SCHWEIZER BOTSCHAFT IN BEIJING
EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN BEIJING
AMBASSADE DE SUISSE EN CHINE

Der wöchentliche Presserückblick der Schweizer Botschaft in der VR China
The Weekly Press Review of the Swiss Embassy in the People's Republic of China
La revue de presse hebdomadaire de l'Ambassade de Suisse en RP de Chine
  6.12-10.12.2004, No. 44  
Startseite / Homepage   Archiv / Archives
Foreign Policy

EU works on lifting of arms embargo on China
2004-12-09 China Daily
The European Union says it is willing to work towards lifting the arms embargo on China, president of the European Council Jan Peter Balkenende has said. ( ) In a joint statement released after the summit, China reaffirmed that the EU arms embargo against China is a "political discrimination" and is "not acceptable" and should be "immediately removed." Javier Solana, high representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, told France's Europe 1 radio that the embargo might be removed in the first six months of next year. Both China and the EU agreed to continue consultations on this issue, says the statement. ( ) Market economy Turning to China's request to the EU to be granted full market economy status, Balkenende told Wen the EU side welcomed the positive orientation of China towards a market economy. The EU would work towards resolving China's concerns on this issue, according to a source from the Chinese foreign ministry, who also revealed a joint working group has recently held its first meeting to discuss progress in solving this issue. China and the EU also signed a joint declaration on non-proliferation and arms control, which is the "framework for an EU-China strategic partnership on non-proliferation." The declaration gives particular focus to the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; promotion of and compliance with all non-proliferation and disarmament treaties; other international agreements and additional protocols; and strengthening export controls on WMD (weapons of mass destruction)-related materials, equipment and technologies, as well as of conventional weapons. ( ) Seven agreements Besides the declaration, the two sides also inked another seven agreements on enhancing co-operation in various fields, including customs, peaceful use of nuclear energy, financing, science and technology, social security reform and personnel exchanges. Wen raised a series of suggestions covering political, economic and cultural fields, when discussing the development of relations. He also said China and the EU would actively explore the feasibility of concluding a new EU-China framework agreement. Before the summit, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU is at a dynamic moment in its relationship with China. "Developing this relationship will be one of our top foreign policy objectives in the years to come," he said. ( ) Wen will make a keynote speech today at the China-EU Business Summit, where more than 500 influential political and business leaders from both sides will gather to discuss key business topics.

France in favor of lifting arms ban on China
2004-12-08 People's Daily
French Foreign Ministry said Monday that European arms embargo imposed upon China no longer corresponds to the reality of the partnership between the European Union (EU) and China. "Of course we are in favor of a lifting of the embargo. It no longer corresponds to the reality of the Euro-Chinese strategic partnership," French Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Cecile Pozzo di Borgo said two days before an EU-China summit at the Hague. "Member states of the EU agree on this ... The discussions are focussed on the timetable and modalities for the lifting of the embargo," she said at a news conference. Both French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder favored the end to the European arms embargo imposed on China after the Tiananmen incident in 1989. But the European parliament opposed to its lifting in a resolution on Nov. 17, unless the European Union adopts a general EU code of conduct on all arms sales as well as concrete improvements in China's human rights record. ( )

China, EU hail dynamism of trade relations
2004-12-09 People's Daily
China and the European Union (EU) have hailed the dynamism of their trade relations best demonstrated by their becoming each other's key trading partners. In 2004, the EU becomes China's largest trading partner and China becomes the EU's second largest trading partner, according to the joint statement issued after the seventh China-EU summit Wednesday. Leaders from both sides welcomed the China-EU Business Summit held on the sidelines of the summit meeting. They reiterated their commitment to maximize mutual benefits of such relations by improving market access and increasing investment opportunities for each other. The leaders also stressed the importance of fully implementing their World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments and strengthening the multilateral trading system. The EU side agreed to continue to assist China's efforts in capacity building and both sides welcomed the launching of the second WTO support program for China in 2004. Moreover, they welcomed the progress made in the Doha Development Agenda in July and the new momentum in the Doha round of negotiations. They agreed to intensify their cooperation with a view to successfully preparing the WTO ministerial meeting in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, they noted that increased bilateral consultations have helped to make substantial progress in a number of trade issues, in particular the lifting of trade restrictions.

