China, Canada should properly handle sensitive issues, state councilor

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan Monday called for proper handling of sensitive issues between China and Canada when meeting Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay.

"We hope the two sides make joint efforts to properly handle the major sensitive issues, to promote a lasting, healthy and steady development of China-Canada strategic partnership," a source with the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted Tang as saying.

The ministry did not elaborate what exactly the sensitive issues are and whether the two diplomats touched on the Celil case.

Tang also said he hoped China and Canada would jointly promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields, regard and treat bilateral relations from a "strategic" and "long-term" perspective, and seek common grounds while reserving differences.

He noted that the China-Canada relationship has its unique advantage and deep foundation, and the relationship now is at a crucial juncture with both opportunities and challenges ahead.

MacKay said Canada attaches great importance to the relationship with China and is willing to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in broad areas, such as politics, economy, environmental protection and judicature, according to the ministry.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said last Thursday the Celil case was part of China's internal affairs, and China had reiterated its stance over the issue to Canada many times and he hoped Canada would not interfere in China's internal matter.

Huseyin Celil, a China-born Uygur and a prominent member of the "East Turkistan" terrorist organization, was sentenced to life imprisonment on April 19 for plotting to split the country and ten years for taking part in terrorist activities.

Canada claims Celil, 37, was given Canadian citizenship in 2001 but China does not recognize it. He was arrested in Uzbekistan in 2006 and extradited to China soon after.

MacKay had held talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, newly-appointed foreign minister, on Monday morning.

He arrived here Sunday for a three-day visit to China, his first visit to China and also the first visit by a Canadian foreign minister to China in four years.

Source: Xinhua