BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhuanet) -- The issue of RMB exchange rate is likely to be discussed at the upcoming G8 plus five summit, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesman. 

    "If relevant countries are interested in it, I think the issue will be discussed," spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a regular news briefing on Thursday.

    The G8 Summit Outreach Session will be held in Britain between the G8 and leaders of China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico. Chinese President Hu jintao will attend the summit at the invitation of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

    Liu said the summit will mainly focus on the global economy andclimate change. He said Hu will elaborate on China's opinions on the two topics.

    Meanwhile, Hu will also introduce China's policy and relevant measures on its energy demands and the harmonious development of society and economy, and put forward certain cooperative proposals on that.

    The spokesman said Hu's participation into the G8 plus five summit is aimed at enhancing communication between the developed and developing countries and improving understanding between the two sides on key international issues and common challenges.

    When asked whether China's is willing to join the G8, Liu said "China attaches great importance to the influence and role of G8 in international affairs. We are willing to improve communication and cooperation with the G8."

    The G8, evolved from the G7, comprise the world's seven leading industrial powers -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- plus Russia.

    In June 2003, French President Jacques Chirac invited leaders of several developing countries including China, India and Brazil to have informal dialogues with G8 leaders at the 29th G8 summit meeting in France. Hu accepted the invitation and joined the dialogue.

    On Hu's attendance at the summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Kazak capital of Astana, Liusaid the member states will exchange views on improving cooperation on fighting against the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism, safeguarding regional security and improving economic and trade cooperation among SCO member states.

    There are reports that India, Pakistan and Iran will also attend the SCO summit as observers. Liu said the SCO is an open organization and those countries participation into the SCO as observers will help improve their cooperation with the SCO .

    "But as for the expansion of SCO membership, it requires consultation of all SCO member states," Liu said.

    The SCO is an inter-governmental organization founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with an aim of enhancing confidence-building, promoting regional cooperation and security and working together for the creation of a new international political and economic order featuring democracy, justice and rationality.

    The Foreign Ministry has announced that President Hu is scheduled to pay a state visit to Russia and Kazakhstan, and attend the SCO summit meeting in Astana before attending the G8 plus five summit in England. His visit will last from June 30 to July 7.

Vice FM's Japan tour

    China hopes Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo's Japan tour for the second round of Sino-Japanese strategic talks can help increase common understanding between the two countries and create conditions for the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations, Liu said.

    Dai left here Thursday morning for Japan, and will confer with Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Shotaro Yachi on Sino-Japanese relations and issues of common concern.

    Liu said Dai's attendance of the talks is "another important effort" from China to improve Sino-Japanese ties. The talks between the two countries' foreign ministries will help enhance mutual-understanding and expand consensus. It is also conducive tothe improvement and advancement of Sino-Japanese relations, he added.

    "We expect the two sides can conduct deep discussion on the problems in Sino-Japanese relations, and mark out the future development of bilateral ties", Liu said.

    The first round of talks, also attended by Dai and Shotaro Yachi, was conducted in Beijing from May 13 to 14 this year. The two sides agreed during the talks to continue the dialogue process, and held that the two-day dialogue was positive and helpful.

    He said that at present, Sino-Japanese political relations are at their worst period since the normalization of bilateral ties. China demands that Japan make concrete efforts on the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations, and take "correct, responsible" attitude on historical issues.

    "We ask Japan to properly handle the Taiwan issue, which is our serious concern, keep its promise on the Taiwan issue and avoid official contacts with Taiwan authorities in any form," the spokesman said.

    He said although severe problems exist between the two countries, China still holds a positive attitude on promoting Sino-Japanese relations.

Reconciliation between Sudanese gov't, opposition NDA welcomed

    China welcomes the reconciliation realized between the Sudanese government and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Liu said.

    The Chinese side will, as always, promote friendly andreciprocal cooperation with Sudan when asked to comment on the comprehensive reconciliation deal signed in Cairo last Saturday between the Sudanese government and the opposition NDA, a move believed to change the political landscape of the conflict-ridden African country.

    The agreement, inked by the Sudan's First Vice President Ali Osman Taha and NDA leader Mohamed Osman al-Merghani, ends 16 years of hostilities between Khartoum and the country's largest opposition group.

    The NDA, an umbrella opposition group, includes a dozen or so largely northern political parties, trade union representatives and the southern insurgent Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

    Liu cited the agreement as another major achievement scored by the Sudanese government in the process of its national reconciliation after peace was realized between the north and the south of the country at the beginning of this year.

    "It is conducive to the promotion of stabilization of the situation in Sudan," said Liu.

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