PEKING (AP)
Chinese president Hu Jintao stunned the world on Thursday with his announcement that “China hereby declares that it is an independent, sovereign state.”
“We are our own nation,” Hu explained at a press conference held for the statement. “We are not just the ‘manufacturing yard of Taiwan’, the ‘uncivilized hinterlands of Hong Kong’ or the ‘backyard of Tibet’. We have our own culture and our laws, and we intend to take measures to defend our right to recognition in the international community.”
[SIZE=-3]Chinese President Hu Jintao announce's Chinese formal independence at a press conference on October 1, 2009.[/SIZE]
The statement resulted in confusion from many countries and skepticism from the US, who sees it as a ploy to gain sympathy. “The US is, as always, committed to the One-China Policy” White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a press release issued this afternoon. “We cannot recognize the independence of China and still stay true to the spirit of our prior agreements with Taipei and Hong Kong.”
Hu went on to detail plans to make Chinese the only official language of China, institute a new national anthem and create a new flag with the Chinese characters “Zhong Guo” on it. “No more of those ambiguous little stars. What is this, a nation or a kindergarten?” the Chinese president said, banging his fist on the podium.
The reaction in Taipei was mixed. Some government officials were outraged that Peking would take such a step while opposition parties extended a cautious welcome to the initiative. Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang's office issued a staple application form letter to the press, fueling speculation that no one actually works there.
UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon was quoted as saying in reaction to the Chinese announcement: “I don’t know what Hu's been smoking, but I hope he brings some next time he’s around.”
