The Chinese government appreciated the move taken by Russia to reject issuing a visa to the Dalai Lama, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said Thursday.

Kong said that in the joint communique issued after the regular meeting of prime ministers between China and Russia, certain articles mentioned the Tibet issue.

The communique says that "the two sides will continue to firmly support the other for maintaining state unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Russian side reiterates its stance on the Taiwan and Tibet issues."

In a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry Tuesday, Russia rejected a visa application from the Dalai Lama to visit Russia's republic of Kalmykia.

"Guided by the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and being aware of the sensitivity of the Tibet issue, we would not allow a visit by the Dalai Lama to Kalmykia at the invitation of a top official," the statement said.

The statement said Russia considers Tibet an inalienable part of China and that it refrains from any official contact with the Dalai Lama.

Russia last rejected a visa to the Dalai Lama in August 2002.

President's visit to Australia

The Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that Chinese President Hu Jintao will pay a visit to Australia.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard visited China about a month ago and invited Chinese President Hu Jintao to visit Australia, Kong said, adding that the visit was under preparation by both sides and the exact visit date would be released later.

Kong said the visit would be of significance to further increasing mutual understanding and boosting Sino-Australian cooperation.

China hopes Sudan will return to stability and peace soon

Kong Quan said that China hopes Sudan will return to stability and peace soon, and dedicate itself to national development.

He made the remarks when asked to comment on the consensus reached by the Sudanese warring parties on September 24.

Kong said China and Sudan, both developing countries, face the task of developing their national economies. China, as a friend of Sudan, is pleased to see the warring parties in Sudan turn to negotiation.

China's embassy in Sudan has requested that the life of the Chinese there be safeguarded and their working environment and living conditions be fully guaranteed.

When talking about cooperation between China and Sudan, Kong said there was no problem for the two sides to enlarge cooperation based on mutual benefit and friendship. China will continue its cooperation with Sudan.

China hopes for proper solution of student murder in Japan

China hopes that the murder case involving Chinese overseas students in Japan will be properly resolved soon, Kong said.

He made the remark in response to a question about two Chinese overseas students who were suspected of murder and robbery in Fukuoka county in Japan.

Kong said China expressed deep regret on this issue. Chinese police had already taken the two suspects into custody after receiving evidence from Japanese police. Kong said the case was now under further investigation.

He said law enforcement authorities of China and Japan had kept close contact, coordination and cooperation. The Chinese side believes that under the friendly cooperation between the two sides, the case will be resolved quickly and properly, Kong said.

(People's Daily September 26, 2003)