Wen Jiabao: China, Canada ink seven agreements
2003-12-12 Xinhua News
China inked seven agreements with Canada early Thursday to enhance political, economic and cultural collaboration in areas including agriculture, transportation, animal and plant inspection and quarantine. The accord with the nation's 10th largest trading partner -- reached during Premier Wen Jiabao's visit Ottawa -- also called for collaboration between the two nation's judicial systems.
"We had a fruitful meeting during which we exchanged in-depth views and reached broad consensus on bilateral ties, regional and international issues of mutual interest,'' Wen said following the ceremony. "All this indicates that Sino-Canadian trade and economic co-operation are making solid headway,'' he said. Chretien echoed Wen. "Today's agreements will further enhance bilateral trade, international health and people-to-people ties and contribute to a better understanding of both countries judicial systems,'' he said.
Analysts said the meeting served as a cornerstone for his Chrestien's 10-year prime ministerial career. "The stronger trade ties and economic partnership not only serve the fundamental interests of the two countries, but contribute to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.'' Wen noted.
During their talks, Wen said he made four suggestions, to which Chretien agreed.
First, Wen said the countries should establish a research facility at the vice-ministerial level on Sino-Canadian relations and co-ordinate stance on major international issues.

Eine verstärkte Zusammenarbeit führt zu einem gemeinsamen Gewinn
2003-12-12 Renmin Ribao
Als Premier Wen Jiabao die USA vom 7. Bis 10. Dezember besuchte, hatte er volles Programm. Dabei wurde ihm ein herzliches Empfangen zugewiesen. Bei allen Auftritten hinterliess er bei der amerikanischen Bevölkerung einen tiefen Eindruck. Wo er auch immer auftrat, sei es in New Yorker Wall Street Börse, oder bei der amerikanischen Stromversicherung, oder bei einem Hafen- oder Industriebesuch, immer hinterliess der neue chinesische Ministerpräsident den Menschen einen tiefbleibenden Eindruck. Er strahlte eine Kompetenz aus, die für Vertrauen einer tiefen Freundschaft sorgte. ( )
Obwohl der Besuch von kurzer Dauer war, so wird die Freundschaft von langer Dauer sein. Im Chinesischen gibt es ein Sprichwort, das lautet: "Mit jemand Freundschaft zu schliessen hat gleich grosses Gewicht, als ob man 1000 Kilometer laufen würde." Wen Jiabao hat bei Staatsvisite die Hand zur Freundschaft ausgestreckt, er hat die bilaterale Einstimmigkeit und Freundschaft mit den USA gestärkt und die Stärkung eine engeren Zusammenarbeit weiter entwickelt.

Spokesman says Premier's US visit a success
2003-12-12 China Daily
Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the United States was a "complete success", which will surely exert an "important and positive influence" on the growth of Sino-US ties.
At a regular press conference held in Beijing, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said that during Premier Wen's short but compactly-organized stay in the United States, the two sides reached consensus on a broad range of issues and the visit was very substantial. During the visit, the spokesman noted, Wen had an in-depth exchange of views with President George W. Bush and other US leaders on bilateral ties, and reached wide-ranging and important consensus on further promoting the growth of the constructive and cooperative relations between China and the United States. The two sides agreed that strengthening their reciprocal cooperation is in the fundamental interests of the people of bothnations and conducive to the world peace and stability. Liu said that on the Taiwan issue, leaders from both sides agreed that it is of pivotal significance to safeguard the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. ( )Wen proposed resolving the problem of trade deficit through reciprocity, equal consultation and further growth of trade and economic cooperation, and Bush voiced his full endorsement. They also decided to upgrade their commerce and trade joint committee and hold the committee's first meeting next spring. While staying in the U.S., Wen also had extensive contact with American people from all walks of life, Liu said. The premier briefed them on China's situation in all spheres, which further enhanced the mutual understanding of the people of the two nations. Relevant departments of the two nations also held consultations and reached consensus on issues including trade and economic cooperation, transportation, plant quarantine and environment protection. Liu said they also signed agreements on navigation and transpiration cooperation. In addition, the two sides also agreed to hold the sixth annual consultations on defense affairs between their vice-defense ministers and the fourth counter-terrorism consultations early next year in Beijing, the spokesman said.
Stance on Taiwan Reiterated
The spokesman also reiterated the Chinese government's stance on the Taiwan issue at the press conference. Liu said China will "do its utmost, with utmost sincerity," to bring about peaceful reunification of the country, by quoting what Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told US President George W. Bush during their talks on Tuesday. Wen Jiabao said that China's fundamental policy on the Taiwan issue is "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems," according to Liu. The Chinese premier also said China respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but China "can absolutely not accept and tolerate" the attempts of the Taiwan authorities to use democracy as an excuse and attempt to resort to a "defensive referendum" to split China. ( )

