A demonstration of sincerity and flexibility was required by the
countries involved in the six party talks on the Korean Peninsula
nuclear issue especially the "principal parties" stated China on
Tuesday.?
Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Qin Gang, said at a regular press
conference on Tuesday the talks have encountered "new" and
"complicated" problems.
China had always played a "positive" and "constructive" role in
promoting the six-party talks, Qin said. China advocated the
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and proposed to settle the
issue through negotiations. This would not only benefit the peace
and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia but was
also in the interests of those involved, he commented.
"The Chinese side has been in close contact with the parties
concerned in a bid to promote progress," Qin said. Others concerned
had expressed appreciation for role China was
playing.??
"China will continue to make its contribution in promoting the
six-party talks and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," he
said.
The six countries involved are China, North Korea, the US, South
Korea, Russia and Japan.
China urges dialogue on human rights
In reply to a reporter's question concerning President Hu Jintao's visit to the US, Qin said both
China and the US should conduct talks on human rights issues based
on equality and mutual respect.
He said Hu would explain China's position and views on human
rights if the subject was brought up during his US visit.
"We oppose confrontation and interference in other countries'
internal affairs under the pretext of human rights," Qin said.
He said China and the US shared common ground on the human
rights issue, which focused on the protection and promotion of
those human rights. He indicated that China was willing to have
dialogue with other countries including the US on the subject.
Qin also confirmed that Taiwan would be one of the main topics
of discussion when the two leaders met.
"The Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive core
issue in China-US relations," he said. "We cannot sideline the
Taiwan question."
SCO's principle of openness
Qin highlighted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's
principle of openness and indicated that their current task was to
step up pragmatic cooperation between members.
He said China, as host of the SCO summit in June, was consulting
with other member nations about inviting guest countries to the
summit.
Dubbed as a new model for regional cooperation, the SCO was
founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001. Its main focus is regional
security and anti-terrorism.
The permanent members of the SCO are China, Russia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its four observer states are
Mongolia, Pakistan, India and Iran.
China urges restraint on Iran nuclear issue
China has expressed its concern about the Iranian nuclear
standoff and hopes all parties show restraint and use diplomatic
efforts to resolve the issue, Qin said.
He said that Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister, Cui Tiankai, in
a recent visit to Iran, had explained that China was concerned
about the current situation and hoped all parties would show
flexibility in attempting to resolve the issue.
After his arrival in Tehran on Saturday Cui met and conferred
with several senior Iranian officials on the nuclear crisis.
China expresses sympathy to flood-hit European
countries?
The Chinese government on Tuesday expressed its sympathy for the
European countries hit by severe floods in recent weeks.
"We are convinced that they will overcome the natural disaster
and rebuild their homes," Qin said.
Southeastern Europe has suffered from severe flooding this
spring as a result of heavy rains and melting snow. Countries
affected include Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany and
Romania.
The region is likely to face more flooding as meteorologists
said on Sunday that the Danube river, which has reached its highest
level in more than 100 years, would rise again in the days
ahead.
Qin also announced that Finnish Prime Minister, Matti Vanhanen,
will pay an official visit to China from April 25 to 28 as a guest
of Premier Wen Jiabao.
Vice President of Sierra Leone, Solomon Berewa, will pay an
official visit to China from April 23 to 27 as a guest of Vice
President Zeng Qinghong.
(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily April 19,
2006)