China on Tuesday urged the French side to consider and reflect upon opinions and sentiments of expressed by some Chinese people on the internet, noting there must reasons for them.
"Some Chinese people have expressed their opinions and feelings recently. All these are by no means accidental, and the French side needs to ponder and reflect upon them," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu told a regular press conference.
Jiang made the remarks when she was asked to comment on netizens' call on the Internet urging the Chinese public to boycott French goods following disruptions of the Olympic torch relay in Paris.
"I believe these people will abide by laws and regulations in expressing their reasonable appeals," Jiang said.
As for China-France ties, Jiang said it needs both sides' efforts to be friends. The Chinese cannot accept France promising to value China-France ties on one hand, while witnessing occurrence of things "incomprehensible and unacceptable" for Chinese people from time to time, she added.
"I hope the French side will give audience to the Chinese people and take an objective, impartial stance on the recent issues," said Jiang, calling for respect for facts, making a clear distinction between right and wrong and understanding and supporting the just stance and measures taken by the Chinese government like the majority of countries in the world.
Jiang stressed that China attached great importance to the strategic cooperative partnership with France.
"We hope various circles in France could cherish the friendly ties with their real actions, and create favorable conditions and make positive efforts and contributions for the further development of the ties, "she said.
China believes India will ensure smooth, safe torch relay
Jiang said China believes that India will take effective measures to ensure a smooth and safe Olympic torch relay in the capital New Delhi.
Jiang said as India has repeatedly said that the Olympic torch relay in New Delhi is not only an honor for Indians but also an honor for all Asians, the country paid great attention to the event.
"We believe that the relay will gain the support of all Indians and effective cooperation from the Indian side, and we believe the Indians will take effective measures to ensure a smooth and safe relay in New Delhi," she said.
She stressed that if any "Tibetan independence" organizations wanted to disrupt the relay in India, they would once again reveal their true nature of separatism and disruption.
Jiang noted that China and India have maintained a good momentum to the development of bilateral relations, and have conducted close exchanges and contacts.
New Delhi will be the 11th leg of the relay, scheduled for April 17, following Islamabad in Pakistan.
China stands by vows to assist foreign journalists at Olympics
China will stand by its agreement to assist foreign journalists at the Beijing Olympic Games, Jiang said.
She said the government stood by the commitments it made when awarded the Games and that it will protect the rights of foreign journalists in accordance with the law.
Jiang asked foreign journalists to abide by Chinese laws and regulations, and to be fair, objective and balanced.
Jiang expressed the hope that foreign journalists should establish a relation of trust with the Chinese people when they work in Beijing.
South African FM to visit China
South African Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will pay official visit to China from April 19 to 26 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Jiang announced.
European Commission president to visit China
President of the Commission of the European Union Jose Manuel Barroso will pay official visit to China from April 24 to 26 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Jiang announced.
(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2008)
