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
