China expressed its hope Friday that the European Parliament (EP), as an important body of the European Union (EU), will strictly adhere to the "one-China" principle and immediately cease its interference in China's internal affairs so that the overall Sino-European partnership can maintain a steady and sound development.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan made the remarks when asked to comment on the report of the "Communications Commission on Europe and Asia: a Strategic Framework for Enhanced Partnerships" which was passed on Sept. 5 by the EP with nine articles concerning Taiwan.

Kong said the EP report expressed support for Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization and for the issuance of visas to several of Taiwan's political figures, including Chen Shui-bian, to enable them to visit Europe. These actions are clearly in violation of the "one-China" principle, which has been traditionally adhered to by the EU.

They were, in essence, a conniving form of support for "Taiwan independence" forces, said Kong, stressing that the Chinese side is extremely dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to such actions.

When asked to comment on the visit to the United States by the so-called "Vice-Defense Minister of Taiwan" Kang Ningxiang, Kong said China has been in consistent opposition to any contact of official capacity between the United States and Taiwan, the spokesman said. China has already made serious representations to the United States.

If the United States allowed Kang to visit, it would seriously violate the three Sino-US joint communiquis, and grossly interfere with China's internal affairs, Kong said. And it would give out wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" force and run counter to the interests of the people of China and the US.

The US side should clearly recognize the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, draw the past lessons and keep its promises, so as to avoid impairing Sino-US relations and damaging common interests of both countries, Kong said.

Turning to the latest violence in Afghanistan, Kong said China is shocked to learn and strongly condemns Thursday's assassination attempt against Afghan President Hamid Karzai along with the bomb explosion attack in Kabul.

The peace process and post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan, he noted, were only in its initial stage, a stage that precisely requires the complete dedication and common efforts of all factions and ethnic groups in Afghanistan.

China hopes and believes that under the leadership of President Karzai and the Afghan interim government, Afghanistan will embark on the road of peace and development at the earliest possible date, the spokesman said.

(Edited from Xinhua News Agency, September 7, 2002)