posted 12-11-2003 11:27 AM            

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China Says Appreciates Bush Comments on Taiwan
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Dec 11, 8:26 AM (ET)

By John Ruwitch

BEIJING (Reuters) - China thanked President Bush Thursday for his comments on diplomatic rival Taiwan and said Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the United States had been a complete success.

"We think the remarks made by President Bush when he met...Wen were positive, and the Chinese side expresses its appreciation," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters.

Bush, in a meeting with Wen Tuesday, said the United States opposed any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo, adding that the "comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally to change the status quo."

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian is pushing ahead with a referendum plan which China believes is merely a cover for separatist forces on the island.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has vowed to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Thursday, the official Xinhua news agency said army paratrooper units had completed their training this year well ahead of schedule and could do drops at any time, day or night, into almost any kind of terrain.

There was no direct mention of Taiwan in the report on Xinhua's Web site, www.xinhuanet.com, but analysts say paratroopers would be key to any attempt by China to invade and the Communist Party often times the release of news to send signals.

Wednesday, Wen wrapped up a four-day visit to the United States -- the first by a Chinese leader since a sweeping leadership transition that was finalized in March.

Asked for an overall assessment of the trip, Liu said it had "achieved complete success, and it will certainly become an important and positive influence in the continued development of the Sino-U.S. constructive cooperation partnership." Tensions rose last month when lawmakers in Taiwan debated and passed the referendum bill, and Chen has said he would push for a referendum to be held in March.

Chen also announced Thursday had had nominated his pro-independence vice president, Annette Lu, as his running mate in the March election.

Liu declined to comment on Chen's choice, but in the past Chinese state media has called Lu a traitor and "scum of the nation."

Analysts say Bush's comments marked a subtle shift for the United States which had previously said it "did not support" Taiwan independence and were a warning to Chen not to hold the referendum.