New Greek gov't continues support for 'One China' policy

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 13, 2004

New Greek gov't continues support for 'One China' policy

The newly-elected Greek government supports the "One China" policy and opposes the so-called "Taiwan referendum" slated for March 20, a senior Greek official told Xinhua Friday.

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The newly-elected Greek government supports the "One China" policy and opposes the so-called "Taiwan referendum" slated for March 20, a senior Greek official told Xinhua Friday.

Joannis Theophanopoulos, head of the Asia and Oceania Department in the Foreign Ministry, said the Greek government regards the "One China" policy as the basis for the long-standing friendly relationship between China and Greece.

Athens believes the issue of Taiwan is an internal matter for China as Taiwan is only a province of China, the diplomat stressed.

In this regard, the Taiwan referendum "is not necessary and doesn't help solve the issue," he said.

"It's not a proper way to solve the (Taiwan) issue. It will create problems for the region."

He added that Greece supports China's policy of solving the issue in a low-profile and peaceful way.

Theophanopoulos also hailed the "very good" relations between Greece and China in the fields of politics, economy and culture.

The official said he believed an upcoming China visit by Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos would keep the top-level contact "regular" and further promote bilateral relations.

Greece will also help China in many fields in the framework of the European Union with the aim of bringing the EU and China closer together, he said.

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