Former US President Ronald Reagan made efforts to promote the improvement and development of Sino-US ties, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao Tuesday.

Liu said at a regular press conference that during Reagan's presidency, China and the United States issued the famous "August 17" Communique to set up principles for resolving the issue concerning US arms sales to Taiwan.

The "August 17" Communique, one of the three important joint communiques guiding Sino-US relations, still plays an important role in the development of bilateral ties, Liu said, hoping that the Communique would be practically abided by concerned parties.

Reagan's state visit to China in 1984 also promoted the exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in various fields, Liu said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing sent messages of condolence to their US counterparts respectively on Sunday over the death of former US President Ronald Reagan. In the messages to US President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell, Hu and Li also expressed sympathy to Reagan's wife, Nancy and his relatives.

Reagan, who served as the 40th US president from 1981 to 1989, passed away at the age of 93 at his home in California on Saturday after a decade-long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence still have practical significance

Liu said that the five principles, as important rules for international relations in the past 50 years, play an important role in regulating relations and resolving issues between different countries.

China and India will jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the five principles this year, Liu said, adding that China will hold a seminar in Beijing to mark the anniversary, so as to strive for further implementation of the five principles during the process of establishing a new international political and economic system.

The five principles are mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. They were initiated and proposed by China, India and Myanmar in 1954.

China welcomes Sudanese government's efforts to solve humanitarian crisis

China welcomes the positive efforts made by the Sudanese government to solve the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, western Sudan, said the spokesman.

He said China welcomes the positive efforts made by the Sudanese government on this issue. China hopes relevant parties continue to make joint efforts to settle the crisis through negotiation, so as to realize peace, stability and development in this region.

Since the conflict in Darfur began in February 2003, about 130,000 people have fled to neighboring Chad, while an estimated 900,000 are displaced within Sudan.

China hopes G-8 summit give more support to developing countries

China hopes the G-8 summit will give more support to developing countries to promote their common prosperity.

Liu said that the Group of Eight plays an important role in solving international issues, and they should fully consider the concerns and interests of all countries at the summit, and take steps to help developing countries solve difficulties and promote the common prosperity of all countries.

"We hopes this year's G-8 summit will further make progress in this aspect," said the spokesman.

Liu said the Chinese side attaches great importance to the cooperation with the Group of Eight, and will further play a constructive role in keeping the peace of the world and realizing the common prosperity of all countries.

The three-day G-8 summit began Tuesday in the United States. Leaders of the seven industrialized countries, namely the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the president of Russia are attending the summit.