Extracts. China Strongly Protests U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan China on Wednesday strongly protested against the U.S. government on its announcement of arms sales to Taiwan. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Wednesday urgently summoned U.S. Ambassador Joseph W. Prueher and lodged solemn representations and the protest as instructed by the Chinese government. Li noted that the U.S. government announced today that it will sell advanced weapons and equipment worth billions of U.S. dollars to Taiwan, including four Kidd-class destroyers, eight diesel- powered submarines, and 12 P-3C Orion submarine-hunting aircraft. This wrong decision made by the U.S. side marked an escalation in its arms sales to Taiwan, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, especially the one signed on August 17, 1982, and an open provocation to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Li pointed out. Li said the U.S. act can only further the arrogance of pro- Taiwan independence forces to split China, intensify the tension across the Taiwan Straits, and harm peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Such a move will also seriously impact bilateral cooperation in the nonproliferation field and cause a destructive damage to Sino- U.S. relations, Li added. The Chinese government and people are extremely indignant at and firmly opposed to this decision by the U.S. government, Li said, and "I was ordered to make solemn representations with and a strong protest to the U.S. government on this issue." Li stressed that the U.S. government made explicit commitments in the Sino-U.S. joint communique signed on August 17, 1982, saying that "it does not seek to carry out a long-term policy of arms sales to Taiwan, that its arms sales to Taiwan will not exceed, either in qualitative or in quantitative terms, the level of those supplied in recent years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China, and that it intends gradually to reduce its sale of arms to Taiwan, leading, over a period of time, to a final resolution." However, the U.S. government has gone back on its word and has been constantly selling various advanced weaponry to Taiwan, going even farther on the dangerous road of selling arms to Taiwan, Li said. What the U.S. side has decided to sell to Taiwan now are weaponry with advanced performance and huge value, he noted, adding that the U.S. side has even claimed to help the Taiwan authorities procure offensive submarines from other countries, which "scotched the U.S. lies of selling only defensive weaponry to Taiwan," he said. "The Chinese people and the people of the world realize once again that the U.S. government does not live up to its promises, and facts have revealed that the U.S. does not actually want sustained peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," Li said. "The Chinese people cannot help asking: What are the intentions of the U.S. side after all in selling arms to Taiwan? Where on earth is the U.S. trying to lead Sino-U.S. relations? We should sternly inform the U.S. side of the firm resolution and determination of the Chinese people in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. No one can stop the Chinese people in their endeavor for reunification of the motherland," he added. Li pointed out that Sino-U.S. relations are now at a sensitive and complicated juncture. The Chinese side demands that the U.S. side fully understand the seriousness, danger and destructive nature of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, take seriously China's solemn stand, abide by the provisions of the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, especially the one on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, immediately revoke its erroneous decision and give up arms sales to Taiwan, in an effort to avoid further damage of Sino-U.S. relations. "The U.S. side shall otherwise be held responsible for all the consequences arising therefrom, and the Chinese side reserves the right to make further responses to the matter," he said. In another development, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi lodged solemn representations and a strong protest on April 24 local time to a top official with the U.S. State Department against the announced U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. **** "Foreign Weapons" Cannot Build a "Taiwan Independence Force": Army Daily Wednesday's People's Liberation Army Daily carries a bylined article refuting the Taiwan <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/taiwan.html> authorities' sophistry over its arms deal request to the United States <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/usa.html> . The author points out that recently the Taiwan authorities have stepped up their request to buy U.S. arms, including warships equipped with the advanced Aegis radar system, submarine-killer aircraft, Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and High-speed Anti-Radar Missiles. They gave the excuse that the purchase of defense arms is the only way to "ensure democracy and regional security" for Taiwan, which is an out-and-out deception, says the author. People with common military sense must know that warships equipped with the advanced Aegis radar system are weapon platforms used to launch the cruise missile against an opponent's core targets, and the above-mentioned arms all aim at gaining the initiative by striking the first blow, notes the author. With the arrival of