France's president, in a strong show of support for the visiting leader of China, has warned Taiwan that it will be committing a "grave error" that could destabilize that region by holding a referendum in March.So let me get this straight. If Taiwan holds a referendum it is 'unilateral' as defined by the French. What exactly does France consider the hundreds of missiles that Taiwan has pointed at them? Last I heard China didn't ask the UN's permission to target Taiwan with a hundred intermediate range missiles.
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian plans to ask voters whether the island that China claims as part of its territory should beef up its anti-missile defenses if Beijing refuses to withdraw the hundreds of missiles it has pointed at Taiwan.
At a state dinner to honor Chinese President Hu Jintao Monday, French President Jacques Chirac added his weight to China's opposition to the plan.
"Breaking the status quo with a unilateral destabilizing initiative, whatever it is, including a referendum, would favor division over unity," Chirac said. "It would be a grave error. It would carry a heavy responsibility."
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