China gets Taiwan removed from conflict-diamond meeting in Australia
Beijing/Taipei/Sydney — On Wednesday, China said it was reasonable to have a delegation from self-ruled Taiwan removed from a conference in Australia about conflict diamonds, as Taipei accused Beijing of playing politics for its own ends. China says Taiwan is part of "one China", ruled by Beijing and regards the island as a renegade province, ineligible for state-to-state relations and that it is to be brought under Chinese control by force if needed, especially if Taiwan moves towards formal independence. Taiwan says China has stepped up efforts to block its international space and attendance at multi-lateral forums following the election of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party last year. Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald said the Chinese government delegation shouted over the welcome ceremony and forced the suspension of proceedings at the Kimberley Process meeting, and that Taiwan’s delegation was later removed. The Kimberley Process started when southern African...
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