Ministerpräsident Wen Jiabao und der US-Amerikanische Präsident Bush trafen sich zu einem Gespräch
2003-12-11 Renmin Ribao

( ) Bezüglich der Taiwan Frage betonte Wen Jiabao: Wir erledigen das Taiwan Problem mit der altbekannten Losung: "In Frieden vereinigen, ein Staat zwei Systeme". Es ist unsere Aufrichtigkeit und unsere Bemühung das chinesische Vaterland friedlich zu einen. Wir respektieren Taiwans Demokratieverständnis, doch darf Taiwan die Demokratie nicht ausnützen. Und so zu tun, nach dem Motto: "Durch die Verteidigung des Rechtstaates, die Absicht zu haben, dass Taiwan sich von China absetzen könnte, und dadurch gar eine Separationsgruppe fördern könnte. Diese Entwicklung werde China nicht zulassen. Falls es nur eine Hoffnung gibt, so werden wir die Bemühungen des Friedens jedoch nicht aufgeben.
Amerika verstehe die Besorgnis Chinas, darum ist Amerika auch gegen eine Änderung des Zustandes Taiwans. Bush betonte, die amerikanische Regierung werde nur einen chinesischen Staat akzeptieren, und er trete gegen die Unabhängigkeit Taiwans ein.
Bezüglich der Korea Frage, drückte Busch seinen Dank wegen der guten Vermittlung, Zusammenarbeit und der intensiven Friedensvermittlung durch China aus. Wen sagte, dass China sich in dieser Sache einsetzen und sich dabei aktiv um eine Friedenslösung bemühen werde, damit die koreanische Halbinsel friedlich und stabil bleibt. Gleichzeitig müsse aber auch Koreas Sorge um seine Sicherheit bewusst sein. Auch dieses Problem müsste mitberücksichtigt und gelöst werden. Kooperativ müsse der Gang der 6er Runde fortgeführt werden.

Government determined to fight corruption
2003-12-11 Xinhua News
China's signing of the UN Convention Against Corruption has shown again the government's firm determination in fighting corruption and clear-cut position on strengthening international cooperation in this regard, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao. Liu said the Chinese government supports the stipulations of the convention and it has participated in the negotiation process in the sincere, cooperative and realistic spirit and made positive contributions to the stipulation work.
Liu said the convention was passed by the UN General Assembly on Oct. 31 this year after over two years of drafting under the leadership of the United Nations, and it has laid a firm legal foundation for international anti-corruption and is conducive to international cooperation to this end.

China insists on human rights dialogue
2003-12-10 Xinhua News
China is consistently committed to conducting dialogues and exchanges on human rights so as to enhance understanding, narrow differences, learn from each other and make common progress, Assistant Foreign Minister Shen Guofang said. Addressing the opening ceremony of the Fifth Human Rights Seminar, jointly sponsored by China, Canada and Norway, in Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, from Dec. 9 to 10, Shen said the seminars have become a channel through which countries with different social systems and economic levels can exchange views on an equal footing. Shen said China will make joint efforts with other countries to strengthen dialogues and exchanges based on equality and mutual respect, explore effective ways to promote and protect human rights, and contribute to world human rights development. ( )Besides the three sponsors, 15 other countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand, also attended the two-day seminar. The First Human Rights Seminar was held in 1998 in Vancouver, Canada.

China to punish officials for statistics fraud
2003-12-08 Xinhua News
China is to hold officials guilty of statistical fraud accountable to the law, said a deputy head of China's top legislature.
He Luli, vice-chairwomen of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said here Monday that government officials at all levels should be fully aware of the serious damaging effect of statistical fraud and act in a responsible way in statistics activities.
She said no officials are allowed to ask statistical agents to fake or change statistics and offenders would be held responsible according to the law. ( )

Chen Shui-bian's move benefits neither China nor US
2003-12-11, People's Daily
Washington has finally come to recognize that Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's push for independence benefits neither China nor the United States, mainland experts on cross-Straits ties said Wednesday. While appreciating US President George W. Bush's blunt warning against Taipei's pro-independence moves, they urged the US Government to take more concrete steps to honour its commitment to the one-China policy.
Xu Shiquan, vice-chairman of the National Society of Taiwan Studies, described Chen as a "new troublemaker,'' adding that the United States should learn an important lesson from his lack of political credibility. ( ) Indeed, Chen, who is preoccupied with a military build-up, has never given up his dream of refusing reunification with the Chinese mainland through huge pileups of advanced weapons. ( ) Since taking power in May 2000, Chen's pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party administration has spent US$12.5 billion on US arms, including fighter jets, Kidd-class destroyers and diesel submarines.

