New mainland premier quotes sad poem about Taiwan

During his first news conference as China’s No. 3 leader, Wen Jiabao stuck with China’s long-standing policy that hoped-for talks with Taiwan should be based on the premise that both sides are part of “one China” — but avoided the threatening tone often used on such occasions.

Wen said “lots of feelings well up” inside him when Taiwan is mentioned.

Appealing to the 23 million people on the island — where his news conference was shown on cable TV — he cited a few mournful lines written by Yu You-jen, a participant in the 1911 revolution that toppled China’s last dynasty:

“Bury me on the highest mountaintop so I can get a sight of my mainland.”

“Mainland, I see none. Tears of sorrow touch my face.”

Wen, 61, was elected premier on Sunday by the National People’s Congress, China’s legislature.

His other comments contained little that’s likely to inspire Taiwan’s leaders to begin making compromises so that talks can begin. President Chen Shui-bian has repeatedly said he won’t agree to talks that require him to accept that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.

Chen said in a speech that he wanted to improve relations with China but not under conditions set by Beijing.

Chen said that he would “push for the normalization of relations with China according to the principles of harmony, cooperation and peace.”

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