China, EU sign series of cooperation pacts
2004-12-09 People's Daily
The Chinese government and the European Union (EU) signed a series of cooperation agreements Wednesday in a new bid to intensify cooperation and raise bilateral relationship to a higher level. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao , who is holding the seventh China-EU annual summit meeting, and EU leaders witnessed the signing ceremony before their joint press conference. The signed pacts cover such areas as customs cooperation, science and technology, research and development on peaceful use of nuclear energy. The leaders also endorsed four financing agreements for new cooperation projects concerning information society, managers exchange and training, social security reform, and education. These projects are under the program of support for economic and social reform in China within China-EU development cooperation, with EU funding amounting to 61 million euros (79 million US. dollars).

Chinese, EU leaders believe human rights dialogue promotes mutual understanding
2004-12-09 People's Daily
Leaders of China and the European Union (EU) said Wednesday in The Hague that China-EU human rights dialogue has promoted mutual understanding. In a joint statement issued after the seventh annual summit meeting, both sides agreed to continue this dialogue while making efforts to achieve more meaningful and positive results on the ground and in related bilateral cooperation program. They underlined their respect for international human rights standards provided for in relevant international human rights instruments. China is committed to the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as soon as possible. "They also noted the importance of the International Criminal Court in the global fight against genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity," the statement said. They also underlined the importance of concrete steps in the field of human rights and reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance cooperation and exchanges in this field on the basis of equality and mutual respect. ( )

Hu shares views with Chirac over phone
2004-12-06 China Daily
President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Sunday in a telephone conversation with French President Jacques Chirac that China and France share similar views on international issues. The two sides should make joint efforts to promote the resolution of the Iraq issue and the peace process in the Middle East region, Hu said. Hu said China backs efforts made by the three European Union member states, France, Germany and the UK, to continue their talks with Iran on a long-term resolution to the nuclear issue. China will continue to play a constructive role on the issue. Hu also expressed China's deep concern on the current fluctuating situation in Iraq. The recent international conference that has helped promote consensus on the issue of Iraq's reconstruction reflects the support from the international community for peace in the country. Hu said China supports the Middle East peace process and the relevant issues should be resolved by complying with United Nations resolutions and through political negotiation based on the principle of "land for peace." The situation in the Middle East is at a crucial moment and China hopes the Palestinian election will proceed successfully, Hu said. ( ) On international and regional issues, Chirac briefed Hu about the agreement reached between France, Germany, the UK and Iran on the nuclear issue and their next considerations. ( )

Italians sign big trade deals
2004-12-08 China Daily
An Italian business delegation accompanying visiting President Carlo Ciampi clinched big deals in China yesterday. The Italian delegation came after their French counterparts notched up an array of deals worth of 4 billion euro (US$5.2 billion) in October, and was followed by German entrepreneurs who arrived together with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder yesterday. Although the total investment figure of the signed deals has not yet been worked out, "it will be considerable," said a member of the Italian delegation, who did not give his name. The deals cover a wide range of sectors such as energy, infrastructure construction, transportation and telecommunications. Skylogic, under Eutelsat, one of the world's leading satellite operators, yesterday signed a partnership agreement with China Satellite Communications Corporation, a major Chinese telecommunications operator. The two partners will kick off co-operation in 2005 after approval by authorities in the respective nations. They will begin to provide satellite communications services for businesses, governments and media of both sides when the time is ripe. ( ) Pirelli, an Italian tyre manufacturer, will establish a joint venture in Central China's Henan Province next year, with Chinese partner Shanghai-listed Aeolus. ( ) Leading Italian automaker Fiat has also vowed to increase its presence in China by launching new models of vehicles, Luca di Montezemolo, the president of Fiat, told China Daily. The company is the largest Italian investor in China. Italian companies have also expressed interest in taking advantage of the Beijing Olympic Games, to be held in 2008, saying they are ready to provide financial and telecommunications services for the event. Statistics show that nearly 500 Italian enterprises do business in China, and they invested US$300 million in the Chinese market in 2003, up 80 per cent on a yearly basis. In addition to China's coastal provinces, which have attracted the most investment from foreign companies, Italian enterprises are also considering investing in Northeast and western China. The Italian companies' spending spree comes as major European countries are making moves to penetrate an increasingly growing Chinese market. ( )

