Extracts. USA: Don't Play Tyrant by Relying on Your Strength After the new US government assumed office, it has carried out provocation by incessantly creating disturbances in China-US relations. Recently, it has granted high-standard receptions to the sensitive figures from China's and Tibet who went to the United States for activities, this cannot but arouse the serious concern of the Chinese government and people. On May 7, the Dalai Lama went to the United States for activities. On May 23, i.e., the day marking the 50th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, US President George W. Bush met with Dalai at the presidential residence. At the same time, in defiance of the serious representations of the Chinese side, the United States insisted on allowing Chen Shuibian's "transit " to New York. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Chen Shuibian carried out a series of open activities, he met with the mayor, visited a stock exchange and a museum, met with pro-Taiwan US congressmen, etc. This is not the first time that Taiwan leaders were in transit to the United States. But the time and scope of activity in previous transits were subjected to strict restriction. This time, however, Chen Shuibian's transit surpassed previous ones in terms of time and scope of activity. During the Dalai Lam's activities in the United States, the US Congress first put forward a so-called "2001 Tibet policy act", then, the State Department appointed the third "special coordinator in charge of Tibetan affairs". Be it Taiwan or Tibet, both are inalienable part of Chinese territory, the Taiwan issue and the Tibet issue are purely China's internal affairs, no country has the right to interfere in. All countries with normal diplomatic relations with China are aware that meddling in the Taiwan issue and the Tibet issue is a challenge to China's sovereignty, and implies damaging the political foundation for their relations with China. The China-US relations are based on the three joint comuniques. In these documents, the United States has made promises in white and black regarding the one-China principle and the Taiwan issue. At present, the new US government brazenly goes back on its promises and wantonly intervenes in China's internal affairs, the Chinese government and people express strong dissatisfaction with and resolute opposition to this. After the new US government took office, it changed the Sino-US "constructive strategic partnership" defined by the Clinton administration into "adversary relationship". In the Sino-US plane collision incident, the new US government treated the matter in a peremptory style, later, in brazen violation of the "August 17" communique, it sold large quantities of high-performance weapons to Taiwan. People cannot help asking: Where does the new US government want to lead the China-US relations to? After the new US government took office, although it had made the remark that the United States should be "modest", in reality, however, the sentiment of the United States "regarding itself as the No.1 authority" has undergone undesirable extension, its unilateral way of handling affairs is going rampant. China hopes to live on friendly terms with the United States, but if the United States sets itself against China in all aspects, China is left with no other choice. The United States has the habit of playing tyrant by relying on its strength, while China has the tradition of fearing no ghost, not believing in heresy, nor quailing at the strong. This article, written by Wen Yun, is published in the Column "International Forum" on Page 3 of People's Daily **** Article Slams US for Backing Dalai's Separatist Activities The Human Rights Society of China (HRSC) Friday slammed the United States <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/usa.html> for its support of the Dalai clique's separatist activities and interference in China's internal affairs. Facts demonstrate that the Dalai Lama has become a tool of the U.S. to "contain" China, says the HRSC in an article titled " Looking into U.S. Support for Dalai Clique's Separatist Activities." With the support of the anti-China forces in the United States and other Western countries, the Dalai clique has stepped up efforts to split Tibet <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/tibet.html> from the motherland. In disregard of China's strong opposition, U.S. President Gorge W. Bush, Secretary of State Collin Powell and other senior officials met visiting Dalai Lama on separate occasions earlier this week, the U.S. government appointed Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky as special coordinator for Tibetan affairs, and the U.S. Congress introduced a so-called Tibetan policy bill. All this has constituted gross violation of China's internal affairs, aroused great indignation of the Chinese people, including the Tibetan people, and brought to the attention of the people around the world, the article says. The 9,000-Chinese character article consists of three parts: an account of the long history of the U.S.' support for Tibet separatist forces and its instigation of Tibetan independence; the ways and means the U.S. has taken to back the separatist activities of the Dalai clique; and the ulterior motives of the U. S. in support of the Dalai clique. The United States began to interfere in Tibetan affairs long time ago, the article says. Since the 1940s, the United States has intensified, step by step, its instigation and support of ethnic separatist activities launched by the upper class of the Tibetan aristocrats, according to the article. The HRSC article says the United States has eventually walked from behind the scenes to instigate and support activities aimed at splitting Tibet from China. In the late 1940s, the U.S. government abetted the separatist forces in Tibet to participate in a Pan-Asian conference in India <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/india.html> as "an independent state," and instigated the upper-class separatist forces to expel Han Chinese residents from Tibet in a bid to separate the region from China, says the article. In 1950s and 1960s, the United States backed and instigated the upper-class reactionary forces in Tibet to prevent by force the Chinese People's Liberation Army from liberating Tibet, and planned three times for the Dalai Lama to flee overseas, it says, adding that the U.S. later helped the Dalai clique set up armed forces so that they may fight their way back to Tibet. Citing reports by U.S. publications, including the news magazine Newsweek, the article