FM Spokeswoman on Taiwan Issue, Middle East and Afghanistan Situations

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, December 07, 2001

FM Spokeswoman on Taiwan Issue, Middle East and Afghanistan Situations

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue held a regular conference Thursday in Beijing and answered questions concerning Taiwan issue, Middle East situation, interim government of Afghanistan, Sino-South Africa relations.

President Jiang: Solving Taiwan Issue Conforms to Popular Sentiments

'Taiwan Independence' Opposed

Whatever changes have taken place in Taiwan's political situation, the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China cannot alter, Zhang reiterated the firm stand when asked to comment on a signed article in the Washington Post, which urges the United States to abandon the one-China policy.

Zhang said that the US government has made clear promises on the Taiwan issue, i.e., to adhere to the one-China policy, abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques and not to support the "independence" of Taiwan.

Any deeds or remarks which encourage the abandonment of the one-China policy are against the facts and the historical trends, and such intentions are doomed to failure, she warned.

China Supports Arafat

China supports Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian National Authority, said Zhang.

Mubarak Meets Arafat

Arafat, who for years has made important contributions to the restoration of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights, and to the Middle East peace process, enjoys high prestige among the Palestinian people and has wide influence in the international community, said Zhang.

China is anxious about the current Middle East situation, and will insist the Palestinian problem be solved through peace talks, she said.

Zhang said in a bid to work out a peaceful solution, China has made great efforts, including Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan's recent messages to relevant countries. These messages showed China's concern and expressed its stance, Zhang said.

Together with the international community, China will put everyeffort into easing the Middle East tension through new actions anddifferent means, said Zhang.

Afghan Groups Sign Agreement on Future Government

Interim Government of Afghanistan

China will actively develop relations with the interim government of Afghanistan, said the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

Zhang made the remarks at a regular press conference when askedto comment on the founding of the interim government of Afghanistan.

Zhang said the just-concluded Bonn meeting has reached agreement on the founding of an interim government in Afghanistan and China extended congratulations for that.

China also appreciated the efforts made by the United Nations and the flexible and practical attitude adopted by participating groups from Afghanistan, she said.

The spokeswoman said the achievements of the Bonn meeting were a good starting point for Afghanistan to move towards peace and stability, and extended the wish that Afghanistan parties will value their national cause and earnestly put the agreements into practice.

She also hoped that the interim government could lead Afghanistan to peace and stability and would assist its people to resume a peaceful life as soon as possible.

After the setting up of the interim government, China will actively develop relations with the interim government and provideit with any necessary aid, she added.

Sino-South Africa Ties

The forthcoming visit to China by South Africa President Thabo Mbeki will bring new impetus to China-South Africa relations, the spokeswoman said.

Zhang reviewed the development of the China-South Africa relations at a regular press conference held by the ministry.

Relations between China and South Africa have a long history, she said, noting that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two in January of 1998, the bilateral relationship has developed very rapidly and comprehensively.

She gave the frequent exchanges of leaders' visit, steady expansion of bilateral trade and enhanced exchanges in various fields including science and culture as supporting examples.

In April of last year, she said, Chinese President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to South Africa and he and Mbeki signed a declaration on the partnership between the two countries, promoting bilateral ties to a higher level.

Mbeki will pay a state visit to China from December 9 to 11 at the invitation of Jiang. During the visit, Jiang and Mbeki will set up a committee on bilateral relations and will both preside over the first meeting of the committee, she said.

'One Country, Two Systems' Principle Unchanged

"The concept of 'one country, two systems' fully embodies the principles necessary to achieve reunification and safeguard national sovereignty," said Zhang Qiyue. "We are giving consideration to the historical and present status of Taiwan, and we are following a maximum of flexibility."

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