Posted on 09/12/2001 10:49:06 AM PDT by super175
One of the Chinese military's leading foreign policy makers yes terday delivered a stark warning to "international forces" to keep out of Taiwan affairs, saying the stand-off in the Taiwan Strait had become "grimmer and more complex".
General Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of staff of the PLA, blamed increased tensions on pro-independence forces on the island that had swelled since the election of President Chen Shui-bian last year.
Speaking at a conference on international relations in Beijing, General Xiong said Taiwan had "obstinately pursued" pro-independence policies, "thus having fiercely wrecked the premise and foundation of peaceful reunification of the two sides across the strait".
"This is the fundamental cause of tension in the Taiwan Strait. Some international forces have also contributed to making the Taiwan independence force more rampant," he said, adding the situation in the Taiwan Strait had become "grimmer and more complex" in the past few years.
The administration of US President George W. Bush has been hawkish in attitude towards defending Taiwan, with Mr Bush saying earlier this year he would do "whatever it took" to defend the island as his Government approved the biggest weapons sales package to Taiwan in 10 years.
Although General Xiong warned that Taiwanese pro-independence forces "endangered peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region", he said any Taiwanese return to the mainland would be "on an equal footing" after discussions with the island.
"Meanwhile, we shall not commit ourselves to giving up the use of military force," he said.
Speaking in the same conference, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing, a former ambassador to the US, yesterday ruled out the idea of modifying its "one country, two systems" formula for reunification with Taiwan i
this would be a great time for china to cause mischief...
perhaps they spent clinton’s capital wisely towards helping create the
current mayhem...
hmmmm?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.