CHINA / Ministry Press Conference
Japan leaders must correct mistakes: FM
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-03-08 05:52
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing yesterday reiterated China's objections to
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the Yasukuni Shrine
that honours Japan's convicted World War II war criminals.
Li described the visits as inexplicably "stupid and immoral" and demanded
that Koizumi and other Japanese leaders not repeat them.
"Japanese leaders must demonstrate courage and sincerity and correct
their mistakes," Li said at a news conference held on the sidelines of
the annual session of the National People's Congress.
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing holds a press conference in the Great Hall
of the People on the sidelines of the ongoing session of the National
People's Congress in Beijing March 7, 2006. [Xinhua]
He urged Japanese leaders to learn from Germany, whose leaders shunned
Adolf Hitler and the Nazis after World War II.
"We cannot bring the war victims back to life, but we should at least
refrain from doing anything that hurts the feelings of the victims'
offspring," Li quoted a German official as saying.
He described the fourth round of Sino-Japan East China Sea consultations,
which concluded yesterday, as "pragmatic and constructive."
"China and Japan have agreed to hold the next round of consultations as
early as possible," Li said.
On Sino-US trade, Li said China is not pursuing a trade surplus.
"We are willing to take active measures to gradually resolve the
imbalance," Li said, asking Washington not to politicize its trade
frictions with Beijing.
One of the major reasons for the surplus is US restrictions on high-tech
exports to China, he said.
He noted that the restrictions are against World Trade Organization norms
and unnecessary as many of the products on the list, such as computers
and high tech nuclear power equipment, could be used for either civilian
or military purposes.
"Take this cup of tea for example," he joked. "Would you say it is for
military use when a soldier drinks it, and for civilian use when I drink
it?"
As for US complaints about intellectual property rights violations in
China, Li said Beijing is also a victim. The government investigated
39,000 trademark violations last year, while the courts heard 3,500 IPR
cases.
He said President Hu Jintao will visit the United States shortly, the
first as president; and that both sides are busy preparing for the visit.
Li also defended China's double-digit rise in the military budget, saying
the country spends far less than the United States.
China's military spending, in per capita terms, was just 1/77 of the
United States, he noted, adding that the country's national defence
policy is transparent and is completely defensive in nature.
On the Taiwan question, he said China resolutely opposes "Taiwan
independence" and will never tolerate secessionist moves to separate the
island from the mainland.
He emphasized that Taiwan was the most important issue in Sino-US
relations; and expressed the hope that Washington sticks to the one-China
policy, observe the three Sino-US joint communiques, has a clear
understanding of the dangerous nature of "Taiwan independence"
secessionist forces and activities, and takes concrete measures to oppose
such attempts.
He called on Washington not to send false signals to "Taiwan
independence" secessionists and work together with China to safeguard
peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits region.
Li also said China welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit
later this month when he and Hu will attend the opening ceremony of "the
Year of Russia" in China and a Sino-Russia high-level business forum.
On the Iran nuclear issue, Li said the country should co-operate closely
with the International Atomic Energy Agency to settle the dispute.
"There is still room for settlement of the issue with the IAEA," Li said.
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Premier Wen Jiabao answers questions from foreign and domestic
journalists after the conclusion of the annual session of the National
People's Congress in Beijing March 14, 2006. The annual meeting of the
top lawmaking body closed at the Great Hall of the People. [Xinhua]
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