China has made strong representations on the subject of US views expressed about the country in the US National Security Strategy (NSS) report issued recently, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Qin Gang, said Monday.
On the one hand the report says China shares many common interests with the US and the two countries should strengthen cooperation in such areas as anti-terrorism and non-proliferation, according to Qin.
However, on the other hand, the report made irresponsible remarks which groundlessly criticized China's domestic and foreign policies and interfered in the country’s internal affairs, said Qin.
"China expressed its dissatisfaction with the US comments and has made strong representations to the US," Qin said.
He said China was a major force in safeguarding world peace and promoting development. The country had already decided on its domestic-foreign policies and direction for development.
"And that is to firmly take the socialist route with Chinese characteristics," said Qin. "And that’s the peaceful development route which adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace. China is dedicating itself to building a peaceful, friendly, cooperative and harmonious world along with other nations," he said.
He added that China had taken great economic and social strides forward since the reforms got underway and opening up had started 28 years ago. The living conditions of Chinese people had been greatly improved and the citizens were living in an environment where care was taken over human rights.
China had a national defense policy which was obviously defensive in nature. The limited national defense strength was targeted towards self-defense, Qin said.
He said China had been involved in economic and energy cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefits for all. This was a completely correct way to do things and was beyond reproach.
"China's development has brought about unprecedented opportunities for the Asian-Pacific region as well as the world on the whole and contributed to maintaining world peace and common development," Qin said. He added that this was obvious to all and had been confirmed by the International Community.
On the Taiwan issue he said he hoped the US would stick to its commitments of adhering to the one-China policy, abiding by the three Sino-US communiqués and opposing "Taiwan independence."
The Chinese government had a consistent, definite and firm policy in resolving the Taiwan issue.
China would make the utmost efforts to solve the issue in a peaceful manner but would never tolerate "Taiwan independence" and would not allow anyone to split Taiwan away from the motherland under any name or by any means, said Qin. He called on the US not to give any misleading signals to the "Taiwan independence" activists.
Qin said the development of a constructive, cooperative partnership between China and the US was in the interests of both countries and at the same time conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole.
"We ask the US to stop making remarks which are harmful to the healthy development of Sino-US relations, to mutual understanding and to regional peace, stability and development," added Qin.
"We hope the US will take measures to eliminate the harmful influence of the remarks and opinions in the report," he said, "and fulfill the view agreed upon by the two Heads of State. To fully promote the constructive partnership of cooperation in the 21st century with solid acts, safeguarding the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations and the fundamental common interests of the two countries," Qin said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2006)
