China is conducting negotiations with all parties involved in
the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue to resolve outstanding concerns
and to resume the six-party talks, said Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman Jiang Yu at a regular press conference in Beijing on
Tuesday.
An early resumption of the talks to resolve the nuclear issue
was in the interests of all concerned and would be conducive to
peace and stability in northeast Asia, Jiang said.
The six-party talks, involving China, North Korea, the United
States, the Republic of Korea(ROK), Russia and Japan, were halted
in November last year.
China had been making strenuous efforts for the resumption of
the talks at an early date, Jiang said.
Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu will head a Chinese good-will
delegation on a visit to North Korea from July 10-15 at the
invitation of North Korean government.
Jiang said Hui would also attend events related to the 45th
anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation
and Mutual Assistance between China and North Korea.
Also on Tuesday, Jiang announced China and Japan would hold the
sixth round of talks on East China Sea issues on July 8-9.
Jiang said that common development of the areas and the setting
aside of disputes would help maintain peace in the East China Sea
and would be conducive to the healthy development of the
China-Japan relations.
China was willing to work with Japan to continue to resolve
issues through dialogue and consultation, Jiang said.
The previous five rounds of talks were held between October 2004
and May this year.
When commenting on the investigative activities of some Chinese
ships in the waters around the Diaoyu Islands recently, Jiang said
China wouldn't accept any representations from the Japanese side
assuming that the Diaoyu Islands were in their territory.
"The Diaoyu and surrounding islands have been Chinese territory
since ancient times and China has indisputable sovereignty over
them," Jiang said.
On the Iran nuclear issue Jiang said it was at a critical point
and the pressing matter of the moment was to resume negotiations as
early as possible.
China hoped both Iran and other relevant parties could create
favorable conditions for the resumption of negotiations, said
Jiang.
"We hope Iran can take the concerns of the international
community into consideration and deliver an early response to the
proposals aimed at resolving the nuclear issue," she said.
Jiang also called for other relevant parties to be patient and
restrained, seriously consider Iran's rational concerns and to make
contact with the Iranian side.
Any discussions on the nuclear issue should help the
international community achieve consensus and promote a proper
solution of the issue through diplomatic negotiations, Jiang
said.
In response to a reporter's question about Mexico's general
elections, Jiang said that China always attached great importance
to Sino-Mexican relations highlighting that the bilateral
cooperative relations of mutual benefit progressed well since the
two nations forged diplomatic relations 34 years ago.
She vowed to join hands with Mexico to further the bilateral
friendly and cooperative relations.
Voters went to the polls on Sunday in Mexico's presidential and
congressional elections to choose 500 deputies, 128 senators and a
new president whose term will run from December 1, 2006 to
2012.Voters would also choose three state governors and more than
100 mayors including that of Mexico City.
Mexico's presidential election results would not be announced at
least until Wednesday Mexican electoral authorities said
Sunday.
In another development, Jiang Tuesday expressed her deep
concerns over the worsening situation in the Middle East urging
Palestine and Israel to exercise restraint and create favorable
conditions to cool down the conflicts.
"China calls for Israel to remain restrained and cease the
military actions immediately and the Palestinian side to positively
coordinate the diplomatic efforts from various concerned parties to
release the hostage as early as possible," Jiang said.
Israel launched the operation of "Summer Rain" early Wednesday
after two days of unfruitful international mediation over the
release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Palestinian
soldiers, in an attack on a military position near the Gaza border
on Sunday morning.
On state visits, an envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao will pay a visit to Mongolia at the
invitation of Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, Jiang
said.
Xu Kuangdi, vice-chairman of the National
Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative
Conference, will visit Mongolia from July 10-13. He'll also attend
a commemorative event marking the 800th anniversary of the "Great
Mongolia".
Spanish Crown Prince Felipe de Borbon y Grecia will pay an
official visit to China from July 12-14S as a guest of Chinese vice
President Zeng Qinghong, announced Jiang.
(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2006)