Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan on Thursday
confirmed that representatives from China, North Korea and the
United States met in Beijing on Wednesday.
Kong said that China will continue to actively encourage the
early resumption of talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear
issue.
Kong stressed that the six-party mechanism cannot be changed,
neither can the ultimate goal of achieving a nuclear-free Korean
Peninsula through peaceful means.
In response to a question concerning relations between Libya and
Taiwan, Kong said that China appreciates the Libyan government's
adherence to the one-China policy, and expects stronger
Sino-Libyan ties on that basis.
Kong said Chinese Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing is now in Libya and has met with Libyan leader Muammar
Ghaddafi. Ghaddafi stated clearly that Libya will respect the
one-China policy under any circumstance. His country firmly opposes
"Taiwan independence", and supports China's reunification
cause.
Kong reiterated that China is firmly opposed to any official
contacts between Taiwan and countries with diplomatic ties with
China.
"We hope these countries can properly handle the Taiwan issue in
accordance with principles agreed upon with the establishment of
diplomatic ties.
Kong also announced that US Deputy Secretary of State Robert
Zoellick is to visit China next week.
During his three-day visit starting Monday, Zoellick will meet
Chinese officials to exchange views on
China-US relations and on other major international issues.
Another point of discussion is preparations for the third
China-US strategic dialogue, which both sides have agreed to hold
in the first half of this year, Kong said.
Both China and the US are important stakeholders in the
international community and it will benefit both sides to hear what
the other has to say, Zoellick was quoted by China News Service as
saying, adding that maintaining contact with China is very
important.
(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily January 20,
2006)