China stresses urgency of strengthening Biological Weapons Convention
2004-12-08 PLA Daily
A Chinese diplomat to the United Nations Conference on Disarmament stressed here Monday the urgency of strengthening an international convention on controlling biological weapons. "The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) plays a key role in eliminating the threat of and preventing proliferation of biological weapons," said Hu Xiaodi, the Chinese Ambassador on disarmament affairs to the United Nations office here. The increasing threat of bio-terrorism and transboundary prevalence of infectious diseases is a reminder to the world of the necessity and urgency of strengthening the effectiveness of the BWC, he said. ( ) He pointed out that a sound and effective system of disease surveillance and response is conducive to minimizing the impact of infectious diseases on people's work and living and contributes to the early detection, active prevention and effective response to bio-terrorism. (He called on all signatories to actively participate in and promote cooperation at international, regional and bilateral levels to enhance the international capability to combat infectious diseases. Hu told the meeting that the Chinese government was making efforts on this issue and that it is willing to make further contributions towards effectively containing infectious diseases. The BWC, which took effect in 1975, has more than 140 signatories. China joined the convention in 1984.

Special envoy visits US; One China reiterated
2004-12-06 PLA Daily
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has reiterated that the United States will adhere to the "One China" policy and oppose "Taiwan Independence". Visiting Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo has held talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage in Washington. Dai Bingguo comprehensively expounded China's firm stance on Taiwan question, stressing that the national sovereignty and territory integrity is China's core interest.  He urged the US to keep its promises and not to assist Taiwan separatists, particularly not to sell weapons to Taiwan. ( ) In addition, the two sides discussed the implementation of the agreements reached between Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President George W. Bush during their meeting in Santiago, Chile, last month. They also exchanged views on Iraqi issues as well as the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. The two officials agree that the smooth development of Sino-US relations in the next four years is of vital importance. Both of them vow to continue high-level visit exchanges, strengthen cooperation on important international and regional issues, and push forward economic cooperations. During his visit to the United States, Dai Bingguo also met with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, and US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

China defends scientific exploration in waters near Okinotori
2004-12-10 People's Daily
China has defended its scientific exploration in Okinotori waters, saying that it was conducted in international, not Japanese waters, in Beijing Thursday at a regular press conference. The Japanese government on Wednesday said a Chinese survey vessel was found carrying out research in its exclusive economic zone near Okinotori, an uninhabited reef 1,740 km south of Tokyo. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told reporters that China and Japan have different opinions over the nature of the waters in question. "The Chinese vessel was carrying out normal scientific exploration on the high seas," she said, adding that China hopes Japan will stay coolheaded and deal with the matter in a prudent manner. China and Japan are dealing with the issue through diplomatic channels, she said.

US-DPRK mistrust hinders talks: Chinese FM
2004-12-10 Xinhuanet
Mistrust between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is the sticking point of the suspended six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said here Thursday. At a regular press conference, Zhang said there is no timetable for the next round of talks or any working group meeting because participants have not reached agreement on it. ( ) Joseph DeTrani, US State Department special envoy for the Korean Peninsula affairs, paid a working visit to China this week. He met with Zhou Wenzhong, Chinese vice foreign minister, Cui Tiankai, director-general of the Asian Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry and Ning Fukui, Chinese ambassador on Korean Peninsula affairs.

