BEIJING (AP) -- China urged Taiwan on Saturday to allow the Chinese government to send experts and aid to help its "flesh and blood" compatriots recover from the recent devastating earthquake.
A statement read on state-run television from the government's top Taiwan affairs offices accused some Taiwanese of distorting facts and spreading rumors in order to weaken ties between the Chinese mainland and the island."Blood is thicker than water. No matter what the Taiwan authorities do in the future, the motherland will provide whatever assistance it can to our Taiwan compatriots," the statement said.
The Sept. 21 earthquake, which killed more than 2,000 people, occurred at a time of high tensions between the rival governments. In July, Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui's proposed that China treat the island as a separate state.
China's state-run media reported menacing military maneuvers and top officials, including President Jiang Zemin, underscored their determination to reunify with Taiwan, by force if necessary.
The statement issued Saturday said China had teams of doctors and other experts standing by and was prepared to provide the equivalent of $300,000 in cash aid to its "flesh and blood" Taiwan compatriots.
Immediately after the quake, China offered condolences and aid to Taiwan but angered many Taiwanese by continuing to bring up the political dispute while the island struggled to recover from the quake.
Taiwan accused China of politicizing the disaster and of interfering with the delivery of international relief by demanding that countries first ask Beijing's permission before delivering earthquake aid.
Taiwan officials also said the Chinese Foreign Ministry's statements offering thanks to nations that sent aid were "insulting."