China on Thursday refuted a report released by Amnesty
International (AI) that criticizes its efforts to improve human
rights.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang said this at a regular
press conference when asked to comment on the new AI report which
accuses China of having failed to fulfill promises made during its
bid for the Olympic Games to improve human rights.
Qin said the AI has always been prejudiced against China and
"its reports are usually politically motivated."?
The AI, established in London on May 28, 1961, is an
international human rights organization.
Qin pointed out that it is a violation of the aims of the
Olympic Games if any organization or individual intentionally
attempts to politicize the event.
Anyone who thinks China's determination to improve human rights
was merely a ploy to be able to host the Olympic Games is simply
revealing the poverty of his own heart and imagination, Qin
said.
Qin stressed that China sees the respect and protection of human
rights as a lofty target to which it dedicates unremitting efforts.
The Chinese government is committed to promoting democracy and
legal systems, building up a country that is ruled by law and
striving for a fair, just and harmonious society so as to realize
the all-round development of its people.
Preparation work is progressing smoothly, Qin added. China is
fulfilling the promises it made during its bid for the Olympic
Games and will continue to do so.
China is confident that it has the capacity to host a successful
Olympic Games.
Qin also announced that China and Japan will hold the sixth
round of strategic dialogue in Tokyo on September 23 and 24.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and Japanese Vice Minister
for Foreign Affairs Yachi Shotaro will head the two delegations to
the meeting, Qin said.
"China would like to take this opportunity to exchange views
with Japan on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern,"
Qin said.
It was still unknown whether Dai would meet with Shinzo Abe, the
newly-elected president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP), Qin said.
China and Japan held the previous five rounds of strategic
dialogue in May, June and October last year, and February and May
this year.
Qin also urged Japan to take substantive action to show its
commitment to improving China-Japan ties.
"China hopes the new leader of the Japanese LDP will match his
actions to his words, and make concrete efforts to improve and
develop bilateral ties," Qin said.
The top priority at this time is to eradicate the obstacles to
improved China-Japan relations.
"The proper and correct handling of the history issue and the
Taiwan issue constitutes the political basis for China-Japan
relations."
Sino-Japanese relations have been soured by Koizumi's repeated
visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where Japan's war dead, including 14
Class A Second World War criminals, are honored.
Koizumi's last shrine visit on August 15, the 61st anniversary
of his country's surrender, further damaged relations.
Qin said China had maintained a "clear and consistent" attitude
on China-Japan relations, including the Yasukuni Shrine and other
historical issues.
China has always attached great importance to China-Japan ties,
and would like to advance by learning from history and looking
forward to the future, Qin said.
When asked to assess Koizumi's foreign policy, Qin said:
"Koizumi has held the office of prime minister for five years.
During his time in charge, the changes in China-Japan ties were
visible to everybody."
"As for the new leader of Japan, we will listen to his words and
observe his deeds," Qin said.
In response to criticism by foreign officials, Qin denounced the
accusation that?China had extended high-interest loans to poor
countries, saying the criticism is "sensationalism."
"The criticism, which seeks to link the poverty of those
countries to China, is pure sensationalism.
"It's understandable that when favorable loans cannot satisfy
their total economic development needs, low-income countries will
seek other forms of finance, including non-favorable loans," Qin
said.
"The crux is whether these loans help encourage low-income
countries' economic development and reduce poverty."
As a developing country, China has done a lot to help African
countries eradicate poverty, Qin said.
Over the past few years, China has waived debts of 10.5 billion
yuan (US$1.31 billion) owed by 31 African and least developed
countries.
Last year, China announced that it would grant tariff-free
treatment to 39 least developed countries that have diplomatic ties
with China.
China also decided to write off loans, which had been due in
2004, of those heavily indebted countries with diplomatic ties with
China.
Qin said that China is making various efforts to improve the
effect of the loans and try to be open, fair and transparent.
The favorable loans China offered to developing countries are
applied to benefit the countries' long-term development, mainly on
upgrading their infrastructures.
China has also taken other measures to help African nations
eradicate poverty, including increasing imports, cutting tariff,
encouraging Chinese companies to invest in Africa.
Qin also called for developed countries to take substantial
measures to cut debts of underdeveloped countries.
Turning to the ties with Costa Rica, Qin said China hopes to
normalize diplomatic relations with Costa Rica at an early
date.
"We hope both sides could make further efforts to create
conditions for normalizing China-Costa Rica relations as early as
possible."
Qin's remarks came after a meeting between Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Costa Rican President Oscar
Arias on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
China takes positive attitudes towards establishing and
developing normal nation-to-nation relations with Costa Rica, Qin
added.
Costa Rica is one of the 24 countries which have "diplomatic
relations" with Taiwan.
As for the Iran nuclear issue, Qin said China holds the view
that there is still room for a peaceful solution to the Iran
nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations.
Qin said China holds a very clear stance over the nuclear issue
and advocates solving the issue peacefully through diplomatic
negotiations.
Qin pointed out that recent talks between the EU and Iran have
made "some positive progress," adding that China hopes such
momentum could be maintained and carried forward.
China hopes that relevant parties can continue such positive
dialogue and move toward a peaceful solution to the Iran nuclear
issue, Qin noted.
Turning to Tuesday's military coup in Thailand, Qin also warned
Chinese nationals there to be careful and keep away from possible
rally places.
The ministry advised Chinese citizens not to get close to the
forbidden areas earmarked by the Thai authorities and to be mindful
of their personal security.
According to the ministry, Thai TV stations have released news
that a democratic and political reform commission consisting of
military commanders and chief police officials has been formed and
has taken control of Bangkok and adjacent regions.
Thai authorities also issued an order of martial law, forbidding
any rally that involves five people or more.
The ministry said if Chinese citizens need help, they can
contact the Chinese embassy in Bangkok.
The Thai army took action on Tuesday night to oust Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was attending the UN General
Assembly in New York.
Thailand is a major tourist destination for Chinese with 700,000
to 800,000 Chinese traveling there every year.
(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2006)