HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- Tuesday, 9 April, 2002, 12:17 GMT 13:17 UK
China's Jiang on sensitive
mission
In Germany, Mr Jiang's main focus will be
trade
Chinese President Jiang Zemin has set out on a
politically-sensitive world trip that takes in Libya and Iran, both labelled by
Washington as state sponsors of terrorism.
President Jiang's first stop is Germany, China's biggest European investor, where he will mark the 30th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.
Germany was expected to raise concerns over China's human rights record, although the BBC's correspondent in Berlin, Rob Broomby, says publicly-expressed criticism is unlikely. President Jiang will follow his meeting with Chancellor Schroeder with a visit to Wolfsburg in the west of the country - the headquarters of German car maker Volkswagen, one of the biggest German investors in China. The Chinese president told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag that he planned to extend a joint venture with the company. Controversial itinerary The controversial legs of the trip - likely to be President Jiang's last overseas tour before his expected retirement as Communist Party chief later this year - are to Iran and Libya.
Chinese Foreign Ministry officials says the visits are "normal extensions of their relations". But the visits are likely to worry Washington, which accuses China of selling them arms technology. President Jiang will also visit Nigeria and Tunisia. "The mix reduces the sensitivity of the trip," Chinese political analyst Yan Xuetong of Beijing's Tsinghua University told Reuters news agency. --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================ |
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