China to consider UN reform proposals seriously: FM spokesperson
2004-12-07 People's Daily
China supports the work of a high-level panel on reforming the United Nations (UN) and is giving serious thought of the proposals it submitted to UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhang Qiyue said Monday in a response to an interview. Zhang said China would like to keep in touch and consult with all relevant parties to bring out active progress in the issue. She said China applauds the work Annan has done and will continue to back his efforts in maintaining and strengthening the roles of UN In the world arena. The 16-member panel was appointed by Annan to identify major threats to humankind in the 21st century and propose ways of reforming the world body. The panel, chaired by former Thai Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun, comprises eminent figures such as former Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and former US national security advisor Brent Scowcroft.

Japan opposed to be a permanent UN Security Council member
2004-12-10 People's Daily
Yesterday (December 8), a meeting was held to mark the 63rd anniversary of Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and its launch of the Pacific War in 1941. That day, more than 40 non-governmental organizations from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) issued a statement opposing Japan to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council, demanding that Japan offer apologies to war victims and make compensation for individuals. In the statement, these organizations strongly opposed Japan to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council because the UN is an international body founded on the basis of introspections of the two world wars. Currently, the Koizumi cabinet is actively lobbying worldwide, making preparation for its intention to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council. So far, however, Japan has not reached a compromise with the war victims and now there are still 30 war-related lawsuits in Japan's court. Wang Xuan (C), leader of the litigation delegation of Chinese victims of the bacteriological war launched by Japanese troops against China, said at the meeting that the issue of Japan's bacteriological warfare had far from being solved, and the Japanese government has not yet made public all related materials. "So, it's still hard to talk about apology and compensation,"added Wang. That same day, speaking at the meeting also included Xiong Shanchu, a Chinese victim of Japan's bacteriological warfare, and a former South Korean soldier.

British Deputy PM concludes China visit
2004-12-06 People's Daily
British Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State John Prescott left here for Hong Kong, winding up his five-day official visit to China. During his stay in Beijing , China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and Vice Premier Huang Ju held meetings and talks with him, and Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan held a discussion with him on establishing task forces on bilateral relations. This is Prescott's seventh visit to China. Besides Beijing, he also visited Shenyang and Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

U.S. detected Chinese subs around Guam since March
2004-12-09 Japan Today
The U.S. military has detected Chinese nuclear-powered submarines in waters near Guam in the western Pacific since around March, U.S. government sources said Wednesday. The detection came after the U.S. military deployed additional B-52 bombers to Andersen Air Force Base on the Pacific island, the sources said. The Chinese submarines were detected and tracked by P-3C patrol planes and military satellites, the sources said, without stating how often they were encountered.

Sanya Declaration calls for increasing efforts to tackle family-related issues
2004-12-09 Xinhuanet
Sanya, Hainan, Dec. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- The participants of the World Family Summit commit themselves to disseminating and call upon governments, civil society and other institutions to increase efforts to tackle family-related issues, according to the Sanya Declaration approved here Wednesday. The declaration encourages relevant authorities to include family perspectives in the international agenda and as priority when developing national strategies, formulating economic, social and environmental policies and programs, promote partnership between families and communities, comply with the principles of good governance and rule by law and render full support to families and development. Governments of all countries are urged to act upon their commitments to achieve the millennium development goals (MDGs) and the goals and objectives of the Program of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), and promote the integration of those goals in policies and development programs, the declaration says. Governments, civil society and other institutions are expected to enhance political commitment and ensure sufficient resources toprevent HIV/AIDS and care as well as support to families to bettercare for their infected members with HIV/AIDS, including protecting them from discrimination and stigma, and to encourage people living with HIV/AIDS and their relatives to combat ignorance and panic, as well as to take action to integrate HIV/AIDS prevention and care into reproductive health services. The declaration also calls upon parties related to support the role of families in environmental protection, and to promote the adoption of sustainable production and consumption patterns and protect all family members to enjoy a life that is environment friendly and harmonious with nature. The declaration calls for more profound dialogue, communication and cooperation among different cultures, based on respect, tolerance, understanding and trust, and the promotion of social harmony and integration, through effective public policies involving communities and families. ( )

