Li denounces Japan's fear of China's strength
Li denounces Japan's fear of China's strength
KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Chinese Premier Li Peng denounced
Japan yesterday and dismissed fears of Beijing's growing economic
and military strength in Southeast Asia, a region traditionally
wary of China.
"You have overestimated the strength of China's economy. We
are not that powerful yet," Li said. And in terms of military
strength, "up to now, we have not acquired any aircraft
carriers".
Li said recent remarks by Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary
Seiroku Kajiyama that the security treaty between Washington and
Tokyo could be extended to cover Taiwan were "utterly
unacceptable".
"It has been recognized that Taiwan is part of Chinese
territory. What he said has aroused suspicion and disappointment
not only in China but also in Southeast Asian nations," Li told a
gathering organized by a Malaysian foreign affairs institute.
Li, who arrived here Thursday for a four-day official visit,
said the U.S.-Japan alliance was a "sensitive topic" for China.
"Overall Sino-Japanese relations have been good and we are
ready to develop normal and friendly relations with Japan," he
said.
But Beijing is "vigilant about the attempts by a small number
of military elements," he said.
Kajiyama sparked a furor last Sunday when he told a television
talk show that it was inevitable for Japan to provide logistical
support to U.S. forces in the event of an armed clash in the
Taiwan Strait.
Separately, Taiwan extended an olive branch to arch rival
China yesterday, offering to expand contacts with the mainland
despite strained relations.
Gesture
"As long as it can resolve problems and protect the rights and
interests of our people, we should not limit ourselves with the
principles we have set, and resolve our problems by flexible
means," said Kao Koong-lien, vice chairman of Taiwan's Mainland
Affairs Council.
The gesture came a day after Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui
named former council chairman Vincent Siew to take over as
premier and head a new cabinet to be formed on Sept. 1.
"Taiwan will not rule out holding official talks with Beijing
over certain general and practical issues," Kao said.
His comments came after an offer by outgoing Taiwan premier
Lien Chan on Thursday to set up a more authoritative channel for
Taipei and Beijing to resume a dialog suspended after a U.S.
visit by President Lee in 1995 infuriated China.
Beijing, which has regarded Taiwan as a renegade province not
entitled to international ties since the sides split after a
civil war ended in 1949, staged war games near the island and
suspended semiofficial talks with Taipei that began in 1993.
Li also dismissed suggestions that China would pose a threat
to the region as its "preoccupation is on economic development"
which could only be achieved through peace and good relations.
While it may be the world's most populous nation, China is
only ranked 17th largest based on per capita income, so it would
need another "30 to 40 years of hard work" to attain
modernization.
Li said China's economy would grow by 9.5 percent this year,
with inflation below four percent.
China will keep economic growth at over eight percent a year
until 2000 and over seven percent a year to 2010, he said.
Earlier yesterday, the Chinese premier also indicated China
would support the concept of a Southeast Asian forum that would
voice the region's consensus on global economic and political
issues.
He said China had to establish stronger ties with Southeast
Asian countries. He also said China backed a review of the U.N.
Declaration on Human Rights, which Asian nations believe focuses
too much on individual rights.