SWB
FE/0525 i
3. THE FAR EAST
3 Aug 89
Chinese Foreign Minister optimistic about relations with Japan Xinhua reported that Qian Qichen met the Japanese Foreign Minister, Hiroshi Mitsuzuka, in Paris on 1st August. According to the report, Mitsuzuka said that he was "glad" that China is continuing with the policy of reform and opening up, and expressed "his hope to have a chance to visit China". Qian Qichen described Sino-Japanese relations as having "good foundations" which "will continue to develop", the report said.*
The Kyodo version of the meeting reported that "according to officials”, Mitsuzuka “urged China to normalise its domestic political situation” and said that "the killing of protesters... should not be repeated”. Qian Qichen, although acknowledging that Japan had reacted “cautiously" to events in China, said that Japan had responded "much more strongly" than other Asian countries, Kyodo added.*
Shanghai suspends student exit visa applications for Australia Shanghai public security bureau's entry and exit section has suspended consideration of fresh applications for exit visas for self-sponsored language study in Australia, and a notice to this effect has been issued, the Hongkong-based Chinese news agency Zhongguo Tongxun She reported on 2nd August. The report quotes the Australian embassy as saying they have “a back-log of over 20,000 visa application forms" and that the Australian authorities have instructed language schools to issue no more letters of acceptance. The report said the Australian embassy will now only accept entry visa applications for undergraduate and graduate study, and that visas for language study will not be processed before November, effectively preventing "over 10,000 municipal passport-holders from departing for Australia for some time". The agency added that the public security bureau will again accept applications for exit visas for language study in Australia once Australia's visa processing returns to normal.
The first round of
Sino-Portuguese talks continue formal talks on Macao between the Portuguese and Chinese delegations to the Sino-Portuguese Liaison Group since the Tiananmen incidents in June were prolonged by two days after their initial conclusion on 1st August, Lisbon radio reported on 2nd August. The radio added that “according to Portuguese diplomatic sources” shortly after the “incidents” China gave guarantees, "conveyed at a high level”, that it would fulfil the agreement signed by both sides in 1987.
South Korean opposition leader
opposition leader detained for questioning Kim Tae-chung, President of the Party for Peace and Democracy (PPD), was detained by agents from the National Security Planning Agency in connection with PPD Representative So Kyong-won's unauthorised visit to North Korea last year, Yonhap reported on 2nd August.
Japanese businessman indicted for illegal exports to GDR The President of Prometron Technics Ltd, an electronics firm in Tokyo, has been indicted for illegally exporting semiconductor manufacturing devices to the GDR, Kyodo reported on 2nd August.
Lao delegation leaves for Thailand A delegation of the Lao-Thai co-operation committee, led by its president Sisavat Keobounphan, left Vientiane for Bangkok, on 2nd August, Vientiane radio reported.
For details see Sections