DATE=10/14/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / PAKISTAN (L-O)
NUMBER=2-255005
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China says it is worried about the military
coup in Pakistan. V-O-A's Stephanie Ho reports from
Beijing, Chinese officials say they are studying the
situation on the sub-continent.
TEXT: China called for restraint right after the
military coup in Pakistan, but has yet to formulate a
detailed position.
At a regular news briefing Tuesday, Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue - speaking through an
interpreter -- expressed China's apprehension.
// ZHANG INTERPRETER ACT //
Pakistan is a friendly neighbor of China. We are
deeply concerned over the change of the situation in
Pakistan and we are now trying to further our
comprehension of the situation.
// END ACT //
Ms. Zhang did not say whether the coup will affect
what she called normal and friendly relations between
China and Pakistan. She also did not indicate whether
Beijing would support or recognize any future
Pakistani government.
China and Pakistan have been long time allies and
there are several reports - most recent in mid-
September - that China has supplied missiles to
Pakistan. China has always denied the allegations.
The state-run Xinhua news agency says a group from
Pakistan was the only official foreign delegation
invited to participate in recent celebrations to mark
China's 50th anniversary.
At a banquet in Islamabad to mark China's birthday,
Pakistani Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz said the most
important aspect of the bilateral relationship is that
both countries have the same views on all contemporary
issues.
The Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Lu Shulin, said
his country has not forgotten Islamabad's support on
the Taiwan issue and its help in establishing China's
diplomatic relations with several countries, including
the United States.
Pakistani officials have also been quoted as
criticizing India for allowing the Dalai Lama to live
there. China has been sharply critical of the Tibetan
spiritual leader, who fled into exile in 1959.
(signed)
NEB/HO/FC
14-Oct-1999 06:40 AM EDT (14-Oct-1999 1040 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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