The resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula
through the framework of the six-party talks is the only "feasible
and correct" option, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing said in Washington on Thursday.
??
"Actually all the parties who attend the Beijing six-party talks
and actually the entire international community have expressed the
view that the resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean
peninsula through the six-party talks is the only feasible and
correct option," Li told reporters after his working lunch with US
Secretary of State Colin Powell.
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The Chinese foreign minister said there have emerged "some new
complicating factors and new difficulties" concerning the next
round of the six-party talks.
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"This has required all of us to continue to adopt a more peaceful
means to the nuclear issue on the Koran peninsula, through the
framework of the six-party talks, because nothing is more precious
than peace," he said.
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For his part, Powell said he believed the six-party talks framework
will work.
??
"I think that the six-party framework is what we should be
concentrating on, and not any other means of dealing with this
right now," Powell said.
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"I am quite confident that the six-party framework is a framework
in which this matter will be dealt with for the foreseeable future
because it serves the interests of all parties," Powell said.
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The United States said on Wednesday that it was still committed to
the six-party process despite that the talks were not taking place
this month as scheduled.
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"We remain committed to the six-party process. We think that is the
way to move forward," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher
said at a news briefing on Wednesday.
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"It makes sense to do it that way, it is the way to do it. It has
shown that it is a process that can work," Boucher said.
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The United States has said that it would like to see another round
of the six-party talks on the nuclear issue of the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) take place and said it was
continuing to work with the other parties to move the six-party
process forward and "it is not something we are giving up
on."
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Three rounds of the six-party talks, hosted by China, have been
held.?
During the press conference, Li Zhaoxing also stressed that
China is firmly opposed to the sales of weapons by any foreign
country to Taiwan, which is a part of China.
??
"The Chinese government and the people attach great importance to
the reaffirmations made by the US president, the secretary, and US
government on many occasions of the US continued adherence to the
one-China policy, the observance of the three Sino-US joint
communiques, and the opposition to Taiwan independence," Li
said.
??
"At the same time, I wish to point out that in any country its
domestic law should not go above its international commitments," he
said.
???
Li said that "the Chinese government and Chinese people are ready
to use our maximum sincerity and make our best efforts to realize a
peaceful reunification of the country and find a peaceful solution
to the Taiwan question. However, we will never, ever allow anyone
to use any means to separate Taiwan, which is the inalienable part
of the Chinese territory, from the rest of our great
motherland".
???
He stressed that China is firmly opposed to the sales of weapons by
any foreign country to Taiwan, "because we don't think it is in the
interest of our peaceful efforts towards the resolution of the
Taiwan question. And it does not serve the interests of peace and
stability across the Taiwan Straits. And eventually it will not
serve the interests of those countries who are prepared to sell
weapons to Taiwan."
Also at Thursday's press conference, US Secretary of State Colin
Powell said that the United States does not support a movement
toward independence on the part of Taiwan and the ultimate
settlement of Taiwan issue has to be acceptable to both sides of
the Taiwan Straits.
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Powell said that he reaffirmed the US one-China policy to the
Chinese foreign minister during their talks.
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"I once again reaffirmed our one-China policy and the strength of
the three communiques and also noted our obligations under the
Taiwan Relations Act and reaffirmed what President Bush has said a
number of times, that we do not support a movement toward
independence on the part of Taiwan," the US official said.
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Powell stressed that "there is no support in the United States for
an independence movement in Taiwan, because that would be
inconsistent with our obligations and our commitment to our
one-China policy."
??
Asked whether the United States is going to ignore the voice and
desire of a billion-plus people in the Chinese mainland as US
officials often stated that the ultimate settlement of Taiwan issue
has to be acceptable to the people in Taiwan, Powell responded with
"of course not."
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"It has to be acceptable to both sides (of the Taiwan Straits).
That's what reconciliation is all about," Powell said, adding that
"we strongly support our one-China policy, which has stood the test
of time; it has benefited people in Taiwan, benefited people in the
mainland, and it's benefited the international community and
certainly benefited the United States."??
(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2004)