Mar 09, 2005

Taiwan: China Asks Foreign Military Alliances Not to Involve in Taiwan Issue


China asked foreign military alliances to stay away from the vexed Taiwan issue, asserting that it was an "internal affair" of the country
China today asked foreign military alliances to stay away from the vexed Taiwan issue, asserting that it was an "internal affair" of the country.

"I believe the Chinese position on the bilateral or regional military cooperation is consistent. We hope that such arrangements should remain strictly bilateral," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters.

"To strive for peace and development is the global trend. The relevant countries should give full consideration to concerns of others and do more to promote peace," Liu said when asked to comment whether China had demanded Australia to review its 50-year-old military treaty with the United States and New Zealand (ANZUS).

Australian media had reported that Chinese Director General of North American and Oceanian Affairs, He Yafei had demanded Canberra review the ANZUS Alliance, drawn up at the end of World War II, warning that it could threaten regional stability by drawing Australia into a conflict over Taiwan.

"Taiwan is a part of China. The question of Taiwan is an internal affair of China and we hope relevant countries will abide by their pledges on the Taiwan question," Liu said.

He did not confirm whether He made this demand to Australia but said that Washington and Canberra were aware of Beijing's position.

Australia is expected under the ANZUS treaty to support the United States if China resorted to force to reunify Taiwan with the mainland.

While the US has switched diplomatic ties to Beijing in 1979, Washington continues to be the staunchest ally and main arms supplier to Taiwan.

 

Source: PTI