Vice Foreign Minister of China, Qiao Zonghuai, elaborated on Tuesday China's policy on migration and reiterated China's will to intensify cooperation in promoting normal migration.

At a session of the International Dialogue on Migration, hosted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Geneva, Qiao made several proposals on how to properly address the issue of global migration under the current situation.

He proposed to have a correct approach towards migration, to address both the symptom and the root cause of the problem, and to manage to improve policies, laws and regulations.

The world should also strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, crack down on people smuggling, and make comprehensive studies on various challenging issues, he added.

"China is not an immigration country in the traditional term. However, the Chinese government has attached importance to the issue of migration and actively promoted normal migration globally," said the vice minister.

He also commended the IOM for its positive role in assisting countries in resolving issues concerning migration.

The two-day meeting "International Dialogue on Migration", which began Tuesday, focuses on valuing the costs, benefits, opportunities and challenges of migration.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2004)