July 13, 1999
| | |
| ||
| July 13, 1999 | atimes.com | |
| ||
| China Australia reaffirms support for One China policy BEIJING - Australia has reaffirmed its support for One China under communist-rule as Foreign Minister Alexander Downer began paving the way for a visit this year by Chinese President Jiang Zemin. Amid a row over Papua New Guinea's decision to establish diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Downer told Chinese leaders in Beijing that Australia firmly abided by the One China policy. Downer's visit coincided with a stinging attack on Taiwan authorities by China's Communist Party, which regards the island as a renegade province. The rebuke was prompted by Taiwanese president Lee Teng Hui's comments at the weekend that cross-strait relations should be conducted on a ''special state-to-state basis." ''Lee's flagrant redefinition of cross-strait relations exposed his political malice, intention to split the Chinese territorial integrity and sovereignty, and his attempt to separate Taiwan from China,'' a party spokesman told the state-run Xinhua news agency. Lee's comments, which bordered on a declaration of Taiwanese independence, continued to fuel mainland anger sparked by Papua New Guinea's decision last week to formally recognize Taiwan. Both Beijing and Australia have criticized PNG's desertion of communist China amid reports the decision was secured by Taiwan's promise of billions of dollars in soft loans. During talks in Beijing with Downer, his Chinese counterpart Tang Jiaxuan said the mainland government firmly opposed any attempt by Taiwan to create ''two Chinas'' or ''one China, one Taiwan." Referring to President Jiang's planned trip, Tang said the first visit to Australia by a Chinese head of state would be ''of great significance to the establishment of long-term, stable, healthy Sino-Australian relations of cooperation in the 21st century''. Downer told Xinhua the Australian government and people were looking forward to President Jiang's visit and would give him a warm welcome. ''Australia believes that President Jiang's visit is very important and will be a complete success,'' Downer said. ''Australia places great importance on its relations with China and believes that Sino-Australian relations are important not only for the Asia-Pacific region but also for the world at large." Downer later held private talks with President Jiang at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to discuss plans for the trip. Jiang was expected to schedule the visit to Australia as a part of trip to New Zealand to attend the next Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit. Downer also held talks with State Development Planning Commission vice-chairman Li Rongrong and Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation minister Shi Guangsheng. (Asia Pulse) | |||||||||
 |
|
Front | China | Southeast Asia | Japan | Koreas | India/Pakistan | Central Asia/Russia | Oceania Business Briefs | Global Economy | Asian Crisis | Media/IT | Editorials | Letters | Search/Archive Cheap Holiday Packages to London England |
back to the top ©1999 Asia Times Online Co., Ltd. |
