Week of October 27, 2000The U.S. and China This Week
DOMESTIC: More Demonstrations by FalungongThe demonstration was to coincide with the legislature’s decision a year ago to use an anti-cult law to imprison its group leaders. However, due to an embarrassing protest on Oct. 1, police have seemed better prepared to quickly quell any outbursts that may sporadically pop up on the Square. Many of the leaflets, which were scooped up by
the police, read, “Justice is clear. Good and evil will be repaid
in kind?or “Jiang Zemin’s blood debts are piling up. He’s guilty
of monstrous crimes.?#060;/font>
Also this week, according to the Information Center
on Human Rights and Democracy, two more Falungong followers have died in
police custody, bringing the total number of detained-related deaths to
59.
INTERNATIONAL: China Carefully Monitors Korean-US ThawIn a bold diplomatic move, China sent its Chinese Defense Minister, Chi Haotian, to Pyongyang 24 hours before the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Chi stayed throughout her visit and met Kim Yong-Nam, North’s defacto head of state, after her departure. “That was no simple coincidence. The Chinese are shadowing every move by the Americans to ensure they keep playing an important role on the Korean peninsula,?said a European diplomat. China also has marked the 50th anniversary of it entrance into the Korean War with lots of publicity and fanfare. Many articles praised the soldiers who fought against South Korean and U.S.-led troops. “No matter how things change, our gratitude to their contribution to peace at home, on the Korean Peninsula, in the Far East and the world as a whole shall never abate.?The official China Daily said.
INTERNATIONAL: Jiang and French President Chirac Meet in YangzhouOne touchy issue brought forward by Chirac was human rights, especially the plight of Roman Catholics in China and religious freedom in Tibet. Chirac’s spokeswoman Catherine Colonna explained that the French leader had encouraged Beijing to ratify two United Nations human rights covenants. Jiang also received a list of individual cases of particular concern to France. Though China has signed UN conventions on economic, social, civil and political rights, the National People’s Congress has yet to ratify them. Vice Premier Qian Qichen, who also participated in the talks, said the NPC would reexamine the pacts and that the government backs ratification. Both leaders also discussed China’s anger over the French sale of an observation satellite to Taiwan. While the French have insisted the satellite is only for commercial uses, China believes it has military capabilities, therefore the sale violated the 1994 agreement with France not to sell arms to Taiwan. Chirac then spent time in Beijing where he chaired the third Sino-EU summit as President of the European Council. The issue of China’s entry into the WTO was discussed.
Last updated: 27 October 2000 |
