A Foreign Ministry spokesperson yesterday reiterated the importance of improving and developing China's relationship with Japan as the 68th anniversary of the Lugouqiao (Marco Polo Bridge) Incident, which sparked Japan's all-out invasion, is marked.

Liu Jianchao acknowledged many difficulties in current relations at Thursday's regular press conference, but pointed out that there are positive aspects. "One thing is certain, both China and Japan still attach great importance to their relationship," he said, adding that they are both countries of influence in the region and in the world.

"I think the two sides will try their best to improve and develop relations. They have carried out a series of consultations with this goal," he said. "Cooperation will benefit each other, while conflict will wound both."

Liu urged Japan to "properly handle" outstanding issues, history and Taiwan in particular, on the basis of the three China-Japan political documents.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II (1939-45) and China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45), and there are commemorative activities across the country.

Liu said, "The activities will help the people of China, Asia and the whole world to cherish the hard-won peace."

He also urged all countries to foster a complete, correct understanding of history through such commemorative activities; "It will be of great significance for some countries and for the peace and stability of Asia and the whole world at large." 

Liu said China will continue offering as much aid to poor African countries as it can. "As a developing country, China has a heavy development task itself; but it has provided assistance within its own capacity to poor countries including those in Africa over the past years."

China announced loan exemptions for some African countries at the first ministerial-level meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing in October 2000.

Within two years, China fulfilled its commitments, exempting 10.5 billion yuan (US$1.27 billion) in loans to 31 African countries.

"China hopes its efforts can help quicken the steps of the international community to reduce or exempt loans to poor countries," Liu said, adding that it is incumbent on developed countries to help poor countries.

He welcomed the move taken by the Group of Eight (G8) finance ministers to partially exempt loans to poor countries at June's meeting in London. "We hope the decisions can be executed at an early date."

The population of Africa is 10 percent of the world total, but its economic output accounts for less than 1 percent, and of the 49 most underdeveloped nations 34 are in Africa, according to the UN.

On the Darfur issue, Liu said China welcomes the agreement reached between Sudan's government and Darfur rebel groups, saying political negotiation is the best way to resolve it.

"The agreement is the result of progress made by Sudan's government and rebel groups in peace talks, which is conducive to the stability of Darfur region," he said.

He expressed hope that the issue could be resolved appropriately at an early date under the auspices of the African Union and with continuous efforts by the parties concerned.

Sudan's government and two Darfur rebel groups ended their fifth round of talks on Tuesday with a broad agreement on the African nation's unity and "justice and equality for all."

A document released at the end of the talks stressed "an effective devolution of powers" to regional authorities, which mediators said would be further discussed in talks scheduled for next month.

Liu also announced that Vice Premier Wu Yi will visit Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan from July 13 to 22.

During her visit to Kazakhstan, Wu and her Kazakhstani counterpart Akhmetjan Esimov will preside over the second meeting of China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2005)