Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remarks in Beijing Tuesday at a regular press conference when asked to comment on the latest developments with the situation between India and Pakistan.

According to the latest reports, Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee voiced on April 18 his readiness to resolve the India-Pakistan issue through peaceful talks and, on April 28, Pakistan Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali invited Vajpayee to visit Pakistan during a phone conversation and reiterated his desire to resume the dialogue.

China has consistently held that India and Pakistan should resolve their differences peacefully through dialogue and negotiation, Liu said. China hopes the two sides will take further measures to improve bilateral relations and live in harmony, which conforms not only to the common interests of both India and Pakistan but to peace and development in the South Asian region.

China Hopes Sri Lanka Peace Process Will Continue

China sincerely hopes that the peace process in Sri Lanka will continue, Liu said when asked for his comments on the suspension of peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

As a friendly neighbor of Sri Lanka, China has always been concerned about the developments in its domestic situation, noted Liu. The realization of national reconciliation and economic revitalization through peace talks is consistent with the Sri Lankan people's aspirations and interests.

China sincerely hopes that the peace process in Sri Lanka will continue.

Contact Will Continue over Beijing Talks

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States and China agreed during their talks in Beijing that they would maintain contact via diplomatic channels on the procedures for further talks, Liu said at the press conference.

The parties deemed the Beijing talks beneficial, but they also needed more time to examine the respective positions.

China has been in contact with the United States and the DPRK on the DPRK nuclear issue, Liu added.

According to Liu, China consistently stressed during the talks that the Korean Peninsula should be free of nuclear weapons, and that the nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully. China's goal is very clear, that is, to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and China will continue to work towards this end.

China Supports North-South Leaders' Informal Dialogue Meeting

China supports the convocation of the upcoming North-South leaders' informal dialogue meeting and will consider the invitation of the French side positively, according to Liu.

Liu noted at a regular press conference that French President Jacques Chirac had formally invited Chinese President Hu Jintao to attend the meeting, which was scheduled to be held in Evian, France on June 1.

The Chinese side deems the North-South dialogue very important for maintaining global peace and regional development, and will give a positive consideration to the French side's invitation.

China Appreciates Int'l Support in Combating SARS

China extended its gratitude to all parties concerned for their support in fighting against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Liu said.

Liu said that SARS is a challenge to China and the world at large, and a number of countries and international organizations have shown their willingness to provide assistance to China. China has specified channels for assistance and donations, which have been publicized by the media.

China Thanks Japan for Its Medical Assistance

The Chinese government voiced its thanks to the Japanese government for the assistance it provided to China to help combating the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The Japanese government announced Monday that Japan would provide medical assistance worth 205 million Japanese yen to China for its battle on SARS disease, Liu said at the press conference.

According to the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, the medical assistance includes medical apparatuses, safeguarding such as masks and exposure suits, blood sampling and testing instruments, and other lab equipment, and related medicine.

Official with the embassy noted that the related departments of the two governments would carry out the project in a few days.

(Source from Xinhua News Agency, April 30, 2003)