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China ultimatum to Taiwan could backfire-HK papers

HONG KONG: Hong Kong newspapers said on Wednesday that China's ultimatum to the island of Taiwan to enter unification talks or face a possible military attack could backfire.

The threat, ahead of Taiwan's presidential election on March 18, could harm China's long-term interests, alienate Taiwan people and damage Beijing's reputation internationally, some Hong Kong newspapers said.

A policy paper by China's cabinet this week said Beijing would be forced to use "drastic measures, including military force" if Taiwan indefinitely delayed negotiations aimed at reuniting the island with the mainland.

Chinese nationalist forces fled to the island after losing a civil war to the communists in 1949. Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province.

"When Beijing lobbed missiles Taiwan's way before the 1996 (presidential) election, it brought out the US Navy and harmed China's international image," the South China Morning Post said.

"This time, harsh words alone, given the state of American presidential politics, could again undermine China's long-term interests in the US and elsewhere," the Post added.

The Hong Kong Standard, in its editorial, said: "In the long term, Beijing's attempts to influence Taiwan's election will be counter-productive."

"People will likely perceive Beijing's attempt to influence the election negatively because it will prohibit them from expressing their will to choose their leader freely." -Reuters