China hopes all relevant parties can reach consensus on the
United States' revised draft resolution on Iraq, said Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue.
Zhang said China stands by the United Nations Security Council
in approving a new resolution on the Iraq issue so as to help Iraq
achieve security and peace and stability, resume sovereignty and
carry out reconstruction at an early date.
China hopes the new resolution will nail down the role the UN in
Iraq's reconstruction, she said, adding that China is consulting
with other parties on the new version of the draft resolution
submitted recently by the United States.
She said the parties concerned should hasten to consult with
each other and reach consensus on the resolution's major contents
with an eye to the long-term interests of the Iraqi people.
China to attend conference on Iraq
reconstruction
Zhang said that a Chinese delegation will attend an
international donors conference on Iraq's reconstruction in Madrid,
capital of Spain, on Oct. 23 and 24.
The delegation would be led by Assistant Foreign Minister Shen
Guofang, said Zhang.
China always held an active view towards participating in the
reconstruction in post-war Iraq, she said.
China supported the United Nations playing a key role in the
reconstruction process, said Zhang, expressing the hope that the
Iraqi people could reconstruct their country as soon as possible,
and embark on a route of stabilization and development.
President Hu to state China's stance on global, regional
issues at APEC meeting
Chinese President Hu Jintao will state China's stance on global
and regional economic developments at the 11th Asian Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting,
said Zhang Qiyue.
Zhang said Hu will also put forward China's suggestions on
promoting scientific and technological innovation, and regional
labor and social security issues at the meeting, due to be held in
Bangkok, Thailand.
China believes APEC should comprehensively and squarely advance
the APEC agenda and enhance cooperation in capacity-building so as
to ensure an agenda conducive to the economic development of the
region, Zhang said.
Zhang said the theme of this year's APEC meeting is "a world of
differences, partnership for the future".
Members will discuss promotion of the multi-lateral trade
system, trade liberalization, economic and technological
cooperation, anti-terrorism and APEC reform.
Chinese leaders have attended all previous APEC leaders'
informal meetings and fully participated in APEC cooperation, the
spokeswoman said.
Hu will pay state visits to Thailand, Australia and New Zealand
from Oct. 17 to 27, and attend the 11th APEC Economic Leaders'
Informal Meeting in Bangkok from Oct. 20 to 21.
China calls for historical sensitivity from
Japan
Zhang Qiyue said the proper treatment of historical issues
formed the political basis of Sino-Japanese relations, as had been
stressed by Premier Wen Jiabao when meeting with Japanese Prime
Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Bali, Indonesia.
She said China hoped Japan treated issues, including the
Yasukuni Shrine visit, in line with the principle of "taking
history as a mirror and looking forward to the future".
She said China valued relations with Japan, and hoped to see
continued exchanges of high-level visits, which entailed efforts
from both sides. However, at such an important period for the
development of China-Japan relations, China felt puzzled by the
remarks of the Japanese side concerning the Yasukuni Shrine
visit.
Koizumi has announced that he will visit the shrine, a symbol of
Japanese militarism which honors more than 2.5 million Japanese
World War II dead, including 14 Class-A war criminals, every
year.
Zhang hoped Japan would see clearly the importance of historical
issues in the two countries' relations and the sensitivity of the
Yasukuni Shrine, observe the principles set forth in the three
important political documents, including the Sino-Japanese Joint
Statement, and give real importance to the good development of
bilateral ties.
She said both China and Japan must continue efforts to maintain
exchanges of high-level visits.
China calls for continuation of six-way
talks
All parties concerned should create necessary conditions for the
renewal of the six-party talks on the nuclear issue of the Korean
Peninsula, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman.
Zhang Qiyue said the relevant parties had reached the consensus
on peacefully resolving the nuclear issue through dialogue.
Zhang said China was glad that the United States had made
positive gestures on solving the issue.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Oct. 10 that the
United States was considering a multilateral security assurance for
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Zhang said China hoped the six parties would actively display
their sincerity by pushing forward the talks process.
Zhang expressed the hope that the six parties would contribute
to the resolution of the nuclear issue with dialogue and find a
peaceful resolution.
She said China would continue to consult and play its due role
in the process.
Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed Asian issues, such as
the Korean nuclear issue, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
Alexander Losyukov in Moscow on Oct. 13. The two sides agreed that
the issue should be resolved peacefully and through dialogue. This
was also the consensus reached at the previous six-party talks in
Beijing.
Zhang said the parties should maintain this consensus, strive to
narrow differences and continue to push forward the process of
six-party talks.
China to continue supporting Liberian peace
process
China will go on supporting Liberia's peace process and working
for the country's stability and construction.
Zhang said China was pleased at the resumption of
ambassador-level diplomatic relations with Liberia, effective from
Oct. 11. As developing countries, China and Liberia had much in
common and the decision helped promote bilateral ties.
Zhang said the two countries enjoyed long-term friendship and
China had supported the resumption of peace and stability in
Liberia, pledging to continue supporting national
reconciliation.
She said the United Nations had expressed the hope that China
would participate in the peace-keeping work in Liberia. China had
expressed readiness to join and had recommended officials, military
observers and civil policemen for the mission.
Chinese special envoy to visit Middle East
Chinese special envoy Wang Shijie is to visit Syria, Egypt,
Saudi Arabia, Israel and Palestine from Oct. 18, Zhang Qiyue
announced.
The special envoy is to exchange views with the relevant parties
on the Middle East peace process, Zhang said.
The special envoy will make constructive efforts to ease the
tensions in the region, said Zhang.
(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2003)