Fanning The Flames

President Chen Shui-bian has sent a formal invitation to former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, asking him to attend an opening ceremony for a high-speed rail line that utilises Japanese technology. The invite outraged Chinese officials, who have expressed their objection to what they call 'separatist activities on the international stage', which are exacerbated by Japan and China's antagonistic relations (as exemplified by the uproar that accompanied Koizumi's war-shrine visits). Considering Chen's pro-independence stance, little will be done on his part to resolve the situation, which will likely add to cross-strait tensions.

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