Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the sixth Meeting of
Prime Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) to be held in Uzbekistan's capital of Tashkent
from November 2 to 6, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao
said at a regular press conference on Thursday.
Wen was invited by Uzbekistani Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyaev,
Turkmenistani President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Belarussian
President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian Prime Minister Viktor
Zubkov, Liu said.
During the five-day tour, Wen will also pay official visits to
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belarus and Russia. In addition he will
attend the 12th regular meeting between the prime ministers of
China and Russia, and the closing ceremony of the "Year of China" in Russia.
Wen and state leaders of the countries mentioned above will
exchange ideas on promoting bilateral relations, deepening regional
cooperation for mutual benefit, and on international and regional
issues of common concern, Liu said.
Wen and?other leaders of the SCO member states will confer
about the implementation of The Treaty on Long-term
Good-neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, the consensus
reached at the summit held in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan this
August, and realization of economic and cultural cooperation,
according to Liu.
A series of cooperation documents will be signed during Wen's
tour, Liu added.
The SCO, a regional organization founded in June 2001, now
comprises China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and
Kazakhstan, with Pakistan, Mongolia, Iran and India holding
observer status.
Launch of first lunar probe
The successful launch of China's first lunar probe marks?a great
effort toward space exploration?in the international
community, Liu said.
Liu said that the outer space is the common wealth of mankind
and should be utilized entirely for peace purposes and benefit
mankind.
"We believe that with the cooperation and efforts of the
international community, mankind can have a clearer and better
understanding of the outer space," said Liu.
China launched its first lunar probe Chang'e-1 on Wednesday, the
first step of its ambitious three-stage moon mission, marking a new
milestone in the country's history of space exploration.
Oil workers in Sudan safe
Liu said Chinese oil workers in Sudan are safe in response to
reports that terrorists had attacked a China-related oil field in
Sudan.
Liu said the conflict between the north and south has involved
the Chinese oil companies and workers. The Chinese
government?is gravely concerned about the situation there.
"We hope relevant sides could ceasefire immediately and solve
the Darfur issue as soon as possible through
peaceful negotiations." Liu said.
China hopes the Sudanese government could attach importance to
the concern of China, and take effective measures to ensure the
safety of the Chinese workers, Liu added.
Deal on selling fighter jets denied
China denied a Russian report that it will sell fighter jets to
Iran, saying no talks were conducted between China and Iran.
"The report is false and irresponsible," Liu said. "We hope the
Russian newspaper could clarify its report," he added.
Indian Congress Party President's visit
Liu said Indian Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi is in
China for a five-day visit at the invitation of the Communist Party
of China, during which she will meet with CPC and China's state
leaders.
"We attach great importance to President Gandhi's China visit,
which will further promote the relations between the two parties,
enhance the understanding between the two peoples and?advance
friendly cooperation between the two countries," said Liu.
Besides Beijing, Gandhi will visit Xi'an, capital of
northwestern Shaanxi Province, and Shanghai, China's
economic hub.
Singapore FM to visit
Foreign Minister of Singapore George Yeo Yong Boon will pay an
official visit to China on Friday in order to discuss bilateral
relations and possibly on the Myanmar issue, Liu said.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will hold talks with his
Singaporean counterpart.
"We hope the two sides can reach some consensus on the Myanmar
issue and jointly play a constructive role in easing in Myanmar, we
want to support reconciliation and stability in Myanmar," Liu
said.
Israeli vice PM to visit
Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Tzipi Livni will pay an official visit to China from October 28 to
30 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2007)
