China has lodged solemn representation with Vietnam over its attempt to open "a tourist route" by boat to the Nansha Islands and launch tourist activities in the upcoming April, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing Thursday.

Kong told a regular news briefing that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and surrounding waters and the move taken by Vietnam has infringed on China's territorial sovereignty.

Kong said it is the important consensus and common responsibility of all relevant countries in the region to maintain stability in the South China Sea.

"We hope relevant countries honor the consensus and respect the principles set forth in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea Between China and the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN)," he said.

Kong also urged relevant sides to correct the wrongdoing, avoid taking any act that may lead to further complication of the situation there and make concrete efforts to maintain stability in the South China Sea.

In another development, the Chinese side demands the Japanese side to guarantee the security of the seven detained Chinese citizens and release them immediately and unconditionally.  

Japan forcefully detained seven Chinese citizens who landed on China's own Diaoyu Island and moved them to the Okinawa prefecture of Japan.

Kong said this illegal action by the Japanese side constitutes a serious provocation of China's territorial sovereignty and an abuse of the human rights of the Chinese citizens.

He emphasized that the Chinese side voices its protest over the event.

The Chinese government has instructed officials with the Chinese Embassy in Japan to head to the spot and handle relevant matters.

After the incident, China has lodged nine representations to the Japanese side, Kong said, underscoring the stance of the Chinese government on the Diaoyu Island issue, namely, the Diaoyu Island and the attached islets have been part of the Chinese territory since ancient times and China has indisputable sovereignty over these islands.

On the protest by Chinese people before the Japanese Embassy to China, Kong said, Chinese people have to express their will through certain channels for their national feelings were seriously hurt by the actions of the Japanese side.

China has stated repeatedly that the differences between China and Japan on the Diaoyu Island issue should be resolved through negotiations, Kong said.

Turning to the current Beijing visit of Bahr Ul-Uloum, president of the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC), the spokesman said China hopes Iraq will resume stability and realize "Iraqi people governing Iraq" at an early date, and expressed the hope that Ul-Uloum's visit would enhance the understanding between the two sides.

Noting that the Chinese government's attitude and stance on the Iraq issue have been consistent, he said the Chinese government always holds that international disputes and conflicts should be resolved through political means and under the framework of the United Nations.

China's stance is consistent with UN Security Council's relevant resolutions and the common aspiration of the international community, Kong said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Ul-Uloum Thursday and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will hold talks with him Friday, the spokesman said, adding that during his visit, Ul-Uloum would also visit Zhongguancun Hi-tech Park in Beijing, which is dubbed as China's silicon valley, and the Great Wall.

Ul-Uloum arrived here Thursday afternoon for a visit to China from March 25 to 27 at the invitation of the Chinese side. This is the first China tour for the IGC president.

Moving on to Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's Pyongyang visit, the spokesman said China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) reached extensive consensus over a wide range of issues during the visit.

Kong said that Li held a series of important meetings and talks with the DPRK leaders, including meetings with Kim Jong-il, general secretary of the Worker's Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK, Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun and DPRK First Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok-ju.

The two sides discussed a wide range of issues with focus on bilateral ties, including political exchanges and cooperation in economic and other areas, he said.

The two sides also exchanged views on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and other regional and international issues of common concern, he said, adding that the visit was successful.

In the meeting between Li and Kim Jong-il, Kong said, the two sides discussed the six-party talks and the setting up of relevant working groups.

China has fully exchanged views with other five parties, including the DPRK, on the strategic document on the working groups, he said.

China will further its discussions with the other five sides and endeavored to hold working group meetings at an early date so as to make preparation for the third round of six-party talks before the upcoming June, he said.

The six-party talks group China, the DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan. The first and second round of talks were held in Beijing in August of 2003 and February of 2004, respectively.

Li began his official visit to the DPRK on Tuesday and will conclude the visit on Thursday evening.

After wrapping up his trip to Pyongyang, Li will head a delegation to attend the donor nations' conference for Afghanistan in Berlin from March 31 to April 1, Kong announced.

China has rendered consistent support for and actively participated in the process of peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, Kong said.

During the meeting, Li will expound the views and stand of the Chinese government on the Afghan issue, announce assistance measures to Afghanistan and confer with certain state leaders and foreign ministers on major international and regional issues, the spokesman said.

The two-day Berlin conference, the second of its kind since the collapse of the Taliban in Afghanistan, is to begin on March 31 in the capital of Germany and so far 54 countries and international organizations have expressed willingness to attend.

Earlier in 2002 the international community at a similar conference held in Tokyo pledged US$4.5 billion over five years for the rebuilding of post-Taliban Afghanistan.

Also at yesterday's briefing, the spokesman said China will take responsible measures to ensure the safety of all embassies and consulates in the country, including the Israeli Embassy.

Kong said the Chinese government will also take measures to guarantee the stable life and safety of foreigners as they travel, do business and live in the country.

According to the spokesman, Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Carolina Barco Isackson will pay an official visit to China from April 5 to 8 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing; Lesotho Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Archibald Lesao Lehohla will pay an official visit to China from April 1 to 9 at the invitation of the Chinese government; and Mozambique President Joaquim Alberto Chissano will pay a working visit to China from April 4 to 9 at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2004)