17 March 2004 19:46
Russia supports territorial integrity of China, against independence of Taiwan
Moscow, 17 March: Russia supports China's territorial integrity and firmly speaks out against independence of
Taiwan in any form, the secretary of the Russian Security Council, Igor Ivanov, announced today at a meeting with the
special envoy of the Chinese government, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo.
An ITAR-TASS correspondent has learnt from the Security Council press service that during the discussion that took
place in the Russian capital, Dai Bingguo informed Igor Ivanov "about the Chinese leadership's assessment of
the situation concerning Taiwan in connection with the holding of the so-called 'referendum' on 20 March"
on the island.
"The Chinese partners could confidently relay on the full support from Russia for sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the People's Republic of China," Igor Ivanov responded and noted that the principled position of
the country on this matter has been set out in the 2001 treaty on goodneighbourly relations, friendship and cooperation
between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China.
"Moscow firmly speaks out against independence of Taiwan in any form and proceeds from the premise that problem
of Taiwan should be settled without damaging peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," Igor Ivanov
stressed.
During the meeting the sides also discussed forthcoming contacts "on the top level and high level between Moscow
and Beijing, aimed at further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.
[ITAR-TASS news agency] |
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