China Hopes Bush Visit Will Advance Sino-US Relations

[china...@yahoo.com]

BEIJING, Nov 18 Asia Pulse - China hopes US President George W. Bush's
upcoming visit to the country will advance Sino-US relations in an
all-round day, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao at
the regular briefing Thursday afternoon.
"We expect that Bush's visit, slated for Nov 19 to 21, will increase
consensus, step up mutual trust, expand exchange and cooperation, and
promote Sino-US constructive and cooperative relations in 21st century
in an all-round way," said Liu.

When asked to comment on President Bush's remarks in Kyoto Tuesday,
which touched upon Sino-US relations, human rights and religion, Liu
said that China pursues a path of peaceful development.

Noting that China has made remarkable, important progress in the field
of human rights, the Chinese people, in accordance with laws, enjoy all
various kinds of democracy and freedom, including the freedom in
religious belief.

"All countries should hold exchanges and dialogues on human rights on
the principled basis of equality, mutual respect and non-intervention
in internal affairs," the spokesman said.

US attorney general to visit China ADVERTISEMENT

Attorney General of the Department of Justice of the United States
Alberto Gonzales is scheduled to visit China from November 17 to 19.

Gonzales was invited by Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public
Security Zhou Yongkang, said Liu when responding to a journalist's
question.

He said Chinese leaders will meet the US delegation during their stay
in Beijing, and Zhou will hold bilateral talks with Gonzales.

Besides, leaders of the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry
of Justice of China will also meet with the delegation.

Liu said the two sides will mainly exchange views during their meetings
and talks on such subjects as striking cross-border crimes,
anti-terrorism and strengthening cooperation in law enforcement.

Remarks on "Taiwan's Independence" no legal ground

The remarks saying Taiwan is an independent sovereign state has no any
legal ground.

"Relevant parties have signed a memorandum of understanding on the
state of Taiwan in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting", Liu
said, hoping that they could act in accordance with the principle of
the memorandum.

A former official of Taiwan's "Executive Yuan" said during the APEC
meeting that Taiwan is a country with independent sovereignty.

Liu said there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an
inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and the government of the
People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government
representing China.

This fact is acknowledged by most countries in the world and by
majority member states of the United Nations, Liu added.

"We can not accept any remarks saying Taiwan is an independent
sovereign state by any means, no matter it is made out of ignorance or
some other political motives," Liu said.

Pakistan post-quake reconstruction

China will attend the international donors' conference on Pakistan
post-earthquake reconstruction, scheduled in Islamabad on Nov. 19, the
spokesman said.

Liu said that the Chinese government delegation led by Vice Foreign
Minister Wu Dawei will consist of officials from the Foreign Ministry,
Ministry of Commerce and Seismological Bureau.

An earthquake of 7.6 on the Richter scale jolted Pakistan on Oct. 8.
Authorized statistics from Pakistan showed the quake had left more than
86,000 dead and over 100,000 injured so far. Three million people have
become homeless.

Liu said the Chinese government attaches great importance to Pakistan's
reconstruction work and will continue to offer help.

"We hope and also believe that the international community will take
active and effective measures to help the Pakistani government and
people to rebuild the disaster-hit areas," Liu said.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the Chinese government has offered
aids worth of US$26.73 million to the Pakistani quake victims.