Posted on 06/21/2002 8:59:38 PM PDT by maui_hawaii
BEIJING (AP) - China warned other countries Friday not to sign free trade agreements with archrival Taiwan, saying doing so would invite political trouble.
The warning from Foreign Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng appeared aimed at heading off Taiwanese proposals to sign pacts with Japan, the United States and Singapore as a counterbalance to China's growing economic might. The remarks were reported by the official Xinhua news agency.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and objects to official contacts between the island and foreign governments. The two sides have been ruled separately since 1949.
Shi said China would consider free-trade agreements with Taiwan a breach of the "one-China" policy that demands countries have diplomatic relations only with Beijing.
"If such countries sign free-trade agreements with the Taiwan authorities, they are bound to bring political trouble to themselves," Shi was quoted as saying.
In Taipei, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry called the comments an attempt to politicize what it said was a purely economic issue.
"We hope that China doesn't bring politics into everything," said Chang Siao-yue, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.
While China says it doesn't object to economic contacts, it often blurs the distinction as part of efforts to isolate the island.
start naming names
I would like to read a report of the economic effects... I have a few ideas in my head already... and it sounds like a great idea... free trade with Taiwan that is...
Its not the only measure to be taken, but its a good start...
If they pass it, it might be time to buy stock in Taiwan...
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