 

Innenpolitik

China alert on environmental problems at Dam
2004-12-06 Xinhuanet
In the face of criticism from environmental groups, a senior government official reiterated Friday that China will make every effort to protect the environment in the area of Three Gorges Reservoir and the entire Yangtze River. ( ) Since China started to build the Three Gorges Reservoir, the largest in the world, in 1994 on the Yangtze River, criticism of its effects on the environment has been unceasing. The Yangtze, China's most important river, feeds approximately 55 percent of Chinese population, and the economy in its valley accounts for 40 percent of the nation's total. "If the river were to be badly polluted, the results will be disastrous," Pu said. China's central and local governments have said they were deeply concerned with the project's environment issues. They have sought to prevent harmful impact that the project might brought to the air, soil, water and living creature, Pu said. A comprehensive monitoring system has been established around the area to inspect the environment as the construction moves on and it has published annual reports for nine years. According to the reports, weather conditions has improved, water quality remains unchanged, and soil erosion drops by 1 percent each year. The reports do show problems, however. The reservoir, like a giant water tank, will cut natural refreshing of the water to only 11 or 12 times each year due to the construction of dam and substantially increase the possibility of getting stained. Because of the dam, sludge will increase, and therefore the area of pollution cradle is likely to expand. The huge construction project has significantly improved water transport and stimulated local people to buy vessels for business -- bad news for the environment. Roughly 100,000 various ships and boats are sailing in the area, ejecting 50,000 tons of garbage and up to 20 million tons of waste water into the Yangtze River each year. A budget of 39 billion yuan (4.7 billion U.S. dollars) was approved last year to build 28 waste treatment plants, 26 of which have been completed. ( ) Pu said it was of vital importance to arouse environmental awareness of all the Chinese people, which he believes is a fundamental way to protect the River. The Three Gorges Reservoir project is scheduled to be finished by 2009. It will have a total capacity of 39.3 billion cubic meters.

Collision causes nation's biggest sea oil spill
2004-12-10 China Daily
Clean-up efforts may limit pollution in the aftermath of a collision between two foreign ships and a subsequent crude oil spill, the worst ever in Chinese waters. Two foreign-registered ships collided at 9:35 pm on Tuesday about 8 nautical miles away from the mouth of the Pearl River. The Hvundai Advance, registered in Panama, was sailing from Shenzhen to Singapore when it collided with a German ship Mscilona which was going from Shenzhen to Shanghai. A fuel storehouse of the 300-metre-long, 75,500-ton Mscilona broke and started leaking crude oil. The 182-metre-long, 21,000-ton Hvundai Advance was also damaged. The leaking oil soon formed a 9-nautical-mile-long and 200-metre-wide oil belt near the mouth of the Pearl River in South China's Guangdong Province. More than 450 tons of crude oil spilled. It is the biggest spill in Chinese waters, said Wang Xiangtao, director of Guangdong Provincial Marine Bureau. Wang is now leading a special task force to handle the case. Nine cleaning ships from Guangdong Province are now working to recover the leaking oil and prevent it from spreading further. Wang said strong winds and waves at the spot of the collision are likely to hamper the clean-up. ( ) A helicopter was also sent to help monitor the ocean pollution, said Wang. The provincial marine bureau has also asked marine departments in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai to keep an eye on the polluted waters. Xu Zuyuan, vice-minister of communications, has urged all relevant departments to do what they can to prevent the pollution from extending to neighbouring Hong Kong and Macao waters and the oil spill from destroying the ecology in the Pearl River mouth.

Chinese media report 2 riots
2004-12-09 Japan Today
Riots broke out in two areas of China over the weekend leaving two police officers dead and many injured, according to recent local media reports. More than 1,000 people in Qinzhou city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Saturday clashed with police after local officials beat up disabled street musicians begging for money, Radio Free Asia reported Tuesday.

