The Chinese government appreciates the move taken by Russia to reject issuing a visa to the Dalai Lama, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said at a regular press conference in Beijing Thursday.

Kong said that in the joint communique issued after the regular meeting of prime ministers between China and Russia, certain articles mentioned the Tibet issue.

The communique says that "the two sides will continue to firmly support the other for maintaining state unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Russian side reiterates its stance on the Taiwan and Tibet issues."

In a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry Tuesday, Russia rejected a visa application from the Dalai Lama to visit Russia's republic of Kalmykia.

"Guided by the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and being aware of the sensitivity of the Tibet issue, we would not allow a visit by the Dalai Lama to Kalmykia at the invitation of a top official," the statement said.

The statement said Russia considers Tibet an inalienable part of China and that it refrains from any official contact with the Dalai Lama.

Russia last rejected a visa to the Dalai Lama in August 2002.

In another development, Kong said consultation is underway between China and the United States for Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the United States. The two sides also maintain communication on US Vice President Dick Cheney's visit to China.

"The Chinese side welcomes and is waiting for Vice President Cheney's visit to China at his convenience," Kong said.

Cheney's China tour was originally arranged for the first half of this year but was delayed for some reason.

Kong said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, in his recent visit to the United States, reached a consensus with US President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell that Sino-US ties enjoys a good growth momentum, and the two sides should make more efforts to expand consensus and increase understanding and trust so as to promote cooperation between the two countries.

According to Kong, Li reiterated to the US leaders that China hoped the United States would properly and seriously handle the Taiwan issue, the most sensitive and important issue on Sino-US relations that China concerns most.

China also hoped the United States would honor the three Sino-US joint communiques and the commitments made by the US to adhere to the one-China policy and oppose Taiwan independence, he said.
 
In response to a question about two Chinese overseas students who were suspected of murder and robbery in Fukuoka county in Japan, the spokesman said China hopes that the murder case will be properly resolved soon.

Kong said China expressed deep regret on this issue. Chinese police had already taken the two suspects into custody after receiving evidence from Japanese police. Kong said the case was now under further investigation.

He said law enforcement authorities of China and Japan had kept close contact, coordination and cooperation. The Chinese side believes that under the friendly cooperation between the two sides, the case will be resolved quickly and properly, Kong said.

When asked to comment on the consensus reached by the Sudanese warring parties on Sept. 24, the spokesman said China hopes Sudan will return to stability and peace soon, and dedicate itself to national development.

Kong said China and Sudan, both developing countries, face the task of developing their national economies. China, as a friend of Sudan, is pleased to see the warring parties in Sudan turn to negotiation.

China's embassy in Sudan has requested that the life of the Chinese there be safeguarded and their working environment and living conditions be fully guaranteed.

When talking about cooperation between China and Sudan, Kong said there was no problem for the two sides to enlarge cooperation based on mutual benefit and friendship. China will continue its cooperation with Sudan.
 
At yesterday's press conference, the spokesman confirmed Chinese President Hu Jintao will pay a visit to Australia.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard visited China about a month ago and invited Chinese President Hu Jintao to visit Australia, Kong said, adding that the visit was under preparation by both sides and the exact visit date would be released later.

Kong said the visit would be of significance to further increasing mutual understanding and boosting Sino-Australian cooperation.
 
(Source: Xinhua News Agency, September 26, 2003)