Singapore issues stern warning to Taiwan
(Agencies/chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2004-10-03 10:30

Singaporean Foreign Ministry has issued a statement warning Taiwan authorities must not belittle Singapore, and avoid using “vulgar words” to hurt others.

A small group of demonstrators in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-biggest city, burned Singapore's flag.[sina]

Taiwan’s self-claimed “Foreign Minister” Mark Chen described the Southeast Asian city-state Singapore “a tiny nation no bigger than dried nasal mucus". Chen also used a vulgar term related to the male reproductive organ in venting his anger over what he considered to be Singapore's attempt to curry favour with the Chinese mainland.

“Mark Chen’s inappropriate wording has significantly hurt Taiwan’s reputation before world community, it’s difficult slap on its own face,” the statement said.

It said that Singapore and many other countries continue to worry the independence-leaning policy and act pursued by the Taiwan authorities, which, if not corrected, will inevitably trigger a war with the Chinese mainland, and danger the stability and prosperity of the whole Asian-Pacific region.

Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo criticized Taiwan during his address to the recent UN General Assembly, reiterating its strong disapproval of Taiwan authorities, which drew wrath from Mark Chen.

“Vulgar words won’t help Taiwan’s survival and development”, the statement said.

In another development on Friday, a small group of demonstrators in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-biggest city, burned Singapore's flag.

Singapore, which declined to be drawn into a war of words over Chen's sharp comment, was compelled Saturday to react to the desecration of its flag - a fiercely protected national image.

" We are saddened by such intemperate actions,'' the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a brief statement posted on its Web site.

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