China on Thursday called on the international community to ramp
up diplomatic efforts for a proper settlement of the Iran nuclear issue.
Foreign Minsitry spokesperson Jiang Yu said?on Thursday at
a regular press conference that the Chinese side hopes that "Iran
will abide by the UN resolution and continue to demonstrate
flexibility and fully cooperate with the international
community."
She also reiterated calls for peaceful settlement of the Iran
nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations. "Our position on the
Iran nuclear issue is consistent. We support the maintaining of the
international nuclear non-proliferation system and the peace and
stability of the Middle East area," she said.
Jiang said the Chinese side hopes for an early resumption of
talks to break the stalemate and seek a comprehensive, long-term
and proper settlement to the issue.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili has arrived in
Beijing for talks on Thursday with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and meeting with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Friday, Jiang said.
A meeting of five countries holding permanent UN Security
Council seats, plus Germany, will be convened in Berlin next week
on the Iran nuclear issue, according to the US State
Department.
Fish boat robberies
China has asked Vietnam to seriously investigate a recent
robbery of some of its fishing vessels by Vietnamese fishermen in
the Beibu Gulf.
"China is highly concerned about the case, and has made
representations to Vietnam and required the Vietnamese side to
seriously investigate and handle the case, and at the same time,
take effective measures to avoid further cases," said Jiang.
According to Jiang, on Jan. 7, some fishing vessels from south
China's Hainan Province were robbed by armed Vietnamese fishermen
amid normal operations in the Beibu Gulf, situated in the northern
part of the South China Sea, leading to lost property.
She said Vietnam promised to coordinate with China in the
investigation into the robbery.
"We are ready to make joint efforts with the Vietnamese side to
safeguard stability in the Beibu Gulf and the immediate interests
of the fishermen living along the gulf."
Taiwan Straits
Jiang said that the Chinese government hopes the United States
will be cautious while operating in the Taiwan Straits, a highly
sensitive region.
The remarks were made while answering media questions about the
visit of Timothy Keating, Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific
Command.
Jiang said she hopes the US side would adhere to the promises it
had made on the Taiwan issue and safeguard peace and stability
across the Taiwan Straits and the overall situation of China-US
relations with concrete actions.
Keating reaffirmed the United States' adherence to the one-China
policy during his visit, which the Chinese side appreciated, Jiang
said.
She added that the stable and healthy development of China-US
relations conformed to the basic benefits of the two countries and
was conducive to the peace and stability of the Asian-Pacific
region and the whole world.
Keating ended his four-day tour in China after leaving Guangzhou
on Wednesday afternoon. This was his second visit to China since he
was appointed commander-in-chief of the US Pacific Command.
China-Germany relations
China hopes that Germany and China will handle mutual ties from
a strategic and comprehensive view, and ensure that the relations
between the two countries develop in a healthy and stable way, said
Jiang on Thursday.
The two sides need to recognize and pay attention to the
important issues of concern to each other, said Jiang.
When asked to comment on German Chancellor Angela Merkel's words
that Germany is willing to improve Sino-German relations, Jiang
said China values Merkel's attitude greatly.
Merkel also revealed plan to visit China in October during the
Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Tuesday, and wished success for the
2008 Olympic Games.
Jiang said China attaches great importance to the ties with
Germany, and always develops relations with Germany under the
principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, as well
as the non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
Terrorist attack in Afghanistan
China was "shocked" by the terrorist attack against Norwegian
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and his delegation, which killed
one person, said Jiang.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has sent a telegraph to Stoere
expressing condolences for the victim, Yang told a regular press
conference on Thursday.
Jiang said Yang also extended sympathy for Stoere, the injured
and their families.
China strongly condemns and firmly opposes any form of terrorism
and is willing to work with the international community toward
world peace and stability, said Jiang.
A Norwegian delegation headed by Stoere was hit by a terrorist
attack on Monday at a luxury hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Stoere avoided injury. But a Norwegian journalist was killed and an
employee of Norway's Foreign Ministry was seriously wounded.
China's worry about Kosovo independence
China is worried about the unilateral declaration of
independence by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders, Jiang said.
Jiang said how to solve the problem in Kosovo is a matter that
relates to peace and stability in the Balkan region and the basic
norms of international relations.
"The Chinese side believes that finding a solution acceptable to
both Serbia and the Kosovo Provisional Institutions of
Self-Government is the best way out, and the international
community should continue making efforts in this direction," Jiang
said.
(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2008)
