China hopes all parties will work together for peace and stability in Central Asia, thus contributing to maintaining peace and development in the region, says Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan.
Kong made the remarks in Beijing Tuesday afternoon at a regular press conference when asked to comment on the United States' growing influence in Central Asia, specifically in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Two years ago the armed forces of both the United States and NATO entered this oil and gas-rich area which borders China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Kong said peace in Central Asia concerned all countries in the region and China had noted that the United States had stated several times it had no intention of stationing armed forces there for a long period of time.
(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2003)
|