Expert warns of Olympic overconstruction
2004-12-09 China Daily
A Chinese senior expert warned Wednesday that Beijing should be aware of possible transport overconstruction during its preparatory work for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Zhou Ganzhi, former minister of China's Ministry of Construction, suggested at the China (Beijing) Olympic Transportation Forum that Beijing should not only rely on infrastructure construction to solve road congestion, which is widely recognized as a key obstacle for the 2008 Games. Zhou said that the Olympic Games is a special "rush hour", in which heavy traffic is compacted within a particular period and certain area. "That doesn't last long and is not likely to re-appear in the following years. That's why we can't develop the city transport construction simply according to the Olympic standard. ( ) The academician, both of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engeering described transport construction as time- and money-consuming and call for a thorough planning. ( ) Dozens of Chinese experts convened at the two-day forum, which started on Tuesday, to shared views in tackling Beijing's transportation problems for the 2008 Games. It's the second edition of such forum after the first in May. The forum discussed a wide range of issues from transportation system development to digital intelligent vehicle system and simulation. The Beijing Municipal Transportation Committee presented a report on the strategic transportation planning of the Beijing Olympics. Government officials, who worked with Athens organizers during the 2004 Games, also briefed the forum on the situation there. ( )

China names director of State General Administration of Sport
2004-12-10 People's Daily
China has named Liu Peng as new director to replace Yuan Weimin to head the State General Administration of Sport, the All-China Sports Federation said in its official website on Thursday. The decision was announced in a congress attended by state councilor Chen Zhili who praised Yuan for his 47-year efforts in the sport circle with great successes. "Yuan is stepping down from the sports leadership due to his age, but his contribution will be put into the great history of Chinese sport," councilor Chen said, explaining that the personnel replacement is a normal reshuffle. Liu, born in 1951, was the secretary of Secretariat of Communist Youth League (CYL) of China Central Committee from 1993, and became deputy secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) in Sichuan province in 2003. The 65-year-old Yuan, a former volleyball player for the Chinese national team, has coached the Chinese women to reap all grand titles in the volleyball world during the 80s. He was appointed deputy director in 1998 and became director of State General Administration of Sport in 2000.

 

Taiwan

"Taiwan independence theory of law" equals to playing with fire
2004-12-08 People's Daily
For a period of time, there has been a so-called saying "soft coup" and some say the "soft coup" is only a "voting language" on purpose, which is a matter between the political parties within the Taiwan island". The writer does not want to make comments on it. However according to the writer's observation, the "Taiwan independence theory of law", which Chen Shui-bian" is now up to, is somewhat like "soft coup d'etat". What is "Taiwan independence theory of law"? This "Taiwan independence" is also known as "gradual independence" or "curve independence". Chen Shui-bian once made a quite exalted figure of speech, saying, "I made my Japanese dog run with me and it did not run straight forward. It was waiting for me at the destination where I arrived at later". That is what Chen Shui-bian said in front of some "Taiwan separatists" with the dog's running as a metaphor. Chen also told them, "So long as you have confidence in me our dream will be realized". That is a figurative confession on "Taiwan independence theory of law", "gradual Taiwan independence" or "curve independence". Ii is known to all that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. It is also true when looking from the angles of history, geography, law, nationality, culture and consanguinity. The Japanese militarists had occupied Taiwan for 50 years. After the victory of the war against the Japanese aggression in 1945 Taiwan was returned to the motherland according to international law and agreement. Kuomintang was defeated and escaped to Taiwan in 1949 during the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. The Kuomintang had been maintained a long-term anti-Communist regime and did not change the basic nature that Taiwan belongs to China. But today Chen Shui-bian has got fancy ideas into his head and is attempting to get his "constitutional reform" of "one side one country" legalized so as to make the navel cord of legal principle cut off thoroughly under the unchanged shell of "the government of the Republic of China". What it is if not the "Taiwan independence theory of law"? Chen Shui-bian is attempting to use "constitutional revision" or "making a new constitution" to get "peaceful Taiwan independence" and change its regime. What it is if not a "soft coup"? Chen Shui-bian's attempts are getting more obvious and in haste. In a series of speeches made by him from the May 20 inaugural speech, the double 10 speech in October and the speeches in November 10 and 27, he clearly announced that he will have framed a new constitution before 2008, which he said is "his promise and historical mission". He claims the sovereignty of Taiwan belongs to 23 million people of Taiwan", and curses some people in the island by saying "they have mistaken enemy state as motherland", threatening if the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) wins majority in election by the end of the year, he will apply for the UN in the "name of Taiwan" and even threatens the Chinese mainland by saying if you "have too much pressure on us, we will refer "one country two systems", "one China" and 92 consensus to referendum. How intemperate and rampant he is! All the reactionaries have a common law and feature, that is they have always misestimated situation, overestimated their own strength, and underestimated the strength of the broad masses. Chen Shui-bian is now blinded by inordinate ambition and gets dizzy with success. But actually he is making accumulation and getting ready for his final and thorough failure. Not long ago when Chinese President Hu Jintao met with US President George W. Bush at APEC leaders' summit he reminded Taiwan authorities of that it has pressed ahead with "Taiwan independence theory of law" and also directly pointed out, "'Taiwan independence' will ruin the peace across the Straits". From this we can see the seriousness of the issue. The Taiwan Affairs Office and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office under the State Council were authorized to issue a statement on May 17, which said clearly that the Chinese people is neither afraid of ghosts nor evils and will safeguard their national sovereignty and territorial integrity regardless of any price and have full confidence and ability to smash all schemes attempting to split the motherland including "Taiwan independence theory of law".

