DATE=6/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-TAIWAN-BRITAIN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263784
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China has reacted with fury at Britain for
allowing a visit by former Taiwanese President Lee
Teng-hui. VOA correspondent Roger Wilkison reports
Mr. Lee flew to Britain on Tuesday to attend his
granddaughter's graduation from high school, but, as
far as Beijing is concerned, his trip is designed to
promote Taiwan's independence.
TEXT: Lee Teng-hui is a man China loves to hate. News
of his first trip abroad since he left office last
month was bound to elicit a strong reaction from
Beijing, which has sought to block any foreign travel
by the outspoken former Taiwanese leader.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao -
speaking through an interpreter - told reporters
Tuesday that Mr. Lee is not an ordinary person but a
troublemaker.
/// INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///
We are strongly opposed to the activities to be
organized by Lee Teng-hui in the UK (Britain). We
have put forward solemn representations to the UK
(British) government. It is known to all that Lee
Teng-hui has always engaged in "splittist"
spearatist) activity, put forward the notorious two-
state theory, and advocated Taiwan independence. And
he's a "trouble-creator."
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Last year, Mr. Lee infuriated China by declaring that
relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait
should be conducted on a state-to-state basis. In
Beijing's view, that was a move toward independence
for the island China considers a wayward province.
Mr. Zhu would not say whether China called in
Britain's ambassador in Beijing or asked London to
revoke Mr. Lee's visa. Nor would he say how Mr. Lee's
visit to Britain may affect Sino-British ties.
When Mr. Lee visited the United States in 1995 to
attend a class reunion at Cornell University, China
conducted war games and fired missiles off the
Taiwanese coast. It also recalled its ambassador from
Washington. (signed)
NEB/HK/RW/JO
27-Jun-2000 05:23 AM EDT (27-Jun-2000 0923 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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