China on Tuesday reaffirmed its positive attitude on working with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

 

"China holds a positive attitude on exchanges and cooperation with the OPEC," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang told the regular briefing.

 

Qin responded to questions on Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun's recent visit to Dubai, capital of the United Arab Emirates. Zhai was quoted as saying that China wanted to launch a consultation mechanism with the OPEC.

 

"China is one of the major energy producers and consumers in the world. Closer dialogue and cooperation between China and the OPEC will help sound growth of the international energy market," Qin said.

 

Aid to Philippines

 

Typhoon-ravaged Philippines is to receive US$200,000 in aid from the Chinese government, Qin said.

 

Qin said the widespread damage caused by typhoon Durian is of deep concern to China and the Red Cross Society of China will also donate US$50,000 to its Philippine counterpart.

 

Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing have sent messages to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo, expressing sympathy and condolences.

 

Typhoon Durian hit the Philippines on December 1. So far, the confirmed death toll stands at 425 with 599 still missing.

 

Iran nuclear issue

 

Qin said China hopes the Paris meeting on Iran nuclear issue would help solve the issue peacefully through political and diplomatic ways.

 

High-level officials from six nations including Britain, China, France, Russia, the US, and Germany, as well as the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana, met on Tuesday in Paris to discuss Iran's nuclear program.

 

Qin said Zhang Yan, director of the Foreign Ministry Department of Arms Control and Disarmament, also led a delegation to the meeting.

 

Six-party talks

 

All involved parties should increase efforts and flexibility to create favorable conditions under which to resume the six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue, said Qin.

 

China always hopes to resolve the nuclear issue through peaceful negotiations and dialogue, further insisting?on solving relevant issues through the six-party talks.

 

He said China wishes early resumption of the talks despite no settled schedule, an issue needing negotiations and consensus from all sides, and will continue to make efforts.

 

Discussing the precise luxuries prohibited from export to North Korea, Qin said the list is still in discussion by the Security Council.

 

The Resolution 1718 of the Security Council passed in October prohibited exports of luxury goods to North Korea for the elite.

 

Qin also stressed that China will seriously and earnestly implement Resolution 1718 of the UN Security Council.

 

Energy chiefs of China, Japan to meet

 

The Energy chiefs of China and Japan will soon hold a dialogue, Qin said. This new dialogue was proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in November in Hanoi, while meeting with President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of the 14th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

 

"China and Japan share common views on energy cooperation," Qin said. "Both countries call for further communication on energy issues. Now China and Japan are working on schedules of energy chiefs' meeting."

 

Abe hoped the upcoming dialogue would help step up the cooperation on energy-saving and environmental protection.

 

Baradei's China visit?

 

China hopes the visit of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Mohamedel Baradei will help strengthen bilateral cooperation, Qin said, adding this would entail peaceful use of nuclear energy and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

 

Baradei is paying a visit to China from December 4 to 7 at the invitation of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA). During the visit, Foreign Minister Li and CAEA director Sun Qin will hold talks with Baradei.

 

On Tuesday, Baradei visited Tsinghua University where he received an honorary doctor degree.

 

He will also visit the China Institute of Atomic Energy and its laboratories, before attending the opening ceremony of a training center jointly established by the IAEA and the CAEA.

 

Talks on law of sea issues with S Korea

 

China and South Korea are due to hold talks on maritime law on Wednesday in Beijing, Qin said.

 

The two sides will discuss sea area demarcation, maritime scientific research, and other issues of common concern.

 

"China has consistently advocated that sea area demarcation problems between China and other countries, including South Korea, be solved through negotiations and consultations in accordance with international law principles as well as the principle of impartiality," Qin said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2006)