Indian Foreign Minister's Visit Expected
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue Thursday said the visit of Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh, which kicks off Friday, will achieve positive results.
Zhang said Singh's visit will help enhance bilateral understanding, keep the momentum of high-level exchanges and promote reciprocal bilateral cooperation.
Chinese leaders including Vice-Premier Qian Qichen is expected to meet the Indian foreign minister.
Besides Beijing, Singh will visit Shanghai and Shanxi Province, she said.
Hu Jintao's US visit in Preparation
When asked about Vice-President Hu Jintao's planned visit to the United States, Zhang said the two sides are making preparations for the trip.
Sino-ROK Relations
Turning to relations between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK), Zhang said the two countries will hold a series of activities this year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties to further deepen understanding and friendship between the two peoples and promote bilateral relations.
The two sides agreed to designate this year as a year for exchanges of citizens of the two countries during Premier Zhu Rongji's meeting with ROK President Kim Dae-jung in 2000 in Seoul.
The opening ceremony for these activities hosted by ROK was launched in Beijing on Wednesday and the Chinese Cultural Minister will arrive in Seoul Friday for the opening ceremony by the Chinese side.
East Turkistan Terrorists
When asked about the Chinese involved in terrorist activities in Afghanistan, Zhang said they should be repatriated to China.
"All kinds of evidence have shown that East Turkistan terrorists have countless ties with international terrorist organizations and have directly participated in international terrorist activities,'' Zhang said.
"Facts have shown that they have been trained by and have fought together with the Al Qaida.''
Zhang said the crackdown on East Turkistan terrorists is a part of international anti-terrorism efforts.
(People's Daily March 29, 2002)
