■習近平和特朗普上個月在佛羅里達的海湖莊園會談，就發展兩國合作關係達成了重要共識。 資料圖片【原文】美國總統特朗普4月27日在白宮接受傳媒採訪時，明確拒絕蔡英文再度通電話的要求。在中美合作關係的新常態（a new normal）下，蔡英文當局企圖藉美國來推動「台獨」的圖謀不僅徒勞無功，而且也令台灣處於越來越孤立（ marginalisation ）的地位。
習普會修補關係增合作
蔡英文接受外媒訪問，聲稱希望再次與特朗普通電話，以及向美國採購F-35隱形戰機。孰料特朗普隨後公開拒絕（spurned），這無疑是對蔡英文的當頭棒喝（ slapped in the face）。
儘管特朗普競選期間及當選（president-elect）之初，曾發出過一些對中美關係不利的言論，也與蔡英文通過電話，但他正式上任不久就努力修復（mended）中美關係，與國家主席習近平通電話，表示認同一個中國政策（One China Policy）等等。
尤其重要的是，他專門邀請習近平訪美，雙方在佛羅里達的海湖莊園（Mar-a-Lago）舉行長時間會談，雙方就一系列重大的地區和國際問題（regional and global issues of common concern）溝通了立場，就發展兩國合作關係達成了重要共識，確立了中美四大溝通協調機制（high-level mechanisms for dialogue and cooperatio）；兩位元首還建立了坦誠友好的工作關係和個人友誼（a sound working relationship and personal friendship），使中美關係開始進入一個相互尊重、合作共贏的新階段。
特朗普重申不與蔡英文再通電話，也表明美方充分認識到一個中國原則立場在中美關係中的特殊重要性（unique importance）。要保持中美關係的持續穩定發展，特朗普就必須在台灣問題上採取恰當的做法。
蔡不走正道失支持
蔡英文上台近一年來，拒不認同「九二共識」，令兩岸關係倒退。在島內施政方面（Domestically），蔡英文當局也是支持度不斷下滑。據最新的民意調查（ poll figures），有近六成的台灣民眾不滿意其施政。
蔡英文主動提出購買美國最新武器來博得美方支持，更在兩岸關係和一個中國問題上不斷挑戰大陸方面底線（bottom line）。這種做法不僅不能保障台海和平穩定，相反將令兩岸關係（cross-strait relations ）雪上加霜，使島內發展增加更多不穩定的因素。
特朗普明確拒絕蔡英文的建議，顯示這條路根本走不通（dead-end）。蔡英文應該收起那些不合實際的幻想（fantasy），回到認同「九二共識」、促進兩岸和平發展的正確軌道上來，這才是讓台灣得以繁榮發展的唯一正確選擇。 （標題及小標題為編輯所加） （摘錄自香港文匯報社評29-4-2017）
Trump's refusal of call with Tsai backs One China policy
【譯文】US President Donald Trump dismissed Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's suggestion to hold another phone call during a White House interview on April 27. Under a new normal of Sino-US relations, Tsai's attempt to seek US support for Taiwan "independence" is destined to fail, and would only aggravate the marginalisation of Taiwan.
Leaders mend relations at Mar-a-Lago
During an interview with foreign media, Tsai expressed an interest in buying F-35 stealth fighters from the US, and said that another direct phone call with Trump could take place again. Tsai has been slapped in the face however as her propositions were openly spurned by the US President soon afterwards.
As a matter of fact, Trump did hamper Sino-US ties both during his campaign and as president-elect, by making controversial remarks and taking a phone call with Tsai. Yet he promptly mended the relationship with China after he was sworn in, held phone calls with Chinese President Xi Jin-ping and acknowledged the One China policy.
More importantly, he initiated Xi's state visit to the US, where the two heads of state held an in-depth exchange of views on major regional and global issues of common concern at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. They reached consensus on developing a cooperative relationship between the two countries during the meeting, and announced the establishment of four high-level mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation. Xi and Trump have increased mutual understanding and established a sound working relationship and personal friendship through the meeting, thus setting a constructive tone for the development of Sino-US relations and charting the course of bilateral ties in a new era.
Trump has reiterated that another phone call with Tsai would not be possible, and has made clear that the US fully understands the unique importance of the One China policy. To maintain the steady development of bilateral ties with China, Trump must take appropriate measures when dealing with issues regarding Taiwan.
Tsai losing support in Taiwan
Beijing and Taipei have seen relations sour over Tsai's first year in power, as she repeatedly refused to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus. Domestically, Tsai's administration is also facing serious challenges as her approval ratings continue to plunge. According to the latest poll figures, Tsai Ing-wen's disapproval rating is almost hitting 60 per cent. Her plans to garner US support by buying the latest US weapons have even directly hit Beijing's bottom line on cross-strait relations and the One China policy. Such actions could only exacerbate the already frosty ties across the strait, which would ultimately hurt Taiwan more.
Trump's open rejection serves as a wake-up call for the people of Taiwan: it is crystal clear that Tsai is drifting the island towards a dead-end. Tsai Ing-wen should wake up from her fantasy and come to an agreement with China on the 1992 Consensu. Only then would Taiwan be back on track for peaceful development.
Exercise
1. 民進黨
2. 國民黨
3. 《與台灣關係法》
4. 中美三個聯合公報
5. 海峽兩岸經濟合作架構協議
Answer
1. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
2. Kuomintang (KMT)
3. Taiwan Relations Act
4. The Three Joint Communiqués
5. Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA)
