FM calls for US, N.Korea flexibility in nuclear talks
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-03-06 10:21

Relations with neighbors

Li said that the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) could play as a conduit for the Asian countries to work together and strengthen cooperation.

"It is our hope that the Fourth Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the ACD would be a success" when it is held next month in Pakistan, Li said.

Calling Pakistan an "all-weather" friend of China, Li said the two countries would further strengthen bilateral relations and collaboration in multi-lateral spheres and various regional organizations.

"This is conducive not only to our peoples, but also to regional development and stability," he said.

When asked about relations between China and Sigapore, who are to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations, Li said China appreciated the Singaporean government's adherence to the one-China principle and opposition to "Taiwan independence."

China is willing and ready to further deepen friendly relations and cooperation with Singapore in the United Nations and other international organizations as well as the regional cooperative frameworks of "10+1" and "10+3", meaning the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China (10+1), and plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3), respectively, he said.

He said that China has maintained friendly relations with the ASEAN countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines.

China and ASEAN are also moving toward a strategic partnership toward peace and prosperity in a mutual and beneficial way, Li noted.

China and ASEAN have fully launched the process for a free trade area and achieved 105.8 billion dollars in two-way trade last year, topping the pre-set target ahead of schedule.

Li said China had donated 1.27 billion yuan (153.4 million US dollars) of assistance to the tsunami-hit countries in South and Southeast Asia by March 1, including 686 million yuan of government aid and 576 million yuan from the non-governmental sector.
More than half of the government assistance, including materials and cash, had been sent to the tsunami-ravaged countries.

China also sent two international rescue teams, four medical teams and one DNA examination expert group to the tsunami-hit countries, Li noted.

Although it is a developing country with its own difficulties in economic and social development and a natural calamities-prone nation itself, China has made its utmost efforts to help its friends and neighbors hit by disasters within its capacity, he said.

When asked about the informal leaders' meeting of the Asian- Pacific Economic Cooperation to be held in the Republic of Korea ( ROK) later this year, Li said China and the ROK have enjoy a smooth progress in developing comprehensive and cooperation relations.

Meanwhile, Li stressed the traditional friendly relations between China and the Domestic People's Republic of Korea also witness a continuous development.

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