Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue stated Tuesday
that China was firmly opposed to the request by a senior Japanese
official to invite Taiwan to attend the World Health Organization
(WHO) as an observer.
Zhang said the WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations
and only sovereign states are entitled to become members and
participate in its activities.
Taiwan, as a province of China, is neither qualified to participate
in WHO activities nor is there any legal basis for the island
joining WHO in any capacity, she said.
Japanese health, labor and welfare minister Chikara Sakaguchi
proposed on Sunday that the WHO let Taiwan join the organization as
an observer.
"No country or individual has the right to invite Taiwan to
participate in the WHO as an observer," said Zhang.
The spokeswoman also revealed that Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi,
who has returned from a trip to Japan and the Republic of Korea
(ROK), has stated the position of the Chinese Government to
Japanese leaders.
Wang called on Japan to adhere to the one-China policy and preserve
the political basis for Sino-Japanese relations.
Explosions in Saudi Arabia and Chechnya
In
response to a question at a press conference, Zhang said China was
shocked at the explosions in Saudi Arabia that caused many
casualties, and expressed sympathy and condolences to their
families.
For the truck bomb blast in Chechnya Monday, China severely
condemns the terrorist attack in Chechnya, and expressed deep
sympathy and condolences to the casualties and their families,
according to Zhang.
China resolutely opposed terrorism in all forms and would continue,
as always, to support the Russian government in fighting terrorist
and separatist forces and maintaining national unity and
territorial integrity, Zhang said.
Beijing talks, a good start
When coming to DPRK issue, Zhang said the Beijing talks were a good
start for the peaceful resolution of the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear issue. The process should continue
and the momentum of dialogue should be maintained.
Diplomatic efforts centering on the DPRK nuclear issue have been
frequent and active recently, she said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing had a phone conversation with
Secretary of State Colin Powell of the United States at the
latter's request on May 9 and they exchanged views on the Iraq
issue and the DPRK nuclear issue.
During the conversation, the US side expressed appreciation and
thanks for China's efforts for the Beijing talks, saying the
meeting was helpful. Li said China had always maintained that the
DPRK nuclear issue should be resolved through dialogue and by
peaceful means.
Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited the Republic of
Korea and Japan for diplomatic consultations. Wang emphasized the
need for a peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue through
dialogue and said Beijing talks should continue. The ROK and
Japanese governments agreed with the view, according to the
spokeswoman.
Zhang said China had always highly appreciated the support of the
ROK and Japan for resolving the DPRK nuclear issue through
dialogue.
The Chinese side welcomed countries concerned over the issue to
play a constructive role in the process, she said.
China would continue its efforts to help resolve the issue in a
proper way as soon as possible, she said.
China's special envoy to visit Israel, Palestine
As
for the Middle East issue, Zhang declared that Ambassador Wang
Shijie, China's special envoy on the Middle East issue, would leave
on May 18 for a visit to Israel and Palestine on May 18.
During the visit Wang is expected to exchange views with Israel and
Palestine on the "Road Map" peace plan, Zhang said.
Zhang said as the party concerned have unveiled the "Road Map" for
Mideast peace, China hoped both Israel and Palestine would seize
the opportunity and cooperate with the international community in
their efforts to ensure the early implementation of the Road Map
and the realization of peace and stability.
China was ready to push for an early settlement of the issue, said
Zhang.
China to Be "Constructive" on Iraq Issue
China will discuss the new draft resolution to lift sanctions
against Iraq with other members of the UN Security Council in a
constructive spirit, Zhang said at the press conference.
Zhang said China was studying the draft resolution, which was
submitted to the UN Security Council by the United States, Britain
and Spain.
US
Secretary of State Colin Powell had briefed China on the contents
of the draft during a phone conversation with Chinese Foreign
Minister Li Zhaoxing, she said.
She said Iraq's post-war reconstruction concerned the long-term
interests of Iraqi people and exerted a direct influence on peace
and stability in the Middle East. China always considered lifting
the sanctions would help to ease the humanitarian problems in
Iraq.
Thanks to international community
China thanked the international community for supporting and aiding
its fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and
China understands why some countries are imposing restrictive
travel measures on its citizens to curb the spread of SARS.
In
recent days more countries and international organizations have
offered help and support, Zhang went on.
The foreign ministers of many nations and heads of international
organizations have phoned Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, expressing
sympathy over the SARS outbreak in China and their support for the
country's fight against the epidemic.
"China is very grateful for the international community's support
and help," she said.
SARS is a global problem, which can be contained only through
international cooperation.
"China attaches great importance to effective cooperation with
other countries in this area," she said.
China understands why some countries are imposing restrictive
travel measures on its citizens to curb the spread of SARS. But
Zhang added, "We believe all sides should treat Chinese citizens
fairly as they go about their normal business."
Zhang said severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was an
unexpected disaster, and it took time for countries to learn how to
deal with it.
"To prevent the further spread of SARS, some countries have adopted
temporary measures, including putting restrictions on people from
infected areas, or taking quarantine measures on entry. China feels
that is understandable," she said.
Zhang expressed hope that the epidemic would be brought under
control soon so normal exchanges between China and foreign
countries could continue as normally as possible.
(China.org.cn May 14, 2003)