US against Taiwan's moves to alter names
2004-12-08 China Daily
The United States said it is against moves by Taiwan to drop any references to China in its official name, warning it would disrupt the status quo in delicate cross strait relations. "Our view on that is that, frankly, we're not supportive of them," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said. Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian pledged at the weekend to push for increased use of "Taiwan," rather than the island's official designation of Republic of China (ROC). ( ) Taiwan uses the name "Chinese Taipei" in most international organisations and sports meetings. Ereli said the United States wanted to maintain stability in cross-straits relations. "That's what we want to see," he said. "And we are, therefore, opposed to any unilateral steps that would change the status quo." Since Chen's re-election in May for a second term, China has renewed its long-standing vow to take the island by force should it declare formal independence. ( ) Washington remains the leading arms supplier to Taiwan even though it moved diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. Taiwan's leader said that government-run companies will drop any references to China in their names to avoid being confused with mainland firms a move Beijing will likely view as another dangerous step toward formal independence. Chen Shui-bian told supporters Sunday that the companies will be given two years to change their names. The firms could include China Airlines, China Steel Corp., China Shipbuilding and Chinese Petroleum Corp. Taiwanese "Premier" Yu Shyi-kun told reporters Monday that changing the companies' names was necessary to avoid confusion. He noted that China Airlines - biggest airline in Taiwan - is often confused with Air China, the Chinese flag carrier.

China bans online game Football Manager 2005
2004-12-09 China Daily
China has banned the on-line game "Football Manager 2005," which the Ministry of Culture has resolved to "pose harm to the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity." In the game, which was developed by game producer Sports Interactive, Ltd., Taipei of Taiwan, Hong Kong-Macao region and China's Tibet are represented as independent countries, according to a circular issued by the ministry. Such a distortion, even in acomputer game, violates the relevant Chinese laws and is anathema to the Chinese government. Although the game has not been publicly released in China, it has been disseminated on the Internet and downloaded pirated software CDs. The ministry has ordered culture departments across the country work with public security bureaus, industry and commerce and telecom departments, and publishing units to "investigate, confiscate and punish websites, computer software markets and Internet cafes, who disseminate or sell 'Football Manager 2005.'" According to the circular, places that provide this game will be penalized with a fine up to 30,000 yuan (US$3,600) or cancellation of business license. ( )

 

Wirtschaft

For free weekly economic news updates on China:
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/sbh/view

