A Foreign Ministry spokesperson yesterday reiterated the
importance of improving and developing China's relationship with
Japan as the 68th anniversary of the Lugouqiao (Marco Polo Bridge)
Incident, which sparked Japan's all-out invasion, is marked.
Liu Jianchao acknowledged many difficulties in
current relations at Thursday's regular press conference, but
pointed out that there are positive aspects. "One thing is certain,
both China and Japan still attach great importance to their
relationship," he said, adding that they are both countries of
influence in the region and in the world.
"I think the two sides will try their best to
improve and develop relations. They have carried out a series of
consultations with this goal," he said. "Cooperation will benefit
each other, while conflict will wound both."
Liu urged Japan to "properly handle" outstanding
issues, history and Taiwan in particular, on the basis of the three
China-Japan political documents.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of
World
War II (1939-45) and China's victory in the War of
Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45), and there are
commemorative activities across the country.
Liu said, "The activities will help the people of
China, Asia and the whole world to cherish the hard-won peace."
He also urged all countries to foster a complete,
correct understanding of history through such commemorative
activities; "It will be of great significance for some countries
and for the peace and stability of Asia and the whole world at
large."
Liu said China will continue offering as much aid
to poor African countries as it can. "As a developing country,
China has a heavy development task itself; but it has provided
assistance within its own capacity to poor countries including
those in Africa over the past years."
China announced loan exemptions for some African
countries at the first ministerial-level meeting of the
China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing in October 2000.
Within two years, China fulfilled its commitments,
exempting 10.5 billion yuan (US$1.27 billion) in loans to 31
African countries.
"China hopes its efforts can help quicken the steps
of the international community to reduce or exempt loans to poor
countries," Liu said, adding that it is incumbent on developed
countries to help poor countries.
He welcomed the move taken by the Group of Eight
(G8) finance ministers to partially exempt loans to poor countries
at June's meeting in London. "We hope the decisions can be executed
at an early date."
The population of Africa is 10 percent of the world
total, but its economic output accounts for less than 1 percent,
and of the 49 most underdeveloped nations 34 are in Africa,
according to the UN.
On the Darfur issue, Liu said China welcomes the
agreement reached between Sudan's government and Darfur rebel
groups, saying political negotiation is the best way to resolve
it.
"The agreement is the result of progress made by
Sudan's government and rebel groups in peace talks, which is
conducive to the stability of Darfur region," he said.
He expressed hope that the issue could be resolved
appropriately at an early date under the auspices of the African
Union and with continuous efforts by the parties concerned.
Sudan's government and two Darfur rebel groups
ended their fifth round of talks on Tuesday with a broad agreement
on the African nation's unity and "justice and equality for
all."
A document released at the end of the talks
stressed "an effective devolution of powers" to regional
authorities, which mediators said would be further discussed in
talks scheduled for next month.
Liu also announced that Vice Premier Wu Yi
will visit Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan from
July 13 to 22.
During her visit to Kazakhstan, Wu and her
Kazakhstani counterpart Akhmetjan Esimov will preside over the
second meeting of China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee, he
said.
(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2005)