China hopes the German government and leaders always honor their commitment made to China on Taiwan and Tibet issues and seriously consider and fully respect China's great concerns on issues relevant to its core interests, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu on Tuesday. 

 

Jiang made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked to comment on recent China-Germany relations.

 

The German side had expressed explicitly to China that Germany attaches great importance to its ties with China, it would continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy, and it recognizes Taiwan and Tibet as parts of Chinese territory,

 

Jiang said both China and Germany have made great efforts in the past four months in order to overcome the difficulties emerging from the bilateral relationship. The foreign ministers of the two countries had communicated with each other many times. Germany opposes a "referendum for UN membership" by Taiwan authorities, it would give neither support nor encouragement to any attempt seeking "Tibetan independence", said Jiang.

 

Jiang stressed China hoped that Germany could make joint effort with China in compliance with norms on dealing with international relations such as mutual respect, equal treatment and non-interference in each others internal affairs so as to push forward a long-term, stable and healthy development of bilateral relations.

 

China-Germany relationship was much affected by German Chancellor Angela Merkel's meeting in last September with the Dalai Lama, whom China viewed as an exiled separatist under religious disguise.

 

Norwegian FM's coming visit

 

Foreign Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stoere will pay an official visit to China from January 28 to 31 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Jiang announced.

 

Iran nuclear issue

 

China says it still expects the Iran nuclear issue to be settled through diplomatic efforts as foreign ministers from six nations prepare for discussions on the issue in Berlin on Tuesday.

 

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will join his counterparts from Russia, the United States, France, Britain and Germany for talks over the Iranian nuclear program, starting on Tuesday.

 

Jiang told reporters, "China views the conference as a diplomatic effort on the Iran nuclear issue and hopes it will be a serious and objective assessment of the current situation."

 

"China expects the meeting to produce diplomatic accomplishments that will be conducive to a proper settlement of the Iran nuclear issue," she said, adding that China will endorse proposals and suggestions that will help realize the goal.

 

Jiang reiterated China's stance to support the international nuclear non-proliferation system, and peace and stability in the Middle East region.

 

"The Iran nuclear issue has come to a crucial point which necessitates common efforts from the international community including Iran to work for a comprehensive, long-term and proper solution to the issue," she said.

 

Responding to questions concerning a new round of sanctions on Iran, Jiang said China hopes any UN resolutions on the Iran nuclear issue shall be conducive to the said goals.

 

India-Pakistan ties

 

As a neighbor of India and Pakistan, China has always supported the improvement of India-Pakistan relations, Jiang said.

 

Jiang said China and India are two large developing countries and to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two sides serves their common interests and is conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

 

Pakistan is China's strategic partner and China attaches great importance to China-Pakistan relations, she said.

 

Pushing forward all-round cooperation between China and Pakistan is China's set policy and China would make joint efforts with Pakistan to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2008)