The Chinese government is ready to participate in international cooperation and contribute its share for maintaining and enhancing the safe navigation of the Malacca Straits with dominant role of the littoral states, Jü Chengzhi, director-general of the Ministry of Transportation, said in Jakarta Wednesday.

"China, as one of the main users of the straits, has always attached great importance to their safe passage and shown great concerns over the safe navigation and prevention of pollution caused by ships," Jü said.

Jü, leading a Chinese delegation, was present at a two-day meeting on the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, attended also by delegates from 29 countries.

The Chinese government, he said, supports the efforts and the dominant role of the littoral states -- Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore -- in safeguarding the sovereignty and security of the Malacca Straits pursuant to the UN Charter and other accepted international law.

"However, we have also been aware that the littoral states are facing increasing challenges from the continuing growth of maritime traffic to maintain the safe navigation of the straits and their resources being strained," he said.

"The Chinese government will consider mobilizing resources within our means to assist the littoral states at their request in the areas of capacity building, technical exchanges and personal training," he said.

Jü added that the Chinese government is also willing to provide the littoral states with substantive assistance such as hydrographic survey and aids to navigation.

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2005)