Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing Tuesday that the central government of China strongly opposes Taiwan's adding the word "Taiwan" to the cover of its new passports.

It is reported that the Taiwan authorities had taken the move to avoid confusion.

Kong said the interpretation is unacceptable to the central government of China.

He said adding "Taiwan" to the cover of its passport is an example of Taiwan's attempt to seek the "gradual independence of Taiwan" and another serious step to damage cross-strait relations.

On Beijing six-party talks

China suggested that the United Nations Security Council take a cautious attitude toward getting involved in the Korean nuclear issue.

"Considering that the six-party talks in Beijing achieved some progress and the parties concerned reached certain consensus, China thinks that the UN Security Council should take a discreet attitude toward getting involved at the current time," Kong Quan said.

When asked whether China felt disappointed with the remarks made by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) recently on the six-party talks, Kong said "China has no reason whatsoever to feel disappointed".

As an Asian nation, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and also a large developing country, China hopes to make its due contribution to peace in Asia as well as in the world at large, Kong said.

He noted that China has been making unremitting efforts to resolve the Korean nuclear issue ever since it emerged.

"China's efforts have won the full affirmation of the international community and the other five parties attending the six-nation talks in Beijing," he said.

Kong appealed to all parties to abide by the consensus reached at the three-day talks and refrain from taking any measures that might complicate or inflame the issue more.

He also called for the parties to maintain communication and close contact and study the other parties' stances very carefully so as to make preparations for the next round of talks.

Regarding the timing of the second round of talks, Kong said that it could not be settled now. As for whether the next talks would be held in Beijing, he said China's attitude toward that was “flexible and open".

"As long as the suggestion is conducive to resolving the Korean nuclear issue peacefully, China will actively take it into consideration," he said.

All the six parties need to take some time to study the other sides' positions after the talks so as to make policies for the next step, Kong said.

He said that China hopes each party could proceed from the peace and stability in Asia and the world and stay on the track of solving the nuclear issue through dialogue and diplomatic channels to continue making efforts.

The significance of the Beijing six-party talks, Kong acknowledged, is that the parties concerned sat together, and held discussions on the Korean nuclear issue.

The talks could help increase mutual understanding and lay down a foundation for reducing disputes and broadening consensus in the future, he said.

"China is fully aware of the intricacies of the Korean nuclear issue and the twists and turns and difficulties in continuing the talks," Kong said.

"But we believe the six parties all have one consensus, which is the hope that the talks will continue, mutual understanding will be deepened, suspicion will be reduced, consensus will be broadened and a peaceful solution to the Korean nuclear issue could be reached eventually," the spokesman said.

RMB exchange rates to maintain stable

China will maintain the stability of exchange rates of its currency, the Renminbi (RMB).

In response to a question at the press conference, Kong said that since 1994, China has adopted a regulated, floating exchange rate system based on market supply and demand.

This system will be perfected along with the development of China, he said.

Kong said the stability of exchange rates of the RMB will surely benefit the economy of China, Asia and the world.

China hopes sanctions on Libya will be lifted soon

China hopes the United Nations will remove its sanctions on Libya at an early date, said the Foreign Ministry spokesman.

In response to a question at a regular press conference, Kong said the people of Libya have suffered from the sanctions and China hopes the related issues for lifting them will be settled at an early date.

Kong said he believed this wish would come true soon.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2003)