Associated Press

Taipei, May 9:

The worst period of China-Taiwan tension has passed, but Taipei will still keep a wary eye on Beijing, the Taiwanese premier said today.

“China must watch what it says and what it does,” premier Frank Hsieh said at a news conference in Taipei. “We are now monitoring both their words and deeds.” In March, tensions ratcheted up when China passed a law codifying the use of military force by Beijing if Taiwan moves towards independence.

However, visits to China by pro-unification Taiwanese opposition leaders — while not backed by the government — have apparently helped lower tensions in recent weeks.

Taiwan has long been one of Asia’s hottest potential flash points. China and the island, separated from the mainland by a 160-kilometre wide strait, split amid civil war in 1949. But Beijing claims democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as Chinese territory and has repeatedly threatened to take it by military force.

Hsieh did not credit the opposition leaders’ visits with lowering tensions. But he said he was optimistic that the worst was now over. “If China does not raise tensions in cross-Strait relations I think the worst period in relations has now passed.”

China’s leaders have repeatedly criticised president Chen Shui-bian’s ruling Democratic

Progressive Party because of its independence-leaning platform.

James Soong of the opposition People First Party — visiting China now — and opposition Nationalist Party head Lien Chan, who returned last week, support Taiwan’s eventual reunification with Beijing.