China expressed its hope Friday that the European Parliament (EP),
as an important body of the European Union (EU), will strictly
adhere to the "one-China" principle and immediately cease its
interference in China's internal affairs so that the overall
Sino-European partnership can maintain a steady and sound
development.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan made the remarks when asked to
comment on the report of the "Communications Commission on Europe
and Asia: a Strategic Framework for Enhanced Partnerships" which
was passed on Sept. 5 by the EP with nine articles concerning
Taiwan.
Kong said the EP report expressed support for Taiwan's entry into
the World Health Organization and for the issuance of visas to
several of Taiwan's political figures, including Chen Shui-bian, to
enable them to visit Europe. These actions are clearly in violation
of the "one-China" principle, which has been traditionally adhered
to by the EU.
They were, in essence, a conniving form of support for "Taiwan
independence" forces, said Kong, stressing that the Chinese side is
extremely dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to such actions.
When asked to comment on the visit to the United States by the
so-called "Vice-Defense Minister of Taiwan" Kang Ningxiang, Kong
said China has been in consistent opposition to any contact of
official capacity between the United States and Taiwan, the
spokesman said. China has already made serious representations to
the United States.
If
the United States allowed Kang to visit, it would seriously violate
the three Sino-US joint communiquis, and grossly interfere with
China's internal affairs, Kong said. And it would give out wrong
signals to the "Taiwan independence" force and run counter to the
interests of the people of China and the US.
The US side should clearly recognize the sensitivity of the Taiwan
issue, draw the past lessons and keep its promises, so as to avoid
impairing Sino-US relations and damaging common interests of both
countries, Kong said.
Turning to the latest violence in Afghanistan, Kong said China is
shocked to learn and strongly condemns Thursday's assassination
attempt against Afghan President Hamid Karzai along with the bomb
explosion attack in Kabul.
The peace process and post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan, he
noted, were only in its initial stage, a stage that precisely
requires the complete dedication and common efforts of all factions
and ethnic groups in Afghanistan.
China hopes and believes that under the leadership of President
Karzai and the Afghan interim government, Afghanistan will embark
on the road of peace and development at the earliest possible date,
the spokesman said.
(Edited from Xinhua News
Agency, September 7, 2002)