China is willing to improve relations with the Vatican, but two
conditions must be observed, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sun
Yuxi said in Beijing on Thursday at a regular press conference.
A
reporter asked Sun to comment on the speech delivered by Pope
John Paul II Wednesday, in which Pope John Paul II apologized
to the Chinese people for the errors committed during the colonial
period and expressed the hope that he visits China before he
dies.
Sun said that the speech has been reported, but he had not read the
full text, and the Chinese side will review it.
Sun said that China is willing to improve relations with Vatican if
the Vatican follows two conditions.
First, the Vatican must terminate "diplomatic relations" with
Taiwan, and admit that the government of the People's Republic of
China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China,
and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory.
Second, the Vatican should make a promise that it will not
interfere in China's internal affairs, including not interfering in
China's internal affairs by conducting religious activities.
Sun said China will not change its mind on the two conditions, and
would like to try to improve its relations with the Vatican.
URGING EP TO STOP INTERFERING IN CHINA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS
At
the news briefing, Sun urged the European
Parliament (EP) to stop interfering in China's internal affairs
and damaging Sino-European relations.
Sun stated that the Dalai Lama delivered a speech on October 24 at
the EP distorting Tibet's history and the true condition of the
area, and maliciously attacking the Chinese government with a
separatist's perspective in an attempt to internationalize the
Tibet issue.
"We are firmly opposed to it," Sun pointed out.
Sun noted that in the 50 years since Tibet was peacefully
liberated, especially after the inauguration of democratic reform
and the abolishment of the serf system in Tibet in 1959, drastic
changes have taken place in Tibet, and Tibetans have fully enjoyed
all political and economy rights and religious freedom guaranteed
by China's constitution.
Tibet also enjoys extensive autonomous rights in such fields as
legislation, use of Tibetan language, personnel management and
natural resources management, Sun added.
He
went on to say that up to now, 92 percent of the autonomous
region's 2.6 million population is Tibetan, and nearly 80 percent
of local officials are Tibetan or other ethnic minorities.
With the assistance of China's central government and other
provinces and municipalities nationwide, Sun noted, Tibet's economy
has helped to greatly improve local people's lives -- a reality
that is beyond comparison with the old Tibet under the Dalai's
rule.
He
stressed that Tibetan people are fully enjoying the freedom to
conduct normal religious activities under the protection of China's
constitution and laws.
He
said there are over 1,400 places for religious activities,
including temples, which can meet the religious needs of local
people.
SENDING DELEGATION TO DOHA
Meanwhile, Sun announced that China will send an important
delegation to Doha, the venue of the World Trade Organization (WTO) 's
Fourth Ministerial Meeting.
The meeting, which is expected to pass the resolution on China' s
accession to the WTO, will be held as scheduled in Doha, capital of
Qatar, said the spokesman.
Much progress has been made in preparations for the meeting, he
added.
According to Sun, China held that the meeting, which is to be held
at such an important time, will have a deep impact on the world
trade and multilateral trade institutions, Sun said.
"China is confident in Qatar's capability of successfully hosting
such a meeting, and of making contributions for the rebound of the
global economy and the development of multilateral trade
institutions," Sun said.
CHINA: CAPABLE OF HANDLING POSSIBLE BIOCHEMICAL TERROR ATTACKS
At
the news conference, Sun also affirmed that China is well-prepared
for any possible biochemical terror attacks.
In
response to a question concerning China's capability of coping with
possible biochemical terrorist activities, Sun said that China has
strengthened its security measures on persons and luggages passing
through customs, and has taken strict quarantine measures on
suspicious baggages.
The postal departments also strengthened its precautions, Sun
said.
The Chinese medical departments has stored enough medicines and
antibiotics to fight biochemical-caused diseases, and the
government is able to detect early signs of diseases should a
biochemical terrorist situation occur, Sun said.
China will control any such situation resolutely and bring it to a
quick end, Sun said.
URGING ISRAEL TO RETREAT FROM PALESTINIAN TOWNS
In
the meantime, Sun noted that in order to avoid further worsening of
the Middle East situation, China again urges Israel to stop
military actions immediately and withdraw all troops from
Palestinian-controlled areas as soon as possible.
When asked for comments on the latest attacks by Israeli troops on
some Palestinian towns, which caused severe casualties, Sun said
that China condemns Israeli troops for their continuous invasion of
Palestinian-controlled areas which have led to the deaths of many
Palestinians.
Sun also expressed concern for the current tension in that
area.
OFFERING STAND ON SETTLING AFGHAN ISSUE
Sun Yuxi also reiterated China's stand on the issue of Afghanistan,
saying that the Afghanistan people should decide their own ways in
settling the current difficulty while the war-torn nation's
sovereignty and territorial integrity be maintained.
He
noted that the Chinese Government is concerned about the ongoing US
bombing on Afghanistan.
The future Afghan government must have a broad basis and win wide
support, and it must be capable of representing the interests of
all parties, Sun said.
The future Afghan government should also contribute to peace and
stability in the region, he said at the routine news conference in
Beijing.
While outlining China's guidelines on helping restore peace in
Afghanistan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman emphasized
China hopes the United Nations would play a more positive role in
the settlement of the Afghan issue.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan has exchanged views
with some participants on the issue of Afghanistan at the
just-concluded Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting.
At
the news conference, Sun also lodged China's strong opposition to a
recent report in India Times which claimed that China was aiding
the Taliban against US.
Sun said: "The news report is completely fabricated in order to
damage China's reputation."
(China
Daily October 26, 2001)