The Chinese government appreciated the move taken by Russia to
reject issuing a visa to the Dalai Lama, Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman Kong Quan said Thursday.
Kong said that in the joint communique issued after the regular
meeting of prime ministers between China and Russia, certain
articles mentioned the Tibet issue.
The communique says that "the two sides will continue to firmly
support the other for maintaining state unity, sovereignty and
territorial integrity. The Russian side reiterates its stance on
the Taiwan and Tibet issues."
In a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry Tuesday, Russia
rejected a visa application from the Dalai Lama to visit Russia's
republic of Kalmykia.
"Guided by the principle of non-interference in the internal
affairs of other countries and being aware of the sensitivity of
the Tibet issue, we would not allow a visit by the Dalai Lama to
Kalmykia at the invitation of a top official," the statement
said.
The statement said Russia considers Tibet an inalienable part of
China and that it refrains from any official contact with the Dalai
Lama.
Russia last rejected a visa to the Dalai Lama in August
2002.
President's visit to Australia
The Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that Chinese President
Hu Jintao will pay a visit to Australia.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard visited China about a
month ago and invited Chinese President Hu Jintao to visit
Australia, Kong said, adding that the visit was under preparation
by both sides and the exact visit date would be released later.
Kong said the visit would be of significance to further
increasing mutual understanding and boosting Sino-Australian
cooperation.
China hopes Sudan will return to stability and peace
soon
Kong Quan said that China hopes Sudan will return to stability
and peace soon, and dedicate itself to national development.
He made the remarks when asked to comment on the consensus
reached by the Sudanese warring parties on September 24.
Kong said China and Sudan, both developing countries, face the
task of developing their national economies. China, as a friend of
Sudan, is pleased to see the warring parties in Sudan turn to
negotiation.
China's embassy in Sudan has requested that the life of the
Chinese there be safeguarded and their working environment and
living conditions be fully guaranteed.
When talking about cooperation between China and Sudan, Kong
said there was no problem for the two sides to enlarge cooperation
based on mutual benefit and friendship. China will continue its
cooperation with Sudan.
China hopes for proper solution of student murder in
Japan
China hopes that the murder case involving Chinese overseas
students in Japan will be properly resolved soon, Kong said.
He made the remark in response to a question about two Chinese
overseas students who were suspected of murder and robbery in
Fukuoka county in Japan.
Kong said China expressed deep regret on this issue. Chinese
police had already taken the two suspects into custody after
receiving evidence from Japanese police. Kong said the case was now
under further investigation.
He said law enforcement authorities of China and Japan had kept
close contact, coordination and cooperation. The Chinese side
believes that under the friendly cooperation between the two sides,
the case will be resolved quickly and properly, Kong said.
(People's Daily September 26, 2003)