Anti-terrorism is a long, arduous task that requires protracted international co-operation and the due role of the United Nations and the UN Security Council, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said yesterday.

Military actions against terrorism should be focused only on specific terrorist targets and not spread to or affect other nations or innocent civilians, Tang told his British counterpart Jack Straw, via telephone.

Every effort must be taken in Afghanistan to ensure regional peace and stability as well as to safeguard world peace and development, he added.

Tang also focused on anti-terrorism efforts in a face-to-face meeting with James Kelly, US assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Kelly is in Beijing meeting with several senior Chinese officials.

The Chinese Government has consistently opposed terrorism of any form, backed relevant resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council and supported actions against terrorism, Chinese officials said.

The Chinese side reiterated its stance on the Taiwan issue and concerns for recent US actions and statements in this regard, pointing out that this matter has always been the most important and sensitive issue in bilateral relations.

Kelly noted that the US understands the Taiwan issue is central to bilateral ties and he reiterated that the US Government will continue to follow the one-China policy.

(China Daily 10/11/2001)