China denies troop build-up on borders

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, September 17, 2003

China denies troop build-up on borders

China on Tuesday denied it was building up troop numbers on its borders with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Myanmar. China was replacing its armed police with military troops along the two border areas in a reform of border administration.

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China on Tuesday denied it was building up troop numbers on its borders with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Myanmar.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said China was replacing its armed police with military troops along the two border areas in a reform of border administration.

Kong was responding at a regular press conference to reports that China replaced its armed police with military troops along the Sino-DPRK and Sino-Myanmar borders, and to journalists' questions on the timing and intent of the action.

Overseas media had reported that China had stationed 150,000 troops on the Sino-DPRK border since last month to deter an escalation of the nuclear standoff on the Korean Peninsula.

He said replacement of the armed police, who originally defended the two borders, had begun early this month. In order to unify the land border administrations, China decided to replace the armed police with Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops. The replacement, which had been a long time in preparation, was complete, Kong said.

He said the PLA was also taking over guard duties from the armed police along the border between Myanmar and Southwest China's Yunnan Province.

The changes were "based on requirements of the law of the People's Republic of China to unify the form and streamline the system of national land border administration,'' he said. "It is a normal adjustment that has been carried out after many years of preparation by the relevant parties.''

The situation in the DPRK has become increasingly sensitive since last October, when US officials said Pyongyang had admitted running a covert atomic arms programme.

China hosted six-party talks last month to try to defuse the nuclear stand-off.

China, the DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan agreed on some issues. They maintained there should be a nuclear weapons-free Korean Peninsula and that the DPRK's security and other concerns should also be addressed.

Kong then turned to another report that claimed Pakistan is home to a terrorists' training camp which assists East Turkistan terrorist organizations. He said the Pakistani Government has done much to fight religious extremists and terrorism in recent years and has also taken an active part in international counter-terrorism.

"China has received lots of help and assistance from Pakistan in fighting the 'three forces' (terrorism, separatism and extremism) to safeguard territory and sovereignty,'' Kong said. "China is satisfied with that and will continue its co-operation with Pakistan.''

Chinese premier to attend Boao Forum for Asia

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has accepted an invitation to attend the second annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia, which is set to open in November this year in Boao, south China's Hainan province, the spokesman announced.

China appreciates Pakistan's anti-terrorism efforts

China appreciates Pakistan's efforts in fighting against terrorism and religious extremism and will continue to cooperate with Pakistan on this issue, the spokesman said.

Kong made the remarks in response to a question on reports that Pakistan had terrorist training camps, which offered aid to the terrorist group of "East Turkistan".

Kong said the Pakistani government had taken measures in recent years to fight against terrorism and religious extremism and Pakistan had actively participated in the international anti-terrorism collaboration, which China appreciated.

"China and Pakistan have good relations," Kong said. China was satisfied with Pakistan's help and coordination in cracking down on the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and in safeguarding territorial integrity and sovereignty. "China will continue to cooperate with Pakistan," he said.

FM to attend UN General Assembly

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will visit the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the United States from Sept. 18 to 23, Kong Quan announced.

Li had been invited by Knowlson Gift, Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Knight, Foreign Minister of Jamaica and US Secretary of State Colin Powell, said Kong.

From Sept. 24, Li would head a Chinese delegation to the 58th Session of the UN General Assembly, Kong said.

Li would deliver a speech during the general debate, expounding the Chinese government's views and propositions on key international and regional issues.

He would also attend multilateral and bilateral activities during the session, said Kong.

The 58th Session of the UN General Assembly is the first of its kind since the Iraq war and would attract much attention from the international community, Kong said.

He said China was willing, along with the international community, to push forward multilateral cooperation to promote the role of the United Nations.

Chinese foreign minister's visit to US

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's upcoming visit to the United States is aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and trust, and promoting smooth and sound cooperation, Kong Quan said.

Kong said that during the visit from Sept. 21 to 23, Li would exchange views with US Secretary of State Colin Powell on bilateral ties and international and regional issues. Li will also talk with US leaders and peoples from all walks of life.

Asked to comment on a military hotline between the United States and Taiwan, Kong expressed his belief that Li would reiterate China's stand on Taiwan.

China firmly opposed any military contacts between the United States and Taiwan, and demanded the US government strictly abide by the three joint communiques signed by the two countries, the "one-China" policy and its own promise to oppose the "independence" of Taiwan.

This would promote China-US relations in a healthy and stable way based on mutual respect, Kong said.

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