BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhuanet) -- China denied Thursday that two Chinese students have been killed in Japan.

    A short news release issued by Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Japanese media reports that two Chinese students had been killed in Japan were untrue.

    "We have carefully checked the facts, and the story is false," Qin said, without revealing details.

    Policy on Vatican unchanged

    At the regular press conference yesterday, the spokesman said China's basic principles in dealing with its relationship with Vatican "remain unchanged".

   China hopes Vatican will take "concrete actions to create conditions to improve bilateral relations instead of setting new obstacles for it," Qin said. 

    He said China has persistently followed two principles in dealing with relations with Vatican. Vatican should first of all sever its "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan; Secondly, it should promise not to interfere in China's internal affairs, including any intervention on the pretext of religious activities.

  Germany's role in UN

   When asked to make comments on Germany's candidacy for a permanent seat at the Security Council, Qin said China supports Germany to play a greater role in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations. And China is also willing to maintain contact and consultations with Germany on the United Nations reforms.

    Germany is an important member of the European Union, and with adherence to peaceful development, Germany plays an active role in international affairs, which is acknowledged by the international community, Qin said.

    UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's report on reforming the United Nations has been under discussion at the General Assembly. Qin said the UN reforms cover various fields and levels, and China supports reforms of the UN Security Council.

    Qin said China believes that the priority of the Security Council reforms should be given to increasing the representation of developing countries.

    Views from all concerned parties should be taken into account in the discussion on the matter, and the reforms should be decided through consultation and with consensus, Qin said.

    China is not in favor of setting an artificial time limit for the Security Council reform or forcing a hasty vote, he noted.  Enditem