The third China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue will be held in Beijing from Dec. 12-13, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao announced on Thursday at a regular press conference.

 

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi and US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will co-chair the meeting as special representatives of the state leaders of the two countries. Ministers and other senior officials from related departments of the two governments will also attend the dialogue, Liu added.

 

The dialogue was initiated by President George W. Bush and President Hu Jintao in September 2006. The twice-yearly SED between Beijing and Washington serves as a platform to discuss long-term, strategic, and comprehensive issues in the bilateral trade relationship.

 

USS Kitty Hawk

 

China denied reports saying the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk was prevented from docking in Hong Kong due to a misunderstanding.

 

"We have taken note of the reports. I want to clarify that the reports are not true," Liu said.

 

Regarding the so-called protest from the United States, Liu said, China didn't receive any protests from the US side, adding, "There should not be such protests."

 

Liu said China handles the visit of US military vessels and airplanes to Hong Kong in line with the principles of sovereignty and the specific situation on a case-by-case basis. In the case of the Kitty Hawk, China followed the same principles, Liu added.

 

The USS Kitty Hawk was due to arrive in Hong Kong on Nov. 21 to give its crew four days leave to spend Thanksgiving with their families.

 

China allegedly refused the ship access before changing its mind and allowing it to dock "out of humanitarian considerations." However, the US said it was too late and the ship carried on to Japan.

 

German official's 'irresponsible criticism'

 

China asked a German official who claimed China is one of the main countries conducting spy activities in Germany to "stop blemishing its image."

 

Liu said China was strongly dissatisfied with some German officials’ "irresponsible criticism."

 

Liu said China had already lodged serious concerns with Germany and demanded certain officials "stop bad practices that blemish China's image, stop undermining China-Germany relations, and stop hurting the emotions of the two peoples."

 

Liu said since the beginning of this year, certain German officials had made up "groundless accusations" against the Chinese government and the Chinese in Germany, adding that this is not the first or the second time that German officials have raised such groundless accusations.

 

"Such accusations also drew indignation from the Chinese people," Liu added.

 

Climate change conference

 

China is to send a senior delegation led by deputy chief of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Xie Zhenhua to attend next month's UN climate change conference in Bali, Indonesia.

 

Liu said China attaches great importance to the UN conference scheduled from Dec. 3-15 in Bali, expecting substantial progress to be achieved. "China hopes the conference will set down goals for developed countries on reducing greenhouse gas emissions after the year 2012," Liu said.

 

He also called on developed countries to provide funding and technological support for the developing world in a bid to fight against climate change. "China is to work closely with other developing countries in combating climate change through sustainable development," he added.

 

About 10,000 delegates from over 180 countries and regions are expected to attend the conference, which focuses on measures to be implemented on global greenhouse gas emissions reduction after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.

 

Musharraf's re-election

 

China congratulated Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on winning the presidential election again.

 

Liu said China hopes Pakistan would continue to maintain social stability and economic development under the leadership of Musharraf.

 

Musharraf took oath as a civilian president for a five-year term at a ceremony in Islamabad Thursday, one day after he gave up the post of army chief.

 

Korean nuclear issue

 

Liu said China is glad to see the smooth progress of nuclear facilities disablement in North Korea.

 

"Work on disablement of nuclear facilities is proceeding smoothly and China is happy to see it," Liu said.

 

Representatives of concerned parties had been sent to Yongbyon in North Korea to investigate the implementation of nuclear facilities disablement from Nov. 27 to 29.

 

Liu said all parties believe that the fact-finding mission is conducive to pushing forward the disablement process.

 

North Korea agreed to disable all existing nuclear facilities by the end of this year, according to a joint document released on Oct. 3 when the second phase of the sixth round of six-party talks ended in Beijing.

 

Cyber crimes

 

The Chinese government always opposes and strictly prohibits any criminal activities through cyberspace, Liu said in response to a report on global cyber security that accused China of taking the lead in cyber spying.

 

"China has made clear its position on this issue on many occasions and relevant laws and regulations of China have also made clear stipulation," Liu said.

 

He said hackers' criminal activities are an international problem and China's network and information systems have often been attacked by hackers from other countries.

 

Liu did not reveal which country attacked China's information systems, but he added China takes an open attitude in this issue and is willing to strengthen cooperation with other countries to combat cyber crimes.

 

"We hope relevant countries could acknowledge China's position on this issue so as to facilitate cooperation between all sides," he said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2007)