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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Taiwan UN bid 'provocative' - US | Taiwan UN bid 'provocative' - US |
| (3 days later) | |
| US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Washington is strongly opposed to Taiwan's plan for a referendum on United Nations membership. | US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Washington is strongly opposed to Taiwan's plan for a referendum on United Nations membership. |
| Ms Rice said applying to the UN in the name of "Taiwan" was a "provocative policy" - it raised tensions in the Taiwan Strait "unnecessarily". | Ms Rice said applying to the UN in the name of "Taiwan" was a "provocative policy" - it raised tensions in the Taiwan Strait "unnecessarily". |
| Taiwan has failed to join the UN under its formal name, Republic of China. | Taiwan has failed to join the UN under its formal name, Republic of China. |
| Beijing regards Taiwan as its territory and has blocked its bid to regain a UN membership the island lost in 1971. | Beijing regards Taiwan as its territory and has blocked its bid to regain a UN membership the island lost in 1971. |
| Separately governed | Separately governed |
| At an end-of-year news conference at the state department, Ms Rice said: "We think that Taiwan's referendum to apply to the United Nations under the name 'Taiwan' is a provocative policy. | At an end-of-year news conference at the state department, Ms Rice said: "We think that Taiwan's referendum to apply to the United Nations under the name 'Taiwan' is a provocative policy. |
| TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS Ruled by separate governments since end of Chinese civil war in 1949 China considers the island part of its territoryChina has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong KongMost people in Taiwan support status quo Taiwan flashpoint | TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS Ruled by separate governments since end of Chinese civil war in 1949 China considers the island part of its territoryChina has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong KongMost people in Taiwan support status quo Taiwan flashpoint |
| "It unnecessarily raises tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and it promises no real benefits for the people of Taiwan on the international stage." | "It unnecessarily raises tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and it promises no real benefits for the people of Taiwan on the international stage." |
| Beijing has attacked the referendum, calling it a precursor to attempts to declare independence. | Beijing has attacked the referendum, calling it a precursor to attempts to declare independence. |
| It has consistently threatened to use force if that happens. | It has consistently threatened to use force if that happens. |
| China and Taiwan have been separately governed since 1949. | China and Taiwan have been separately governed since 1949. |
| Taiwan held a UN seat until 1971, as the Republic of China, but that seat was then given to Beijing. | Taiwan held a UN seat until 1971, as the Republic of China, but that seat was then given to Beijing. |
| The referendum has been scheduled for 22 March 2008, when presidential elections are also set to take place. | |
| Current President Chen Shui-bian said recently: "China and Taiwan are two separate states on either side of the Taiwan Strait." |