Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya said on Sunday that conquering racism is one of the most important tasks facing the world.

Wang, who is leading a Chinese government delegation attending the third World Conference Against Racism, described the conference as "historically significant."

Wang said colonialism, the slave trade and racism have brought about untold sufferings and great losses throughout history to the people of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The consequences of these evils still hinder the political stability and economic and social development in these countries, so the current world conference must determine how to correct these mistakes, Wang said.

Former colonizers and victims must face historical facts and write an accurate record of history to reflect the truth.

Condemning racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as a brutal infringement on human rights, Wang said that the world must also face up to new forms of racism against people of colour, migrants and refugees. Developing nations suffer this most, he said.

Wang said fighting against racism is an arduous task.

He noted that since the opening of the conference in Durban on Friday, delegates from various countries have worked to plan ways to overcome the problem.

To implement measures developed in Durban and realize the goal set by the conference, Wang said, nations around the world must show the political will.

Any declaration and plan of action, if failing to be enacted, will only be lip service, he said.

The Chinese government stands ready to help the conference attendees reach consensus on sensitive issues and help push those plans closer to reality, he vowed.

Wang also expressed the Chinese government's great concern over the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine.

China has always supported the just cause of the Palestinian people and reaffirmed that peaceful negotiation is the only appropriate choice to resolve conflicts in the Middle East.

Wang expressed hope that the ongoing discussion will help the Middle East crisis avoid further deterioration and resume the peace process quickly.

(Xinhua News Agency 09/04/2001)