Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan will visit the United States in
the second half of next month, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan
said yesterday in Beijing.
Kong, declining to say if nuclear issues regarding the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea will be on the agenda, said
the visit is still under discussion.
Military exchanges between China and the United States play an
important part in bilateral relations and are conducive to
deepening mutual understanding and expanding consensus, Kong said
at the regular news briefing.
He also noted that China and the United States should properly
handle occasional problems and friction in bilateral trade
relations.
"Bilateral trade relations will develop in a healthy and steady
manner only when the two sides solve the problems through dialogue
on the basis of enhanced mutual understanding and trust," Kong
said.
He said Sino-US trade relations are mutually beneficial and the
two sides should consult one another on an equal footing and take a
pragmatic attitude in solving issues.
China's market will further expand now that it is a member of
the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Sino-US trade and economic
cooperation will expand and deepen along with that, Kong said.
"We cannot accept the claim that China has not fully honored its
commitments after joining the WTO," he said. "The fact is that
China has made huge efforts to honor its commitments with a very
serious and responsible attitude."
China has cut its general levels of tariffs from 15.3 percent in
2001 to the current 12 percent, abolished some non-tariff measures
and gradually promoted the openness of services and goods
markets.
Kong said China has reformed its laws and regulations for
compliance with WTO requirements and its commitments. It has set up
consultation mechanisms to increase transparency.
Kong also said China and Russia have reached consensus to
further expand their cooperation in energy, including the oil
pipeline project.
He said the meeting between the Chinese premier and Russian
prime minister next week will cover such issues.
When asked to comment on the United States veto of a United
Nations resolution demanding that Israel not harm or expel
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Kong said China firmly opposes
Israeli moves to expel Arafat or threaten his security in any
form.
Kong urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to seek a political
solution.
(China Daily September 19, 2003)