.  Regarding the current 
stalemate over the Olympic torch relay route, Yang said China 
hopes to remove "political interference" in implementing the 
consensus that previously had been reached by both sides, 
which had been approved by the International Olympic 
Committee. 
 
"Peaceful Independence, Democratic Reunification" 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶4.  As long as there is hope for peaceful reunification, 
China will strive to develop cross-Strait relations, but will 
never tolerate Taiwan independence, Yang told reporters.  He 
was responding to a question about a new slogan, "peaceful 
independence, democratic reunification," reportedly 
circulating in Taiwan academic circles, as well as Taiwan 
scholar Huang Jiashu's view that the incompatibility of the 
Mainland and Taiwan's political and legal systems must be 
addressed. 
 
Success of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶5.  In response to questions on the tenth anniversary of Hong 
Kong's reversion to China, Yang called attention to the 
success of the "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people 
ruling Hong Kong," and "high degree of autonomy" concepts in 
Hong Kong over the past decade.  He expressed hope that 
increased understanding of the success of "one country, two 
systems" among Taiwan compatriots would promote the "peaceful 
reunification of the Motherland."  Yang also pointed out the 
ever-increasing exchange and trade between Hong Kong and 
Taiwan and encouraged the further development of Hong 
Kong-Taiwan relations. 
 
Cross-Strait Tourism, Charter Flights 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  The spokesman again blamed Taiwan for thwarting a deal on 
cross-Strait tourism on which he said civilian trade 
organizations from both sides had reached consensus after 
five rounds of technical consultations.  The first Dragon 
Boat Festival charter flights were completed successfully 
June 15-22, consisting of 21 round-trip flights, but Yang 
said China believes only with the early realization of 
weekend and normal charter flights will demand be met and 
real convenience provided to compatriots on both sides of the 
Strait. 
 
BEIJING 00004321  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
Youth Exchange, Agriculture Cooperation 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  The spokesman gave a detailed description of exhibitions 
related to cross-Strait agriculture held in cooperation with 
the Taiwan Provincial Association of Agriculture on June 
20-25 in the cities of Shanghai, Nanjing, Fuzhou, Wuhan, 
Guangzhou and Dalian.  In reply to a question about a 
cross-Strait youth summer camp, Yang only mentioned a 
cooperative project among the China Reporters Association, 
the China Association of Journalists and Taiwan. 
RANDT