Chinese premier urges US to handle Taiwan issue properly
2003-12-10 Xinhua News
Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called on the US government on Tuesday to handle the Taiwan issue properly and support China's peaceful reunification to ensure the healthy and smooth development of the Sino-US relations. Speaking at a dinner hosted by nine American organizations, Wen said safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the paramount national interest and an unshakable principle forany country. "Our fundamental policy on the settlement of the Taiwan question is 'peaceful reunification' and 'one country, two systems'," Wen said. "We have all along been doing our utmost to achieve the ultimate reunification in a peaceful manner.""We sincerely hope to see a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question. So long as there is the slightest hope, we will not giveup our endeavor for peace," he said. "However, our endeavor for peace has time and again been challenged by the separatist forces in Taiwan." He said the Chinese government and people respect the legitimate democratic rights exercised by Taiwan compatriots, but will absolutely not tolerate the "Taiwan independence" forces' attempt to separate Taiwan from China under the pretext of democracy. "The separatist activities aimed at 'Taiwan independence' carried out by the Taiwan authorities are seriously undermining the political basis of Sino-US cooperation and our common interests, and putting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region in jeopardy," he said. "We hope that the US government will handle the Taiwan question properly and support China's peaceful reunification," Wen added. Enditem

Chen Shui-bian defies warning from Bush
2003-12-10 China Daily
Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian vowed Wednesday to proceed with a referendum on relations with the Chinese mainland next March despite pressure to shelve the vote from the White House, which issued an unprecedented rebuke of Chen, the Washington Post reported.

Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian vowed Wednesday to proceed with a referendum on relations with the Chinese mainland next March despite pressure to shelve the vote from the White House, which issued an unprecedented rebuke of Chen, the Washington Post reported. Chen, in a meeting with US Representative Republican Dan Burton, said Taiwan was committed to moving ahead with the referendum on March 20, 2004, the day Taiwanese will vote in a "presidential" election, according to James Huang, Chen's spokesman. The referendum would demand that Beijing withdraw all missiles aimed at Taiwan and renounce the use of force against the island. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told US President George W. Bush in the White House on Tuesday that China will stick to peaceful means to seek reunification as long as "there is a glimmer of hope.'' Wen is on an official visit to the United States. ( ) President Bush said that he opposed the referendum plan and that it appeared Chen wanted to change the nature of the relationship between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. The US Government "opposes any unilateral decision'' by either sides of Taiwan Straits "to change the status quo, and the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally to change the status quo, which we oppose,'' said Bush. Chen's remarks to go on with the referendum place Taiwan squarely in conflict with the United States and could spark a crisis that would hurt Taiwan's relations with its most powerful backer, the Washington Post said. The rebuke from Bush also puts Chen in a difficult position and could hurt his chances for reelection, the newspaper said. Chen is running a tight race against Lien Chan, the Nationalist Party candidate, whom he beat in 2000. ( ) Su Chi, a top Nationalist Party adviser to Lien, said he was not surprised Chen planned to push ahead with the referendum despite US opposition. Su said Chen Shui-bian was motivated by desperation because he was slipping in the polls. "We think this is a dangerous strategy because it invites intervention" from the United States and from Beijing, he said. "We want neither."

Taiwan's defensive referendum manipulates democracy
2003-12-09, China Daily
Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian has been accused of manipulating democracy to serve his own interests through his call for a "defensive referendum."

Mainland experts on cross-Straits studies said on Monday that Chen's pursuit of Taiwan independence is the real threat to the island, rather than the mainland's military deployment. The Taiwan leader's referendum push demonstrated that his chances of winning re-election bid in next year's "presidential" polls are running out, said Li Jiaquan, a senior researcher with the Institute of Taiwan Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He added that Chen's nearly four years in office was characterized by a sagging economy and soaring unemployment on the island and a failure to improve cross-Straits relations. ( ) Since taking office in May 2000, Chen has been taking a host of creeping pro-independence moves, which culminated with his aggressive claim that Taiwan is a separate country from China. Chen has been counting on the purchase of billions of dollars of sophisticated arms from the United States to guarantee his push for Taiwan independence.

