China issued a note to foreign embassies in Beijing on Thursday, asking for their cooperation to hand over illegal intruders to its public security departments once such an incident occurs, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday.
Spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remarks at a regular press conference, saying that the issue of some people from a third country entering foreign embassies and consulates in China as happened repeatedly lately not only directly endangers the security of the related embassies and consulates and interferes in their normal work but also challenges Chinese law and affects China's security and stability.
On the matter of some people intruding into the Republic of Korean (ROK) Embassy and Canadian Embassy in Beijing, Liu said China's stance remains unchanged, and that the Chinese side demands the two embassies turn their intruders over to China.
Moreover, Liu noted, it is China's consistent position to handle such issues in accordance with the international law and relevant domestic laws and in a humanitarian spirit.
China will continue to follow this stance in resolving the existing issue of some people intruding into the ROK embassy and still keeps up consultation with the ROK side, the spokesman said.
Arms Control
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman affirmed the importance of safeguarding global strategic stability and the existing international arms control and disarmament mechanisms.
When asked about the China-Russia disarmament talks earlier this month, Liu said that on June 5, China and Russia had an in-depth exchange of views in Moscow on such issues as strategic stability, the U.S.- Russia nuclear disarmament and the prevention of weaponizing the outer space.
During the talks, both sides underlined the multi-lateral arms control, disarmament and anti-proliferation process, he said. The two governments would go on working together with the international community to make further efforts for this aim, the spokesman said.
Loya Jirga
China sincerely hopes the Afghan Loya Jirga would be a success, Liu said. "Loya Jirga, or Grand Assembly, is a great event in the country's peace process, and China hopes the meeting would be a success leading to long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan."
The Loya Jirga, which opened in Kabul on June 11 with the participation of delegates from throughout Afghanistan, had shown the Afghan people's desire for peace, Liu said.
China, as a friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, extended its congratulations over the smooth start of the Loya Jirga, the spokesman said.
Mideast Peace
China would continue to make efforts for the realization of long-term peace in the Middle East, the spokesman said.
Liu Jianchao said that Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Yang Wenchang would visit Israel and Palestine from June 18 to 21 and exchange views with leaders of both countries on the current situation in the Middle East and the promotion of friendly relations between China and the two countries.
The Chinese side considers it imperative that Israel and Palestine stop confrontation as soon as possible so as to create conditions for resolving disputes and achieving lasting peace in the region through talks, the spokesman said.
( June 14, 2002)
