The US Secretary of State Mr. Powell made a rare comment in Beijing Monday that China's Taiwan is not a "sovereign state". The comment raised outside attention. Experts on the Taiwan question in Beijing believe Mr. Powell's comment has undoubtedly been the most well-meaning expression to Beijing since the Bush administration took office nearly four year ago. It was also a sharp warning to the "Taiwan independence" force on the island.

Constructive role in checking "Taiwan independence"

Chu Shulong, director of the Strategy Research Institute at Tsinghua University, said during an interview that Powell's statements were an important accomplishment of his visit to China, which are of constructive significance in checking "Taiwan independence", improving and developing China-US relations. Chu Shulong believes Mr. Powell's visit to China was very successful. During the meeting he voluntarily explained to China the arms sales to Taiwan. "It indicates that the US government realized the importance of the Taiwan question. It also shows US' respect for China's core interest", said Chu Shulong.

Chu Jingtao, research fellow at the Taiwan Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highly praised Mr. Powell's comment. He believes Mr. Powell's comment made on Taiwan Retrocession Day (Oct. 25th) to check "Taiwan independence" force has a pushing effect on the relationship between the two shores. Chu Jingtao pointed out that from Mr. Powell's comment we can see the US does not want to see the "Taiwan independence" force go too fast and wants it to restrain itself.

Talking about the connection between Mr. Powell's comment and the US presidential election Chu Shulong believes Mr. Powell's comment has no direct connection with the US election. The Bush administration would not gain or lose votes because of this comment.

By People's Daily Online