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Dec 25, 2007 S'pore reiterates stand on Taiwan SINGAPORE yesterday urged Taiwan's government to reconsider a proposal to put the island's United Nations membership bid under the title 'Taiwan' to a referendum, saying the move is provocative and irresponsible. Responding to media queries on recent statements by the P5 opposing the referendum, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman reiterated Singapore's position in June this year: 'Singapore's 'one China' policy is clear and consistent. We remain firmly opposed to any unilateral move to alter the status of Taiwan. The proposal to put Taiwan's UN membership bid under the title 'Taiwan' to a referendum is provocative and irresponsible. It does not further Taiwan's interests in any way. It can only raise cross-strait tensions, reduce Taiwan's international space, and leave Taiwan even more isolated.' The P5 refers to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. 'Taiwanese leaders have stated that the referendum is not provocative, but is merely an expression of the democratic wishes of the Taiwanese people. However, whether or not the referendum is provocative is not for Taiwan to assert, but for the international community to judge,' MFA said, adding the move will have serious repercussions on the whole region. 'The P5 countries have all made their positions clear. Their positions tally with the overwhelming weight of international opinion. Even the US, whose commitment to Taiwan is not in doubt, has repeatedly expressed its opposition to such a referendum in unambiguous language at a high level, most recently in a statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. 'As a friend of Taiwan, Singapore therefore urges the Taiwan government to reconsider its position in the interest of Taiwan's own future and of regional peace and security,' MFA said. Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access |