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Highlights of FM Spokeswoman's Remarks
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue Thursday called a regular press conference. Following are the highlights of her remarks.
South China Sea Issue
The spokeswoman said that during Philippine President Joseph Estrada's visit to China, both countries reiterated that they would settle disputes on the South China Sea through friendly consultation.
China holds that it has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea and adjacent water. China has always insisted on peacefully settling disputes through bilateral negotiation, in line with principles and legal regulations in universally-recognized international laws and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
If some disputes could not be settled for the time being, then the principle of common exploration and reserving disputes should be followed, she added.
US Voting Results on Granting China PNTR
China welcomes the voting results on granting China the Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status in the Finance Committee of the U.S. Senate and the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives, the spokeswoman pointed out.
Mutual granting of PNTR status is the basis of the bilateral agreement China and the U.S. have reached concerning China's accession into the World Trade Organization, as well as the prerequisite to carrying out the agreement.
She reiterated that the settlement of the PNTR issue will help China and the United States to carry out trade and economic cooperation in a comprehensive way on the basis of equality and mutual-benefit.
The granting of PNTR status will also create condition for the long-term healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.
Zhang urged the far-sighted personnel in the U.S. Congress to adopt a wise attitude to resolve the PNTR issue as soon as possible, pointing out that "it is in the interest of both countries."
Foreign Governments, Officials Urged to Honor Commitments on Taiwan Issue
In light of the "inauguration" of newly-elected Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian on May 20 and reports that some foreign governments have decided to send special envoys on the occasion, Zhang Qiyue urged them to respect China's sovereignty and honor their relevant commitments.
Zhang reiterated China's position on the issue that the election in Taiwan is only regional in China, and that there is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.
"We hope that countries concerned will respect this fact that is recognized by most countries in the world, and do nothing that will hurt the feelings of the Chinese people," she said.
As to reports that Japan's Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara is to attend the "inauguration ceremony", Zhang reiterated that the Japanese government should honor its commitments and statements on the Taiwan issue, and stop politicians like Shintaro Ishihara from interfering in China's internal affair, so as not to undermine the development of bilateral relations.
Japanese PM Urged to Draw Lessons from History
Zhang also urged Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori to draw lessons from history and refrain from his " divine nation" remarks. Japan should draw lessons from history and should not follow the same old disastrous road.
"Japan should continue to take the road of peace and development it has pursued since the end of World War II," she stressed.
Foreigners' Safety Guaranteed
In light of the recent trial of suspects accused of murdering the four members of a German family in Nanjing, the Chinese government guarantees the safety of foreigners in China.
"The Chinese government has always attached great importance to the safety of foreigners living and working in China, and I believe that their safety here is guaranteed," said the spokeswoman.
She stressed that the recent incidents of murders involving foreigners are only separate, unrelated criminal cases, and that the government and police forces have carried out intense investigations into these cases.
"We have been notifying the governments and embassies of relevant countries on the latest progress of our investigations," she said, reassuring foreigners that their lives will not be affected by these criminal cases.
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