CHINA / Ministry Press Conference
FM urges Japanese PM to stop shrine visit
(chinadaily.com.cn/Agencies)
Updated: 2006-03-07 16:35
China again urged Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other top
Cabinet members to stop visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, an issue at the
center of tensions between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing holds a press conference in the Great Hall
of the People on the sidelines of the ongoing session of the National
People's Congress in Beijing March 7, 2006. [Xinhua]
The Japanese leaders should stop actions hurting feelings of the Chinese
people and people in other countries victimized by Japan's wartime
aggression, said the Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing at a press
conference on the sidelines of the National People's Conference in
Beijing on Tuesday.
"It is a serious issue. The Chinese people can never accept Japanese
leader worship World War II Class-A war criminals," Li added.
Moreover, Li again called the Japanese Government to properly deal with
historical issues and abide by the principles of the three political
documents signed by the two countries, including the Sino-Japanese Joint
Statement.
"We hope the Japanese government keep its promise on the Taiwan question
through practical actions," Li added, vowing that China will continue to
develop Sino-Japanese friendly co-operative relationship on the principle
of reviewing history and facing the future.
East China Sea gas dispute
Li told reporters that China and Japan concluded on Tuesday the the
fourth round of consultation on the East China Sea gas issue.
The foreign minister discribed the two-day talks as "pragmatic" and
"constructive". The two sides agree to convene new talks as soon as
possible, Li added.
Hu Zhengyao, director of the Asian Department of Chinese Foreign
Ministry, and Kenichiro Sasae, head of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs
Bureau of Japanese Foreign Ministry, participated in the consultation as
head of respective Chinese and Japanese delegation.
Since October 2004, China and Japan have convened three rounds of
consultations on the East China Sea issue.
Defense Budget
During the press conference, the Chinese FM also tried to downplay the
increase of China's defense budget, saying the country spent far less
than the United States.
Li pointed out that China's military spending, in per capita terms, was
just 1/77 of the United States.
China at the weekend unveiled a 14.7 percent jump in 2006 defence
spending compared to the previous year, or a total of 283.8 billion yuan
(US$35.3 billion).
"The military expenditure of China, though increased somewhat, is way
less than the military expenditure of the country where you come from,"
the Chinese Foreign Minister told a US reporter at a news briefing.
"China's national defence policy is transparent, it is completely
defensive in nature," he told the news conference.
Page: 1 2
Related Full Coverages
NPC session ends, Premier meets journalists
Premier Wen Jiabao answers questions from foreign and domestic
journalists after the conclusion of the annual session of the National
People's Congress in Beijing March 14, 2006. The annual meeting of the
top lawmaking body closed at the Great Hall of the People. [Xinhua]
UNSC members meet for Iran nuke issue
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
� Bird flu control long-term task: Vice Premier
� Top legislature mulls abolishing agricultural tax regulation
� Hebei court hears deadly land dispute case
� Top legislature mulls abolishing agricultural tax regulation
� Top legislature mulls abolishing agricultural tax regulation
Today's Top News
� Putin to talk oil pipeline extension in Beijing
� 'Look at military spending objectively'
� US says no to 'Taiwan independence'
� Environment protection major issue
� US senators to visit China to talk trade issues
Top China News
� Don't politilize illegal immigration issue: FM
� China supports UN human rights body
� 'Be objective on military spending'
� Order Flooring swindles customers - report
� China to press on with reforms: Premier Wen
Chinese Online Class
No comments:
Post a Comment