China miffed at Corbin's Taiwan visit
Stabroek News
August 1, 2004
Concern and dissatisfaction were among the words used by the Chinese Embassy to describe a recent visit by Taiwan by PNCR Leader Robert Corbin. In a strongly worded statement from its Press Officer, Zhou Xing, the mission in rejecting remarks by Corbin claiming the visit was a private one said he cannot simply change his identity. Zhou wishes to see concrete action to diminish the negative impact of the visit.
Corbin had said he saw no conflict between his recent private visit to Taiwan and his party's 'One China' policy. Taiwan is considered a renegade province by China and Beijing frowns on official contacts with the Taipei administration.
The PNC during its administration actively pursued such a policy, one the PPP/C administration has continued.
Corbin told reporters at his party's weekly press conference that he had made the trip to observe developments there. He said he had the opportunity to learn more about Taiwan's economy which was recently wholly dependent on rice and sugar but which has been transformed into one of the fastest growing in the world. He said this might be useful for Guyana.
However, the embassy said Corbin's Taiwan trip was inappropriate and damaging to China's interest.
"The Taiwan question bears directly on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Zhou indicating his government's appreciation of the PPP/C administration's insistence of a 'One China' policy. Corbin in an invited comment to Stabroek News said Taiwan has investments totalling hundreds of millions of dollars in mainland China as well as in Latin America. He said observing business developments in Taiwan could draw several useful lessons and in no way conflicts with a 'One China' policy.
But Zhou said the Taiwanese authority has never ceased its separatist attempt by sabotaging the relations and friendship between China and countries that have diplomatic relations on the pretext of developing economic ties. Guyana, under the PNC administration was one of the first countries in the Caribbean to establish diplomatic relations with China and over the years has received a considerable amount of economic and technical assistance that still continues.