Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at Tuesday's regular press conference that Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice Premier Huang Ju and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing have sent congratulatory letters to Vanuatu's new Prime Minister Ham Lini and to Sato Kilman, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs.

Ham Lini sent a letter to Premier Wen on Monday in which he reiterated that Vanuatu would adhere to the one-China policy and would not have any official relations with Taiwan. He also reaffirmed that his government has revoked all agreements signed between former Vanuatuan leaders and Taiwan authorities on November 3.

"We appreciate the stance of Vanuatu," Liu said.

Liu stated that China and Vanuatu have developed friendly and cooperative relations during their 22 years of political ties, noting that the one-China policy is the fundamental principle on which its diplomatic relations are based.

The one-China policy states that the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.

Liu said that China anticipates working with the new government in Vanuatu to promote ties based on the communiqué establishing diplomatic relations and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Vanuatu's parliament dismissed Prime Minister Serge Vohor on Friday, a month after he signed a deal recognizing Taiwan. Deputy Prime Minister Ham Lini was named to replace Vohor.

Turning to the Korean Peninsula nuclear standoff, Liu said that China is still confident and sincere in the continuation of its efforts to resume the six-party talks as soon as possible.

He said all parties believe that the six-party talks are, at present, the only feasible and effective way of solving the nuclear issue and they should be continued. China requests all parties to be sincere and flexible to advance the negotiation process.

Japan's military activities are a sensitive issue for various historical reasons, said Liu, and China hopes Japan will give priority to maintaining peace and stability in the region despite its increasing attention to military affairs.

He also condemned Japan's use of the "China Threat" theory in official documents, adding that the assertion is groundless and irresponsible.

Liu said that World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director James Morris had visited China from December 9 to 14, inspecting some WFP projects in Gansu Province and meeting with Premier Wen and Foreign Minister Li.

"China is a developing country with 29 million impoverished people, but since there are still 850 million people living in poverty in the world, China will gradually increase its donation to the WFP according to its capability," said Liu.

Liu announced that at the invitation of President Hu Jintao, Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias will pay a state visit to China from December 22 to 26. It will be Chavez' third state visit to China.

During his stay, the third session of the China-Venezuela High-level Joint Committee will be held. Chavez will also meet with Hu and other leaders to exchange views on bilateral relations and international issues of common concern, Liu said.

The visiting president is also scheduled to visit Shandong Province in east China.

(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency, CRI.com December 15, 2004)