Beijing protests Turkey’s Taiwan agreement
The Chinese Embassy in Ankara has delivered a note of protest to the Turkish Foreign Ministry over Turkey’s preparations to sign a bilateral deal with Taiwanese transportation authorities to launch direct Turkish Airlines (THY) flights to Taiwan.
As Turkey was preparing to sign the deal with Taiwan, China registered its objections with a diplomatic note advising Turkey to act in line with its “one China” policy. China does not recognize Taiwan as an independent entity and considers Taiwan a part of its territory.
The Chinese Embassy in Ankara reminded the Foreign Ministry of Beijing’s “One China” policy and requested revisions to the planned agreement. Speaking to Today’s Zaman on condition of anonymity, diplomatic sources said the anxiety voiced by the Chinese side was “soft” and that the Foreign Ministry noted the sensitivity of the Chinese side. Diplomatic sources said they are evaluating the Beijing administration’s request.
The planned agreement, which transportation officials from both sides were working on, consists of a set of transportation projects including direct flights between the two countries. The implementation of the agreement was expected to follow the final reshaping of the projects.
Turkey does not recognize the independence of Taiwan’s government and thus does not have a diplomatic mission in Taiwan. Both Taiwan and Turkey have trade offices in the other country. Diplomatic sources said there are numerous countries that do not recognize Taiwan but whose airlines have direct flights to Taiwan. “These flights do not conflict with Beijing’s ‘One China’ policy,” sources said.
20 March 2010, Saturday
SERVET YANATMA ANKARA
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-204890-100-beijing-protests-turkeys-taiwan-agreement.html
yes true i can fly directly to taiwan from OZ...but never the less you don't wanna go pissing off the americans, the swedes and now adding the chinese...in just as many days...something tells me it's not a good idea, especially the chinese...
