China-US common interests come first 

China and the United States have extensive common interests as well as some disputes, but the common interests enjoy the top priority, said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel last Wednesday.

According to information from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, Li said good China-US relations comply with the fundamental interests of the two nations and benefit peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

Li said China holds that the China-US relations should be built on the principles specified in the three China-US joint communiqués.

Only by following the principles, especially the principles of mutual respect of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual benefit, and only by properly handling the Taiwan issue, can China-US relations grow healthily and steadily, Li said.

On the issue of anti-terrorism, Li said international terrorism is one of the major threats to the whole world and China has always actively participated in the international cooperation in fighting against it.

Some people said China persecuted minorities including Uygur people by using anti-terrorism as excuse, which is totally groundless and irresponsible, Li said.

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has achieved obvious social and economic progress and the policy of China's central government has received the support of all minorities including Xinjiang Uygur people, Li said.

Li emphasized that no sovereign country will sit idle with separatist activities and no responsible government could ignore the danger surrounding its people.

China's fight against the "East Turkistan" terrorist force is to maintain Xinjiang's regional peace and stability and the secured life of local people.

Li said he hoped those who have misunderstandings on the issue could come to China and see the country by themselves so as to avoid being misled by people with ulterior motives.

Peace talk sole correct solution to Korean nuclear issue

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in an interview with German weekly Der Spiegel last Wednesday that the sole correct solution to the Korean nuclear issue is to continue the peace talk process.

According to the information provided by the Chinese Foreign Ministry Tuesday, Li said the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsular and the security concerns of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are two indispensable key factors for the peaceful solution to Korean nuclear issue.

Li urged the concerned parties to boost mutual trust and increase consensus to achieve final peaceful solution to the issue by dialogues.

It serves the fundamental interests of concerned parties and also reflects a prevailing will within the international arena, Li stressed.

Li said the peaceful solution to the Korean nuclear issue might take time, patience and wisdom and go through a hard and tortuous process, but the efforts made for the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in northeast Asia was worthwhile, warning that if upheaval occurred on the peninsula, it would be a disaster for both the region and world.

China willing to help Iraq achieve peace, stability, development

China will continue to join the international efforts to help Iraq achieve peace, stability and development, said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in an interview with German weekly Der Spiegel last Wednesday.

According to information provided by the Chinese Foreign Ministry Tuesday, Li said China has done a lot before and during the Iraq war.

In order to maintain the authority of the UN Security Council, safeguard the basic interests of Iraqi people and ensure the long-term stability of the gulf region, China immediately put forward three propositions when the war ended, Li said.

The three propositions include: the United Nations should play an all-round role in Iraq's reconstruction and the international community should actively participate in it; Iraq should exercise its national sovereignty as soon as possible and the new government should be elected by Iraqi people and should be of broad representativeness; and each party's legal interest in Iraq should be fully respected and maintained.

In addition, China promised to provide 25 million US dollars humanitarian aid to Iraq at an international donors' conference held in Spain in October, he said.

Li said China has always actively participated in relevant consultations of the UN Security Council and made important contributions in maintaining the unity of the UN Security Council and promoting the role of the United Nations in Iraq's reconstruction.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2003)