Only in this way can lasting stability be achieved in the Gulf region, Liu said at a regular press conference.

He added that many countries share the same or similar views with China on the issue.

Liu said China will continue its consultations with relevant parties in the UN Security Council.

China has reiterated its call for an immediate halt to the war to avoid more casualties and to restore world peace and stability and global economic development currently under threat from the war, Liu stressed.

China Has Not Provided Weapons to Iraq Since 1990

China always strictly complies with relevant resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations (UN) and has not provided weapons to Iraq since 1990, Liu said at the press conference.

He said China opposed Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and supports Kuwait's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Liu said, China is committed to making efforts to restore peace and stability to the Gulf region.

China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met Monday with Kuwaiti Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-salem Al-sabah in Beijing, and the two sides exchanged views on the current situation in Iraq and on bilateral ties.

China briefed Kuwait on its principled stance on the Iraq issue and expressed its hope that the Iraq war will end as soon as possible to avoid the further loss of innocent lives.

China Reiterates Korean Nuclear Issue Should Be Resolved Through DPRK-US Dialogue

China continues to believe that the Korean nuclear issue should be resolved through dialogue, especially through dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States, Liu said.

He said China continues to attach a great deal of importance to the situation on the Korean peninsula, especially the evolution of the Korean nuclear issue.

China supports the peaceful resolution of the issue through dialogue and agrees that the peninsula should be nuclear-free, Liu said.

Liu also noted that the DPRK's security concerns should be taken into consideration by relevant parties.

Liu said the United Nations should avoid involvement as long as its involvement is not deemed useful, and all parties should refrain from actions that could complicate the situation.

China has made and will continue to make efforts to promote a peaceful resolution of the issue, Liu said.

Chinese Government Taking Measures to Combat Atypical Pneumonia

In response to related questions, Liu said the Chinese government has taken active measures to combat the atypical pneumonia disease.

Liu said relevant Chinese departments have disseminated the latest report on the disease, and prior to that, local governments had publicized information.

With respect to this problem, he said, there's no doubt about the government's transparency.

The Chinese government is trying to offer more information to the public, Liu said.

He said the Chinese side has communicated effectively with the World Heath Organization on the prevention and treatment of the disease and that WHO experts have gone to Guangdong Province to conduct research.

Liu said China hopes that related nations will evaluate the situation scientifically according to the statistics provided by the Chinese Ministry of Health and maintain regular cooperation and exchanges with China.

He said foreigners visiting China are safe as long as they take proper preventive measures.

Chinese tourist groups visiting other nations are not infected with the disease, he said.

China Appreciates Indian FM's Statement on Sino-India Relations

China appreciates the Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha's statement on Sino-India relations and hopes the two sides will enhance coordination and cooperation, Liu said at the press conference.

Asked to comment on Sinha's statement that India will continue to regard China as one of its most important friendly neighbors, Liu said India is China's important neighboring nation and that the two countries have enjoyed a long traditional friendship.

Liu said that, in recent years, friendly relations have continued to develop on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence.

In the context of the current complex global state of affairs, as the largest developing nations, China and India should further their coordination and cooperation to contribute to regional and world peace and stability, he said.

China Advocates Dialogue in Resolving India-Pakistan Dispute

With respect to the India-Pakistan dispute, China hopes India and Pakistan can resolve their dispute properly through dialogue and negotiations, according to Liu.

Peace and stability in South Asia can be achieved in this way, Liu said, noting that India and Pakistan, as two important countries in this region, shoulder great responsibility in maintaining regional peace and stability.

China holds that conflicts between countries should be resolved through peaceful channels and dialogue and opposes the use of or the threat of the use of military force, he said.

China Hopes Japan Will Create Appropriate Atmosphere for Visits of Leaders

Referring to Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi’s just concluded China visit, Liu said China hopes that Japan will create an atmosphere appropriate for visits by the two countries' leaders.

According to Liu, during Yoriko Kawaguchi’s visit, the Chinese side said that China maintains a positive attitude with regard to visits and exchanges by leaders of the two countries.

China hopes that the Japanese side will create the appropriate atmosphere in this regard, Liu said.

He said Yoriko Kawaguchi had exchanged views with the Chinese side on bilateral ties and on international and regional issues of common concern, The two leaders had reached consensus, the spokesman added.

The two sides agreed to develop bilateral ties on the basis of the principle of "drawing on historical lessons and looking ahead to the future" and on the basis of the three political documents signed by the two sides, he said.

Yoriko Kawaguchi paid an official visit to China from April 6 to 8.

ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade to Visit China

Yoon Young-kwan, minister of foreign affairs and trade of the Republic of Korea, will visit China from April 10 to 12.

During his visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will hold talks with him and China's leaders will meet with Yoon, Liu announced at the press conference.

The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations, the Korean Peninsula issue and international and regional situations, Liu said.

Date of Singaporean PM's China Tour Under Discussion

According to Liu, Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has expressed his willingness to visit China this year, and the date of the visit is being discussed by both sides.

(Source from Xinhua News Agency, April 9, 2003)