China demands that the European Union "observe its political
commitment" and lift its arms embargo against China as soon as
possible, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao at
Tuesday's press conference in Beijing.
"We have requested that the EU truly put into practice the
political promises it has made, and remove the political barrier to
the development of bilateral relations," Liu said.
He?reiterated that Beijing was not interested in buying
weapons from Europe, but was only seeking respect as a "strategic
partner" of the EU. "We are not aiming at importing arms from the
EU. As strategic cooperative partners we hope, on the basis of
equality and mutual respect, to further our relations.?We hope
the EU will honor its political commitments and remove the arms
embargo," he said.
The EU scrapped its end-of-June target date for lifting the
embargo and did not set a new deadline at a meeting of the
25-nation bloc's foreign ministers on Monday in Luxembourg.
"There's a lot of work to be done still," EU foreign policy
chief Javier Solana said. "There's no consensus" on removing the
restrictions, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer
added.?
When asked to comment on the Dalai Lama's recent visit to
Sweden, Liu said China always opposes the Dalai Lama's political
activities under any name and in any country.
"We hope the relevant country can adhere to the promise of
upholding the one-China policy and opposing 'Tibetan independence'
so as not to endanger bilateral relations," said Liu.
"The Dalai Lama is a politician in exile disguised as a
religious figure, and engages in separatist activities against
China, and the Chinese government has expressed its concerns over
the issue to the Swedish government," Liu said.
However,?he noted that the dialogue between the Chinese
government?and the Dalai Lama is always open so long as
the?latter "truly gives up advocating 'Tibetan independence'"
and declares in public that he recognizes Tibet and Taiwan as
inalienable parts of China.
"Then we shall contact him for negotiations,"?he added.
Liu said that China and the United States reached an
understanding in Beijing?yesterday on mutually granting annual
multiple entry visas to students.
According to the understanding, Chinese nationals applying for
visas to study in the US, including the F, M and J visa categories,
will be granted multiple entry visas for a 12-month period.
But such a visa arrangement will be subject to certain
limitations under the US law and applications will be processed on
a case-by-case basis.
The rule also applies to American nationals who want to study in
China, said Liu.
"Such an understanding will effectively improve educational
cooperation and personnel exchange between China and the
US,"?he said.
Commenting on a senior Japanese official's remarks about
"comfort women," Liu said that China strongly condemns his denying
their very existence.
Japanese Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Minister Nariaki Nakayama said at a meeting in
Shizuoka?Saturday that the term "comfort women" does not
exist, so it was good that the "incorrect" description was removed
from school textbooks.
Liu said it is known to all that the "comfort women" system was
a serious crime committed by the Japanese militarists during World
War II, and the overt denial of this ugly piece of history by a
Japanese cabinet member in charge of education seriously hurts the
feelings of victims and their countrymen.
The term "comfort women" was used to describe women forced into
sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army in Japan's
war of aggression against its Asian neighbors before and during
World War II.
Nakayama's remarks have been strongly criticized by?South
Korea, China and other Asian countries.
Liu announced that South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan will
visit from June 21 to 23 at the invitation of?Premier Wen
Jiabao. Lee will meet with President Hu Jintao
and top legislator Wu
Bangguo.
"They are expected to have an in-depth discussion on the nuclear
standoff on the Korean Peninsula,"?he said.
Liu?said China and?South Korea?have maintained
sound relations through frequent exchanges of high-level visits and
deepening political trust. The two countries also enjoy close
economic cooperation. The trade volume between the two countries
exceeded US$90 billion last year and personnel exchanges hit 3.5
million, he added.
"The growth of?bilateral relations have brought substantial
benefits to the people of both nations, and we feel happy for
it,"?he said.
Liu said China values its relationship with?South
Korea?and will continue to push forward the comprehensive,
cooperative partnership and close cooperation to safeguard regional
peace and stability.
Despite international diplomatic efforts aimed at getting the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea back to the negotiating
table, no dates or deadlines for resuming the six-party talks on
the nuclear issue have been set, said Liu.
According to the spokesperson, Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing will visit Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria and
Lebanon from June 17 to 26, during which he will discuss bilateral
relations and international and regional issues with leaders of the
five nations.
China is expected to sign economic and trade cooperation
agreements with the five Middle East countries, Liu added.
China and the five nations have maintained sound relations, and
cooperation in all fields has witnessed new progress,?he said,
expressing the belief that Li's visit will further promote those
relationships.
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2005)