BBC: China irate at Chen's US stopover

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Monday, 8 January 2007, 09:45 GMT

China irate at Chen's US stopover

China has protested to the US at plans to allow Taiwanese President
Chen Shui-bian to stop over in California on his way to Central America.

President Chen will spend the night in San Francisco before travelling
on to Nicaragua for the inauguration of President-elect Daniel Ortega.

China sees Taiwan as part of its territory and discourages any diplomatic
recognition for Taipei.

The US said Mr Chen's visit was private and simply for transit purposes.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6240201.stm

[robcon]

1. Amazing. Let them be "irate."

If China would care a little less about the flight itinerary of the Taiwanese president, and more about the rights of its citizens, it would be a better world.

[Dover]

2. With U.S. ships gathering in the vicinity of Iran, and potential plans to attack it

then I would imagine Taiwan will want to know it will be protected should China use that opportunity to make its move. Just a wild theory? At any rate, I doubt the stopover was just for 'transit purposes'.