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Australia respects China's territorial integrity, sovereignty: FM

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-08 01:04

CAIRNS, Australia: Australia respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of China, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said here on Friday.

Smith was responding to a media question on allowing Rebiya Kadeer, leader of the separatist World Uygur Congress (WUC), to visit Australia, at a press conference after meeting his visiting Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna.

"Allowing someone to come to Australia to visit doesn't mean that we agree necessarily with any or all the views that person espouses or articulates," Smith said.

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"The view that is publicly made by a visitor in Australia does not reflect views of Australian people or the Australian government," he said, adding that it was the nature of Australian society to allow different views to be expressed.

Smith said he had made the point clear on several occasions that "Australia, of course, respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of China over the western provinces."

He said Kadeer's application for a visa was processed in the normal way.

This is the first time a senior Australian government official has addressed the Chinese media on the issuing of a visa to Kadeer.

Smith came to Cairns, a northeastern coastal city in Australia, to attend the 40th Pacific Islands Forum, held from Wednesday to Thursday, and the 21st Post Forum Dialogue Partners' Plenary Session on Friday.

China has lodged a solemn representation to the Australian side on its allowing Kadeer to visit Australia.