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Bitting the Bullet (Train)
Beijing reacted angrily this week to suggestions that outgoing Japanese Prime minister 小泉純一郎 (Koizumi Junichiro) might attend the opening of the high speed rail link connecting Taipei and Kaohsiung, at the invitation of Taiwanese President 陳水扁 (Chen Shui Bian), accusing 陳(Chen) of extending the invitation as a political rouse.
Tow the Line
During an official press conference this Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang issued a firm statement denouncing Chen's invitation to 小泉(Koizumi) as a thinly veiled move to draw Japan in between China and the disputed island of Chinese-Taiwan.
Qin also called on Tokyo to obey the “One China” Principle, and to be on guard for any overtures from from Mainland China's unwilling sibling that could be construed as secessionist.
| | “We firmly oppose any secessionist activities in the international community by the Taiwan Authorities under any name or any pretext.”
Qin Gang, Spokesperson, Foreign Ministry, China | |
Qin stopped short of saying what impact it would have on Sino-Japanese relations should the former Prime Minster choose to attend.
Officially 陳(Chen)'s invitation was extended in recognition of the former Japanese Prime Minister's efforts to reform the Japanese economy and to build deeper ties between Japan and the disputed island.
It is not clear whether he will attend the rail line.
A Matter of Face
It is not yet known whether Beijing has made formal representations to Tokyo over the issue. However, past precedent suggest that this is unlikely.
Beijing traditionally prefers to make such announcements to or through the media, rather than through diplomatic channels. Were Japan to ignore a request made through diplomatic channels, it would loose China considerably more face than if Japan were to disregard a statement made to the media.
In 2004, Tokyo humiliated Beijing when it refused state level demands to bar former Taiwanese Premier 李登輝 (Lee Teng Hui) from entering Japan on a tourist visa.
| | "Japan's agreeing to allow him to visit is itself a challenge to China's unification efforts and is a type of support for and indulgence of Taiwan's 'independence forces'."
Liu Jianchao, Spokesperson, Foreign Ministry China (December 2004) | |
According to Japanese officials, the visit was 'purely personal' and there were no reasons for them to deny him a Visa, or to remove it after it had been issued.
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(19.12.06 06:12)
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