Home Page >>News Channels>>Headlines

 

China opposes Dalai Lama's visit to Sweden

PLA Daily 2005-06-15

  

  BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhuanet) -- China always opposes Dalai Lama's political activities under any name and in any country, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.

  Spokesman Liu Jianchao's comment was made at a regular conference in reply to a reporter's question on Dalai Lama's recent visit to Sweden.

  "We hope the relevant country can adhere to the promises of upholding one-China policy and opposing Tibet independence to prevent the bilateral relations from being endangered," said Liu.

  "The Dalai Lama is a politician in exile disguised as a religious figure, and engages in separatist activities against China, and Chinese government has expressed the concerns over the issue to the Swedish government," Liu said.

  However, Liu noted that the dialogue between China and Dalai Lama is always open so long as the Dalai Lama "truly gives up advocating Tibet independence" and declares in public that he recognizes Tibet and Taiwan are inalienable parts of China.

  "Then we shall contact him for negotiations," Liu said.

  EU arms embargo

  China demands that the European Union "observe its political commitment" and lift arms embargo against China as soon as possible, said Liu Jianchao Tuesday.

  Liu said that the EU has made a political commitment to China on this issue and that the EU also understands China's stance. China demands that the EU lift arms embargo and pay attention to "ending political discrimination against China," so as to remove the last obstacle in Sino-EU relations, he said.

  "We don't focus on importing more weapons from the EU," Liu said.

  Liu said that China and the EU are strategic and cooperative partners, and he hopes the two sides can develop relations on the basis of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

  FM's visit to 5 Middle East nations

  Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will pay an official visit to Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria and Lebanon from June 17 to 26, during which he will discuss bilateral relations and international and regional issues with leaders of the five nations, said Liu.

  China is expected to sign economic and trade cooperation agreements with five Middle East countries during Li's upcoming tour of the region.

  China and the five nations have maintained sound relations and cooperation in all fields has witnessed new progress, Liu said, expressing the belief that Li's visit will further promote the relationships.

  Six-party talks & ROK PM's China trip

  ROK Prime Minister Lee Hae-Chan will pay an official visit to China from June 21 to 23 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, Liu announced.

  China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will have an in-depth exchange of views on the six-party talks and the nuclear issue in the Korean peninsular during the ROK prime minister's visit, said Liu.

  "Both China and the ROK are participants of the six-party talks, and China values the important role the ROK has been playing for the talks as well as its efforts to solve the nuclear issue in the Korean peninsular," he said.

  This is Lee Hae-Chan's first visit to China since he became prime minister, Liu said, adding that during the visit Lee will meet and hold talks with Wen, Chinese President Hu Jintao and top legislator Wu Bangguo.

  Liu said China and the ROK have maintained sound relations with a frequent exchange of high-level visits and deepening political trust. The two countries have enjoyed close economic cooperation. The trade volume between the two countries exceeded 90 billion US dollars last year and the personnel exchanges hit 3.5 million, he said.

  "The growth of Sino-ROK relations have brought substantial benefits to the people of both nations, and we feel happy for it," Liu said.

  Liu said China values its relationship with the ROK and will continue to push forward the comprehensive, cooperative partnership and close cooperation in safeguarding regional peace and stability.