Liu Jianchao, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, solicits a question at the ministry's regular press briefing in Beijing December 21, 2004.

The creation of an anti-secession law is based on "doing the utmost for a scenario of peaceful reunification," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Tuesday.

"Commencing the legislative process against secession aims at curbing separatist activities, which is favourable for maintaining the peace, stability and prosperity of the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific region as well," Liu said at a regular news briefing.

The Standing Committee of National People's Congress (NPC) will deliberate on a draft anti-secession law at a coming session during December 25-29 in Beijing.

Many lawmakers and senior government advisers have proposed over the past year that a law on national reunification be promulgated as soon as possible.

"The legislature is expressing the common will of Chinese people by making the law, that is peaceful reunification and 'one country, two systems,'" said Liu.

Responding to reports that some US State Department officials have alleged that the proposed anti-secession code is a threat to regional peace, Liu said the comment indicates ignorance of China's stance on the issue.

He urged the United States to abide by its one-China commitment, and give support and understanding to the legislative actions of the NPC instead of sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces.

China urges US to sever military ties with Taiwan

China urges the United States to stop developing its military relations with Taiwan, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao Tuesday.

Liu made the remark on a regular press conference in response to a question on a report of the US appointment of a military liaison official to Taiwan.

The spokesman said the move taken by the United States to develop military ties with Taiwan, no matter with any excuse or by any means, infringes the principles set forth in three Sino-US joint communiques and encourages separatist activities in Taiwan.

The act will thus far sabotage the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and undermines the Sino-US relationship, he stressed.

China urges the US to honor its commitments, stop arms sales and military contacts with Taiwan so as to avoid undermining the common interests of China and the United States, said the spokesman.

The Taiwan authorities are trying to clinch an US$18 billion US weapons deal. The deal includes six Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile batteries, eight diesel-electric submarines and 12 P-3C Orion submarine-hunting aircraft.

China demands Japan correct wrongdoing of allowing Lee Teng-hui's entry

The Chinese government again requests the Japanese government to correct its wrongdoing of permitting Lee Teng-Hui's tour to Japan, the spokesman said.

Japan reportedly issued tourist visas to Lee Teng-hui, allowing him and his family to visit Nagoya and Kyoto for "sightseeing." The Japanese government said Lee would not conduct any political activity during his stay in Japan.

When asked to comment on this issue at a press conference, spokesman Liu Jianchao said the Japanese government, disregarding the solemn representation and firm opposition from the Chinese government, stubbornly allowed Lee to go to Japan to carry out separatist activities.

"The Chinese government expresses strong dissatisfaction and again demands the Japanese side rectify this wrong."

The political aim of Lee's tour is obviously to find people to back his bid for "Taiwan independence" and create external conditions for his separatism, said Liu, noting Japan clearly knows the point.

At a press conference held last Thursday, Liu described Lee as the chief representative of radicals seeking "Taiwan independence."

"The Japanese government's disregarding Sino-Japanese relations and permitting Lee's visit to Japan are connivance and support for 'Taiwan independence' separatist activity, as well as provocation to China's peaceful reunification cause," he said at that conference.

ROK official to discuss Korean Peninsula nuclear issue with Chinese side

Chung Dong-young, permanent chairman of the National Security Council of the Republic of Korea (ROK), will exchange views on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and bilateral relations with the Chinese side during his visit to China, said Liu.

Chung started his three-day visit to China Tuesday at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During his visit, the spokesman said, Chung will meet with Chinese leaders and leading members of the Foreign Ministry and the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

The two sides will "certainly" talk about the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. The exchange of views between the two sides will be beneficial to the promotion of bilateral cooperation, Liu said.

Commenting on European Union's decision on Friday to begin accession talks with Turkey next year, Liu said China hopes the continuation of the process can promote relations between China and the EU and China and Turkey.

"China welcomes the move," said Liu, calling it is a key step for the EU and Turkey after years of efforts.

By People's Daily Online