Namibia supports China’s policy of ‘One China’

THE Namibian Government has joined a number of other African countries and other states in condemning a move by Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian last week to “cease the function” of the National Unification Council.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it said the Namibian Government was in favour of China’s One-China Policy. The Namibian Government said abandoning the application of the National Unification Guidelines could infringe upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China.”The Republic of Namibia reiterates its full support for the One-China Policy, and reaffirms that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China includes Taiwan, as recognised by the international community,” said the statement issued by Foreign Affairs this week.China and Taiwan have been at loggerheads for years over the Taiwan issue.A National Unification Council was set up in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui.A total of 14 meetings were held after its establishment, but no council meeting has been held since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan’s leader.The National Unification Guidelines were issued in 1991, saying both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and the promotion of the state’s reunification should be the common task of all Chinese.The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realisation of China’s goal of integration.In a statement from the Central Committee of the Community Party of China, it said Shui-bian’s choice of the word “cease” instead of “abolish” was a ploy to mislead the Taiwanese and the international community and that his intention remained fighting for the independence of Taiwan.Taiwan has a population of 23 million.The Chinese Community Party argues that Taiwanese independence runs counter to the general trend of China’s history and its present trend of development and the aspirations of its 1,3 billion people.The Namibian Government said abandoning the application of the National Unification Guidelines could infringe upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China.”The Republic of Namibia reiterates its full support for the One-China Policy, and reaffirms that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China includes Taiwan, as recognised by the international community,” said the statement issued by Foreign Affairs this week.China and Taiwan have been at loggerheads for years over the Taiwan issue.A National Unification Council was set up in 1990 by the Taiwan authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui.A total of 14 meetings were held after its establishment, but no council meeting has been held since Chen Shui-bian became Taiwan’s leader.The National Unification Guidelines were issued in 1991, saying both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are under the sovereignty of China and the promotion of the state’s reunification should be the common task of all Chinese.The guidelines also outlined a three-phase goal for the realisation of China’s goal of integration.In a statement from the Central Committee of the Community Party of China, it said Shui-bian’s choice of the word “cease” instead of “abolish” was a ploy to mislead the Taiwanese and the international community and that his intention remained fighting for the independence of Taiwan.Taiwan has a population of 23 million.The Chinese Community Party argues that Taiwanese independence runs counter to the general trend of China’s history and its present trend of development and the aspirations of its 1,3 billion people.