The Japanese government expressed its hope on Monday that the
Taiwan leader would stick to his commitment not to declare Taiwan
independence.
At a regular press conference held in Beijing Tuesday, Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao expressed China's
appreciation of Japan's statement on the Taiwan question.
According to a Japanese Foreign Ministry press release, the
Japanese government stated on Monday it hoped Taiwan leader Chen
Shui-bian would abide by his commitment to the "Four Noes" -- not
to declare Taiwan independence, not to incorporate the "two states"
remarks into its "constitution", not to change the so-called
country's name and not to call a referendum on independence during
his tenure as leader.
The Japanese government also said it hoped Chen would remain
cautious on the issues of the referendum and drawing up a new
"constitution."
Liu said the statement was "positive," adding, "we appreciate
this statement."
Liu said China hoped Japan would cautiously handle the question
of Taiwan, and take more action conducive to China's reunification
and the stability and development of Sino-Japanese ties.
In another development, Japan has joined the United States in
expressing concern about the Taiwan leader's plan to hold a March
20 referendum.
Japanese envoy Katsuhisa Uchida conveyed Tokyo's worries about
the vote during a meeting with Taiwanese officials in Taiwan on
Monday.
Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that Uchida urged Chen to
"exercise caution." The envoy also said the planned referendum has
already aggravated cross-Straits tensions.
Also at yesterday’s briefing, according to the spokesman, the
Chinese government has boosted its 5 million yuan (US$600,000)
worth of material assistance for Iran's earthquake relief with
another 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) worth of materials to help
the victims.
Liu said the materials would be sent to Iran in a few days.
A strong earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter
scale, rocked the city of Bam in Iran's Kerman Province early
Friday, leaving tens of thousands dead. Several aftershocks,
including one of 5.3 degrees on the Richter scale, further battered
the city and increased the damage.
In regard to a report that the United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) would send delegates to
visit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the spokesman
said that China is concerned with this unilateral decision by
USCIRF.
The commission's decision came out while China's State
Administration of Religious Affairs was consulting with it about
the schedule for a China tour by its delegates, Liu said.
He said the commission's unilateral decision on visiting Hong
Kong was not proper at this time.
China hoped the commission would not do anything to harm the
stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, Liu said.
(Sources including China Daily and Xinhua News Agency, December
31, 2003)