An allegation of a Chinese connection to a reported terror
threat in the US is as yet unsubstantiated, Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Kong Quan said. "All media reports say the information
is 'uncorroborated,'" he said at Thursday's regular news
briefing.
He was responding to a question on an ongoing US
Federal Bureau of Investigation probe into an unconfirmed report of
a "dirty bomb" threat in Boston in which four Chinese nationals are
suspected to have played a role. The FBI released photographs of
them and said the four were being sought in connection with an
unspecified and uncorroborated tip-off.
"We've been firmly supporting the concerted efforts
made by the international community to fight all kinds of terrorist
activities," said Kong. "China is among the victims of
terrorism."
Kong also ruled out of the possibility of a weapons
"shopping spree" if the EU lifts its arms embargo against
China.
"Lifting the embargo will certainly not lead to
massive imports of weapons because China adheres to a defensive
principle," he said. Commenting on reports that EU arms sales to
China have soared over the past year, he added, "I doubt the
truthfulness of such reports."
He described the embargo as an anachronism and a
result of the Cold War and "political discrimination."
The embargo will be a key topic in discussions with
UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who is in Beijing today on a
one-day visit, and is scheduled to sign a memorandum with the
National Tourism Administration to make the UK a Chinese tourist
destination.
Kong said China strongly objects to sanctions
imposed by the US this month on eight Chinese companies that it
said were helping Iran with its missile programs.
China opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and their transport vehicles, he said, and has laws
against it. Chinese organizations or individuals are not allowed to
be involved, and any violations will be brought to justice, he
added.
Kong said China opposes any country providing an
opportunity for Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian to advocate
independence.
Taiwan authorities are using every possible chance
to do this, including "transit diplomacy."
According to Taiwan media, Chen is planning to stop
by Guam on his tour of southern Pacific nations later this
month.
Grenada, a Caribbean country who recognized the Taiwan regime
for 15 years, resumed diplomatic relations with the People's
Republic of China yesterday.
Kong said, "China and Grenada can carry out cooperation in a
wide range of fields, not only in the political, economic and trade
arenas, but also in education. The two sides have decided to send
ambassadors as soon as possible, and to help each other construct
embassies."
He reiterated that for countries that have
diplomatic relations with China, non-governmental
trade?exchanges with Taiwan are accepted, but the one-China
policy must be fully implemented as a fundamental political
basis.?
On the eight Chinese nationals taken hostage in
Iraq, Kong said China will continue its efforts to rescue them.
"China's stance is to uphold the Iraqi people's fundamental and
long-term interests," he said. "We call on the kidnappers to
release the hostages as soon as possible."
Kong said China will take an active part in Japan's
Aichi Expo 2005 and that it will provide a platform for all
countries in the world to exhibit themselves.
Turning to Vice President Zeng
Qinghong's tour of Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Trinidad and
Tobago, and Jamaica from January 23 to February 3, Kong said China
expects to have closer cooperation with Latin America. Zeng will
attend the opening ceremony of the first Ministerial-level Meeting
of the China-Caribbean Economy and Trade Cooperation Forum
2005.
Commenting on the Ukrainian Supreme Court's
confirmation of Viktor Yushchenko as president yesterday, Kong said
China and Ukraine are friendly countries, and China respects the
choice of Ukrainian people.
Kong said the China Seismological Bureau will host
a seminar on tsunami early warning systems with the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from January 25 to 26, as proposed
by Premier Wen
Jiabao at the international summit in Jakarta, Indonesia
earlier this month.
Approximately 30 experts and officials from ASEAN,
India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the US, Japan and the UN have
confirmed their participation, Kong said, and they will explore
conditions and technologies and discuss further cooperation.
Kong said Vanuatuan Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Sato Kilman reiterated his government's firm
adherence to a one-China policy during his current visit to China.
Kilman arrived in Beijing on Monday evening and will stay until
January 24 as guest of State Councilor Tang
Jiaxuan.
Kong announced Vice Premier Huang
Ju's attendance of the annual meeting of the World Economic
Forum (WEF) from January 28 to 30. Huang, Standing Committee member
of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, will deliver
a speech at the meeting.
Created in 1971 and based in Geneva, Switzerland,
the WEF is a forum for political and business leaders, economists,
and officials from international organizations to discuss major
global issues. The upcoming meeting will focus on "taking
responsibility for tough choices."
Kong also announced that Singaporean Minister for
Foreign Affairs George Yong-Boon Yeo will come to visit from
January 28 to February 3 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing.
Li talked over the phone with Yeo on issues
concerning tsunami relief in the Indian Ocean several days ago.
They have previously held talks in 2004 when attending the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meeting in the
Chilean capital of Santiago.
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency, CRI.com
January 21, 2005)