The Chinese government is strongly opposed to any country providing the Dalai Lama with a venue for his separatist activities, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao told a regular press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

 

Liu was referring to the Dalai Lama's ongoing visit to Belgium.

 

Liu said that the Dalai Lama is a political figure in exile who favors separatism. China has lodged solemn representations with Belgium over the matter.

 

Turning to the Iran nuclear issue, Liu said: "China supports all efforts conducive to resolving the Iranian nuclear issue peacefully through diplomatic means."

 

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday that Washington would join several of the European countries in talks with Iran over its disputed nuclear issue if Tehran suspends uranium enrichment activities.?

 

Liu said that China welcomes the US offer to join the talks.

 

He added: "It is a consistent stance of the Chinese government that international disputes should be solved through dialogue and peaceful means." Further, he said that solving the Iranian nuclear standoff through political negotiations is in the interest of China and others.?

 

China pursues no selfish interests in calling for a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue although the two countries do cooperate in the energy field, Liu said.

 

Speaking about the China-Arab Cooperation Forum that ended in Beijing yesterday, Liu said that China and the Arab League nations yesterday agreed to work together on energy and counter-terrorism measures as part of their drive to build a new partnership with China.

 

All parties place a heavy emphasis on energy cooperation particularly in oil, natural gas and renewable power projects.

 

On Wednesday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmud al-Zahar told the forum that the Palestinian government would study the Arab peace initiative with a "serious and positive attitude" in an attempt to find a just solution to the conflict.

 

Liu said: "Zahar's remarks are a positive sign and China welcomes them. China insists on the settling of the Middle East issue through negotiation on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions and the principle of land for peace.

 

"We hope the international community will make concerted efforts to encourage the new Palestinian government to adopt a more active attitude, to renounce violence, accept the previously reached agreements and start peace talks with Israel."

 

As to North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun's visit to China, Liu said Paek met with both Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing.

 

"Paek explained North Korea's thoughts and attitude to pushing for a resumption of the six-party Korean nuclear talks," Liu said. "He also repeated that North Korea's ultimate aim is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

 

The six-party talks involve China, Russia, the US, North Korea, South Korea and Japan. The last round of talks ended in a stalemate in Beijing last September.

 

In other announcements, Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev will pay a state visit to China from June 9 to 10 at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.

 

(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily June 2, 2006)