U.S., Chinese Militaries Trade Warnings Over Issue of Taiwan

BEIJING — Seeking to ease tensions over Taiwan, the commander of U.S. Pacific forces warned China’s military leaders Tuesday that any use of force against the island would be regarded “with grave concern” by Washington, a U.S. official said.

Adm. Dennis Blair’s appeal for restraint comes after China stepped up pressure on Taiwan ahead of the island’s March 18 presidential election. In a declaration last week, China said Taiwan risked attack if it indefinitely rebuffed demands for unification talks.

Blair’s talks with Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian and Gen. Fu Quanyou were aimed at reestablishing contacts between the two militaries that Beijing severed when U.S. warplanes bombed China’s embassy in Yugoslavia last May.

Blair “made very clear” that China’s recent announcement about Taiwan was “not helpful,” a U.S. official said.

Blair also warned that “any attempt to solve the issue of Taiwan by other than peaceful means would be viewed with grave concern.”

Chi said Beijing wanted peaceful reunification with Taiwan--which China considers a renegade province--but he added: “China will never commit not to use force,” the official New China News Agency reported.