China's national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and
will follow a road of peaceful development, said Foreign Ministry
spokesman Qin Gang Thursday in response to Australia's defense
policy paper at a press conference in Beijing yesterday.
A new defense policy paper launched by Australian Prime Minister
John Howard on Thursday stated that China's military modernization,
especially its new and disruptive capabilities such as the
anti-satellite missile, could lead to regional instability.
Qin said that Australian leaders had previously praised China's
foreign and defense policies during dialogue with Chinese
counterparts, said Qin, adding that a country's foreign policy
should accord with its defense policy papers.
Qin said China-Australia relations had been progressing well
with regular high-level contacts, and active cooperation in various
fields.
"We would like to make efforts with Australia to push forward
the continued, steady and healthy development of bilateral ties,"
the spokesman said.
Six-Party Talks resumption
"Various possibilities for the resumption have been floated,"
said Qin, adding that China was talking to other parties.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov was quoted by
ITAR-TASS news agency on Wednesday that the talks could resume next
week. China has "noted the remarks of the Russian chief delegate"
and is talking to other countries about a swift resumption.
The talks could be brought back after a bout of frenetic
diplomacy with US envoy Christopher Hill and Chinese Foreign
Minister Yang Jiechi both visiting the DPRK over the
past fortnight.
The DPRK recently welcomed inspectors from the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect its nuclear facility, a step
seen as being highly conducive to the six-party talks process.
The IAEA has devised a verification arrangement in order to shut
down and seal the Yongbyon nuclear establishment after its five-day
visit last week.
According to the February 13 agreement, the DPRK should have
shut down and sealed off its Yongbyon nuclear facilities within 60
days in exchange for 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil or equivalent
aid.
China-Japan relations
"As long as one assumes a government post, particularly a
high-ranking one, one must conduct oneself in a manner suitable for
the country and in the interests of keeping friendly cooperation
with neighboring countries," said? Qin.
Yuriko Koike was formally announced as Japan's new defense
minister on Wednesday, becoming the first Japanese woman to hold
the post. She replaces Fumio Kyuma, who resigned a day earlier,
after saying that the use of the atom bomb by the United States in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II could have been
justified.
"The Chinese and Japanese leaders have reached consensus on
enhancing military exchanges between the two countries," Qin said,
adding that more efforts should be made to host military exchanges
and expand mutual trust.
US slammed for Taiwan official's transit
stop
China has firmly upbraided the United States for permitting
Taiwan's Annette Lu Hsiu-lien to make a transit stop on its
territory, Qin said.
"China's stance has been constant and clear, as we firmly oppose
any form of official exchanges between the US and Taiwan," Qin told
a news briefing.
"We strongly urge the US side to abide by one-China policy, as
lain down in the three Sino-US joint communiqués and oppose 'Taiwan
independence', to prevent Lu from furthering any secessionist
activities in the United States, and to halt sending mixed signals
to 'Taiwan independence' forces. This would safeguard stability
across the Taiwan Straits and the overall situation of Sino-US
relations," Qin added.
China supports Pakistan's measures for
stability
"As a friendly neighbor of Pakistan, China backs Pakistan's
measures to safeguard social stability and economic development,"
Qin stated.
Qin's comment came after violence erupted over religious
students of the hard-line Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, and law
enforcers in Islamabad on Tuesday.
(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2007)
