Sun Yuxi, the FM spokesman, said at a press conference that while China is aware some US officials have commented on the issue, it still has more explaining to do.

Sun demanded an explanation from the US for questions raised in a Los Angeles Times newspaper report. The article said the Pentagon has informed the US Congress in a secret report of a plan that includes the possible use of nuclear weapons against China and six other countries in emergency situations.

Regarding China's stance on anti-terrorism, Sun made clear that China would like to continue its exchange and co-operation with other countries, including the United States, in the fight against terrorism. He also said the fight would be a long-term and complicated task for the international community, which requires effective international collaboration.

Sun also expressed China's strong dissatisfaction and indignation about the US permission to Taiwan's "defence minister" Tang Yiau-ming to visit the US yesterday.

"What the US has done is an open violation of the one-China policy and the three Sino-US joint communiques, and it will encourage the 'Taiwan independence' force," said Sun. "It will harm ties between China and the US as well as relations across the Taiwan Straits."

In addition to these disputes, the latest US State Department report on human rights conditions for last year has also angered China due to accusations over human rights violations.

Sun yesterday said that the US should properly handle human rights issues and keep up with the trend of human rights co-operation and dialogue.

Sun, who will take the post as the Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan next month, also briefed the press about an informal meeting of the "Six Plus Two Group" held in Kabul on Monday.

(China Daily March 13, 2002)