US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit China from
February 26 to 27 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman
Liu Jianchao announced in Beijing on Thursday at a routine press
conference.
According to Liu, China and the United States would exchange
views during Rice's visit "on bilateral relations and the
significant regional and international issues of common
concern".
He said he hoped both sides could exchange views on issues of
common concern, further implement a series of important consensuses
reached by their leaders and enhance exchanges and cooperation.
"The ultimate aim is to push for the healthy, steady and
sustainable development of China-US relations," he added.
China, DPRK, ROK meets in Beijing
Officials from China, North Korea and South Korea on Thursday
met in Beijing to discuss economic and energy assistance within the
framework of six-party talks.
China's Ambassador for Korean Peninsula Issues Chen Naiqing is
heading the Chinese delegation, which also includes officials from
the foreign ministry and commercial ministry, said Liu.
"The six-party talks and the Korean Peninsula denuclearization
process have achieved remarkable progress, which is attributed by
all to the great efforts by relevant parties including China," Liu
said.
Despite some current difficulties, all parties have maintained
consultation and communication, Liu said.
"China is ready to make joint efforts to push forward the
six-party talks so as to realize the agreements completely and in a
balanced fashion," Liu said.
The six-party talks held in Beijing last February reached a
nuclear deal, where North Korea agreed to disable its nuclear
reactor and declare all nuclear programs and facilities by the end
of last year to pave the way for dismantlement. However, North
Korea missed the deadline despite reported progress in its
declaration.
Top US nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill visited Beijing at
the beginning of the week, during which he had "a good substantial
discussion" with his North Korean counterpart Kim Kye Gwan on
details about North Korea's full declaration of its nuclear
programs.
China's Africa policies are widely welcomed by African
nations
China's Africa policies are widely welcomed by African
nations,Liu said.
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He made the remark when responding to a question concerning US
President George W. Bush's recent comment on the Africa policies
between the United States and China during his visit to Ghana on
Wednesday.
Liu said China's Africa policies are responsible. They are also
intended to establish economic and trade ties of mutual benefit,
and to promote peace and development in Africa.
"The cooperation between China and Africa has won wide welcome
from African nations," Liu said.
He pointed to Ghanaian President John Kufuor's comment that
China participated in the development of Africa as a friend and
partner which, as Liu believed, was echoed by most African leaders
and people.
"I wouldn't say much about the US policies in Africa. I hope
those policies are conducive to peace and development in
Africa."
(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2008)