says the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was responsible for instigating the 1959 armed rebellion by separatists in Tibet and the Dalai Lama fleeing Tibet. The CIA offered financial assistance and weapons to the Dalai clique, as well as military training to its armed personnel. It also sent spy planes to Tibet to provide air cover and parachute food and other materials for the separatists, says the article. Since 1979, when the U.S. gave the green light to the Dalai Lama to conduct activities in the United States, the U.S. government, out of its anti-China needs, has listed the so-called Tibetan issue as an important part of its strategy to "contain" China, supporting the Dalai clique's separatist activities in a flagrant way. The article gives a detailed account of the six major ways the U.S. has employed to support the Dalai clique's activities for Tibetan independence, including the arrangement for increasingly frequent meetings between U.S. presidents and other key political figures and the Dalai Lama in the U.S., using religion as a cover. It accuses the U.S. State Department of approving the establishment of two offices of the Dalai clique in Washington and New York, respectively, and of appointing senior officials as the so-called special coordinators for Tibetan affairs. To support the Dalai clique's separatist activities, the article says, the anti-China elements in the U.S. Congress and some state legislators have produced dozens of amendments and bills, asserting "Tibet was an occupied country." The United States also used various institutions or so-called non-governmental organizations to advocate and support "Tibetan independence" under the cover of "democracy, freedom and human rights," says the article. It also accuses the U.S. of using and financing some media to give publicity in support of the separatist activities of the Dalai clique. The United States has also been providing financial assistance to support the Dalai clique's separatist activities, the article says, adding that the secret funding arrangements were often disclosed by the press from time to time. The article says the U.S.' instigation and support of the Dalai clique's separatist activities runs against the commitment of the U.S. government that Tibet is part of China and the United States will not support Tibetan independence. Proceeding from the fundamental interest of both the Chinese and American people and Sino-U.S. relations, the United States should stop its instigation and support of the Dalai clique's activities to separate Tibet from China, the article says. **** Third ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting Opens The Third ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Foreign Ministers' Meeting opened in Beijing Friday. Chinese President Jiang Zemin is expected to address the meeting. Foreign Ministers from 25 ASEM member states and EU External Relations Commissioner were present at the meeting. **** EU's Patten: China Not Threat, Likely Competitor The West should be "tough in the nicest possible way" in handling China, but it is a mistake to treat the fast-rising power as a threat, European Union External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten said on Thursday. "I don't happen to believe that China is a strategic threat to the interests of Western societies. I think it's likely to be an important competitor in a very competitive world," Patten told reporters in an interview. Patten, who in his previous job as Hong Kong <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/hk.html> governor, said the Chinese deserved respect but not special deference. "A good relationship isn't about throwing away all your own interests or your own concerns just because the other side doesn't like them," he said. "Some people have said that's not the right way of dealing with China. I think it's the right way of dealing with any country and I'm sure that Chinese negotiators think exactly the same when they're dealing with us," he said. PATTEN URGES CONSISTENCY Patten's recommended approach looks similar to that of the US administration of new President George W. Bush. Bush advisors say firmer policies on Taiwan <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/taiwan.html> and defence are needed to correct what they call predecessor Bill Clinton's failed policy of giving China special treatment. Clinton touted China as a US "strategic partner", while Bush says it is best viewed as a "strategic competitor". In past weeks, Bush has decided to sell Taiwan advanced arms, allowed Chen Shui-bian to meet US lawmakers in New York and held talks with Dalai Lama in the White House. Patten, in Beijing <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/beijing.html> for a meeting of European and Asian foreign ministers, did not comment directly on Bush policies, but said China should be handled with "clarity and consistency". "We have done the Chinese a deep disservice by jumping from one extreme position to another," he said. The EU had a keen interest in getting China into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) -- not least to remedy an almost 45 billion euro ($52.59 billion) trade deficit, Patten said. "We don't seek to have a balanced trade with every country in the world, but in the case of China, there are tariff and non-tariff barriers which would disappear with accession to the WTO," he said. And, in a comment on Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Games, Patten said politics should be kept separate from sport. "It would be helpful all around, not least to China, if politicians could keep their nose out of the debate about whether or not the Olympics in 2008 should be held here," he said. **** "Asia-Europe Cooperation Important in New Century": Thai FM Exchanges and cooperation between Asia and Europe in the new century are important for both continents, said Surakiat Sathirathai, foreign minister of Thailand in an interview with Xinhua Thursday. "I don't see ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) as a venue for inflicting political pressure on any particular issue or on any country. The momentum of political dialog has to be maintained," said Surakiat, who is in Beijing attending the third ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting, scheduled for Thursday and Friday. He spelled out three focal points of ASEM, namely, political dialogue, exchange of views and social and economic cooperation. He also noted that the purpose of ASEM lies in the establishment of an all-round partnership between Asia and Europe. Surakiat