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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: BigBull who wrote (19877)	12/14/2003 5:08:14 PM
From: Nadine Carroll	Respond to of 793717

Kinda explains why Abu Nidal is pushin' up daisies in Baghdad, doesn't it? :o} It would indeed provide a most complete explanation.

To: BigBull who wrote (19877)	4/30/2004 1:05:34 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793717

>>Chinese warships sail into Hong Kong HONG KONG (Reuters) - Eight Chinese warships have sailed into Hong Kong in the largest show of military force by Beijing since it took back the financial centre from Britain in 1997. The visit appeared aimed as a warning to Taiwan after the re-election of a pro-democracy president in March and as a show of force to Hong Kong, where many in the city have been calling for greater democratic freedoms. "We, the Chinese People's Liberation Army, are ready at any time to obey our motherland's orders," Vice Admiral Yao Xingyuan, commander of the visiting fleet, told reporters on Friday. "When absolutely necessary, we have the ability to ensure the stability of Taiwan's political situation," he said, brimming with confidence beside a warship bristling with weaponry. More than a thousand Chinese sailors in gleaming white uniforms crammed the dock area of the base as the flags of China and the PLA fluttered in the breeze. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that must be returned to the fold, by force if necessary. Beijing fears the re-election of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian will mean the island edging closer to a formal declaration of independence. Chen's plan to adopt a new constitution in 2008 is just one step Beijing perceives as moving Taiwan towards independence. A pro-Beijing newspaper in Hong Kong said on Friday China was expanding the military's top decision-making body to seven members to "suit the needs of modern warfare". Analysts said the move signalled Beijing's readiness to go to war over Taiwan. The visit also came days after Beijing defied public calls and ruled out universal suffrage for elections for Hong Kong's leader in 2007 and all legislators in 2008. The move sparked protests in the city and more are being planned. "The PLA has made great contributions to Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability," Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa said at a welcoming ceremony for the warships. The fleet comprises two guided missile destroyers, four guided missile frigates and two submarines. Guided missile destroyer Shenzhen is the largest and most advanced ship in the visiting fleet and Yao accompanied Tung to inspect officers and soldiers on board. The fleet is in Hong Kong for six days. Memories of PLA soldiers cracking down on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in June 1989 remain vivid in Hong Kong. More than a million took to the streets in what was then a British colony to protest at the repression. The arrival of thousands of PLA troops in Hong Kong at the time of the 1997 handover re-ignited a widespread sense of fear.<< uk.news.yahoo.com