Biden not to discuss with China arms sales to Taiwan: minister
ROC Central News Agency
2011/08/08 23:01:31
By Emmanuelle Tzeng and Sofia Wu
Taipei, Aug. 8 (CNA) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will not touch on any topics related with arms sales to Taiwan during his upcoming visit to China, Foreign Minister Timothy Yang said Monday.
The White House has announced that Biden would travel to China, Mongolia and Japan from Aug. 16.
Biden will visit China at the invitation of Vice President Xi Jinping, the first of the planned reciprocal visits between the vice presidents announced during President Hu Jintao's state visit to Washington earlier this year.
The possibility of Biden discussing with Chinese leaders issues about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan has caused concern in local society.
Yang told reporters Monday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its stance on the issue to William A. Stanton, director of the Taipei office of the American Institute in Taiwan.
"The U.S. side has assured us that Biden would not bring about any issues about arms deals with Taiwan during his stay in the Chinese mainland," Yang said.
The ministry has also asked U.S. authorities to brief Taiwan on Biden's itinerary before and after his China visit, Yang said, adding that the U.S. has agreed to the request.
Yang further said the United States has so far faithfully abided by its "six assurances" to Taiwan it made in 1982.
The "six assurances" include that the U.S. would not set a date for termination of arms sales to Taiwan; would not alter the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act; would not consult with China in advance before making decisions about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan; would not mediate between Taiwan and China; would not alter its position about the sovereignty of Taiwan and would not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with China; and would not formally recognize Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan.
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