China on Thursday refuted a report released by Amnesty International (AI) that criticizes its efforts to improve human rights.

 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang said this at a regular press conference when asked to comment on the new AI report which accuses China of having failed to fulfill promises made during its bid for the Olympic Games to improve human rights.

 

Qin said the AI has always been prejudiced against China and "its reports are usually politically motivated." 

 

The AI, established in London on May 28, 1961, is an international human rights organization.

 

Qin pointed out that it is a violation of the aims of the Olympic Games if any organization or individual intentionally attempts to politicize the event.

 

Anyone who thinks China's determination to improve human rights was merely a ploy to be able to host the Olympic Games is simply revealing the poverty of his own heart and imagination, Qin said.

 

Qin stressed that China sees the respect and protection of human rights as a lofty target to which it dedicates unremitting efforts. The Chinese government is committed to promoting democracy and legal systems, building up a country that is ruled by law and striving for a fair, just and harmonious society so as to realize the all-round development of its people.

 

Preparation work is progressing smoothly, Qin added. China is fulfilling the promises it made during its bid for the Olympic Games and will continue to do so.

 

China is confident that it has the capacity to host a successful Olympic Games.

 

Qin also announced that China and Japan will hold the sixth round of strategic dialogue in Tokyo on September 23 and 24.

 

Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Yachi Shotaro will head the two delegations to the meeting, Qin said.

 

"China would like to take this opportunity to exchange views with Japan on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern," Qin said.

 

It was still unknown whether Dai would meet with Shinzo Abe, the newly-elected president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Qin said.

 

China and Japan held the previous five rounds of strategic dialogue in May, June and October last year, and February and May this year.

 

Qin also urged Japan to take substantive action to show its commitment to improving China-Japan ties.

 

"China hopes the new leader of the Japanese LDP will match his actions to his words, and make concrete efforts to improve and develop bilateral ties," Qin said.

 

The top priority at this time is to eradicate the obstacles to improved China-Japan relations.

 

"The proper and correct handling of the history issue and the Taiwan issue constitutes the political basis for China-Japan relations."

 

Sino-Japanese relations have been soured by Koizumi's repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where Japan's war dead, including 14 Class A Second World War criminals, are honored.

 

Koizumi's last shrine visit on August 15, the 61st anniversary of his country's surrender, further damaged relations.

 

Qin said China had maintained a "clear and consistent" attitude on China-Japan relations, including the Yasukuni Shrine and other historical issues.

 

China has always attached great importance to China-Japan ties, and would like to advance by learning from history and looking forward to the future, Qin said.

 

When asked to assess Koizumi's foreign policy, Qin said: "Koizumi has held the office of prime minister for five years. During his time in charge, the changes in China-Japan ties were visible to everybody."

 

"As for the new leader of Japan, we will listen to his words and observe his deeds," Qin said.

 

In response to criticism by foreign officials, Qin denounced the accusation that China had extended high-interest loans to poor countries, saying the criticism is "sensationalism."

 

"The criticism, which seeks to link the poverty of those countries to China, is pure sensationalism.

 

"It's understandable that when favorable loans cannot satisfy their total economic development needs, low-income countries will seek other forms of finance, including non-favorable loans," Qin said.

 

"The crux is whether these loans help encourage low-income countries' economic development and reduce poverty."

 

As a developing country, China has done a lot to help African countries eradicate poverty, Qin said.

 

Over the past few years, China has waived debts of 10.5 billion yuan (US$1.31 billion) owed by 31 African and least developed countries.

 

Last year, China announced that it would grant tariff-free treatment to 39 least developed countries that have diplomatic ties with China.

 

China also decided to write off loans, which had been due in 2004, of those heavily indebted countries with diplomatic ties with China.

 

Qin said that China is making various efforts to improve the effect of the loans and try to be open, fair and transparent.

 

The favorable loans China offered to developing countries are applied to benefit the countries' long-term development, mainly on upgrading their infrastructures.

 

China has also taken other measures to help African nations eradicate poverty, including increasing imports, cutting tariff, encouraging Chinese companies to invest in Africa.

 

Qin also called for developed countries to take substantial measures to cut debts of underdeveloped countries.

 

Turning to the ties with Costa Rica, Qin said China hopes to normalize diplomatic relations with Costa Rica at an early date.

 

"We hope both sides could make further efforts to create conditions for normalizing China-Costa Rica relations as early as possible."

 

Qin's remarks came after a meeting between Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Costa Rican President Oscar Arias on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

 

China takes positive attitudes towards establishing and developing normal nation-to-nation relations with Costa Rica, Qin added.

 

Costa Rica is one of the 24 countries which have "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan.

 

As for the Iran nuclear issue, Qin said China holds the view that there is still room for a peaceful solution to the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations.

 

Qin said China holds a very clear stance over the nuclear issue and advocates solving the issue peacefully through diplomatic negotiations.

 

Qin pointed out that recent talks between the EU and Iran have made "some positive progress," adding that China hopes such momentum could be maintained and carried forward.

 

China hopes that relevant parties can continue such positive dialogue and move toward a peaceful solution to the Iran nuclear issue, Qin noted.

 

Turning to Tuesday's military coup in Thailand, Qin also warned Chinese nationals there to be careful and keep away from possible rally places.

 

The ministry advised Chinese citizens not to get close to the forbidden areas earmarked by the Thai authorities and to be mindful of their personal security.

 

According to the ministry, Thai TV stations have released news that a democratic and political reform commission consisting of military commanders and chief police officials has been formed and has taken control of Bangkok and adjacent regions.

 

Thai authorities also issued an order of martial law, forbidding any rally that involves five people or more.

 

The ministry said if Chinese citizens need help, they can contact the Chinese embassy in Bangkok.

 

The Thai army took action on Tuesday night to oust Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was attending the UN General Assembly in New York.

 

Thailand is a major tourist destination for Chinese with 700,000 to 800,000 Chinese traveling there every year.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2006)