BEIJING, May 11 (Xinhua) -- 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 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao here Thursday.

    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. Enditem

UN chief urges Japan to face history

    UNITED NATIONS, May 10 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday urged Japan to face its history in the Second World War and expressed the hope for eventual reconciliation between Japan and its Asian neighbors.

    In a joint interview with Asian journalists, Annan said that all East Asian countries, including China, South Korea and Japan, agree that it is essential they have harmonious and good bilateral relations at political, commercial, artistic and cultural levels. >>more

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (L) at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, May 8, 2006. The two exchanged opinions on issues like the UN reforming, Darfur and Iran's nuclear program. (Xinhua Photo)

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, May 8, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (R, front) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (L, front) at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, May 8, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)