China has announced that it will not evacuate engineers and
technicians from Pakistan after an incident where three Chinese
engineers were shot dead on Wednesday.
"I don't think all Chinese people in Pakistan should leave the
country because of this," Foreign Ministry' spokesperson Qin Gang
said at a regular press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
However, he advised Chinese people living there to be alert and
to protect themselves.
Qin stressed, however, that China is very concerned and has
urged Pakistan to take measures to step up the protection of
resident Chinese.
"We have consulted Pakistan on the issue many times and they are
dealing with the matter," Qin added.
The Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Commerce have
also sent task forces to deal with the issue.
Three Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver were killed
on Wednesday when their car was attacked by gunmen in the town of
Hub, some 700 km southeast of Quetta, provincial capital of
Balochistan. Three other Chinese people who were also in the car at
the time escaped unhurt.
The victims, Long Hongbao, Wei Jianpin and Zhao Bin were
shot.
The engineers were working for a Chinese company contracted to
construct a local cement factory that is to be completed in the
first half of this year.
Dalai Lama's Middle East
visit
When asked to comment on the Dalai Lama's recent visit to the
Middle East, Qin Gang said that the Chinese government firmly
opposes the Dalai Lama's attempt to split the country.
Qin said the aim of the Dalai Lama's visit was to promote the
"so-called internationalization" of the Tibet question to achieve
his goal of splitting the motherland.
Iranian nuclear
issue
The Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved through diplomatic
negotiations, Qin said.
Qin called for sober-mindedness, restraint and patience to
settle the issue.
He told reporters that China is very concerned with the latest
developments of the Iranian nuclear issue and China's position is
always consistent and clear: China is in opposition to any
proliferation of nuclear weapons.
China-US
relations
Qin called for efforts to handle
China-US relations from "long-term" and "strategic"
perspectives.
Qin emphasized bilateral trade relations, highlighting that the
trade cooperation between the two countries is win-win and mutually
beneficial.
Qin acknowledged that there trade disputes do exist, but
stressed that these should be resolved through dialogue.
"Pressure in any form or sanctions will not only hamper China-US
trade relations, but also undermine the US' vested interests," Qin
said.
Pakistani president's China
visit
Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf's upcoming visit to
China will help push forward the
Sino-Pakistan strategic partnership of cooperation, Qin
said.
At the invitation of President Hu, Musharraf will pay a state
visit to China from February 19 to 23.
Qin said that during the president's stay in China, Musharraf
and Chinese leaders will exchange in-depth views on promoting
bilateral ties and on international and regional issues of common
concern. The related departments from the two countries will sign
some documents of cooperation.
China and Pakistan are friendly neighbors who share good
friendship and cooperation, Qin said, noting that the cooperation
between them includes combating the "three evil forces" of
terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Qin added that their cooperation to this end will contribute to
the peace and stability of the two nations and the region.
Pakistan is an observer country of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, which was established to safeguard regional peace,
security and stability. "We expect more and increased cooperation
with Pakistan in this respect," Qin said.
Noting that Sino-Pakistan relations have witnessed stable and
healthy development in recent years, Qin said this year is the 55th
anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic ties,
and Musharraf's visit is the first in a series of events marking
the anniversary.
"I am convinced that Musharraf's visit to China will be a
success," he said.
Internet development
China commits itself to creating a "healthy, sound and orderly"
environment for Internet development, Qin said.
Qin added that China regulates the Internet in accordance with
the law, a common practice around the world.
UK Deputy PM to visit China
John Prescott, UK deputy prime minister and First Secretary of
State will pay an official visit to China from February 19 to 26 at
the invitation of the Chinese government, Qin announced.
Micronesian FM to visit China
Qin also announced that Sebastian Anefal, Secretary of the
Department of External Affairs of the Federated States of
Micronesia will visit China from February 22 to 28 at the
invitation of Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing.
(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2006)