China on Thursday expressed its support for the establishment of
the UN Human Rights Council, and its hope that the new body avoids
political confrontation, which was a major disadvantage of the
Commission on Human Rights.
"China will work closely with parties concerned and actively
participate in the work of the council to promote the development
of international human rights in a healthy way," Foreign Ministry
spokesman Qin Gang said at yesterday's regular press
conference.
The UN resolution to form the council was adopted on Wednesday
by member states with 170 votes in favor, four against and three
abstentions. The US, Israel, Marshall Islands and Palau voted
against it, and Iran, Belarus and Venezuela abstained.
In response to a question about a trilateral dialogue among the
US, Japan and Australia tomorrow, where China's military build-up
is reported to be a topic, Qin said those who criticize China as
not being transparent with its military spending should be
"objective."
"China has a defensive military policy, has taken appropriate
measures for transparency in its military budget, and regularly
publishes its defense white papers," he said.
"We hope other countries take an objective view on this issue,"
he said, adding: "We hope they do something conducive to mutual
trust, peace and stability in the region."
He also pointed out that China has increased military exchanges
with other countries.
On illegal immigration, Qin said China will accept the
repatriation of its citizens who have been declared illegal
immigrants in other countries once their identities have been
confirmed.
The international community should work closely to solve illegal
immigration issues, he said.
On energy cooperation, he said China is ready to cooperate with
other countries including the US in the energy field on an equally
and mutually beneficial basis.
He said China and the US share huge potential prospects in
energy cooperation, which not only covers oil and gas resources,
but also includes renewable and clean energy.
The two sides should jointly explore ways to conduct energy
cooperation through established mechanisms, he said.
Turning to Japan, Qin said the recent remarks by Japan's foreign
minister violate diplomatic knowledge and are "hard to
understand."
It was reported that Taro Aso said on Wednesday that it is
difficult for him to understand China's increasing trade with North
Korea and he will "make representations" to the Chinese Foreign
Ministry about it.
Qin said the representations concerning China-North Korea trade
have not been delivered and, in any case, China will not accept
such representations.
Aso also reportedly said on Wednesday that Japan will never
accept China's latest suggestion of jointly exploring the East
China Sea resources and Japan might possibly take measures to
confront China if it proceeds with exploration.
Qin noted that China has repeatedly explained its position on
this issue, and it is China's sovereign right to explore areas that
are within its offshore territory and not near the disputed
area.
China holds that such disputes should be handled through
consultations, he added.
If the Japanese side takes unilateral action in the disputed
areas, it will infringe upon China's sovereign rights and
interests, a move that will be firmly opposed by China, he
said.
"We hope both sides will properly settle issues concerning the
East China Sea issue through consultations so as to avoid further
complicating the situation," he noted.
Turning to the Middle East, Qin said China condemns Israel's
military operation in the West Bank town of Jericho, which has
caused personnel casualties and property losses as well as an
escalation of tensions.
China has called on parties concerned to maintain restraint and
avoid intensifying conflicts, and make efforts to restore calm.
Israeli forces raided the Jericho prison on Tuesday, demanding
the surrender of six jailed militants including Ahmed Saadat,
leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Qin also said that China does not impose any political
conditions when it provides aid to Palestine and other
countries
He added that China and Palestine enjoy very good relations and
the Chinese people consistently sympathize with and support the
Palestinian people's just cause.
China has provided assistance to Palestine according to the
Palestinian people's demands in the past, and will continue to do
so in the future, he noted.
Moreover, Qin said China will fulfill its commitment of
providing US$10 billion of preferential loans to underdeveloped
countries.
In the three years ahead, China is scheduled to provide US$10
billion in preferential loans to underdeveloped countries. It was
announced by Premier Wen
Jiabao at the end of the Fourth
Plenary Session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC)
on Tuesday.
Qin said China will fulfill the commitment and confer with the
relevant countries through such existing mechanisms as the
China-Africa Cooperation Forum and the China-Arab Cooperation
Forum.
President Hu
Jintao, when attending the UN's 60th anniversary summit last
September, announced new measures to help other developing
countries including the provision of more aid for such
countries.
These measures embody China's devotion to world peace,
development and prosperity.
Also at yesterday's briefing, Qin said Spanish Foreign Minister
Miguel Angel Moratinos will visit China from March 20 to 23.
(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily March 17, 2006)