US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit China from February 26 to 27 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao announced in Beijing on Thursday at a routine press conference.

According to Liu, China and the United States would exchange views during Rice's visit "on bilateral relations and the significant regional and international issues of common concern".

He said he hoped both sides could exchange views on issues of common concern, further implement a series of important consensuses reached by their leaders and enhance exchanges and cooperation.

"The ultimate aim is to push for the healthy, steady and sustainable development of China-US relations," he added.

China, DPRK, ROK meets in Beijing

Officials from China, North Korea and South Korea on Thursday met in Beijing to discuss economic and energy assistance within the framework of six-party talks.

China's Ambassador for Korean Peninsula Issues Chen Naiqing is heading the Chinese delegation, which also includes officials from the foreign ministry and commercial ministry, said Liu.

"The six-party talks and the Korean Peninsula denuclearization process have achieved remarkable progress, which is attributed by all to the great efforts by relevant parties including China," Liu said.

Despite some current difficulties, all parties have maintained consultation and communication, Liu said.

"China is ready to make joint efforts to push forward the six-party talks so as to realize the agreements completely and in a balanced fashion," Liu said.

The six-party talks held in Beijing last February reached a nuclear deal, where North Korea agreed to disable its nuclear reactor and declare all nuclear programs and facilities by the end of last year to pave the way for dismantlement. However, North Korea missed the deadline despite reported progress in its declaration.

Top US nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill visited Beijing at the beginning of the week, during which he had "a good substantial discussion" with his North Korean counterpart Kim Kye Gwan on details about North Korea's full declaration of its nuclear programs.

China's Africa policies are widely welcomed by African nations

China's Africa policies are widely welcomed by African nations,Liu said.
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He made the remark when responding to a question concerning US President George W. Bush's recent comment on the Africa policies between the United States and China during his visit to Ghana on Wednesday.

Liu said China's Africa policies are responsible. They are also intended to establish economic and trade ties of mutual benefit, and to promote peace and development in Africa.

"The cooperation between China and Africa has won wide welcome from African nations," Liu said.

He pointed to Ghanaian President John Kufuor's comment that China participated in the development of Africa as a friend and partner which, as Liu believed, was echoed by most African leaders and people.

"I wouldn't say much about the US policies in Africa. I hope those policies are conducive to peace and development in Africa."

(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2008)