new arms in Taiwan, the forces advocating " Taiwan Independence" will increase their agitation, threatening the peace across the Taiwan Straits. No one should forget that when the Chinese government laid down the "peaceful reunification, one country, two systems" principle two decades ago, it already had the military advantage. "We asked to reach the goal of peaceful reunification of China through negotiations, and provided favorable conditions: anyone acknowledging the one-China principle can negotiate with us, for the benefit of the cross-straits compatriots and regional peace and stability," the author points out. No one can ignore the long-term efforts made by the Chinese mainland to promote exchanges and communications between the cross- straits compatriots. But the Taiwan authorities time and again refused the peace proposals made by the motherland, purchased large numbers of advanced weapons from Western countries, and became the world's largest arms purchaser. The author points out that the obvious intention of Taiwan is to get the military advantage and use force to reject reunification, as well as to divide the country. The author also points out that it is obvious that the Taiwan authorities' arms purchase is aimed at creating turbulence. The Taiwan authorities have invited foreign political forces to interfere in cross-straits relations, and become a new trouble maker. The Taiwan authorities are now playing a very dangerous game. Arms purchase can only make the Taiwan Straits situation more turbulent, bring more serious dangers to regional peace and stability, and lead to suicidal results. "The reunification and revitalization of China is a historical trend no one can reverse," stresses that author, adding that the future China must be an independent, democratic, unified and prosperous country. "If anyone thinks that with mere weapons he can decide the fate of a nation, we will tell him that no one can stand in the way of the 1.2 billion Chinese people, and the People's Liberation Army, with the sacred mission of safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, will not permit one inch of land to be split from China," warns the author. **** Chinese Vice-FM Summons US Ambassador on Arms Sales to Taiwan Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing was authorized to lodge solemn representations and raised strong protest against the government of the United States <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/usa.html> on its announcement that it will sell arms to Taiwan <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/taiwan.html> . Joseph W. Prueher, US ambassador to China, was summoned by Li on Wednesday to receive the representations and protests. **** China Conducts Water Resources Survey China is to conduct a survey of the country's water resources in an effort to make more rational use of water. The State Development Planning Commission will take charge of the survey, considered the largest ever conducted in China. The survey will cover all parts of China except Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. Three national surveys of water resources have been carried out in the 1940s, 1950s and the 1997-98 period, respectively. The new survey, which will take three years to complete, will be of a large scale, accurate and scientific, sources said. The aim of the survey is to make clear the distribution of China's water resources and power capacity, facilitate efficient use of water resources and promote the development of western China, a water resources official said. The capacity of China's hydro-electric power stations came to 77 million kw up to the end of 2000, accounting for 24 percent of the country's total power generating capacity. Nearly 70 percent of the water resources are located in western China. **** Chinese CPPCC Leader Ends Visit to S. Africa Li Ruihuan <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/people/liruihuan.shtml> , chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) left Pretoria on Wednesday after winding up his six-day official goodwill visit to South Africa <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/southAfrica.html> . Li and his entourage were seen off at the airport by South African government officials, representatives from the Chinese Embassy in South Africa. During his stay in South Africa, Li held separate talks with President Thabo Mbeki, Deputy President Jacob Zuma, National Assembly Speaker Grene Ginwala and National Council of Provinces Chairwoman Naledi Pandor, discussing issues with them concerning the bilateral ties and of mutual concern. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the smooth development of the bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in early 1998. Li arrived in South Africa on April 19 for a visit aimed at promoting traditional friendship and bilateral cooperation. South Africa is the second leg of Li's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Morocco <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/morocco.html> and Turkey <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/turkey.html> . He has already visited Mauritius. **** "Dalai Lama Has Fooled Us": Returned Tibetan Compatriots "The greatest regret in my life is that I was fooled by Dalai Lama," Zhaxi Wangdui, 76, said so when talking about his life experience. Zhaxi Wangdui followed Dalai Lama abroad in 1959 and returned to Tibet <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/tibet.html> in 1985. "I am old