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Japan Issues Visa to Lee Teng-hui Despite China's Opposition
The Japanese government on Friday issued an entry visa to Taiwan's Lee Teng-hui despite strong opposition from China and concern with the Japanese Foreign Ministry over possible adverse effects on Sino-Japanese relations.
The visa will allow Lee to visit Japan from Sunday to Thursday for the purpose of undergoing an examination by a Japanese doctor for his heart condition, Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda.
"We approve Lee Teng-hui's visit to our country purely on humanitarian ground. Therefore, his activities in Japan should be limited to receiving medical treatment, and we do not suppose he will conduct any political activities," Kono said.
Kono, who is in charge of issuing visas to foreign visitors, had earlier been cautious about allowing Lee to enter Japan due in part to concerns over Japan's relations with China.
But Kono reportedly changed his stance under the repeated requests by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori to allow Lee to enter Japan on so-called "humanitarian" grounds.
China has expressed its strong opposition to the planned visit by Lee, who is a chief backstage supporter of the "Taiwan independence" forces.
"The Chinese government firmly opposes Lee's planned visit to Japan so as to safeguard its sovereign integration and ensure the smooth development of Sino-Japanese relationship," Chinese Ambassador to Japan Chen Jian told a press conference on Tuesday.
The planned visit by Lee for medical reasons is purely an excuse, Chen said, adding that Lee's true purpose is to break the framework of the relations between Japan and Taiwan, and seek support to "Taiwan independence" in a bid to disrupt the Sino- Japanese relationship.
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