China has lodged solemn representation with Vietnam over its
attempt to open "a tourist route" by boat to the Nansha Islands and
launch tourist activities in the upcoming April, Foreign Ministry
spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing Thursday.
Kong told a regular news briefing that China has
indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and surrounding
waters and the move taken by Vietnam has infringed on China's
territorial sovereignty.
Kong said it is the important consensus and common
responsibility of all relevant countries in the region to maintain
stability in the South China Sea.
"We hope relevant countries honor the consensus and respect the
principles set forth in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties
in the South China Sea Between China and the Association of
Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN)," he said.
Kong also urged relevant sides to correct the wrongdoing, avoid
taking any act that may lead to further complication of the
situation there and make concrete efforts to maintain stability in
the South China Sea.
In another development, the Chinese side demands the Japanese
side to guarantee the security of the seven detained Chinese
citizens and release them immediately and
unconditionally.
Japan forcefully detained seven Chinese citizens who landed on
China's own Diaoyu Island and moved them to the Okinawa prefecture
of Japan.
Kong said this illegal action by the Japanese side
constitutes a serious provocation of China's territorial
sovereignty and an abuse of the human rights of the Chinese
citizens.
He emphasized that the Chinese side voices its protest over the
event.
The Chinese government has instructed officials with the Chinese
Embassy in Japan to head to the spot and handle relevant
matters.
After the incident, China has lodged nine representations to the
Japanese side, Kong said, underscoring the stance of the Chinese
government on the Diaoyu Island issue, namely, the Diaoyu Island
and the attached islets have been part of the Chinese territory
since ancient times and China has indisputable sovereignty over
these islands.
On the protest by Chinese people before the Japanese Embassy to
China, Kong said, Chinese people have to express their will through
certain channels for their national feelings were seriously hurt by
the actions of the Japanese side.
China has stated repeatedly that the differences between China
and Japan on the Diaoyu Island issue should be resolved through
negotiations, Kong said.
Turning to the current Beijing visit of Bahr Ul-Uloum, president
of the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC), the spokesman said China
hopes Iraq will resume stability and realize "Iraqi people
governing Iraq" at an early date, and expressed the hope that
Ul-Uloum's visit would enhance the understanding between the two
sides.
Noting that the Chinese government's attitude and stance on the
Iraq issue have been consistent, he said the Chinese government
always holds that international disputes and conflicts should be
resolved through political means and under the framework of the
United Nations.
China's stance is consistent with UN Security Council's relevant
resolutions and the common aspiration of the international
community, Kong said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Ul-Uloum Thursday and State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will hold talks with him Friday, the
spokesman said, adding that during his visit, Ul-Uloum would also
visit Zhongguancun Hi-tech Park in Beijing, which is dubbed as
China's silicon valley, and the Great Wall.
Ul-Uloum arrived here Thursday afternoon for a visit to China
from March 25 to 27 at the invitation of the Chinese side. This is
the first China tour for the IGC president.
Moving on to Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's Pyongyang
visit, the spokesman said China and the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) reached extensive consensus over a wide
range of issues during the visit.
Kong said that Li held a series of important meetings and talks
with the DPRK leaders, including meetings with Kim Jong-il, general
secretary of the Worker's Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the
National Defense Commission of the DPRK, Kim Yong-nam, president of
the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, DPRK Foreign
Minister Paek Nam-sun and DPRK First Vice Foreign Minister Kang
Sok-ju.
The two sides discussed a wide range of issues with focus on
bilateral ties, including political exchanges and cooperation in
economic and other areas, he said.
The two sides also exchanged views on the nuclear issue on the
Korean Peninsula, and other regional and international issues of
common concern, he said, adding that the visit was successful.
In the meeting between Li and Kim Jong-il, Kong said, the two
sides discussed the six-party talks and the setting up of relevant
working groups.
China has fully exchanged views with other five parties,
including the DPRK, on the strategic document on the working
groups, he said.
China will further its discussions with the other five sides and
endeavored to hold working group meetings at an early date so as to
make preparation for the third round of six-party talks before the
upcoming June, he said.
The six-party talks group China, the DPRK, the United States,
the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan. The first and second round
of talks were held in Beijing in August of 2003 and February of
2004, respectively.
Li began his official visit to the DPRK on Tuesday and will
conclude the visit on Thursday evening.
After wrapping up his trip to Pyongyang, Li will head a
delegation to attend the donor nations' conference for Afghanistan
in Berlin from March 31 to April 1, Kong announced.
China has rendered consistent support for and actively
participated in the process of peace and reconstruction in
Afghanistan, Kong said.
During the meeting, Li will expound the views and stand of the
Chinese government on the Afghan issue, announce assistance
measures to Afghanistan and confer with certain state leaders and
foreign ministers on major international and regional issues, the
spokesman said.
The two-day Berlin conference, the second of its kind since the
collapse of the Taliban in Afghanistan, is to begin on March 31 in
the capital of Germany and so far 54 countries and international
organizations have expressed willingness to attend.
Earlier in 2002 the international community at a similar
conference held in Tokyo pledged US$4.5 billion over five years for
the rebuilding of post-Taliban Afghanistan.
Also at yesterday's briefing, the spokesman said China will take
responsible measures to ensure the safety of all embassies and
consulates in the country, including the Israeli Embassy.
Kong said the Chinese government will also take measures to
guarantee the stable life and safety of foreigners as they travel,
do business and live in the country.
According to the spokesman, Colombian Foreign Minister Maria
Carolina Barco Isackson will pay an official visit to China from
April 5 to 8 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing; Lesotho Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education
Archibald Lesao Lehohla will pay an official visit to China from
April 1 to 9 at the invitation of the Chinese government; and
Mozambique President Joaquim Alberto Chissano will pay a working
visit to China from April 4 to 9 at the invitation of Chinese
President Hu Jintao.
(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2004)