Legislation Hurting Sino-US Ties

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, August 07, 2002

Legislation Hurting Sino-US Ties

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Annoyed by its shaky overseas image and eager to improve it, the United States is developing an Office of Global Communications. But without changing its behaviour, could media alone - however powerful it may be - succeed in helping observers dump their negative view of the superpower?

The answer is definitely no.

A person is judged on what he does, not what he says - no matter how eloquent it sounds.

And world opinion in regards to a nation is formed the same way.

The latest US move concerning Taiwan shows it is not yet in the mood to review the way it does things, at least when handling a most sensitive issue between itself and China.

Defying serious presentations from China, US President George W. Bush ratified legislation which included Taiwan among its "allies."

The document, entitled 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery From and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States, aligns the island with US allies inside and outside NATO.

It also gives Bush the right to take action to protect Taiwan's military and administrative personnel if they are taken into custody by the International Criminal Court.

Once again the feelings of the Chinese people are deeply hurt.

They feel betrayed because the United States has back-pedalled from its commitment to the "one China" principle and has stopped sincerely abiding by the three Sino-US joint communiques, which serve as a political basis for the two countries to resume contacts and establish normal diplomatic relations.

The Chinese Government has expressed resolute opposition to the US move of interfering with its internal affairs.

The irresponsible move by the Bush administration inevitably tarnishes the image of the United States as a world power.

In fact, it is not the first time the Bush administration has elevated relations with Taiwan.

From upgraded arms sales to an open declaration of "defending" the island and the hosting of Taiwan "defence minister" Tang Yiau-ming, the Bush administration has repeatedly acted against its commitment and jolted Sino-US relations.

Sour Sino-US relations benefits neither country.

Worse, some diehards on the island have interpreted the US actions as signal of Washington's support for Taiwan independence. It has further encouraged hardliners on the island to slide along the deadly-ended road to independence.

It is hoped the United States will honour its commitment on the Taiwan issue and act to minimize the negative influence.

China Daily contributes to this report

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