China on Tuesday reaffirmed its positive attitude on working
with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
"China holds a positive attitude on exchanges and cooperation
with the OPEC," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang told the
regular briefing.
Qin responded to questions on Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai
Jun's recent visit to Dubai, capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Zhai was quoted as saying that China wanted to launch a
consultation mechanism with the OPEC.
"China is one of the major energy producers and consumers in the
world. Closer dialogue and cooperation between China and the OPEC
will help sound growth of the international energy market," Qin
said.
Aid to Philippines
Typhoon-ravaged Philippines is to receive US$200,000 in aid from
the Chinese government, Qin said.
Qin said the widespread damage caused by typhoon Durian is of
deep concern to China and the Red Cross Society of China will also
donate US$50,000 to its Philippine counterpart.
Premier Wen
Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing have sent messages to Philippine President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo,
expressing sympathy and condolences.
Typhoon Durian hit the Philippines on December 1. So far, the
confirmed death toll stands at 425 with 599 still missing.
Iran nuclear issue
Qin said China hopes the Paris meeting on Iran nuclear issue
would help solve the issue peacefully through political and
diplomatic ways.
High-level officials from six nations including Britain, China,
France, Russia, the US, and Germany, as well as the EU's foreign
policy chief Javier Solana, met on Tuesday in Paris to discuss
Iran's nuclear program.
Qin said Zhang Yan, director of the Foreign Ministry Department
of Arms Control and Disarmament, also led a delegation to the
meeting.
Six-party talks
All involved parties should increase efforts and flexibility to
create favorable conditions under which to resume the six-party
talks on Korean nuclear issue, said Qin.
China always hopes to resolve the nuclear issue through peaceful
negotiations and dialogue, further insisting?on solving
relevant issues through the six-party talks.
He said China wishes early resumption of the talks despite no
settled schedule, an issue needing negotiations and consensus from
all sides, and will continue to make efforts.
Discussing the precise luxuries prohibited from export to North
Korea, Qin said the list is still in discussion by the Security
Council.
The Resolution 1718 of the Security Council passed in October
prohibited exports of luxury goods to North Korea for the
elite.
Qin also stressed that China will seriously and earnestly
implement Resolution 1718 of the UN Security Council.
Energy chiefs of China, Japan to meet
The Energy chiefs of China and Japan will soon hold a dialogue,
Qin said. This new dialogue was proposed by Japanese Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe in November in Hanoi, while meeting with President Hu Jintao
on the sidelines of the 14th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
"China and Japan share common views on energy cooperation," Qin
said. "Both countries call for further communication on energy
issues. Now China and Japan are working on schedules of energy
chiefs' meeting."
Abe hoped the upcoming dialogue would help step up the
cooperation on energy-saving and environmental protection.
Baradei's China visit?
China hopes the visit of International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) Director-General Mohamedel Baradei will help strengthen
bilateral cooperation, Qin said, adding this would entail peaceful
use of nuclear energy and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Baradei is paying a visit to China from December 4 to 7 at the
invitation of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA). During the
visit, Foreign Minister Li and CAEA director Sun Qin will hold
talks with Baradei.
On Tuesday, Baradei visited Tsinghua University where he
received an honorary doctor degree.
He will also visit the China Institute of Atomic Energy and its
laboratories, before attending the opening ceremony of a training
center jointly established by the IAEA and the CAEA.
Talks on law of sea issues with S Korea
China and South Korea are due to hold talks on maritime law on
Wednesday in Beijing, Qin said.
The two sides will discuss sea area demarcation, maritime
scientific research, and other issues of common concern.
"China has consistently advocated that sea area demarcation
problems between China and other countries, including South Korea,
be solved through negotiations and consultations in accordance with
international law principles as well as the principle of
impartiality," Qin said.
(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2006)