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)