Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said at Thursday's regular
press conference that China will continue to play its role in
reviving the stalled six-party talks, and insisted that dialogue is
the only way to break the current deadlock.
He made the comment in response to the decision of the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) last week to withdraw
from the six-party talks.
The DPRK's declaration that it has made nuclear weapons
overshadows the peace prospects of the region, which were more
assured when Pyongyang was moving closer to disarmament.
Kong said China's stance on keeping the Korea Peninsula
nuclear-free has not changed, and it will work with its partners to
persuade the DPRK to give up its nuclear plan.
"The principle of achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula was
reached during the first three rounds of six-party talks, and
received international recognition. To save the current status from
collapsing, we will make joint efforts with all parties to restart
the talks as soon as possible," he said.
He stressed that dialogue is the only way to resolve this crisis
and also the only way to preserve peace and stability in the
region. China is opposed to imposing any forms of sanctions,
believing that they would not achieve a positive result.
Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the
Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, will lead a
delegation to Pyongyang this week at the invitation of the Workers'
Party of Korea, Kong said. The delegation will try to bring the
DPRK back to the negotiating table to end the 28-month nuclear
standoff.
Meanwhile, Christopher Hill, the newly appointed top US
representative to the talks, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Deputy
Foreign Minister Song Min-soon met separately with Foreign Minister
Li
Zhaoxing in Beijing yesterday, Kong said.
Regarding the Kyoto Protocol, which imposes limits on greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions and went into effect on February 16, Kong said,
"It is an important pact and legitimate base to cope with climate
changes, and China wants developed countries to ratify it as early
as possible."
China, the largest developing country in the world, welcomes the
protocol and has been working to reduce GHG emissions in recent
decades.
According to the pact, developed countries should cut GHG
emissions on average to 5.2 percent below the 1990 level between
2008 and 2012. So far, more than 140 countries, which together
accounted for more than 55 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in
1990, have ratified the pact.
In another development, Kong urged US officials to have "a
better understanding about the situation in the Taiwan Straits and
not to send wrong signals to the Taiwan authorities."
He said China hopes US officials will observe the one-China
policy, which has been reaffirmed by the US government, and the
three joint communiqués to safeguard the peace and stability of
Asia, including the Taiwan Straits.
"Taiwan independence" activists have created the tension in the
Taiwan Straits, he said.
"The National People's Congress (NPC)?enacted
the Anti-secession Law, which helps safeguard peace and stability
of the Taiwan Straits," he said. "The Chinese government is
committed to peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems,
and will make the utmost effort to achieve peaceful reunification,
but it will not allow 'Taiwan independence.'"
Kong also said that China hopes to advance the constructive
relationship with the US in the new term of the Bush
administration.
Kong strongly condemned the recent terrorist bombings in the
Philippines, which have caused many casualties.
"The Chinese government firmly opposes terrorist activities in
any form, and supports the Philippine government's efforts to
maintain national stability," he said.
Kong said China is upbeat about maintaining dialogue and
consultation with the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations.
Dialogue and consultation between China and the G8 are conducive to
the interests of both sides as well as to worldwide peace,
stability and development.
The 2005 G8 Summit will take place in Scotland in July. India,
China and Brazil have also been invited to the summit.
Kong announced that Vanuatu Prime Minister Ham Lini will visit
China from February 24 to March 4.
Last month, Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister Sato Kilman visited
China and guaranteed the Vanuatu government's adherence to the
one-China policy.
(CRI.com, Xinhua News Agency and China Daily, February
18, 2005)