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American Morning

U.S., China Engage in War of Words

Aired April 26, 2001 - 11:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR: Other news right now, the Chinese government is bristling at President Bush's statement yesterday that he will do whatever it takes to help Taiwan defend itself. Well, China called the decision to sell arms to Taiwan a reversal of promises made by Mr. Bush's predecessors. CNN's senior White House correspondent John King joins us live now with more on the latest volley in the U.S.-Chinese war of words -- hello there, John.

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Linda.

That's right. The president's remarks causing a stir around the world in Beijing and capitals of key U.S. allies as well as some concern and confusion here in Washington as well. Beijing saying the president's public commitment to defend Taiwan, the reaction in Beijing, quote, "strongly indignant." The Chinese government saying the president is drifting further down a dangerous road.

Here in Washington, though, the administration saying that the president's public commitment is just his being more candid. They say as a candidate he promised to be more candid about the U.S. will and willingness to defend Taiwan if necessary, that in speaking out publicly in interviews with CNN and others, he was simply making public what he promised to do during the campaign and making public his interpretation of the Taiwan Relations Act, which Condoleezza Rice, the White House national security adviser, says quote, "makes very clear the United States has an obligation that Taiwan's peaceful way of life is not upset by force."

Again, Dr. Rice saying the president's statement showed, quote, "how seriously and resolutely he takes this obligation." And she makes the case that a secure Taiwan will be better able to engage in a cross-strait dialogue with Beijing.

But the consternation and the concern because for 20 years, more than 20 years, the United States has been deliberately vague on this issue for two reasons. One, so as the Beijing government would not know if or under what circumstances the United States might militarily intervene to defend Taiwan, and so the pro-independence forces in Taiwan would not have the certainty the United States would be there to defend Taiwan and therefore would not do anything to antagonize Beijing.

So if you notice throughout the day yesterday as he was asked about this, the president in later interviews clarifying his remarks somewhat, making clear that he believes in the One China Policy and that any declaration or any moves toward independence by Taiwan would be a violation of that policy. Still, Beijing very upset by what the president has said, another example of tensions in the U.S.-China relationship in the early weeks of the Bush administration, Linda.

STOUFFER: OK, John King at the White House, thank you very much for that.

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