Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu announced yesterday that
Hong Kong's democratic political system was developing steadily and
gradually at a speed suited to its current situation.
Jiang's remarks after British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett
on Monday called for Hong Kong's leaders on Monday to allow full
democracy by bringing universal suffrage to the Special
Administrative Region.
In the decade since reunification, the "one country, two
systems" has been fully implemented in Hong Kong with great
success, Jiang said, adding that the rights of the HK people were
fully safeguarded and the population enjoyed the world's freest
economy.
She stated that the central government would continue its
unwavering support for the principle of "one country, two systems,"
would ensure Hong Kong was governed by its own residents and that
it is able to retain high autonomy to guide its prosperity and
stability.
Jiang also strongly dismissed Western accusations that China's
loans to Africa were worsening the continent's debt crisis, calling
it "totally unacceptable."
Some non-governmental organizations have slammed China for
helping African states build up their infrastructure through a
realpolitik which ignores corruption, human rights and
environmental protection.
Jiang responded by saying China is trying to help African states
improve their self-development capacity without wanting to impose
its brand of ideology and social values.
"China holds that Africa's internal affairs should be addressed
by their own governments and people, while the assistance from
outside should help the African countries achieve stability and
development through their own efforts," said Jiang.
On the issue of preferable loans to Africa, Jiang explained that
China's loans have no strings attached and China seeks to boost the
infrastructure in a fair and open spirit. The spokeswoman denied
China was a major creditor nation for Africa and asked developed
nations to take more steps in curbing poverty in Africa.
Speaking shortly after the closure of the African Development
Bank Group in Shanghai, Jiang asked the international community to
"make earnest efforts to reduce the debt of African nations so as
to free them from the vicious cycle of debt."
Turning to the China-Germany ties, Jiang said that the upcoming
visit to China of the German President would lift the bilateral
relationship to new heights.
Jiang said Horst Koehler's China visit would be a "very
important" one as it coincides with the 35th anniversary of the
establishment of China-Germany diplomatic ties. At the invitation
of President Hu Jintao, Koehler will visit China from
Wednesday to Saturday, his first tour of the country since taking
office.
During his stay, Koehler will meet with top Chinese leaders
including President Hu, Premier Wen Jiabao and top political advisor Jia Qinglin.
It is in the interests of both states that high-level visits
lead to further cooperation in many fields including international
affairs, said Jiang, adding that dialogue would lead to better
understanding while removing disputes.?
When asked whether the human rights issue might throw a wrench
in the visit, Jiang said China and Europe held "positive and
constructive" talks during the 23rd round of China-Europe Human
Rights Dialogue from May 15 to 16 in Berlin. The 24th round will be
held in Beijing later this year.
In another development, Jiang reiterated China's determination
to attach great importance to food and drug safety. She illustrated
that the government is creating a legal system that will oversee
all food and drug safety, and that China welcomes cooperation to
this end on the international scene.
Following two incidents when Chinese-made medicinal ingredients
killed people in Panama, and tainted pet food was exported to the
United States, the country's health record in food and drug safety
has come under severe threat. Jiang assured the press that
investigations are ongoing.
Jiang also announced that Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi would attend both a China-Europe
foreign ministers' meeting and the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) 8th
Foreign Ministers' Meeting from May 28 to 29 in Hamburg, Germany.
He has been invited by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, foreign minister of
Germany, which holds the rotating European Union presidency.
Surayud Chulanont, Prime Minister of Thailand, will also come to
China from May 28 to 31, as the guest of Premier Wen.
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2007)
