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US Blamed for Taiwan's Missile Tests
China has accused the United States of helping Taiwan test-fire Patriot missiles.
"The help that the United States rendered to Taiwan in its test-firing of the US-made Patriot missiles has violated the explicit commitment made by the US Government in the three joint communiques between China and the US, especially the August 17 Communique,'' said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue Thursday.
She called such action an encroachment on Chinese sovereignty and interference in China's internal affairs.
The spokeswoman conveyed China's strong grievances and firm opposition to the action which "has increased tension in the Taiwan Straits and impaired the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.''
Zhang urged the US to stop selling arms to Taiwan and stop enhancing its military co-operation with the island to avoid further straining Sino-US relations.
Taiwan's early reunification with the mainland is the will of all Chinese people and an historical trend, she said.
Zhang also urged the Taiwan authorities to get back on track in relation to the one-China principle and peaceful reunification.
"Any attempt by the Taiwan authorities to resist reunification by the use of force will be futile,'' she said.
Zhang also reiterate China's opposition to the visit to the Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
The shrine, in the suburbs of Tokyo, was built to honour the dead including Japanese war criminals from the World War II.
"The crux of the issue is whether (Japan) can have the correct understanding of and the right approach towards the history of invasion and Japanese militarism,'' Zhang said.
She said Japan's attitude on the issue will have a direct bearing on the feelings of people in those victim countries in Asia, and warned that it will affect Japan's image in Asia.
If Japan is bent on having its own way on this issue, strong indignation will be aroused in the countries concerned, she added.
Turning to the Middle East peace process, the spokeswoman called on the Israelis and Palestinians to make constructive efforts for an early resumption of peace negotiations.
Zhang said the Mideast is facing a tough challenge now, adding that the regional situation is far from being stable although both sides have declared they will accept a ceasefire agreement set by the international community.
China hopes to see an early settlement of the issue within the framework of UN resolutions and under the land for peace principle, she said.
Asked to comment on the meeting of India and Pakistan leaders next month, the spokeswoman said the improvement of the relationship between the two countries will serve the fundamental interests of both and benefit the peace, stability and development of South Asia.
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