China, US to talk on arms control in Washington next month
( 2002-03-01 10:00 ) (1 )

Chinese officials will head for Washington for arms control talks with the United States in early March, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan announced on Thursday.

The officials will attend a Sino-US seminar on arms control in Washington, in which the two sides are to hold in-depth discussions and exchange views on issues concerning arms control, the ministry spokesman Kong Quan said at a news briefing.

China and the United States share common interests as well as differences on issues of disarmament and non-proliferation, and the seminar will provide an opportunity for further discussion, said Kong at a regular news briefing.

Kong pointed out that any problems concerning nonproliferation should be properly solved through political and diplomatic means, he said.

He said the Chinese Government has faithfully abided by international treaties and commitments on non-proliferation and has adopted strict and effective controls on the export of materials and technologies of mass destruction weapons with a prudent and responsible attitude.

On the other hand, China favours adopting effective measures to strengthen international efforts on non-proliferation, Kong said.

All nations should set up an objective, reasonable, universal and non-biased multilateral system, Kong said.

Thursday, also the 30th anniversary of the Shanghai Communique, Kong said he hoped China and the United States would increase their mutual trust and co-operation.

The two nations have progressed in many areas, and all mutual exchanges, whether official or unofficial, have reached a top level over the last three decades, Kong said.

The improvement and development of Sino-US relations will not only benefit both countries, but also will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, he said.