The third China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue will be held in
Beijing from Dec. 12-13, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao
announced on Thursday at a regular press conference.
Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi and US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson
will co-chair the meeting as special representatives of the state
leaders of the two countries. Ministers and other senior officials
from related departments of the two governments will also attend
the dialogue, Liu added.
The dialogue was initiated by President George W. Bush and
President Hu Jintao in September 2006. The twice-yearly
SED between Beijing and Washington serves as a platform to discuss
long-term, strategic, and comprehensive issues in the bilateral
trade relationship.
USS Kitty Hawk
China denied reports saying the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk
was prevented from docking in Hong Kong due to a
misunderstanding.
"We have taken note of the reports. I want to clarify that the
reports are not true," Liu said.
Regarding the so-called protest from the United States, Liu
said, China didn't receive any protests from the US side, adding,
"There should not be such protests."
Liu said China handles the visit of US military vessels and
airplanes to Hong Kong in line with the principles of sovereignty
and the specific situation on a case-by-case basis. In the case of
the Kitty Hawk, China followed the same principles, Liu added.
The USS Kitty Hawk was due to arrive in Hong Kong on Nov. 21 to
give its crew four days leave to spend Thanksgiving with their
families.
China allegedly refused the ship access before changing its mind
and allowing it to dock "out of humanitarian considerations."
However, the US said it was too late and the ship carried on to
Japan.
German official's 'irresponsible criticism'
China asked a German official who claimed China is one of the
main countries conducting spy activities in Germany to "stop
blemishing its image."
Liu said China was strongly dissatisfied with some German
officials’ "irresponsible criticism."
Liu said China had already lodged serious concerns with Germany
and demanded certain officials "stop bad practices that blemish
China's image, stop undermining China-Germany relations, and stop
hurting the emotions of the two peoples."
Liu said since the beginning of this year, certain German
officials had made up "groundless accusations" against the Chinese
government and the Chinese in Germany, adding that this is not the
first or the second time that German officials have raised such
groundless accusations.
"Such accusations also drew indignation from the Chinese
people," Liu added.
Climate change conference
China is to send a senior delegation led by deputy chief of the
National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Xie Zhenhua to
attend next month's UN climate change conference in Bali,
Indonesia.
Liu said China attaches great importance to the UN conference
scheduled from Dec. 3-15 in Bali, expecting substantial progress to
be achieved. "China hopes the conference will set down goals for
developed countries on reducing greenhouse gas emissions after the
year 2012," Liu said.
He also called on developed countries to provide funding and
technological support for the developing world in a bid to fight
against climate change. "China is to work closely with other
developing countries in combating climate change through
sustainable development," he added.
About 10,000 delegates from over 180 countries and regions are
expected to attend the conference, which focuses on measures to be
implemented on global greenhouse gas emissions reduction after the
Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.
Musharraf's re-election
China congratulated Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on
winning the presidential election again.
Liu said China hopes Pakistan would continue to maintain social
stability and economic development under the leadership of
Musharraf.
Musharraf took oath as a civilian president for a five-year term
at a ceremony in Islamabad Thursday, one day after he gave up the
post of army chief.
Korean nuclear issue
Liu said China is glad to see the smooth progress of nuclear
facilities disablement in North Korea.
"Work on disablement of nuclear facilities is proceeding
smoothly and China is happy to see it," Liu said.
Representatives of concerned parties had been sent to Yongbyon
in North Korea to investigate the implementation of nuclear
facilities disablement from Nov. 27 to 29.
Liu said all parties believe that the fact-finding mission is
conducive to pushing forward the disablement process.
North Korea agreed to disable all existing nuclear facilities by
the end of this year, according to a joint document released on
Oct. 3 when the second phase of the sixth round of six-party talks ended in Beijing.
Cyber crimes
The Chinese government always opposes and strictly prohibits any
criminal activities through cyberspace, Liu said in response to a
report on global cyber security that accused China of taking the
lead in cyber spying.
"China has made clear its position on this issue on many
occasions and relevant laws and regulations of China have also made
clear stipulation," Liu said.
He said hackers' criminal activities are an international
problem and China's network and information systems have often been
attacked by hackers from other countries.
Liu did not reveal which country attacked China's information
systems, but he added China takes an open attitude in this issue
and is willing to strengthen cooperation with other countries to
combat cyber crimes.
"We hope relevant countries could acknowledge China's position
on this issue so as to facilitate cooperation between all sides,"
he said.
(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2007)