China not to tolerate splitting Taiwan from motherland
2003-12-08 Xinhua News
Premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday warned the separatist forces within the Taiwan authorities not to attempt to split the island from its motherland, saying the Chinese government will never tolerate such a move. "We understand the aspiration of people in Taiwan for democracy. However, the essence of the problem now is that the separatist forces within the Taiwan authorities attempt to use democracy only as a cover to split Taiwan away from China. This is what we will never tolerate," Wen told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York after meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. "So long as there is a glimmer of hope, the Chinese government will not give up efforts for peaceful reunification and for the peaceful settlement of the issue," he stressed. "We believe this will serve the interest of both sides of the Taiwan Straits. This will also be conducive to peace and stability in Asia Pacific and the world at large."
The Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of "peaceful reunification, one country, two systems," believing that this is the most important principle for the settlement of the Taiwan issue, Wen said. ( )

Taiwan ist ein unzertrennbarer Teil Chinas
2003-12-02 Renmin Ribao
Heute ist der 60jährige Gedenktag der legendären "Kairoer Konferenz". Bei dieser Konferenz kamen Experten und Wissenschaftler zusammen um die Rechtsgrundsätze und die Wahrheit in einem Dokument festzulegen, welches das Territorium Taiwans als einen festen und heiligen Bestandteil Chinas darstellt.
Die historischen Wahrheiten lassen sich auch heute nicht einfach verfälschen. Ein Professor der Renmin Universität sagte dazu: "Der heutige Tag ist der Kairoer Konferenz gewidmet. Dieser Tag ist für die chinesische Geschichte sehr wichtig, da sie einerseits sehr viele Tatsachen aufklärt, andererseits in Taiwan Dissidenten sich zusammentun, welche die unwiderlegbare Zugehörigkeit Taiwans zu China abstreiten. Ausserdem versuchen sie eine "Verfassung" zu kreieren", indem sie versuchen die Trennung herbeizuführen. Die "Kairoer Konferenz" ist dabei aber ihr grosses Hindernis. Jene Konferenz sagt deutlich aus, dass die Japaner im 2. Weltkrieg die Manschurei, Taiwan und andere Gebiete widerrechtlich in Besitz nahmen, und sie unverzüglich zurück geben müssten. Diese klare Forderung zeigt, dass Taiwan ein fester Bestandteil Chinas ist. Die spätere Rückgabe Taiwans durch die Japaner ist eine Folge dieser "Kairoer Konferenz" und somit historische Tatsache.
Ein kürzlich in einer taiwaner Militärzeitschrift herausgegebener Bericht stellt die Behauptung auf, dass die "Kairoer Konferenz" unwahr sei. Dies ist jedoch blanker Unsinn. Ein Taiwankenner sagte, auf historische Tatsache gestützt, dass der Amerikanische Präsident Roosevelt jene Konferenz einberufen habe, um China eine passende Verfassung zu gewähren und sie den Alliierten vorzulegen. Am 26.11 war die Konferenz zu Ende, und Stalin war mit dem Inhalt einverstanden. Am 01.12 wurde der Entwurf der Weltöffentlichkeit vorgelegt. Wenn Heute die Separatisten in Taiwan behaupten, der Vertrag habe keine Gültigkeit, dann machen sie die historische Wissenschaft lächerlich und offenbaren damit ihre Unkenntnisse.
Der separatistische Versuch auf rechtsgrundsätzlicher Basis, eine Trennung zu bewirken, und so die "Selbstbestimmung des Volkes" zu propagieren, ist die einzige Absicht, das Volk Taiwans von China abzuspalten. "Taiwan ist nicht eine Kolonie oder ein Mandatsgebiet Chinas, es ist ein Bestandteil Chinas. Die Parole der ‚Selbstbestimmung' ist in diesem Fall nicht gültig, was auch die internationale Gemeinschaft bestätigt", so der Soziologe Zhang Yushi. Am 14.12.60 hat die UNO ein Dekret der Kolonialländer und der Selbständigkeit dieser Länder herausgegeben, das die nationale Eigenständigkeit festigen und nicht deren Trennung hervorbringen sollte. Die Bestimmung der nationalen Eigenständigkeit richtete sich an alle kolonialisierten Länder. Doch die nationale Selbständigkeit bedingte nicht die Abtrennung innerhalb des von den Kolonialmächten befreiten Länder.
Heute muss man sich im Allgemeinen bewusst sein, dass die meisten Staaten im eigenen Land separatistische Bewegungen erdulden müssen. Es sind die Länder Kanada, Spanien und Frankreich. Alle diese Gruppen verwenden den gleichen Terminus: "Selbständigkeit". Ein Übel, dass leider allen Nationen zuteil ist.

Patrick Dreher
Embassy of Switzerland