BEIJING, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- China Thursday objected to the planned stop in the United States by Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian during his forthcoming Latin America trip.
The government controlled China Daily quoted foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan that stopovers by Taiwan authorities were "an excuse to conduct activities splitting China and sabotaging China-U.S. relations is a trick they have consistently been using."
Kong urged the U.S. to abide by the three joint communiqués, not conduct any official dealings or contacts with Taiwan, and not allow important Taiwan political figures to use stopovers as an excuse to engage in separatist activities.
Chen is scheduled to leave Taipei Aug. 29 to visit Panama and Belize, countries that recognize Taiwan as an independent country.
He will stop overnight in Hawaii on his way to Central America and stay in Seattle on Sept. 5 on his return flight.
