The relations between China and Malawi will "develop comprehensively and rapidly" based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence after the two countries established diplomatic ties, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu on Tuesday at a regular press conference.

 

"The establishment of the diplomatic ties has laid a sound foundation for friendly cooperation in all fields in the future," said Jiang.

 

The decision to establish diplomatic relations conforms with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people, said Jiang.

 

She said China is willing to establish and develop friendly ties with all countries based on the one-China policy.

 

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Malawian Minister for Presidential and Parliamentary Affairs Davis Katsonga signed a joint communique in Beijing on Dec. 28, 2007 to forge diplomatic relations.

 

Olympics

 

China opposes any actions trying to politicize the Olympic Games, said Jiang.

 

The Olympic Games is a sport gala for the whole world and the Chinese government is carefully fulfilling its commitment in the preparation of the Games, Jiang said.

 

"However, at this moment, a few organizations are attaching some topics to the Olympic Games to slur China's image and to put pressure on the Chinese government. Their purposes are unspeakable and they can't succeed, because they are against the Olympic spirit," said Jiang.

 

"No country in the world is perfect in human right issues. The Chinese people are enjoying many rights that they have never enjoyed before." Jiang said, "The Chinese government has consistently advocated dialogues on an equal footing to narrow disparities and to boost human right development around the world."

 

Icheon explosion

 

China hopes South Korea can take active measures to protect the safety of Chinese workers and prevent accidents like the Icheon explosion from happening again, said Jiang.

 

She said the identities of the 12 Chinese victims have been verified and their families have arrived in South Korea to deal with the aftermath of the tragedy.

 

According to Jiang, families of Chinese victims have agreed in principle on the compensation for the victims. Negotiation on the compensation of the injured workers will start soon.

 

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is visiting South Korea as special envoy of the Chinese government, sent food and commodities to the families of Chinese victims in Icheon, 80 km southeast of Seoul, and expressed his condolence to them through officials of the Chinese Embassy.

 

The explosion at a warehouse in Icheon killed 40 people, including 12 Chinese, and injured 10 others on Jan. 7.

 

Six-party talks

 

China believes the new round of six-party talks will be held at a "ripe time", said Jiang.

 

She said the current progress of six-party talks is hard-won. China hopes all sides continue their efforts to realize various agreements in a comprehensive and balanced way to push forward the denuclearization on the Korean peninsular.

 

Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and top US nuclear envoy Christopher Hill met in Beijing last week to discuss the current situation of the talks as well as the resumption of the new round.

 

The last round of talks ended last October with an agreement saying North Korea agreed to disable all its existing nuclear facilities and provide a complete and correct declaration of its nuclear programs by the end of 2007. North Korea missed the deadline to list all its nuclear programs.

 

Rescued Taiwan fishermen near Fiji

 

All the 11 fishermen trapped on a wrecked Taiwan fishing boat have been rescued and have safely arrived in the Fiji capital Suva, said Jiang.

 

"They are all in good health," said Jiang.

 

The Taiwan boat hit a rock about 250 sea miles from Fiji Islands on Saturday. The fishermen asked for rescue from China Maritime Search and Rescue Center through rescue institution in Taiwan, Jiang said.

 

China launched an emergency response immediately after receiving the request, and ordered the Chinese embassies in Fiji and New Zealand to contact the Fiji government, assist in rescue work, and provide for medical care and other follow-ups, said Jiang.

 

Vietnamese deputy PM's coming visit

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will pay an official visit to China from Jan. 22 to 26.

 

He is invited by State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan to co-chair the second meeting of the China-Vietnam steering committee on cooperation, Jiang announced.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2008)