Beijing: Attempting to shake off
perceptions that its ties with its neighbours were strained,
China, ahead of President Barack Obama's crucial visit to
India and key Asian nations, said on Thursday that US could play a
positive role and do more to contribute to political mutual
trust as well as regional peace.
"As a permanent member of UN Security Council and
member of the Asia Pacific region, US plays (has) important
responsibility in promoting peace stability in the region,"
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei said, taking note
of Obama's visit to the region.
"We hope US could play a positive role and do more to
contribute to political mutual trust as well as regional peace
and stability," he said in response to a question.
Lei denied the perception that China's ties with its
Asian neighbours were strained by disputes.
He said China has had "frequent and dynamic" exchanges
with India and other Asian countries and recalled the
just-concluded celebrations of 60th year of diplomatic ties
with New Delhi.
The number of bilateral and multilateral meetings
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had with several other Asian
leaders at the just-concluded East Asia Summit in Hanoi shows
China's importance and influence, he said.
"The new type of partnership of China and Asian
countries have withstood the test of time and international
changes. Our policy is to strengthen good neighbourliness and
friendly cooperation. This is a fact no one (can) change," he
said.
Obama's visit has evoked some interest in the official
media which focussed on India's expectations to get the US'
backing for the permanent membership of the UNSC.
State-run Global Times in a piece titled 'India
expects Obama's backing for UNSC bid', quoted Ma Jiali, a
foreign policy expert as saying that it is unlikely that the
President would make a clear and open statement supporting New
Delhi's bid.
"The US did not show much interest in reforming the UN
because the enlargement of the council will definitely affect
Washington's global strategy. If Obama makes assurances to
India, countries such as Japan and Germany will ask for the
same support," he said.
"Besides, India, as a big country, is expected to act
independently in its foreign policy once it becomes a
permanent UN member, and this might bring more variables to
the voting of some resolutions, which Washington does not want
to see," he said.
A write up in state-run People's Daily said though
China may not be on Obama's "touring list" to Asia it will be
"high on his mind," speculating that US is trying to stitch a
strategic alliance against China.
About the just-concluded visit of senior Chinese
Communist Party leader Zhou Yongkang, during which he met top
leaders of the Indian political parties, Lei said China and
India can impact the world with cooperation and development.
"There is big enough space for development of both the
countries and cooperation. We are ready to work with India to
safeguard our friendship, deepen our strategic partnership,"
he said.
Asked to comment on the proposed visit of Prime
Minister Wen Jiabao to India, he said, has no information
could yet be given on it.
'China will engage with both Democrats, Republicans'
China will engage with both ruling
Democrats and their rivals Republican, who made big gains in
the mid-term US elections, to ensure stable bilateral ties, a
top Chinese official said on Thursday.
Asked to comment on the US mid-term elections, Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that a long-term
stable, healthy China-US relationship is in the fundamental
interests of the two countries and conducive to world peace
and development.
"We believe the Democrats, the Republicans and other
sectors of the US society will also agree with this," Hong
told reporters at a regular news briefing.
China is willing to work with the US to continue to
advance the positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-US
relationship in the 21st Century, Hong said.
On the elections to be held in Myanmar, Hong said that
to maintain Myanmar's internal social stability and hold the
election successfully there served the fundamental interests
of Myanmarese people and the regional peace and prosperity.
"We hope the election runs smoothly and that Myanmar
will constantly promote democracy and development," the
official added.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, November 04, 2010, 20:57