The six-party talks on Korean Peninsula nuclear issues continued
in Beijing on Thursday with the chief negotiators agreeing to
implement the joint statement from the fourth round of talks.
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Speaking at a press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu
Jianchao said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and visiting
US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, met for four
hours to discuss issues of common concern.
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Last September negotiators from China, North Korea, the United
Sates, South Korea, Russia and Japan issued the joint statement
establishing a framework for a solution to the Korean Peninsula
nuclear issue at the end of the fourth round of talks.?
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Wu and Hill agreed at their meeting that the joint statement and
the important promises made by those involved should be implemented
quickly.
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The two chief negotiators also agreed to establish a long-term
peace mechanism in northeast Asia and that denuclearization of the
Korean Peninsula met the common interests of all concerned.
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Hill, who arrived in Beijing on Wednesday night, departed for South
Korea the next day.
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During his stay in China he met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister
Yang Jiechi and Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei to follow up on
President Hu Jintao's visit to the US last month.
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The two sides agreed to make joint efforts to promote constructive
partnerships which would allow for cooperation between the two
countries.
Spokesman Liu Jianchao said China always maintained that the
Korean Peninsula nuclear issue should be solved peacefully through
dialogue and that efforts had been made to break the current
standoff. The six-party talks have been in stalemate since the
first phase of the fifth round talks ended in November last
year.
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In regard to US sanctions against a Macao-based bank accused of
aiding North Korea to launder money, Liu said investigations
continue.
US criticism of military power refuted
When commenting on a US annual report on China's military power
Liu refuted criticisms made by the US suggesting its military
budget as lacking "greater transparency" saying such criticism
showed "cold-war mentality."
"China is sincere in terms of its military expenditure and its
efforts for increasing mutual trust on defense with other
countries," said Liu.
The report, issued by the US Defense?Department recently,
continued to spread the "China threat" fallacy and severely
violated the principles governing international relations.
"China, a large country with long borders, is facing the task of
safeguarding national sovereignty and striving for reunification,"
said Liu. "Therefore it's quite normal for China to properly
increase its military expenditure."
On Wednesday, Liu said the report had exaggerated China's
military power and expenditure for ulterior motives and wantonly
interfered in the country's internal affairs.
He also refuted the allegation that China's development was now
"at a crossroads", saying China would steadfastly pursue its
objective of peaceful development.
On the Taiwan question Liu urged the US to honor its
commitments, adhere to the one-China policy, abide by the three communiqués and oppose "Taiwan
independence".
Yasukuni Shrine issue can't be bypassed
In response to a question concerning the China-Japan foreign
ministers' meeting on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Asia
Cooperation Dialogue conference in Doha, Liu said the Yasukuni
Shrine issue couldn't be bypassed in improving China-Japan
ties.
Liu said Li expounded China's position on Japanese leaders'
paying homage at the Yasukuni Shrine which honors convicted
Japanese war criminals.
Li stressed that Japanese leaders' insistence on visiting the
shrine constituted the major obstacle in improving and developing
China-Japan ties. It also harmed the political basis for bilateral
ties, according to Liu.
Liu said the two foreign ministers also conferred on
strengthening strategic dialogue and facilitating trade cooperation
and personnel exchanges. "The two sides have the common wish to
clear obstacles for improving and developing China-Japan ties," he
added.
Ties with Vatican
The communication channel between China and the Vatican had been
"unblocked" and China was sincere in wanting to improve
relationships with the Vatican, Liu said.
Reports say that Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen will depart for
the Vatican on Friday and may meet with Pope Benedict XVI to
discuss Sino-Vatican relations.
Liu said China hoped the Vatican would respect the Chinese
government's religious policies and relevant laws and stop
interfering in the country's domestic affairs under the pretext of
religion.
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He said the Chinese government has two principles in dealing with
relations with the Vatican. First the Vatican must terminate its
so-called diplomatic links with Taiwan and it should not interfere
in China's internal affairs including any intervention under the
pretext of religious affairs.
China-ASEAN to hold 12th senior
consultation
Representatives from the Chinese government and the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold the 12th senior
officials consultation next week in Cambodia, said Liu.
Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, counterparts from ASEAN
nations and ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong would attend the
meetings on May 29 and 30 in Siemreab.
The consultation was launched in 1995 as an annual event at
which the two sides could exchange views.?
Liu said officials would also prepare for the China-ASEAN
commemorative summit in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi autonomous region, in October to mark
the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN dialogue.
State Visits
East Timor President Xanana Gusmao postponed his state visit to
China due to the domestic situation, Liu announced on Thursday.
At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao the President
was originally scheduled his visit from May 29 to June 3.
China understood the delay and hoped stability in East Timor
would be restored at an early date, Liu said. China would welcome
Gusmao to visit at a time convenient to both countries, he
said.
"Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Francisco Carrion will pay an
official visit to China from May 31 to June 3 as guest of his
Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing," Liu also announced at Thursday's
press conference.
During Carrion's stay in Beijing, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong will meet with him and the two
foreign ministers will hold talks, Liu said.
"China-Ecuador relations have progressed smoothly since the two
countries forged diplomatic ties in 1980," he said.?
In recent years the two countries had stepped up exchanges and
enhanced political trust and trade cooperation, he added.
China-Ecuador trade volume in 2005 hit US$510 million, 17.04
percent higher than 2004.
(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2006)