The Foreign Ministry yesterday slammed attempts to link the
Darfur issue with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
"We think it wholly inappropriate to connect the Darfur issue
with the Olympic Games," ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in
response to a Wall Street Journal editorial published on
Wednesday that called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics over
China's support of the Sudanese government.
"People who try to connect the Darfur issue with the Olympics in
an attempt to win ballots or increase their reputation are totally
wrong on that scheme," he said, asserting that "We are confident we
will hold a successful and high-quality Olympic Games."
On the Darfur issue, Qin reiterated China's hopes that
international efforts will bring about long-term peace and
stability in the region.
RMB issue
Turning to the RMB exchange rate, Qin asked the US to halt its
ongoing pressure and to replace it by a medium of effective
communication with China, whose attitude in this regard has always
been highly responsible.
"We maintain a reasonable level of foreign exchange rate, and
take a policy that fits with China's economic and social
situation," he said, responding to a statement made by two US
senators that blamed the US's trade deficit with China on the RMB's
low exchange rate.
On July 21, 2005, China ended the RMB's peg to the US dollar and
replaced it with a floating exchange rate mechanism varying with
market supply and demand, and linked to a basket of currencies.
"It is unfair and unreasonable to lay the blame entirely on
China for the US economic problems," Qin said.
He reaffirmed that China would maintain its current RMB exchange
rate mechanism that will help keep the exchange rate at an optimum
level as such action would serve the interests of China and the
world.
War shrine issue
In a blow to Tokyo's affirmation of separation of church and
state, new documents have emerged that point to the Japanese
government secretly planning to honor major war criminals at a
Tokyo war shrine.
Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 class-A WWII war criminals
among Japan's 2.5 million war dead, has long been decried by
Japan's neighbors as a painful reminder of the country's
militaristic past.
Qin said China "remains unchanged" in its position on the
Yasukuni problem, noting that the two nations have already reached
agreement on removing political barriers in developing bilateral
relations.
Overseas Chinese companies
The Chinese government has consistently ordered its overseas
enterprises to respect the laws and regulations of their countries
of operation, Qin said.
In response to a report that the Chinese enterprises violated
the local labor laws in Papua New Guinea, Qin said overseas Chinese
enterprises attach importance to safeguarding the legitimate rights
and interests of local workers in accordance with the international
labor standards.
"We have given priority to this report and have conducted
serious investigation into this case, but facts showed that the
report does not hold water," he said.
China will pursue further avenues to ensure relevant projects
promote economic and social development as well as facilitate
bilateral cooperation, he added.
Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan is currently touring four Oceanian
nations including Papua New Guinea with the latter visit aiming to
encourage friendly exchanges and bilateral cooperation in various
fields.
Sri Lanka issue
Addressing the air strike at a Sri Lankan air base, which killed
three people and injured 16 more, Qin said China hopes for an early
realization of national reconciliation and social stability in the
island country in the Indian Ocean.
"China has always been opposed to terrorist acts of all forms.
We sincerely hope that Sri Lanka can achieve national
reconciliation and social stability at an early date," he said.
Principled one-China policy
Turning to another issue, Qin said China wishes to help
bilateral relations blossom with countries that have no diplomatic
ties with China.
China hopes for normal diplomatic relations with these countries
based on the one-China principle and mutual respect, equality and
reciprocity, he noted.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega made recent claims that the
mainland and Taiwan could enjoy early reunification, but without
stating the wish to resume diplomatic relations with China.
Commenting on Ortega's remarks, Qin reaffirmed that the
one-China principle was a precondition for China in forging
relations with other nations.
"China hopes that this principle can be observed by relevant
countries including those without diplomatic relations," he
added.
State visits
Qin also announced that:
l????????
Han Qide, President Hu Jintao's special envoy and vice chairman of
the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), will travel to Senegal to attend an
inaugural ceremony for Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and all
activities relating to the 47th anniversary of Senegal's
independence from April 3 to 4;
l????????
Guenter Verheugen, vice president of the EU Commission, will visit
China from April 1 to 4;
l????????
Alexander Downer, Australian foreign minister, will visit from
April 2 to 5;
l????????
Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will visit from April 2 to
13.
(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily March 30, 2007)
