Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue Tuesday strongly condemned the latest series of bombings in Iraq, calling the attack against the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Baghdad an "evil event.''

"We sincerely hope that the situation in Iraq can soon be rectified and that the Iraqi people can return to a normal life as soon as possible,'' she said at a regular news briefing.

Zhang also expressed her hope for the safety of international organizations and overseas organs in Iraq.

She reiterated at the briefing that China would not send troops to Iraq. "China in the past has participated in peacekeeping forces of the United Nations but will not get involved in other military actions,'' she said, adding that China does not have any plan nor is there any possibility that China will send troops to Iraq.

Expressing China's deep concern over the situation in Iraq, she said that China hoped the international community would make joint efforts to help bring peace and stability to Iraq as soon as possible.  
 
Turning to the just concluded Sino-Indian boundary meeting, the spokeswoman said the meeting is constructive, and will promote further understanding between the two sides.

Zhang said Chinese special representative Dai Bingguo and his Indian counterpart Brajesh Mishra had a two-day meeting in New Delhi, India from Oct. 23 to 24, which was held in a "cordial" and "cooperative" atmosphere.

She said the two sides not only exchanged views on the boundary question, but also agreed to meet again at a date acceptable to both sides in Beijing.

Zhang said Dai also held a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha during his stay in India.
 
Also at yesterday's briefing, the spokeswoman urged the United States to lift limitations on exports to China to erase its trade deficit, which has triggered disputes between the two major trade partners.

Zhang said China is willing to increase imports from the United States, but US limitations on exports to China is an obstacle.

Zhang did not elaborate on the details of the export limitations.

China, which has strictly abided by the time table, implemented its commitment to the World Trade Organization, Zhang said, adding that China has a "very sincere" attitude.

China hopes that the United States would reduce or lift limitations to maintain the sound development of China-US trade, Zhang said.

Donald Louis Evans, secretary of the US Department of Commerce, is visiting China, Zhang said, noting that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will meet him during the trip.

Evans' visit is conducive for the two countries to exchange views on the problems existing in China-US trade and enhance mutual understanding, Zhang noted.

China-US trade is mutually beneficial, hitting US$97.18 billion last year at a "comparatively high" growth, Zhang said, noting that the overall situation of China-US trade is sound and progressing fast.

On the trade deficit, Zhang said that due to different statistic criteria, China and the United States have different figures.

In fact, US trade deficit is not so large, Zhang said.

Historically, Sino-US trade witnessed consecutive favorable balance to the US side from 1972 to 1993 and then to the Chinese side, Zhang added.

Chinese exports to the United States also benefited the US people, Zhang said.

Exports from foreign-funded enterprises, mainly US-funded ones, accounted for over half of Chinese exports to the United States, Zhang said.

The Chinese market is open and China is willing to increase imports from the United States, Zhang noted.

The sound development of China-US trade and economic cooperation is in the interests of the two peoples and conducive to the development of bilateral ties, Zhang said.

Zhang also briefed yesterday's press conference on the new UN resolution on public health.

She said the 58th UN General Assembly on Monday passed the resolution that China proposed for strengthening the construction of public health.

The resolution urged all nations to take public health into their domestic social and economic development strategy according to the UN Millennium Development Goals. It also called on all nations to perfect their public health systems and strengthen international cooperation, said Zhang.

She said China believed this resolution will be helpful to encouraging the international community to cooperate in public health and to confront new challenges.

The fact that this resolution has been approved by 156 UN members shows that the resolution reflects the common interests of the international communities, said the spokeswoman.

China thanks all the nations that supported the resolution and is willing to strengthen the cooperation with them in public health, Zhang said.

On Chinese state delegation's upcoming visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the spokeswoman said it is of great significance to bilateral relations.

Zhang said Wu Bangguo, chairman of Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), will lead the delegation and leave here Wednesday morning for an official goodwill visit to the DPRK.

Zhang said that during the visit, leaders of the two countries will not only discuss bilateral relations, but also exchange opinions on other international issues of common concern.

She said Wu's entourage include Zeng Peiyan, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice-premier, Sheng Huaren, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee, Lu Congmin, vice-chairman of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, Wang Yi, vice foreign minister, Yu Guangzhou, vice commerce minister, Liu Hongcai, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Ge Zhenfeng, deputy chief of the General Staff of Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Zhang said Wu's visit is a return visit to the DPRK's state delegation's two visits to China previously.
 
Turning to the DPRK nuclear standoff, Zhang said China hopes a new round of six-party talks to be held as soon as possible.

Zhang said the Beijing six-party talks were an important step towards a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and China hopes parties concerned make positive efforts for the continuation of the talks.

Zhang said the international community had reached the consensus on peacefully resolving the nuclear issue through dialogue and China believes this is the only way to solve the nuclear issue.

Zhang added that China and relevant parties have made diplomatic efforts for the new round of six-party talks.

(Sources including Xinhua News Agency and China Daily, October 29, 2003)