Published by: World Tibet Network News, Sun, 23 Jun 1996

SWB FE/D2646/CNS 240696

Source: Central People's Broadcasting Station, Beijing, in Standard Chinese 1030 gmt 23 Jun 96

Text of report by Chinese central radio

Here is a report we have just received:

Today [23rd June] a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement concerning an anti-Chinese resolution on Tibet that has been passed by the Bundestag [federal parliament] of Germany.

The spokesman said: On 20th June, the Bundestag of Germany, in disregard of China's repeated solemn representations, discussed and passed an anti-Chinese resolution on Tibet. This action by the federal parliament is in open violation of the norms of international law and a gross interference in the internal affairs of China that has seriously hurt the Chinese people's feelings. On this, China has already lodged a protest and expressed our strong discontent and indignation to Germany. China maintains that in the current circumstances, the atmosphere is obviously unsuitable [Chinese: xian ran bu he shi; probable STC's 7359 3544 0008 0678 6624] for Vice-Chancellor and concurrently Minister of Foreign Affairs Kinkel's visit to China, originally scheduled for 11th-14th July. The Chinese side has decided to postpone the visit.

The spokesman said: The Chinese government has always valued the maintenance and development of friendly relations with Germany. The recent interference in, and damage to, Sino-German relations is entirely caused by the German side. China sincerely hopes that Germany will proceed from the safeguarding of the vital interests of the peoples of the two countries and take practical and effective measures to enable Sino-German relations to develop soundly without interference.