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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, November 30, 2001

FM Spokeswoman on Dalai, Anti-Terrorism War and Situation in Nepal

FM spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue held a regular conference Thursday in Beijing and stated China's stance on issues like Dalai's portugal visit, situation in Nepal and expansion of anti-Terrorism war.


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FM spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue held a regular conference Thursday in Beijing and stated China's stance on issues like Dalai's portugal visit, situation in Nepal and expansion of anti-Terrorism war.

Opposing Dalai's Portugal Visit
China is deeply dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the Dalai Lama's visit to Portugal, Zhang Qiyue said.

Zhang noted that China has made repeated solemn representationswith Portugal on this issue, while the Portuguese side insisted oninviting Dalai to visit the country and arranged meetings between the Dalai Lama and the Portuguese President and some high-level government officials.

She voiced the hope that Portugal would, taking into consideration the general situation of bilateral relations, pay attention to China's concern over this issue and take effective measures to prevent similar situations from occurring so as to ensure a sound and steady development of Sino-Portuguese friendship and cooperation.

She pointed out that the Dalai Lama is not simply a religious personage, but rather a politician in exile disguised as a religious figure engaging in activities meant to split China and damage national unity.

China is opposed to the Dalai's political activities in any capacity and in any country or region aimed at splitting China anddamaging national unity, Zhang stated.

China is also opposed to all forms of invitations to and meetings with the Dalai from government officials of any country or region, Zhang added.

Opposing Wanton Expansion of Anti-Terrorism War
China is opposed to "wanton expansion" of the war against terrorists to other countries, Zhang said.

Zhang made the remark when questioned at the press conference on the possibility that the United States may extend the anti-terrorism war to Iraq.

"We have noticed relevant news on it," the spokeswoman said, reiterating that China supports the crackdown upon terrorist acts of all forms, but maintains that such strikes must conform to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and the international law, and be based on hard evidence.

"We are opposed to wanton expansion of the strikes," she said.

Hoping to See a Stable Nepal
China is following closely thelatest developments in Nepal and hopes to see peace, stability anddevelopment in the country, the spokeswoman said.

Zhang said that the Chinese side has known that the King and government of Nepal have taken effective emergency measures and the situation there is under control of the Nepalese government.

She pointed out that the Chinese government resolutely supportsall moves taken by the Nepalese King and government to restore peace and stability in the country.

"We hope and believe that Nepal will be able to continue to maintain peace, stability and development," Zhang noted.

China Sends Message for Solidarity with Palestinian People
China calls on all peace-loving forces in the world to provide more assistance to the Palestinian people, and urges all parties concerned to return to the negotiation table for an early peaceful solution to the Middle East question.

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji sent this message to a United Nations conference marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People scheduled for Thursday, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue at the press conference.

Zhang said the message reiterated China's principled stand on the Palestinian issue, and expressed sympathy for the current difficulties faced by the Palestinian people.

"We consistently support Palestinian people's just cause of restoring their legitimate rights and interests," Zhang said. China supports the promotion of the Middle East peace process on the basis of relevant U.N. resolutions and under the "land-for-peace" principle.

China supports a more significant role of the U.N. in this field, Zhang said.

Zhang expressed grave concern over the current Middle East situation. Israeli-Palestinian clashes not only pose a threat to peace and stability of the Middle East, but have a negative effecton global peace and security, Zhang said.

China hopes the two sides will take constructive measures in cooperation with the international mediation effort, in a bid to ease the current tension and to create a basis for the resumption of peace talks, Zhang said.

Zhang expressed China's wishes to continue to work with the international community to find a just and reasonable solution to the Middle East question.




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