Foreign ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao condemned the US over its decision to pass the amendment.

"The US Congress has, in disregard of the opposition and representations of the Chinese side, inserted the amendment of the so-called 'US Policy on Macao' in the relative bill and President Clinton has signed it into law," said Zhu.

It has made irresponsible remarks on Macao affairs in an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of Macao and infringe upon the sovereignty of China using the pretext of export controls and the question of human rights, he said.

"We demand that the United States strictly abide by the fundamental norms governing international relations and stop the erroneous interference in the internal affairs of China," Zhu concluded.

Turning to the Cambodian Parliament's decision on Tuesday to try the surviving former leaders of the Khmer Rouge (Democratic Kampuchea) regime, Zhu said that China's position on that issue is clear. The Khmer Rouge question is an internal affair of Cambodia.

"We maintain that it should be handled independently by the Cambodian Government and people without any foreign interference,"Zhu said.

The Khmer Rouge are reportedly responsible for 1.7 million deaths between 1975 and 1979.

In response to Pakistan's wish to participate in the "Shanghai Five" summit, Zhu said recruiting new member requires discussions and consultations among the five members.

The five member countries -- China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, will hold the sixth summit in Shanghai this May, according to Zhu.

Commenting on Vice-President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to Iran, Syria, Jordan, Cyprus, and Uganda from January 5 to 19, 2001, Zhu said that through the visits both China and these countries will enhance understanding, deepen friendship, expand common ground and promote co-operation.

The Middle-East Peace process is expected to be discussed during the visit, Zhu said.

(China Daily 01/05/2001)