Thursday, November 27, 2003

China Warns Taiwan Again On Issue of Independence Posted here Thursday, November 27, 2003 at 9:09:00 AM     Need to watch this.. Official Vows 'Strong Reaction' If Referendum Law Is Passed By Philip P. Pan Washington Post Foreign Service Thursday, November 27, 2003; Page A14 BEIJING, Nov. 26 -- China warned Taiwan on Wednesday that it would deliver a "strong reaction" if the island passed a law allowing its citizens to vote on proposals that could lead to independence. But the main Taiwanese political parties immediately dismissed the threat and pushed ahead with plans to adopt the referendum legislation as early as Thursday. The Chinese warning and the swift response in Taipei appeared to set the stage for a showdown after more than a week of steadily escalating rhetoric by Chinese officials, who have threatened war if Taiwan continues taking what they describe as gradual steps toward formal independence. ********