3T Issues: There Is No Cause to Worry

By staff reporter LIU YI

On March 14, the news conference on the Third Session of the 11th National People’s Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Spokesperson Li Zhaoxing introduced the schedule of the annual session and answered questions from journalists about China-US relations, defense budget, housing price, etc.

Since the end of 2009, some frictions emerged between China and the U.S., including the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, President Obama’s meeting with Dalai Lama, and a series of trade sanctions between the two countries. They were called 3T issues – Taiwan, Tibet and Trade. Some western observers are rather concerned that the misunderstanding on the 3T issues between China and the West is growing.

The former foreign minister responded with a Chinese anecdote “Qiren you tian”, which tells the story that a man is haunted by imaginary fear.

Li said China has been strictly following the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in foreign trade since it became a member of the international organization on December 11, 2001. China has conducted fair, reasonable, equal and mutual benefit trade. There is no cause to worry.

The Taiwan and Tibet issues concern China’s core interests. The use of these issues to interfere with China’s internal affairs was “unacceptable.” However, a few politicians in the west have turned a blind eye to the history of Tibet, to the fact that Tibet has always been a part of China and is an inalienable part of China, and to the enormous progress it has made in economy and people’s living standards since the democratic reform in 1959. These few politicians have chosen to listen to the views and comments made by Dalai Lama, because “the lack of proper understanding of Tibet’s history and present.”

The spokesperson said at a time when the Chinese people across the Taiwan Straits are carrying out friendly exchanges as brothers, the advanced arms sales to Taiwan by certain country is “like handing a dagger to one person when he is hugging his brother.”

As to the upcoming Shanghai Expo, Li regarded it an ideal forum and opportunity for international exchange and cooperation. Over 200 countries, regions and organizations have made the decision to take part in the expo. He particularly introduced the specific location of Taiwan, adding that he hoped to go to Taiwan after retirement.

The NPC session will open Friday morning and is scheduled to last 10 days.