expressed appreciation for the Asia-Europe cooperation carried out in science, technology and human resource development, expressing hope that such cooperation will expand into more and more industries. In the ASEM framework, bilateral ties between Thailand and China as well as other Asian countries will be strengthened, said Surakiat. He recalled the meeting between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during the Fortune forum in Hong Kong earlier this month, and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's trip to five Asian nations, Thailand included, just a few days ago. "Our relations with China is very special indeed and Thailand is willing to expand cooperation with China in all sectors," Surakiat said. He expressed the conviction that the friendship and cooperation between Thailand and China will be conducive to the peace and development of the region and the world at large. At the end of the interview, Surakiat wished that the third ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting will facilitate the next foreign ministers' meeting and the ASEM summit scheduled for year 2002. **** Third ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting Closes The Third ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Foreign Ministers' Meeting closed Friday afternoon. Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji attended the closing ceremony and delivered a speech. Extending congratulations on the success of the meeting, Zhu noted that this is the first gathering of Asian and European foreign ministers in the new century and also a good beginning for Asia-Europe cooperation in the new century, which, in Zhu's words, is of significance for the further development of Asia-Europe cooperation. Zhu noted that Asia and Europe have no conflicts over fundamental interests, share identical or similar views on many major international issues, and enjoy high complementarity in the economic and trade fields. The wide-ranging cooperation between the two sides is not only conducive to furthering the development of countries in both Asia and Europe, but also will benefit the building of a more balanced pattern for international relations and a world political and economic order, said Zhu. Both sides should strengthen consultations on major international and regional issues and United Nations affairs, and enhance cooperation and coordination in such fields as economy, trade, finance, science, technology, environmental protection, culture, education and justice, Zhu stressed. Zhu also elaborated on the Chinese government's views on and measures for China's domestic economic construction and its further reform and opening-up. He stated that China will continue to expand its domestic demand, follow a pro-active fiscal policy and a sound currency policy, and push forward the strategic adjustment of its economic structure. China will also carry out such strategies as the development of its western areas, revitalizing the country with science and education and a sustained development, and push for a sustained and rapid development of the national economy, continued Zhu. Meanwhile, China will further the reform and opening-up, and actively participate in international economic cooperation and competition, added Zhu. Pointing out that China will take an active part in the process of Asia-Europe cooperation, Zhu said that the Chinese government will join all parties in pushing forward the further progress of Asia-Europe cooperation, and making more contributions to safeguarding world peace, stability and prosperity and promoting human development and progress. **** New African Union to Replace OAU: Salim Secretary-General Salim Ahmed Salim of the Organization of African Unity said Friday that the OAU will be transformed into a higher form of union on May 26 when the constitutive act of the African Union enters into force. "In terms of political and legal reality, as from tomorrow, we will have the African Union," Salim told a press conference at OAU headquarters here on May 25 to mark the 38th anniversary of the pan-African body. "The establishment of the union is a major development to bring about greater unity, solidarity and cooperation among the 53 member states for the political and economic integration of the continent,'' he added. The treaty creating the union, the brainchild of Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi, needed the ratification of 36 OAU member states to take effect. A month ago, Nigeria became the 36th country to ratify the treaty. However, Salim said that the complete transition from the OAU to the African Union will take at least a year and the details of the transition will be discussed at the next OAU summit in Lusaka, Zambia from July 9 to 11. Salim said that he will continue acting as secretary general until a full-time executive commission is set up. The pan-African body was set up in 1963 at the height of the continent's unshackling from colonialism. **** DPRK Demands Quick US Military Withdrawal From Korean Peninsular The Democratic People's Republic of Korea <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/dprk.html> (DPRK <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/dprk.html> ) said Friday the US military presence on the Korean Peninsula has posed a major obstacle to re-unification. An official newspaper of the DPRK, Rodong Sinmun, said in a commentary that US military troops, which moved into the Korean Peninsula during the Cold War to contain the former Soviet Union and the DPRK, have lost their reasons to stay, due to changing international situations. The DPRK, South Korea and other countries that are related to Peninsular affairs, have normalized their diplomatic relations, so there is no longer any reason for US troops to remain. The commentary said it is necessary for US troops to leave the Peninsula as soon as possible, since it is a prerequisite for the unification of the two Koreas. To end the history of the US presence in the region means the removal of both the biggest threat to peace and the largest obstacle to Korean re-unification, which will lead to a democratic, peaceful and unified future for the region, said the commentary. The commentary also said the withdrawal of US troops from the Korean Peninsula would also be beneficial to world peace and security. The Peninsula wouild no longer be considered one of the most dangerous places in Asia, which will be good for world peace, as well as in the interest of the US army. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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