US Visa to Lee Teng-hui Harms Sino-US Relations, FM Spokeswoman SaysThe United States should take effective measures to stop Lee Teng-hui from carrying out activities aimed at splitting China by visiting the US, Foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Tuesday.Zhang reiterated China's stance against the US granting a visa to Lee Teng-hui, the former leader of the Taiwan authorities. The US government, disregarding China's repeated solemn representations, issued a visa to Lee. "This is another erroneous step the United States has taken on the Taiwan issue," Zhang said. Zhang noted that this action by the US has violated the three Sino-US joint coummuniques and relevant commitments made by the United States, and constitutes an intervention in China's internal affairs. China has expressed its strong resentment with and opposition to the US government's decision, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry has also lodged solemn representations with the US side, Zhang said. The spokeswoman said China hopes the US side properly handle this issue, pointing out that Lee is by nature carrying out "one China, one Taiwan" separatist activities using the excuse of a " private visit" to the US. The US government's decision to allow Lee to visit the United States can only boost the arrogance of the "Taiwan independence" forces to split China, aggravate the tension across the Taiwan Straits, and undermine the cross-straits and Sino-US relations, she added. "The Taiwan issue has always been the most important and sensitive core issue of Sino-US relations. Under current circumstances, properly handling the Taiwan issue is extremely vital to safeguarding the Sino-US relationship," she said. "The Chinese side strongly demands that the US side clearly realize the gravity and jeopardy of Lee's US visit, abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques, and honor its relevant commitments," she said. The spokeswoman again urged the US side to immediately correct its mistakes, and take effective measures to stop Lee from using his visit for conducting activities to divide China, so as to prevent the Sino-US relationship from being further damaged. |
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