Beijing pressures U.S. on Taiwan

Two Taiwanese Dutch-made submarines. Amid rising tensions with China, Taiwan's military canceled a submarine-hunting exercise scheduled for next week

(CNN) -- Beijing is putting more pressure on the United States to do something concrete to rein in the pro-independence gambit of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who is visiting the U.S. in late October, has put together a task force to prepare for what is likely to be his last official American tour.

Sources close to the special team said Jiang wanted a breakthrough in the triangular relationship between China, the U.S. and Taiwan, particularly some American commitment on the Taiwan issue.

The president has pointed out in internal meetings that it is due to American support for Taiwan that Chen dared last Saturday to advocate a referendum to determine the island's future.

The sources said the septuagenarian leader also needed a breakthrough on Taiwan to embellish his legacy in foreign and Taiwan affairs.

'Three Nos'

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Diplomatic analysts in Beijing said the Chinese leadership realized it was unlikely U.S. President George W. Bush would make a clear-cut statement such as the "Three Nos" policy on Taiwan.

This is a reference to former president Bill Clinton's statement in 1998 that Washington was opposed to Taiwan independence, to 'one China, one Taiwan,' and to Taiwan joining a global body that requires statehood as admission criterion.

However, the analysts said Jiang would be pushing hard for some form of an agreement by the U.S. to limit the sale of weapons to Taiwan.

The Taiwan issue will figure prominently during a China visit by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage later this month.

And Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong is due to call on Washington soon afterwards.

Military action

Meanwhile, there are indications the Chinese leadership has decided that unless Chen were to make further provocative remarks, Beijing will not retaliate through military measures such as missile drills close to the island.

Jiang, also Chairman of the Central Military Commission, has also discouraged the generals from making aggressive public statements on Taiwan.

On Wednesday, Defense Minister Chi Haotian met with the visiting Vice Defense Minister of Azerbaijan, Mamed Beydullayev.

State newspapers on Thursday reported only that during the discussions, Chi "made clear China's stand on the Taiwan issue."

In past meetings with foreign guests, Chi had often made vociferous threats against the Taiwan leadership for going down the separatist road.

The state media has also carried no new reports of military maneuvers that the PLA has traditionally held along the coast from April to October.