WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States welcomed Friday the upcoming landmark meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Taiwan's vice president-elect Vincent Siew, saying it was "the best way forward" to settling cross-strait tensions.
"We think that dialogue between the People's Republic of China and the authorities, leaders on Taiwan (island) is the best way forward," Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said when asked to comment on the talks.
Siew arrived Friday at the Boao resort, on the east coast of the tropical Chinese island of Hainan, where he was scheduled to meet for 20 minutes with Hu on Saturday as part of the Taiwanese delegation.
Siew said he hoped to "melt the ice" with China in the much-anticipated meeting, described as the highest-level direct contact between Beijing and Taipei since the two sides split at the end of a civil war in 1949.
Negroponte said the United States was committed to stability in the Taiwan Strait.
"We believe that the best way to settle differences over the Taiwan Strait is by peaceful means," he said.
"So yes, I would say that this is a good way forward," he added of the Hu-Siew meeting at the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia, a regional gathering.
Although Taiwan has ruled itself since the split from China nearly six decades ago, Beijing still claims sovereignty over the island.
Siew was Ma Ying-jeou's running mate when the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang candidate won Taiwan's presidential election last month.
Ma has vowed to improve relations with China, increase trade, tourism and transport links, and work on a peace treaty to end hostilities.
China-Taiwan political ties deteriorated during the past eight years under the rule of outgoing President Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party, who had irked Washington and Beijing with his pro-independence stance.
Negroponte said that with Chen out and his controversial plan for UN membership thrown out, China-Taiwan relations could improve.
"We think the recent election and rejection of the referendum put forward actually opens up the possibility of a new dialogue between the People's Republic of China and political leaders of Taiwan," he said.
Chen's referendum about seeking United Nations membership for Taiwan failed, with only about 35 percent of voters casting their ballot, far below the required 50 percent.
The referendum, held alongside the presidential election, was seen as potentially explosive, especially because it suggested applying to the UN under the name of Taiwan, signalling a separate identity from China.
Although the United States switched diplomatic recognition, it has remained a key ally to Taiwan and its leading arms supplier.
US President George W. Bush was among the first to congratulate Ma.
Negroponte did not comment on Ma's request to make a trip to Washington before his May 20 inauguration, which may earn the fury of China if allowed.
Beijing frowns on any visits by Taiwan's leaders that might imply Taiwan sovereignty.
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