China on Thursday condemned the killing of Palestinians by Israeli army in Rafah of the Gaza Strip.  

"China condemns the Israeli troops' firing at Palestinian demonstrators that resulted in heavy casualties on the Palestinian side," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao at a regular news briefing.

At least 10 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others injured on Wednesday when Israeli troops fired on a group of demonstrators who were protesting against an Israeli military operation in Rafah.

"We urge the Israeli side to respond to the appeal of the international community, and immediately halt its military operations in Palestinian areas to avoid further deterioration of the situation," Liu said.

When asked to comment on whether China supports Brazil to join the UN Security Council, Liu said China supports appropriate and necessary reform of the United Nations Security Council, adding that the major task for the UN Security Council reform is to correct the current imbalance situation.

Liu said the reform should give priority to increasing representatives from developing countries, in line with the principle of balancing the geographical distribution.

China regards it as an important issue to improve the working methods of the United Nations, and supports the UN Security Council to take practical measures to increase the transparency in its work, ensuring the working efficiency meanwhile, Liu said.

The reform should be related to all concerned parties' interests, and all parties should reach consensus through in-depth discussion, he said.

Liu confirmed that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will pay a state visit to China from May 22 to 27 at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Lula will hold talks with President Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao respectively during his visit. The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and international and regional affairs of common concern, Liu said.

Lula will also attend the Global Conference on Poverty Reduction in Shanghai, Liu added.

China attaches great importance to Brazil's influence in international and regional affairs, and China is willing to further promote the strategic partnership with Brazil based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence, he said.

China and Brazil will sign a series of documents concerning the cooperation in various fields during Lula's China tour, he added.

When asked about a new development of China's planning to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Liu said by joining the NSG, China hopes to contribute more to international non-proliferation efforts.

China supports NSG's role, objectives and principles in nuclear non-proliferation, said Liu.

Established in 1975, the NSG is an unofficial organization of nuclear capable countries exercising control on nuclear exports. It has played an important role in nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear export control.

In another development, the spokesman expressed appreciation over Bangladesh's adherence to the one-China policy.

Liu said that Bangladesh on Wednesday officially notified China that it had closed the so-called "Taipei representative office" in Dacca, its capital.

"We greatly appreciate Bangladesh's sticking to the one-China policy," Liu said.

Also at yesterday's briefing, the spokesman announced that at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa will visit China from May 28 to June 2, and Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will visit China from May 26 to 30.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2004)