China's foreign trade at US$1 trillion
2004-12-07 People's Daily
China's foreign trade has increased steadily and currently stands at more than a trillion US dollars this year. According to government statistics, China's foreign trade reached nearly 930 billion US dollars, a year on year increase of about 36 percent. China also enjoys a trade surplus of over 10 billion dollars. The trade volume in the first 10 months of this year was higher than all of 2003. Chai Haitao, Ministry of Commerce Official, said: "China's import and export volume this year experienced sustained and high-speed growth. This will allow the entire volume for the year to surpass one trillion dollars. By then, China's foreign trade volume will rank third in the world." The momentum of China's export growth has been boosted by industrial and home appliance products amounting to over 250 billion dollars. This is a yearly increase of over 42 percent. The export of high-tech products in particular, increased 52 percent. Meanwhile, there was a decline in the export of products with low added values, or products that have manufacturing processes that waste high amounts of energy or create a large amount of pollution. Private enterprises have also contributed to the export growth. Their foreign trade volume accounts for about 11 percent of the entire figure.

Beijing sets limits on building ski resorts
2004-12-07 Xinhuanet
The Beijing municipal government is considering restrictions on building new ski playgrounds in the city's suburbs in order to protect the environment, the Beijing News reported yesterday. Those already built will be strictly supervised and could be shut down if they fail to meet environmental standards, says the report. ( ) Fang Zehua, Beijing Tourism Bureau spokesman, told China Daily his bureau is not in charge of approving ski resorts, but draws up related management standards. Fang said his bureau is revising the city's 2000-10 tourism development plan and has turned a new concept of "mountain eco-tourism areas" into draft amendment. ( ) He said his bureau has already ordered ski resort operators to plant trees and grass along ski tracks that are usually left barren in warm seasons when the snow melts away. Most of the ski playgrounds in Beijing are located in the hilly areas with dense forests. However, in order to ensure the safety of skiers, many trees along the ski tracks were uprooted, leaving mountainous areas facing the threat of severe soil erosion. ( )

 

Nordkorea

DPRK slams US for missile deployment in S.Korea
2004-12-08 Xinhuanet
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday roundly condemned United States' policy of deploying a new type of Patriot missile in Kwangju, South Korea. "This indicates that the US plan to start a new war on the Korean Peninsula is being stepped up towards the final stage," the Minju Joson newspaper said. The US confirmed last week it had completed the deployment of its Patriot PAC-3 missile system in South Korea as part of an 11 billion US dollar upgrade of its military presence on the Korean Peninsula. The Patriot missile system is designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and enemy aircraft. US calls for dialogue and peace are "no more than a ruse to cover up preparations for a war against the DPRK," the article said. "It (the US) is shipping ultra-modern military hardware into South Korea behind the curtain of 'dialogue and peace' so as to mount a preemptive surprise attack on the DPRK," it added. The newspaper said the DPRK will continue to increase its war deterrent force in response to US military actions in South Korea.

US envoy to visit S. Korea, Japan on DPRK nuclear issue
2004-12-08 Xinhuanet
US special envoy Joseph DeTrani will visit South Korea and Japan on the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said at a briefing on Tuesday. Ereli said that DeTrani, who is currently in Beijing, will hold talks with South Korean counterparts on Dec. 8th and 9th and then he will be in Japan on Dec. 10th and 11th. "The purpose of those meetings are to look at ways to bring North Korea to the negotiating table," Ereli said. DeTrani, while in Beijing, reiterated that the United States is ready to resume the six-party talks at an early date without preconditions and reiterated the US call for the DPRK to follow through on its commitment to the six-party talks, Ereli said. ( )

 

Susanne Schuetz
Embassy of Switzerland
 

The Press review is a random selection of political and social related news gathered from various media and news services located in the PRC, edited or translated by the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing and distributed among Swiss Government Offices. The Embassy does not accept responsibility for accuracy of quotes or truthfulness of content. Additionally the contents of the selected news mustn't correspond to the opinion of the Embassy.
 
Page created and hosted by SinOptic Back to the top of the page To SinOptic - Services and Studies on the Chinese World's Homepage