BEIJING, May 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday demanded that Libya cease all its official ties with Taiwan, in a bid to maintain the overall China-Libya relations.
"We are strongly dissatisfied with Libya and have lodged solemn representations to Libya," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told the regular briefing.
Despite China's persuasion and strong opposition, Libya allowed Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian to make a transit stop in Tripoli, capital of Libya, Wednesday. The Libyan government also held talks with Chen on mutually establishing representative offices.
"This is a serious violation of Libya's long-term commitment to the one-China policy and will exert a negative impact on China-Libya relations," Liu said.
"We demand that Libya live up to its commitment and immediately cease all official exchanges with Taiwan in whatever forms so as to maintain the overall China-Libya relations," the spokesman said.
Liu also called for the United States to take substantive actions to adhere to the one-China policy, three Sino-US joint communiques and commitment to opposing the "Taiwan independence".
Liu's remarks came after the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick said Wednesday that the United States did not support the "Taiwan independence," and the U.S. forces would get involved if Taiwan declares independence.
"Particularly, the United States should end sales of advanced weapons to Taiwan and military exchanges with Taiwan," Liu said.
UN secretary-general
Annan to visit China
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will pay an official
visit to China from May 19 to 23 at the invitation of the Chinese government,
said Liu.
This is Annan's seventh visit to China since he took
office, said Liu.
Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and
State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will meet with him and exchange views with him on
international and regional issues of common interest and the cooperation between
China and the United Nations, according to Liu.
China pushes for quick
return to six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue
China is striving for an early resumption of
six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Foreign Ministry
spokesman Liu Jianchao said.
Liu said the key obstacle is the difference between
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States on the
financial issues concerning the DPRK.
He declined to elaborate the financial issues, but
asked the concerned sides to take a flexible and pragmatic attitude to remove
the barrier. The talks involve China, the DPRK, the United States, the Republic
of Korea, Russia and Japan.
Both China and the United States agreed to solve the
nuclear issue through dialogue via the six-party talks, to realize a
nuclear-weapons free Korean Peninsula and maintain peace and stability, he said.
The multi-lateral talks began in 2003. The first
phase of the fifth round was held in Beijing last November, but the date for the
next phase is still unknown.
China urges peaceful solution
to Iranian nuclear issue
Liu urged all parties to keep up diplomatic efforts for a
peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
Liu Jianchao said China hoped all parties would
remain patient and show restraint and sincerity in resolving the issue.
"China hopes all parties can start a new round of
diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue in a peaceful manner
through negotiations," said Liu.
He said China's position was clear: China firmly
supported and upheld the current international non-proliferation system and
sought peace and stability in the Middle East.
Asked to comment on a statement by a United States
official that China would agree with proposed U.S. sanctions on Iran, Liu said
China did not support threats of sanctions or force in resolving international
disputes.
China supports youth exchanges
with Japan
China will cooperate with Japan to promote exchanges and
communication between young people to improve and develop bilateral ties,
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Thursday.
"China appreciates the Japanese efforts in promoting
youth exchanges," Liu said when asked to comment on a Japanese invitation to
1,000 Chinese students to visit Japan.
The first 200 students will leave next week.
China always supported non-governmental exchanges
with Japan that were intended to enhance mutual-understanding and friendship,
Liu said.
"I myself hosted some Japanese students who were in
Beijing for exchange program when I was still a postgraduate at university,"
said the 42-year-old spokesman.
The present difficulty in Sino-Japanese relations was
rooted in the repeated visits by some Japanese leaders to the Yasukuni Shrine,
where World War II criminals were honored, Liu said.
In a bid to improve bilateral ties, Liu noted, the
two sides were "in contact" to arrange meetings between the two foreign
ministers.
"China always tries to overcome difficulties, and
improve and develop relations with Japan. We hope the Japanese will understand
our sincerity," the spokesman said. Enditem
