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)