China warned the U.S. Sunday to keep its navy out of the Taiwan Strait, in its most explicit statement to stay clear of waters between Taiwan and the mainland which have been the site of Chinese military exercises.
Responding to the warning, White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta refused to say where the U.S. fleet was heading and again described the Chinese exercises as "reckless."Meanwhile, Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui accused Beijing of "state terrorism" in conducting the maneuvers and suggested that Beijing's "power came from guns and it relies on guns to maintain its power."
Chinese Premier Li Peng, prompted by the U.S. decision to send two aircraft carrier battle groups plus submarines to waters off Taiwan, suggested that the interference of "foreign forces" added to tensions in the region.
"If some foreign forces make a show of force in the Taiwan Strait, that will not be helpful but will make the situation all the more complicated," Li said.
"The Chinese government will in no way accept the practice of one country imposing its views on another. If someone threatens the use of force against China, this ... will not spell any good results."
But Li also sought to draw a distinction between ordinary Taiwanese and Taiwanese leaders, whom Beijing has accused of seeking to "split the motherland" by advocating independence. "We wholeheartedly hope that people in Taiwan can live in a peaceful and stable environment," Li said.
The carrier USS Independence and support vessels have been patrolling in waters several hundred miles east of Taiwan. A second carrier, USS Nimitz, is on the way from the Persian Gulf to provide additional support.
The U.S. warships were sent after China announced it would conduct missile tests off Taiwan.
China is also holding live-fire exercises involving its army, navy and air force in the Taiwan Strait. These exercises will continue until March 25, two days after Taiwan's presidential election. China's saber-rattling in the Taiwan Strait is aimed at influencing the election result, but opinion polls indicate that support is strengthening for Lee, who has been the main target of Chinese invective.
"What is most important is that the leader of Taiwan, no matter how he is selected, refrains from carrying out actions aimed at creating `two Chinas' or leading to independence for Taiwan in the future," Li said.
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province. It was incensed by a visit to the U.S. last June by Lee. This prompted China to recall its ambassador to Washington, freeze most official relations with the U.S. and embark on a campaign of invective and intimidation against Taiwan.
Panetta urged a peaceful settlement to relations between China and Taiwan, and reinforced the U.S. commitment to a one-China policy.
"We want a peaceful solution to that situation," he said, "and we think the acts that they China have taken in the period of the last few weeks have been reckless and frankly provocative."
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)