China concerned about Japan dispatching troops to Iraq: FM spokeswoman

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, February 04, 2004

China concerned about Japan dispatching troops to Iraq: FM spokeswoman

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said in Beijing Tuesday that China is concerned about Japan sending troops to Iraq. US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Lee Armitage' remarks on Taiwan made during his recent Beijing visit were a clear statement of the US stance on Taiwan.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said in Beijing Tuesday that China is concerned about Japan sending troops to Iraq.

In response to a question at a press conference, spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said the Chinese side is concerned over the issue.

As Japan's neighbor, Zhang said, China hopes Japan will seriously draw lessons from history, be cautious in making moves in the area of military security and adhere to the path of peaceful development.

This is the only way that is in Japan's fundamental interests and conducive to the maintenance of regional peace and stability, Zhang said.

Japan's military maneuvers have always been a sensitive issue for people of neighboring Asian countries for well-known historical reasons, she said.

In recent years, Japan has adopted a number of measures in the area of military security, arousing serious concerns in Japan and its neighboring countries about the direction of its military policy, she said.

The troop dispatch to Iraq is another major step which is sure to arouse further misgivings and worries from people, Zhang said.

According to reports, the first batch of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (SDF) left for Iraq Tuesday. Observers say it is the first time that SDF went to another country's territory in a state of war and also the first time that SDF was empowered with the right of self-defense to use armed force.

Armitage's remarks on Taiwan a clear statement of US stance

US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Lee Armitage' remarks on Taiwan made during his recent Beijing visit were a clear statement of the US stance on Taiwan, said the spokeswoman.

Zhang made the remarks when asked to comment on Armitage's remarks that the referendum does raise some questions and makes people doubt the motive of those who set forth the referendum and that the US is still studying Chen Shui-bian's proposal.

She said Armitage's statement reiterated the recent US stance on the Taiwan issue including adhering to the one-China policy, abiding by the three Sino-US joint communiques, opposing Taiwan independence and any word or activity of the Taiwan authority to change the status quo of Taiwan.

Armitage said at a press conference on Jan. 30 in Beijing that the referendum "does raise some questions and makes people doubt the motive of those who set forth the referendum."

"As I understand it, referenda are generally reserved for items or issues which are either very divisive or very difficult," he said. "And the wording I've seen of the referendum seems to be neither divisive nor difficult."

Meanwhile, he said the US has dealt with the Taiwan issue sensitively and sensibly since the normalization of relations between the United States and China 25 years ago.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Why Japanese officials visit China "to explain diplomacy"

Japanese PM vows aid to Iraq, declares economic recovery

Japan's first GSDF group leaves for Iraq

Chirac warns Taiwan of referendum ( 13 Messages)

Japanese top official maintains Iraq has WMD ( 3 Messages)

Bush sets re-election tone in State of Union address ( 9 Messages)

France Turns Eiffel Tower Red Before Hu Visit ( 24 Messages)

Security Council members hail Annan's decision to send team to Iraq ( 2 Messages)