--- SEARCH ---
WEATHER
CHINA
INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS
CULTURE
GOVERNMENT
SCI-TECH
ENVIRONMENT
LIFE
PEOPLE
TRAVEL
WEEKLY REVIEW
Learning Chinese
Learn to Cook Chinese Dishes
Exchange Rates


Hot Links
China Development Gateway
Chinese Embassies

Mainland on Alert in Taiwan Passport Row
The Chinese Foreign Ministry yesterday criticized the decision by Taiwan authorities to add the word "Taiwan" to the cover of its passports from September.

It was an action of "gradual Taiwan independence," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a press conference.

"It undermines cross-Straits relations, and puts us on high alert," Liu said.

He stressed there is only one China in the world and both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to China.

It is reported that Taiwanese passports, which are currently marked in English as "the Republic of China," will have "Taiwan" added to the front.

These passports will be issued on September 1 after the current stock of passports is used up.

Taiwan "foreign minister" Eugene Chien said last Thursday the new passports would clear up confusion for both travellers and customs officials on "the Republic of China" and "the People's Republic of China."

"China's sovereignty and territory integrity allows for no separation," Liu said, adding Taiwan's attempt to seek separation and "Taiwan independence" will never succeed.

Liu said China hopes the international community respects China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity and remains alert to Taiwan's attempts to split China.

Commenting on a French proposal to send peacekeeping forces to the Middle East, Liu said China welcomes and supports all initiatives and efforts conducive to security and stability in the region.

"Safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East is the responsibility and obligation of the international community," Liu said.

Liu noted that China hopes the parties concerned will adopt flexible attitudes on this issue, show sincerity and implement the roadmap plan for the Middle East at an early date.

In response to the criticism by Ruud Lubbers, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, of China's handling of illegal immigrants from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Liu said that China sticks to both international and domestic law in dealing with them.

(China Daily June 18, 2003)

'Taiwan Independence': Greatest Threat to Taiwan Straits Peace
Scholar Slams Chen as Separatist
One China Principle Reiterated at UN Assembly
People's Daily: Taiwan Has Experienced Three 'De-China' Moves
Beijing Rejects Chen's Defense
Taiwan Cancels Military Exercise
Xinhua, People's Daily Denounce Chen's Pro-independence Remarks
Choosing Independence Means Choosing War, Chinese Army Warns
Independence Threat Undermines Cross-Straits Ties
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
www.chinataiwan.org
Print This Page
|
Email This Page
About Us SiteMap Feedback
Copyright © China Internet Information Center. All Rights Reserved
E-mail: webmaster@china.org.cn Tel: 86-10-68326688