WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States supports a one-China policy and opposes Taiwan's referendum to join the United Nations as provocative, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday.
"In the Taiwan Strait... the United States remains committed to peace and security. We have a one-China policy and we do not support independence for Taiwan," Rice said in firm and clear opening remarks at a press conference.
"We think that Taiwan's referendum to apply to the United Nations under the name Taiwan is a provocative policy," she said at the year-end conference that touched on her priorities for next year.
"It unnecessarily raises tensions in the Taiwan Strait and it comes with no real benefits for the people of Taiwan on the international stage. That is why we oppose this referendum," Rice said.
US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said in August that Washington opposed a referendum because it would be a step to declaring full independence -- a highly sensitive issue with China insisting Taiwan is part of its territory.
Taiwan, under its official name the Republic of China, lost its UN seat to China in 1971.
Efforts in the past 14 years to rejoin the world body using the name "the Republic of China" have been repeatedly blocked by Beijing, which regards the island as part of its own territory awaiting reunification.
The two sides split at the end of a civil war in 1949.
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is pushing for the controversial vote to be held alongside the March 22 presidential elections.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates dismissed concerns raised at a separate press conference that the referendum push could trigger a military reaction in the region.
"No, I'm not worried that there will be a military reaction. We obviously are watching it very closely," Gates said.
"The United States has spoken out on this quite clearly to the Taiwanese government. And the Chinese government knows that we have spoken out. They made reference to it while I was there," he added.
He said the Chinese would like the United States to speak out more, while Washington has urged Beijing to "continue to handle this matter in a political way."
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