The severing of diplomatic relations between China and Kiribati, where there is a Chinese aerospace tracking station, will not affect China's space missions or the launch of the Shenzhou VI, an expert said.

On Saturday the Chinese government cut ties with Kiribati, a tiny island nation in the South Pacific, because it established so-called "diplomatic relations'' with Taiwan.

According to the Beijing Times, Liu Dengyue, a researcher with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, said the tracking station is not of crucial importance.

If the station on Kiribati is cancelled China could find another place in the region to build a new one, Liu said.

China could also send monitoring ships to the region if a new station cannot be established, he added.

Earlier on Saturday Chinese Ambassador to Kiribati Ma Shuxue made solemn representations on the Kiribati government's establishment of so-called "diplomatic relations'' with Taiwan.

According to sources with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Ma pointed out that the Kiribati government, regardless of friendly China-Kiribati relations and oppositions from various sides in Kiribati, obstinately acted to make "two Chinas.''

Such a move defies the communique signed by China and Kiribati on the establishment of diplomatic relations and the principles of the United Nations charter, grossly interfering with China's internal affairs, and seriously undermining China-Kiribati relations and friendship between the two peoples, Ma said.

As a result, the Chinese government lodged a strong protest with Kiribati and decided to cease diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Implementation of all agreements between the two governments has likewise been suspended.

(China Daily December 1, 2003)