Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing
Tuesday that the central government of China strongly opposes
Taiwan's adding the word "Taiwan" to the cover of its new
passports.
It is reported that the Taiwan authorities had taken the move to
avoid confusion.
Kong said the interpretation is unacceptable to the central
government of China.
He said adding "Taiwan" to the cover of its passport is an
example of Taiwan's attempt to seek the "gradual independence of
Taiwan" and another serious step to damage cross-strait
relations.
On?Beijing six-party talks
China suggested that the United Nations Security Council take a
cautious attitude toward getting involved in the Korean nuclear
issue.
"Considering that the six-party talks in Beijing achieved some
progress and the parties concerned reached certain consensus, China
thinks that the UN Security Council should take a discreet attitude
toward getting involved at the current time," Kong Quan said.
When asked whether China felt disappointed with the remarks made
by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) recently on the
six-party talks, Kong said "China has no reason whatsoever to feel
disappointed".
As an Asian nation, a permanent member of the UN Security
Council and also a large developing country, China hopes to make
its due contribution to peace in Asia as well as in the world at
large, Kong said.
He noted that China has been making unremitting efforts to
resolve the Korean nuclear issue ever since it emerged.
"China's efforts have won the full affirmation of the
international community and the other five parties attending the
six-nation talks in Beijing," he said.
Kong appealed to all parties to abide by the consensus reached
at the three-day talks and refrain from taking any measures that
might complicate or inflame the issue more.
He also called for the parties to maintain communication and
close contact and study the other parties' stances very carefully
so as to make preparations for the next round of talks.
Regarding the timing of the second round of talks, Kong said
that it could not be settled now. As for whether the next talks
would be held in Beijing, he said China's attitude toward that was
“flexible and open".
"As long as the suggestion is conducive to resolving the Korean
nuclear issue peacefully, China will actively take it into
consideration," he said.
All the six parties need to take some time to study the other
sides' positions after the talks so as to make policies for the
next step, Kong said.
He said that China hopes each party could proceed from the peace
and stability in Asia and the world and stay on the track of
solving the nuclear issue through dialogue and diplomatic channels
to continue making efforts.
The significance of the Beijing six-party talks, Kong
acknowledged, is that the parties concerned sat together, and held
discussions on the Korean nuclear issue.
The talks could help increase mutual understanding and lay down
a foundation for reducing disputes and broadening consensus in the
future, he said.
"China is fully aware of the intricacies of the Korean nuclear
issue and the twists and turns and difficulties in continuing the
talks," Kong said.
"But we believe the six parties all have one consensus, which is
the hope that the talks will continue, mutual understanding will be
deepened, suspicion will be reduced, consensus will be broadened
and a peaceful solution to the Korean nuclear issue could be
reached eventually," the spokesman said.
RMB exchange rates to maintain stable
China will maintain the stability of exchange rates of its
currency, the Renminbi (RMB).
In response to a question at the press conference, Kong said
that since 1994, China has adopted a regulated, floating exchange
rate system based on market supply and demand.
This system will be perfected along with the development of
China, he said.
Kong said the stability of exchange rates of the RMB will surely
benefit the economy of China, Asia and the world.
China hopes sanctions on Libya will be lifted
soon
China hopes the United Nations will remove its sanctions on
Libya at an early date, said the Foreign Ministry spokesman.
In response to a question at a regular press conference, Kong
said the people of Libya have suffered from the sanctions and China
hopes the related issues for lifting them will be settled at an
early date.
Kong said he believed this wish would come true soon.
(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2003)