China cancels visit by the German Foreign Minister

China cancelled a planned visit to Peking by the German Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel, in retaliation for a Bundestag resolution condemning human rights violations in Tibet. Last Thursday, all mainstream parties signed up for a motion in the German parliament urging Peking to open a dialogue with Tibet's government-in-exile. On Saturday the Chinese Foreign Ministry carpeted the German ambassador.

"The [German] Parliament's action publicly trampled international law and was gross interference in China's internal affairs," Peking said yesterday. "In these circumstances, the Chinese side feels the atmosphere is clearly not conducive for a planned visit to China by Foreign Minister Kinkel on 11-14 July." Imre Karacs - Bonn