China strongly condemns the bomb attacks that rocked Turkey's largest city of Istanbul Thursday morning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a regular press conference in Beijing Thursday.
China believes that terrorism is a common threat to the human society and the international community should strengthen cooperation to jointly crack down on terrorist activities, Liu said when answering questions from the press.
The explosions in Istanbul Thursday incurred great casualties and losses of assets. It was reported that the death toll had risen to 27, and over 450 were injured.
Regarding US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly's visit to China from Tuesday to Wednesday, Liu said China and the United States consider their consultation beneficial and constructive and pledge to keep in contact on the Korean nuclear issue.
Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks Wednesday with Kelly who came to China for the preparation for the second round of the six-party talks, and Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo also met with him, said Liu.
Wang and Kelly exchanged views on the second round of the six-party talks, Liu said.
Liu said that both sides pledged to make active preparation for the talks, initiate the talks at an early date and make some progresses on the talks.
Kelly briefed Wang on the United States' stance regarding China's ideas and suggestion on the second round of the six-party talks, and elaborated US considerations on resolving the Korean nuclear issue, Liu said.
Wang emphasized China's hope that all parties concerned would take further steps to show flexibility, narrow differences and enhance understanding so as to create conditions for the six-party talks process and substantial discussions, Liu said.
In another development, according to the spokesman, China has denied the cancellation of a purchase delegation to the United States, saying its trip has been "postponed" due to technical reasons.
Meanwhile, answering a question about US limitation on imports of Chinese fabric products, Liu said China hoped the United States would treat China's reaction seriously, change its wrong decision and resort to solving disputes through dialogue and cooperation.
The US Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) decided Monday to request negotiations on imports from China of knit fabrics, bras, dressing gowns and robes. The US Administration announced the decision Tuesday.
That meant the US will impose limits immediately on imports of the products, trade experts said.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong summoned US Ambassador to China Clark Randt on Wednesday to express concerns over the US decision.
Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman Chong Quan said China is deeply regretful over and firmly opposes the US decision.
China always hopes to push forward China-US trade ties on the basis of equality, Liu said. He said the Chinese government reserves its right to take further actions.
Responding to a question on Middle East conflicts, Liu said China noted tensions between Israel and Palestine appear to have eased a little recently.
Liu said the leaders of both countries have expressed their willingness many times to resume dialogue as soon as possible, and have also made some positive contacts.
The United Nations Security Council adopted on Wednesday a resolution expressing its support for the "roadmap'' peace plan for the Middle East. Israeli and Palestinian peace activists also reached an unofficial Geneva Accords peace plan.
Liu said China welcomes these moves, which will contribute to the peace and reconciliation process between Israel and Palestine.
"China hopes the two sides can cooperate with the international community to achieve progress in peace negotiations,'' said Liu.
Liu also addressed the issue of an upcoming visit to South Asia by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee. The spokesman said Jia's visit, which will take in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan from November 23 to December 7, is a very important one that will further promote China's relations with the region.
Liu said China has always considered it important to cooperate with its South Asian neighbors based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Jia's tour is expected to take China's relationship with the five nations to a new level.
Liu also announced Gerhard Schroeder, chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, will pay an official visit to China from Dec. 1 to 4 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
(Sources including Xinhua News Agency and China Daily, November 21, 2003)
