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)