BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- China has called on the
United States and Japan to keep their word on the Taiwan issue.
"China hopes the United States and Japan will carry
out their promises of not supporting 'Taiwan independence' or Taiwan authority's
proposed 'referendum on UN membership'", Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
said in a written interview with Russia's Interfax news agency.
Yang made the remarks in response to a question on
the influence of Taiwan issue on Sino-U.S. and Sino-Japanese relations.
Yang told the Russian journalist that Taiwan issue is
one that matters the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and
a great concern of 1.3 billion Chinese people and tens of millions of overseas
Chinese.
Taiwan issue has always been the most important and
sensitive one in the relations between China and United States.
Addressing the issue based on the one-China policy is
pivotal to the healthy and stable development of mutual ties, he said.
The issue is also significant in China-Japan
relations, Yang added. To handle the issue properly is a fundamental condition
for the smooth development of China-Japan relations.
Yang said that the situation across the Taiwan
Straits now is "highly complex and sensitive" and that Chen Shui-bian clings
obstinately to secessionist activities, including the "referendum on UN
membership". This poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region,
he said.
Yang said that the United States and Japan had
already said many times they support the one-China policy and oppose "Taiwan
independence" and the proposed "referendum on the UN membership".
In a reply to the questions on linking issues like
human rights to the Beijing Olympics, Yang said China welcomes constructive
advices and criticism, but objects to intervention in its internal affairs and
intervening the Beijing Olympics with political purposes.
"(The linkage) violates the common aspiration of the
international community and the Olympic spirit", Yang said, adding it would be
unfair to China and unfair to the Olympics and all people who share their
passions for sports, Yang said.
Yang said the upcoming Beijing Olympics is a world
event and it is the common expectation of the people around the world to see the
Beijing Olympics success.
Yang said that China hopes the international
community to take a responsible attitude toward the event, and China believes
the Beijing Olympics will be a successful event with the support and
participation of various nations.
Taiwan residents veto 2 "UN membership referendums"
TAIPEI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan residents on Saturday vetoed two "referendums" on launching a bid to join the United Nations, according to an initial count of the votes on Saturday.
A vote on whether the island should seek UN membership under the name "Taiwan," as proposed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was held simultaneously with the leadership poll. Full story
Ma wins Taiwan's leadership election
TAIPEI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Ma Ying-jeou, the candidate representing Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT), won the island's leadership election on Saturday, according to Taiwan media reports.
Ma, former KMT party chairman, and Vincent Siew, got 7.6587 million ballots, or 58.45 percent of the votes, whereas Frank Hsieh of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and his running mate Su Tseng-chang got 5.4452 million ballots, or 41.55 percent of the votes. Full story
