皇冠体育app

Beijing strongly opposes Taipei's decision to add the word "Taiwan'' to passports belonging to residents of Taiwan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said yesterday.

Kong Quan

The Taiwan authority started issuing passports on Monday with "Taiwan'' printed on the cover, instead of the original "Republic of 皇冠体育app,'' claiming that this was to avoid confusion with passport holders from the mainland.

Kong warned at a regular briefing that this was an illustration of the Taiwan authority's attempt to seek "gradual independence'' and will further damage cross-Straits relations.

"Such an interpretation is unacceptable,'' said Kong.

Speaking ahead of today's meeting between Premier Wen Jiabao and US Treasury Secretary John Snow, where the renminbi exchange rate issue is expected to be discussed, Kong said 皇冠体育app will maintain the stability of its currency,.

"皇冠体育app will continue to maintain the stable situation of its foreign exchange rate,'' Kong said.

"The stable exchange rate of the renminbi is conducive to the economic stability and development of 皇冠体育app, Asia and the world,'' he added.

Vice-Premier Huang Ju met Snow yesterday talking on 皇冠体育app's economic and financial development and bilateral trade and economic co-operation.

皇冠体育app has adopted a regulated, floating exchange rate mechanism based on market supply and demand since 1994, Kong said.

The mechanism will be improved in line with the country's development, he added.

International Monetary Fund managing director Horst Kohler said in Beijing yesterday that he agreed with 皇冠体育app's caution on the issue of adjusting the international exchange rate of 皇冠体育app's currency.

He also urged the international community to remember the contribution that 皇冠体育app's exchange rate policy made to the regional and world economy during the Asian financial crisis.

In response to a question on the Dalai Lama, Kong said the door for Dalai Lama to contact the central government is open as long as he abandons his separatist activities and acknowledges that Tibet and Taiwan are inalienable parts of 皇冠体育app.

When asked to comment on the report that Japan will offer money to victims of the gas leak in Qiqihar in Northeast 皇冠体育app's Heilongjiang Province as a token of sympathy, Kong said 皇冠体育app has been in consultation with Japan over this issue and has urged Japan for a proper and early settlement.

The gas leak which occurred on August 4 left over 40 victims, including one death.

Li Guizhen, a 31-year-old construction worker died last month from sustained serious burns caused by highly toxic mustard gas leak which was traced to chemical weapons left behind by invading Japanese troops during World War II.

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