01-04-2007, 07:06 PM
04 January 2007
BEIJING: China warned the United States on Thursday against allowing Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian to transit during a trip to Nicaragua next week, saying it should not send a "wrong signal".
"We are firmly opposed to any official exchange between the Taiwan authorities and the United States," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular press conference.
"Taiwan independence forces are the biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," Liu said in response to a Taiwan news report about the possible transit stop.
Pro-independence Chen was scheduled to fly to Nicaragua on January 8 to attend the inauguration of Daniel Ortega with a planned stop in Los Angeles before returning home on January 12, said the United Daily News.
"I think the United States ... should not send a wrong signal to Taiwan and should not provide a venue for Chen Shui-bian in the US so as to ... firmly and clearly oppose and contain Taiwan independence forces."
Taiwan's foreign ministry had not officially confirmed the visit, but said a "high-ranking official" was expected to go.
The latest visit comes amid speculation that Nicaragua will sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan again. Ortega vowed to recognize Beijing if elected during campaigning for November's election.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, awaiting reunification by force if necessary following a civil war which split them in 1949.
Taipei suffered its latest diplomatic setback when Chad switched recognition to Beijing in August 2006.
Source - Here
BEIJING: China warned the United States on Thursday against allowing Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian to transit during a trip to Nicaragua next week, saying it should not send a "wrong signal".
"We are firmly opposed to any official exchange between the Taiwan authorities and the United States," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular press conference.
"Taiwan independence forces are the biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," Liu said in response to a Taiwan news report about the possible transit stop.
Pro-independence Chen was scheduled to fly to Nicaragua on January 8 to attend the inauguration of Daniel Ortega with a planned stop in Los Angeles before returning home on January 12, said the United Daily News.
"I think the United States ... should not send a wrong signal to Taiwan and should not provide a venue for Chen Shui-bian in the US so as to ... firmly and clearly oppose and contain Taiwan independence forces."
Taiwan's foreign ministry had not officially confirmed the visit, but said a "high-ranking official" was expected to go.
The latest visit comes amid speculation that Nicaragua will sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan again. Ortega vowed to recognize Beijing if elected during campaigning for November's election.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, awaiting reunification by force if necessary following a civil war which split them in 1949.
Taipei suffered its latest diplomatic setback when Chad switched recognition to Beijing in August 2006.
Source - Here