China urges S'pore to avoid trouble over Taiwan
China urges S'pore to avoid trouble over Taiwan
BEIJING (Agencies): China urged Singapore yesterday to avoid harming bilateral relations but stopped short of demanding that the city state cancel a planned visit by Vice President Lien Chan of Taiwan.
"We are seriously concerned about this news and have made representations to the Singapore side," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Tang Guoqiang said when asked to comment on Lien's planned Jan. 1 to Jan. 4 holiday in Singapore.
Singapore does not recognize Taiwan, and Taipei has said Lien's visit will be an unofficial holiday.
Beijing, which views Taiwan as a rebel province not entitled to official relations with other countries, called on its Southeast Asian ally to avoid harming ties.
"We hope the Singapore government will, proceeding from the overall friendly interests of the two nations, solve this problem and avoid unnecessary interference or damage to bilateral relations," Tang said.
"Vice President Lien, his wife, other family members and friends are to leave for Singapore on New Year's Day for a four- day vacation. They are scheduled to return on Jan. 4," a foreign ministry statement said.
Lien was expected to meet with senior Singapore statesman Lee Kwan Yew, President Ong Teng Cheong and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong during his four-day "private vacation," local newspapers reported.
Taiwan does not have diplomatic ties with Singapore, which recognizes Beijing instead of Taipei as the legal government of all China.
Taiwan Foreign Minister Jason Hu declined to comment on Lien's trip.
The visit would not be the first time Singapore has upset Beijing over Taiwan.
Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong made a surprise Nov. 28 "transit stop" in Taiwan, where he discussed Asia's currency crisis with Taiwan Premier Vincent Siew at Taipei's airport.
Although Beijing's response then was mild, it cautioned Singapore that its Taiwan ties must remain limited to unofficial economic relations.
Beijing and Taipei have been diplomatic rivals since the communists won the Chinese civil war and drove the defeated Nationalists into exile in 1949.
Tang said Taiwan could maintain trade and cultural links with other countries, but reiterated Beijing's stance that the island was a part of China.