Posted on 03/07/2005 12:57:27 PM PST by Bald Eagle777
China warned yesterday that increasing US-Japan military cooperation should be strictly bilateral and not encompass Beijing's arch-rival Taiwan.
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (§õ»F¬P) said Beijing sought better ties with both Washington and Tokyo -- China's two major trading partners -- but he refused to back down from territorial disputes that have recently become increasingly bitter.
"Any part of putting Taiwan directly or indirectly into the scope of Japan-US security cooperation constitutes an encroachment on China's sovereignty and interference in China's internal affairs," Li said. "The Chinese government and people are firmly against such activities."
During a wide-ranging press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress, Li characterized the military pact between Japan and the US as a "bilateral arrangement" that came about during the Cold War.
Such a relationship, Li warned, should be "strictly restricted" to a bilateral nature, adding that any expansion of the alliance could cause problems in the region.
"If it goes beyond the bilateral scope, definitely it would arouse uneasiness on the part of Asian countries and bring about complicated factors to the regional security situation," Li said.
Beijing has been increasingly wary of Washington and Tokyo's close strategic partnership.
The Taiwan issue was the "most sensitive" and core issue facing Sino-US ties, he said.
China last month voiced strong opposition to a US and Japanese statement which described Taiwan as a common security issue, slamming the allies' move as "inappropriate."
Washington and Tokyo jointly urged China, which has over 600 missiles amassed opposite Taiwan, "to improve transparency of its military affairs."
Regarding relations with Japan, Li said present ties with Tokyo should be "cherished" as they have come through "long-term and arduous efforts," but Tokyo must "properly" handle its relations with Taiwan and back down from its claims to the disputed Senkaku, or Tiaoyu Islands, in the East China Sea.
The long-standing territorial dispute has recently been at the center of noisy anti-Japanese protests in China, as well as in Hong Kong, but Li said China hoped to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
"China has indisputable, historical and legal sovereignty over the Tiaoyu Island and the adjacent islands," Li said.
"No glib words or tricky action can change this fact nor can it be changed by any unilateral action by any foreign country," he said in apparent reference to the recent building of structures by Japan on the islands. This story has been viewed 844 times.
You'd think the ChiComs would figure out that there is a simple solution to this struggle: If you can't beat em, join em.
Pre-invasion preparations.
A military alliance with Nippon will give the CHICOMs pause.
Don't give me any lip china, I'll have wash your mouth out with soap.
This has NOTHING to do with 'submarines',......move on.
China isn't afraid of us. They have our factories, now they are taking what they want.
A pre-emptive strike to shut up the commies may be necessary..
That little ChiCom sub incident in Nov sure as he%% lit the fire under their chair. Brazen audacity. Woke the Japanese up.
Hmmmmmmm
....Japan plans to invade China?
....That's fair....
They do realize we can cause a civil war in their country like they have never seen before by cutting off trade with them don't they ? Go ahead, make my day !
LOL, How long have they been saying this?
I think they are itching for a confrontation soon, however.
I base this on other things, not their rhetorical flourishes.
While its always to realize the dangers of your enemeis its not any smarter to over-estimate their capabilities either.
Thank you Richard Nixon for help in dragging the Chicoms into the 21ST century
I disagree. Even with the European toys the Chinese can't handle the US and Japanese Navys. Remember that the Japanese now have the second largest fleet behind us.
China might be big but they aren't neessarily a threat.
I whole heartedly agree that they would lose any military confrontation.
But that is not going to stop them from creating a confrontation.
They need one, like Clinton needed diversions.
I just don't know what form it will take. I think it will be within the next year however.IMO. It may not be related to Taiwan.
"Correction: They have the factories that make our Christmas lights. "
I don't think so. I know plenty of Ohio heavy manufacturing jobs that are now in China. I know they make TVs, cell phones, and clothing too. I'd venture to guess that they make many things that our military uses.
As any old marine should know: It's definately not wise to underestimate an adversary.
Thank you Bill Clinton for giving them our secrets....
Plus the fact that we will nuke them big time if they threaten us. They have a lot of problems internally.
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