China Reacts to Japan Granting Visa to Lee Teng-hui, FM Spokeswoman

Some Chinese delegations have canceled their scheduled visits to Japan, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said at a press conference Tuesday.

Japan has not given due explanations to the Chinese people on the history textbook issue, and now it has issued a visa to Lee Teng-hui. This move has damaged the atmosphere of contacts between China and Japan, the spokeswoman said.

Zhang noted that China attaches importance to the Sino-Japanese relationship and is willing to maintain and further develop the friendly bilateral ties, adding that this relationship cannot be kept on sound track unless Japan abides by the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration, and handles relevant questions accordingly.

Zhang said that by granting a visa to Lee Teng-hui and making trouble on the Taiwan issue, Japan has undermined the political foundation upon which the Sino-Japanese relations are built.






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