Japan-China Friendship Association Slams Japan's Visa For Lee Teng-huiThe Japan-China Friendship Association on Saturday issued a statement protesting the Japanese government's issuance of an entry visa to Taiwan's Lee Teng-hui.The association said the issuance of the visa to Lee by the Japanese government is intolerable and will hinder development of bilateral relations between Japan and China. Lee openly promoted a "two China policy" in the past and granting him a visa deviates from a 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement which stipulated Japan would understand and respect that Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory, the association said. The organization also voiced concern over the new problem which disrupts the development of bilateral relations, and vowed to continue its efforts to promote the healthy and stable development of Japan-China relations from a civic standpoint. The Japanese government on Friday issued an entry visa to 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 Friday night. China has expressed its strong opposition to the planned visit by Lee, who is a chief backstage supporter of the "Taiwan independence" forces. |
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