Japan-US Security Moves Must Keep off Taiwan Straits

Statement by the Government of the People's Republic of China - April 30, 1998

China firmly opposes any direct or indirect activities which attempt to include the Taiwan Straits in the scope of the Japan-US security cooperation relationship.

This remark was made in Beijing on April 30 by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao while responding to a reporter's question.

China is concerned about reports in the Japanese media to the effect that the Japanese government includes the Taiwan Straits in the scope of the Japan-US security cooperation relationship, Zhu said.

China holds a clear-cut and consistent stand that Japan-US security cooperation is a bilateral arrangement formed with a specific historical background; it should be strictly limited to the scope of bilateral relations between the two countries, otherwise it will upset surrounding countries in Asia and create complexity affecting the security situation in this region, he noted.

Zhu went on to say that China has repeatedly suggested to Japan and the US that they take a cautious attitude toward security cooperation.

Meanwhile, he added, both Japan and the US have assured the Chinese side on a number of occasions that their security cooperation has not been extended and is not aimed at any third party.

The Taiwan issue is an internal affair of China, the Spokesman said, adding that any direct or indirect activities which attempt to include the Taiwan Straits in the Japan-US security cooperation framework will be resolutely opposed by the Chinese government and the Chinese people.