Chinese Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi on March 12
lodged a strong protest with the US government over the way
Washington handled the visit of Taiwanese defense chief Tang
Yiau-ming.
Acting under orders, Yang met Under Secretary of State for
Political Affairs Mark Grossman and made serious representations
about separate meetings between Tang and US Deputy Defense
Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Assistant Secretary of State James
Kelly in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Yang stressed China's stance on its firm opposition to any official
contacts and military exchanges between the United States and
Taiwan.
Despite China's opposition, the United States allowed Tang to visit
the country and arranged meetings between Tang and high-level
government officials, Yang said. The move has severely violated the
"One China" principle and runs counter to the three Sino-US joint
communiques.
The Chinese government expresses its strong dissatisfaction and
indignation, Yang told Grossman.
The US move will certainly encourage separatist forces in Taiwan
and poison both Sino-US relations and relations across the Taiwan
Straits, said Yang.
The ambassador noted that the question of Taiwan has always been
the core issue of utmost importance and sensitivity in Sino-US
relations. To strictly stick to the joint communiques and properly
handle the Taiwan issue is the key to healthy and stable Sino-US
relations.
China demands the United States recognize the seriousness of its
wrong move and correct it in real earnest. It demands Washington
immediately stop official contacts and military exchanges with
Taiwan, stick strictly to its "One China" principle and the three
joint communiques and take concrete actions to honor its
commitments to the Chinese government and people, Yang said.
( March 14, 2002)