A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a regular press
conference Tuesday that the EU's plan to lift its arms embargo on
China will not infringe upon the interests of third parties, and
that it would be "irrelevant" to "the present situation of the Asia
Pacific region."
Kong Quan said the embargo, put in place in 1989, was a "sequel
of the cold war" and the lifting of it would be "conducive to a
sound and smooth development of China-EU relations based on
equality and reciprocity."
"Relations enjoy smooth development at present, while the two
sides gradually solve historical problems between them," Kong said.
He said he hoped the US will promote this trend instead of setting
obstacles.
Kong said the lifting of the embargo would actually be "the
lifting of political discrimination against China, which won't lead
to China buying a large amount of weapons." China, he said, will
"pursue peaceful development and a defense policy that is defensive
in nature," and will be "no menace to any other country."
He said, "China is not an obstacle to world peace and stability
but an active strength in maintaining it."
Turning to the Korean Peninsula nuclear standoff, Kong called on
the US and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to show
more sincerity and flexibility in efforts to resume six-party talks
at an early date.
He said all parties should make efforts in pushing for a
nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and seeking a peaceful solution
through dialogue.
"The US and DPRK should make additional efforts in this regard
because they are the main parties concerned," Kong said.
He asked all sides to show "patience" to actively solve the
problems.
He said resumption of negotiations conforms to the interests of
concerned parties, including the DPRK, and that the talks are now
at a crucial juncture.
He said China has kept in close communication and contact with
all parties and is making efforts to push forward the early
reopening of negotiations.
The top DPRK leader Kim Jong-il told a Chinese envoy on Monday
that his country would stand for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula
and will return to six-party talks when conditions are right.
Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the
Communist Party of China, finished his four-day visit in Pyongyang
yesterday.
When asked whether the US-Japan joint statement would affect the
process of the talks, Kong said China is firmly against the
statement that listed the Taiwan question as one of their common
strategic objectives.
"We hope that all the parties to the talks as well as other
countries in the region will do more to enhance mutual
understanding and trust," he said.
Kong said China wants to solve the East China Sea gas fields
dispute with Japan through negotiations, adding that China has
never acknowledged the so-called middle line in the East China Sea,
as unilaterally stated by the Japanese side.
He also stressed that it is unacceptable for Japan to make
demands over the issue, which is within China's legal rights.
Beijing and Tokyo signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
in 1996, but cannot agree on where to draw their sea border.
Japan has previously said that the East China Sea gas fields
Beijing is exploring may extend into Tokyo's exclusive economic
zone.?
Kong said China is considering an invitation to attend this
year's summit of the Group of Eight (G8).
He said the G8 plays an important part in world affairs, noting
that China hopes to continue expanding dialogues and consultations
with it.
Kong announced that, at the invitation of President Hu
Jintao, Malaysian Supreme Head of State Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin
will visit from February 28 to March 6; and at the invitation of
Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing, New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Phil Goff will visit from February 27 to 28.
(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily and CRI.com, February
23, 2005)
