LEAD: Chen says Taiwan provided China sub info to Japan, U.S

Asian Political News, Nov 24, 2004

TAIPEI, Nov. 19 Kyodo

President Chen Shui-bian said Friday that Taiwan's military provided intelligence to Japan and the United States related to the intrusion of a Chinese submarine into Japanese territorial waters last week.

Chen made the comment in a meeting with Reijiro Hattori, head of the Japan Interchange Association, whose Taipei office serves as Japan's de facto embassy in the absence of diplomatic ties.

''It's our pleasure to contribute firsthand information to Japan and the United States, which was then confirmed,'' Chen reportedly said.

On Tuesday, China expressed regret over the Nov. 10 intrusion by the nuclear-powered submarine into the Japanese waters near Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Japan took it as an expression of apology.

Citing concerns over China's recent military expansion, Chen stressed that all parties involved should strengthen ties so as to maintain peace and stability in the region.

''Japan, the United States and Taiwan have felt the same way about threats from China. In that we share common interests,'' Chen was quoted as telling Hattori.

Japan switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1972. After that, the Japan Interchange Association was established to promote unofficial relations between the two sides.

China regards Taiwan as part of its inseparable territory that should be reunited, by force if necessary.