China on Tuesday urged the US to immediately cancel arms sale
programs, and stop arms sales and military links with Taiwan,
according to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao.
Liu made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked to
comment on the US Department of Defense's recent announcement of
planning to sell 3 sets of Patriot II anti-missile equipment
upgrade systems and affiliated equipments worth of US$939 million
to Taiwan.
China firmly opposes arms sales by the US government to Taiwan,
and has already raised strong objections to the US, said Liu,
noting that this has been a consistent and clear stance of
China.
China urged the US to take actions to carry out the three China-US joint communiques, honor its
commitment made to China on the issue of Taiwan, and stop sending
any misleading signals to the separatist forces seeking "Taiwan
Independence," Liu said, affirming that China reserved rights for
taking further measures.
Regardless of China's solemn stance and firm opposition, the US
took several improper actions in selling the P-3C anti submarine
warfare aircraft, the Patriot II antimissile equipment upgrade
systems, and other advanced weapons, Liu said.
Such wrongdoings severely violate commitments made to China in
the joint communique signed between the two countries on August 17,
1982, rudely interfere in China's internal affairs, endanger
Chinese national security and peaceful unification, and disturb the
improvement and development of China-US relations, Liu
stressed.
Noting that the Taiwan situation is highly complicated and
sensitive, Liu said Chen Shui-bian's obstinate promotion of a
"referendum" on Taiwan's bid to enter the UN, seeking membership in
the UN under the name of Taiwan as well as other separatist
activities attempting for "Taiwan independence," seriously threaten
the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.
China expressed strong opposition to some US congressmen for
issuing a bill supporting Taiwan's UN membership.
"The one-China principle is not allowed to be questioned or
denied," Liu said.
East China Sea issue
China held an "open attitude" for proposal that would help
resolve the East China Sea issue.
Liu made the remarks when answering a question concerning the
11th consultation between China and Japan on oil and gas
exploration in the East China Sea to be held in Tokyo on
Wednesday.
Hu Zhengyue, director-general of the Department of Asian Affairs
of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and Kenichiro Sasae, head of the
Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, will
attend the consultation, according to Liu.
He said China attached great importance to the consultation and
would continue to push it forward with a positive and pragmatic
attitude.
"We hope Japan will make the same effort to promote the
consultation," he said, adding that only joint efforts from the two
countries could help in reaching an agreement.
Premier Wen's upcoming Singapore visit
Premier Wen Jiabao will make an official visit to
Singapore and attend a series of meetings there from November 18 to
22, Liu announced.
The meetings will include the 11th Association of Southeast
Asian Nations plus Three Summit (ASEAN plus China, Japan, and South
Korea), the 11th China-ASEAN summit, and the third East Asian
regional summit, Liu said.
Wen will also attend the eighth annual meeting of leaders of
China, Japan, and South Korea, Liu added.
Vice premier's visit to Algeria, Cyprus,
Spain
Vice Premier Hui Liangyu will pay official visits to
Algeria, Cyprus, and Spain from November 18 to 29, Liu
announced.
During his tour, Hui will also attend the opening ceremony of
the fourth meeting of the China-Spain forum, a non-official,
high-level institution.
The forum, established in July 2003 with focus on facilitating
bilateral cooperation in economy, politics, culture, and education,
holds its annual meeting alternating in China and Spain.
Ecuadorian president's visit
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa will pay a state visit to
China from November 19 to 25 at the invitation of President Hu Jintao, Liu announced.
During Correa's visit, he is expected to have official talks
with President Hu, and meet with top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo and Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee
of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau.
China attaches great importance to President Correa's state
visit, and is ready to further promote bilateral relations based on
the communique on the establishment of diplomatic ties, Liu
said.
China hopes Correa's visit could further push forward bilateral
relations, he added.
Besides Beijing, Correa will also visit Shanghai.
EU summit
Liu said China expects the upcoming summit with the EU to
achieve substantial results.
"The summit will be held at a historical stage for China-EU
relations and many issues will be touched upon at the meeting,"
said Liu.
The 10th summit between China and the EU will take place in
Beijing at the end of the month.
Liu also said the Taiwan issue was related to China's core
interest. The EU has long adhered to the one-China policy, and
China hopes it would maintain this stance.
Myanmar issue
China has played and will continue to play a constructive role
on the Myanmar issue, said Liu.
China always supported the mediation efforts by the UN secretary
general and his special envoy and would sincerely like to see a
peaceful, stable, democratic, and developing Myanmar, Liu said.
Liu said it should be clearly understood that the Myanmar issue
was very complicated and could not be thoroughly resolved through
one or two rounds of mediation.
On the upcoming 11th meeting among leaders from the ASEAN,
China, Japan, and South Korea, Liu said China would respect the
views of related countries on whether to discuss the Myanmar issue
at the meeting, stressing that the issue was essentially the
internal affairs of Myanmar.
Myanmar's peace, stability, democracy, development, and progress
are in accord with the interests of China, the region at large, and
in particular, those of the ASEAN countries, Liu said.
"China has no self-interest on the issue," Liu said.
Database
Responding to reports that China is building databases on
foreign journalists who would cover the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Liu said they are
inaccurate. There are no such databases, nor any plan to build
them.
He clarified that the Foreign Ministry, authorized by the State
Council, is in charge of foreign reporters' affairs. The ministry
will join hands with the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games
of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) to provide quality service to foreign
reporters covering the Games.
(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily November 14,
2007)
