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.