FM Spokesman Denies Kim Jong Il Visiting China

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, December 13, 2002

FM Spokesman Denies Kim Jong Il Visiting China

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesmanLiu Jianchao denied a report that Kim Jong Il, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will visit China.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesmanLiu Jianchao denied a report that Kim Jong Il, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will visit China.

Liu was answering a question at a regular press conference in Beijing Thursday, on whether Kim Jong Il would visit China in a couple of weeks and if so, what issues would be discussed and if he would ask for economic aid.

"There's no such a thing" as Kim Jong Il's visit to China, Liu said, let alone issues to be discussed.

China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors and China has always provided necessary assistance to the DPRK in time of economic difficulties, he said, adding that China will continue to do so inthe future.

China fulfills its WTO commitments

China has strictly fulfilled its commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO) since it gained membership a year ago, and won the respect of other WTO members, the spokesman said Thursday.

Liu said at a press conference in response to a question on China's performance after its WTO entry that China's performance in the past year had won more plaudits than criticism.

He said WTO members reviewed 17 of China's transitional trade policies according to its entry protocol, and passed 16, with the remaining one to be passed very soon.

While fulfilling its obligations, China also enjoyed its rightsas a WTO member, Liu said.

China participated in the new round of WTO negotiations, playing an important role, he said. China had also enjoyed a multi-lateral and fairer international trade environment, like the most favored nation trading status.

Sino-US military exchanges benefit both sides

Military exchanges between China and the United States benefit both sides, said Liu .

Liu said China was committed to strengthening Sino-US communication and exchanges in military fields.

With the development of Sino-US diplomatic relations, military exchanges between the two armed forces had also boomed, Liu said. Those exchanges benefited both sides and created a win-win situation.

He said some differences did exist in the principles for military exchanges between the two nations due to the different national and military situations in China and the United States.

However, Liu stressed, the key for the military exchanges was to increase contact and dialogue based on mutual respect and benefits to reduce the differences.

Liu said the two military forces pledged to continue military exchanges next year.

Thomas Fargo, commander-in-chief of the Pacific Command of the United States Armed Forces is visiting China from Thursday to nextTuesday. Besides Beijing, Fargo will also visit the cities of Chengdu, Nanjing, Shanghai and Ningbo.

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