Saturday, April 24, 2010
TAIPEI (AFP) - – Former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui warned Friday that China intends to use a major trade pact with Taipei to annex the island, comments that could enrage Beijing.
Lee, whom Beijing has labelled a "splittist", also called for a referendum to stop the Taiwan government from concluding the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA).
"For China ECFA is not an economic issue. It has very clear political purposes and it is the first step towards annexing Taiwan. It will start a disaster for Taiwan," Lee told reporters.
"ECFA will destroy Taiwan's sovereignty... and turn Taiwan into another Hong Kong and Macau," he said.
Lee angered China by trying to promote a separate identity for Taiwan during his time in office between 1988 and 2000. Beijing fired missiles near the island in 1995 and 1996, prompting the United States to send carrier groups to the area.
Lee, who still enjoys support from the island's pro-independence forces, reflected concerns from opponents of the planned pact, who claim that it will erode Taiwan's de facto independence from the mainland.
Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war but Beijing still sees the self-ruled island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.
But ties have improved markedly since Beijing-friendly Ma Ying-jeou became president in 2008. His government hopes to sign the pact as early as June, arguing it will boost and employment.
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