41.   China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province, mounts strong diplomatic pressure against countries which invite Taiwanese officials to visit.

42.   Though it is expected to invite officials from the European Commission and national governments, it will not have legal powers to summon witnesses against their will.

43.   It added that embassy officials had been invited to the rally.

44.   North Korean economic officials have been invited to a UN-sponsored international conference on development in Seoul next week, South Korean officials said Wednesday.

45.   Sports minister Wu Shaozu said last week China might boycott Atlanta if the US invited Taiwan government officials.

46.   The invitation by Chirac follows French criticism of the US failure to invite European officials to the Washington talks.