now, and I want to spend the rest of my life at hometown," said Zhaxi, one of the more than 1,500 returned Tibetan compatriots who have settled down in Tibet since 1978 when China started reforms and opening up. During the past two decades or more, more than 55,000 overseas Tibet compatriots from over 30 countries and regions came to Tibet for sightseeing or visiting relatives. Zhaxi was a lama at the Sera Monastery in Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, 42 years ago. He built roads in the first three years after he escaped abroad. "I didn't have enough food, I couldn't drink butter tea, let alone chanting scriptures and praying to Buddha," he said. Later Zhaxi was conscripted into the India <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/india.html> n troops and performed military service in the Himalayas area for 15 years. He was discharged from the army in 1978. He lived a lonely life, relying on the small sum of money he got for serving in the army. Dalai Lama always said that people in Tibet do not have freedom and do not enjoy human rights. "I'm a little bit worried about that," Zhaxi said. Zhaxi went home to visit his relatives in Tibet in 1983 and stayed in Lhasa for three months. He saw that the original stinking earth roads in Lhasa have been replaced by wide, clean roads; jewelry at the Norbuglinkha, the Jewel Park, remain intact, but this "palace" enjoyed by Dalai Lama alone has become a park where all Lhasa residents can visit. Zhaxi was also impressed with the fact that the children of serfs are studying at the schools, long queues of pilgrims stand in front of the Potala Palace, and the Sera Monastery, where he once lived, is crowded with people burning joss sticks and worshipping Buddha. "I began to doubt what Dalai Lama had said, and I made up my mind to come back and settle down in Tibet," Zhaxi said. Zhaxi, who is now a member of the Lhasa Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, can receive the living allowance given by the government monthly. "I'm not worried about my living and food, not like those days abroad where I was worried about the life of my remaining years," Zhaxi said. Dankao followed Dalai Lama abroad in 1959 and he once was engaged in espionage. Dankao, a believer of Buddhism, said he felt sinful and irreverent to Sakyamuni for his former spy experience. He decided to come back to China after he learned that earth-shaking changes were taking place in his hometown. Danko returned to China in 1989 and became a lama at the Lapuleng Monastery. "Here, I can worship the Buddha with a sincere heart," he said. Tselang, who lives in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Aba in Sichuan <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/sichuan.html> Province, once visited his uncle, who is a lama and lives in India. His uncle told him that Tibetan compatriots in exile live a hard life, some of them have fallen into beggars and most of them want to return to China. Tselang said that he learned that some of the Tibetan compatriots want to come back to China, but are perplexed with the religious belief in Dalai Lama and they believe in the saying fabricated by the Dalai Lama-led government-in-exile that "people who return to China will be beheaded." Danjie, who came back in 1985, said that "Dalai Lama has been cheating us over the past 40 years." He said that Dalai has never stopped his attempt for Tibet's independence, adding Dalai's recent visit to Taiwan <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/taiwan.html> and his collusion with Taiwan independence forces, which breach the religious canon of separating religion from politics, have disappointed Tibetan Buddhist believers. Officials in charge of receiving overseas Tibetan compatriots said the number of Tibetan compatriots coming back for sightseeing and for visiting relatives and to settle down in Tibet has been on rapid rise since the 1990s. Baima Wangje, who now resides abroad, have come back to go sightseeing many times. He said, "Every time, I am moved by Tibet's policies which allow people to come and go freely, a sound social environment and rapid changes." **** China Achieved 73% in its First Phase of Modernization A symposium in commemoration of the 14th anniversary of the three-step development strategy put forward by Deng Xiaoping as well as on the "China's Modernization Report 2001" was held recently in Beijing. Present at it were scholars from the State Council, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and other departments concerned, Information released from the symposium indicates that China has achieved 73 percent of its first-phase of modernization by 1998, listed the 63rd place among 109 countries in the world. The development of the second stage is to rank itself at the 55th place that which can basically be fulfilled by 2050 is out of question. The report points out that the world modernization can be divided into two phases: first, the classical modernization based on the development of industrial economy and the next, the new modernization based on the development of knowledge-oriented economy. The scholars also voice their opinions on the "Chinese Modernization Report" which has achieved its initial results, giving systematic appraisal on the modernization process of 131 countries and 34 regions of China in the past 28 years (1970-1998). The collected report will soon be brought to light by the Peking University Publishing House. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
