The Foreign Ministry said in Beijing yesterday that the government strongly denounced the attack on its consulate in the Japanese city of Nagoya on Friday and that it was lodging a serious representation with the Japanese government.

Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao told a regular news briefing that China urged the Japanese side to severely punish the man responsible and adopt effective measures to protect the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan as well as the safety of its citizens there, and prevent similar incidents happening again.

The 24-year-old Japanese man, who described himself as a rightist, was arrested last Friday after spraying the front of the building housing the consulate with a fire extinguisher and attempting to enter it. No staff of the consulate were injured

Six-party talks

Liu also said that another session of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue was unlikely to start next week due to time and technical reasons.

All the parties involved agreed, after the first phase of the fifth round of talks, to hold a second one as soon as possible, he said, yet the specific time needs to be set in the light of further consultation amongst them.

Liu stressed that China would keep close contact with the other five parties and listen to their opinions and suggestions.

He said all opinions and suggestions of the parties to the talks would be taken into consideration in deciding how to push forward the next session and implement the joint document.

The six parties are China, Japan, North Korea, Russia, South Korea and the US.

UN Secretary-General

Liu said the next secretary-general of the UN, a role he said has special and significant roles in pushing forward UN affairs and in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development worldwide, should come from an Asian country.

The government attaches great importance to the selection, Liu said, adding that Asian people haven't taken the important post for 34 years though Asia is the most populous continent.

According to Liu, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan held talks yesterday with visiting Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiat Sathirathai on proposed UN reforms.

The government suggests that Asian countries should conduct consultation and reach consensus on an Asian candidate for the next UN Secretary-General, said Liu.

Yasukuni Shrine visits

Liu said the government also urges Japan to be aware of the seriousness and sensitivity of the Yasukuni Shrine problem, and take a rational and responsible attitude toward it.

"This is the only choice for Japan to improve relations with Asian neighbors and to work together for our future," he said.

It has been reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Aso Taro claimed recently that the Yushukan Museum at the shrine, which honors 14 Class-A war criminals among about 2 million other Japanese war dead, does not beautify Japan's war of aggression but reflects the situation at that time.

"We were shocked by his remarks," Liu said.

He said the shrine denies history and glorifies Japanese militarism, and the museum is the core facility advocating a "Yasukuni history concept."

"This is acknowledged by all people of the world, and his denial has only proven he has no courage to face history," Liu said.

US one-China policy 

US President George W. Bush reaffirmed his one-China policy and his stance in opposition to Taiwan independence, Liu said, when talking on the Taiwan issue with Chinese leaders.

He also voiced his opposition to any unilateral actions aimed to change the status-quo across Taiwan strait, said Liu.

UN torture rapporteur visits China

Manfred Novak, the special rapporteur on torture of the UN Human Rights Commission, arrived in China on Monday for a visit which will last until December 2, said Liu.

Liu China attaches importance to Novak's visit to China, a special procedure under the UN Commission on Human Rights.

Liu expressed hope that Novak's visit can further increase mutual understanding and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

It is believed that through joint efforts, his visit can achieve the desired results on the basis of mutual respect, Liu noted.

Iranian nuclear issue

China supports the efforts of Iran and three EU nations – France, Germany and the UK – to seek a long-term solution to the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations, Liu said. 

He said China has always advocated its proper settlement as early as possible within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

China welcomes "any positive actions and measures" conducive to the solution of the problem, he said.

Peace in Iraq

Asked to comment on the decision of South Korea to withdraw its troops from Iraq, Liu said China will support actions that help realize stability, peace, security and economic growth in Iraq.

"China's position on the Iraq issue has always been clear," Liu said.

He underlined that his government will actively participate in the work of reconstruction in Iraq and hopes it will resume stability and achieve national reconciliation at an early date.

Aid to post-quake Pakistan

China will exchange views with Pakistani agencies on how to provide more aid to the post-earthquake country, Liu said.

He said China hoped work in this regard can be done as soon as possible with coordinated efforts.

The government sent a delegation to an international donors' conference on November 19, convened to help the reconstruction in Pakistan.

China made four new promises on granting more aid at the conference, said Liu, and hopes Pakistan can do more work in coordination so as to materialize the aid.

Argentine, Ethiopian, Romanian FM visits

Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Rafael Bielsa will visit November 23-25 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Liu said, as will Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin November 27-30 and Romanian Foreign Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu November 26 to 29.

Mongolian President visit

President Nambaryn Enkhbayar of Mongolia will also pay a state visit from November 27 to December 3 at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2005)