"Stay out of our affairs" - huh? Chirac again?

[RonOnGuitar]

No - not this time, but there is a troubling connection:

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Foreign consulate officials urged to stay away from HK's political affairs

(Xinhua)

Updated: 2004-07-03 22:43



It is inappropriate for the officials of foreign consulates in Hong Kong to comment on the political affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said a spokesman of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in HKSAR on Saturday.



The spokesman made the remarks in response to comments made by some foreign consulate officials in Hong Kong on Hong Kong's political affairs.



Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, it is improper for consulate officials, as the representatives of foreign governments in Hong Kong, to make comments on the political affairs of the HKSAR, said the spokesman in a press release.

(end of article)



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A troubling connection:

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China, France hold joint naval drill

(China Daily)

Updated: 2004-03-16 23:38



China and France staged their biggest joint naval exercises to date Tuesday, marking a "sign of the good Sino-French relations."



Chinese and French warships ships get supplies during a joint naval exercise, in east China's port city of Qingdao, Shandong Province, March 16, 2004. [newsphoto]

"They are the most comprehensive military exercises ever held between China and a foreign country," said Ju Xinchun, captain of the Chinese guided missile destroyer Harbin.



The exercise lasted about 8 hours and involved about 700 seamen. They were jointly led by Zhang Panhong, chief of the general staff of the North China Sea Fleet of the People's Liberation Army Navy, and Louis De Contenson, navy commander of the French Pacific Military Region.



China's destroyer "Harbin" and tanker ship "Hongze Lake" as well as French anti-submarine-warfare destroyer "Latouche-Treville" and light frigate "Commandant Birot" played key roles in the maritime exercises.



After the exercises, the French naval fleet left for Singapore from the high sea.



The eight-hour exercises included ship and shipboard helicopter tactic maneuvers, refueling exercises at sea, communication and search and rescue exercises, sources from the North China Sea Fleet said.



A French military source said the joint exercises have reached a high standard and are very technical.



The destroyer "Harbin" represents a development in China's maritime capacity, being one of the most advanced warships ever produced in the country. It has comprehensive defensive capability, including anti-submarine capabilities and ship to air missile systems. It has visited eight countries during its four friendly foreign tours since it began operating in 1994.



The French naval fleet with 322 crew members arrived in Qingdao, a port city in East China's Shandong Province Friday morning.



The joint naval exercises are helpful in enhancing co-ordination, communication and mutual trust at sea between the two navies, Christine Allain, second-in-command of the French light frigate Commandant Birot, said in an interview with Xinhua.



The five-day tour is the 12th visit by French warships to China, including Hong Kong, since 1978, and the fourth to Qingdao, the base of the North China Sea Fleet.



Ju said the French navy, founded in the 17th century, has a long history and strong combat effectiveness.



"The French navy is experienced and we are eager to learn from them their experience in co-ordination skills in joint military exercises," said Ju.



When asked whether the exercises were aimed at sending some message to Taiwan before its "elections" scheduled for Saturday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Tuesday at a regular briefing that he "could not agree to link the exercises with the 'elections'."

(end of article)

==============================

Eight Chinese warships sail into port of Hong Kong



ASSOCIATED PRESS



May 1, 2004



HONG KONG – The Chinese navy sailed eight warships into Hong Kong port yesterday, Beijing's biggest show of military force since the 1997 handover from Britain.



The port call appeared to be aimed at boosting patriotism in Hong Kong, but analysts also said China was apparently flexing its naval muscles to send a message discouraging Taiwan from thoughts of independence.



"We are always on call," said Yao Xingyuan, commander of the battle group. "If necessary, we have the ability to preserve the stability of the Taiwanese political situation."



Yao said the two destroyers, four frigates and two submarines will stay in Hong Kong through Wednesday to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army's navy.



The ships will sail through Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor when they depart, giving the territory a good look at them, but he wouldn't say where they would go next.



A spokesman for the People's Liberation Army said the vessels are en route to a training exercise at an undisclosed location. The sailors will be allowed to tour Hong Kong in civilian clothing.



The port call comes with many Hong Kong residents angry about Beijing's decision to rule out full democracy here anytime soon.



China and Taiwan have been governed separately since the Communists took control of the mainland in a 1949 civil war. But Beijing claims sovereignty over the democratically ruled island, and has said that any formal declaration of its independence could lead to war.

(end of article)

========================

Links to articles:

China Daily (1st article)



China Daily (2nd article)



San Diego Union-Tribune (3rd article)

[questionnaire]

Ron, this is very boring. We know you dislike communists and that you're frightened that the Chinese communists become a rival superpower rather than converting to the false corporate version of democracy and subsequently doing everything Western corporations tell them.



All of us already know this.



What you do is disseminate non-stop right-wing political propaganda, like the Soviets used to do with communist propaganda.