China adheres to the path of peaceful development and is "an important force
in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region and the
world," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press
briefing yesterday.
His statement was made in response to US Vice President Dick
Cheney's recent criticism of China's alleged military build-up.
Cheney said last week during his visit to Sydney that "China's
recent space test and continued fast-paced military build-up are
less constructive and are not consistent with China's stated goal
of a peaceful rise."
Rejecting Cheney's criticism, Qin said China's constructive role
in the six-party talks to make the Korean Peninsula
nuclear free is clear evidence of China's commitment to world
peace.
He reiterated China's stance against the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction and stressed that the country has been
promoting the peaceful use of outer space.
China has urged the international community to conclude a treaty
banning space-based weapons, he noted, adding that China is willing
to work with the US to deal with differences and promote the
constructive relationship between the two countries.
Qin also rejected charges made by Japanese politician Shoichi
Nakagawa on Monday against China's military spending.
Nakagawa, the policy chief of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic
Party, went so far as to say that China's "rising military
spending" may affect Japan over time.
"If something were to happen to Taiwan in the next 15 years,
then within 20 years, Japan might become just another Chinese
province," Nakagawa was quoted as saying by the Sankei
newspaper.
Qin said China is a big sovereign country with a long borderline
and coastline, and thus its maintenance of a certain military force
is "beyond reproach."
Japan's territory and population is only 4 and 10 percent of
China's, but it has maintained a larger military budget, Qin said,
adding that China's per capita military expenditure is only 7
percent of Japan's.
"People have to ask why Japan repeatedly claims the 'China
threat' while it is spending huge sums of money on the military,"
Qin said. China is a peace-loving nation, and "will not threaten
any other countries, nor be coerced by any other nations," he
added.
While reiterating that the Taiwan question is China's internal
affair, Qin hoped Japan would observe the three political documents
to ensure the healthy development of a bilateral relationship.
North Korea issue
Qin said China hopes the US and North Korea will solve pending
issues so they are able to work for a normalization of bilateral
ties.
He confirmed Kim Kye-gwan, top North Korean negotiator to the
six-party talks, arrived in Beijing earlier Tuesday for a stopover
before leaving for the US, but denied any arrangements were made
for a bilateral meeting between Kim and his Chinese
counterpart.
Recent talks have resulted in a pledge to take the initial steps
necessary to implement the agreement made in September 2005, and
Qin said he hopes the future US-North Korea meetings will help move
toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Qin noted that China hoped the US, together with other relevant
parties, could appropriately resolve the financial sanction issue
as soon as possible.
He said North Korea and the US are negotiating issues related to
the establishment of their bilateral working group for relationship
normalization, and so are the North Korean and Japanese sides on
their bilateral group.
Relevant parties are also keeping close contact with each other
on issues related to the establishment of the working group on the
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the working group of
economy and energy cooperation, and the working group of Northeast
Asia peace and security mechanism.
Qin also said China is willing to meet with North Korea to
discuss possible economic cooperation.
Commenting on a report that North Korea may set up an economic
zone near its border with China, Qin said as a neighbor of North
Korea, China hopes it can realize economic and social
development.
The international society should provide beneficial assistance
to North Korea, he added.
China has always adhered to two principles in developing its
ties with North Korea, namely, safeguarding the peace and stability
of the Korean Peninsula and serving the mutual interests of both
nations, he noted.
Iran issue
The five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany met
in London on Monday to discuss further strategies toward convincing
Iran to comply with demands to end its nuclear
program.
When asked whether China will seek tougher measures against
Iran, Qin said sanctions are not the purpose.
"Our position is consistent," he said. "We advocate a peaceful
solution through diplomatic negotiation."
"Any move made by the Security Council should be to help resolve
the issue through peaceful and appropriate means," he added.
According to Qin, Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zha Peixin
attended the meeting and the six parties were still committed to
seeking a negotiated solution.
Myanmar issue
The international community should take an active and
constructive attitude to help promote Myanmar's peace process, and
international efforts should be made with respect to Myanmar's
sovereignty and national dignity, Qin said.
China has always held the view that Myanmar's internal affairs
should be handled by the nation's government and people through
independent consultation, he added.
He made the remarks in response to a question concerning State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan's recent visit to Myanmar.
Tang concluded his three-day working visit to Myanmar earlier
Tuesday. During his stay in Myanmar, Tang met with Chairman of the
Myanmar State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Senior-General
Than Shwe in the new capital of Nay Pyi Taw and had talks with SPDC
First Secretary Lieutenant-General Thein Sein over bilateral ties
and issues of common concern.
The two sides expressed wishes to continue developing friendly
and cooperative Sino-Myanmar ties.
Tang said that China sincerely hopes Myanmar will be politically
stable, economically developed, and nationally harmonious, and its
people will live and work in peace and contentment.
US deputy secretary of state to visit?
US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte will visit China
from March 3 to 5, Qin announced.
The two sides will "exchange views on China-US relations and
significant international and regional issues of common concern,"
he said.
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2007)
