The Chinese government supports the work of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and would like to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation and work jointly with it for appropriate solutions to refugee problems, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said in Beijing on Wednesday.

 

In a meeting with visiting UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, Tang said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the protection of refugees. It always fulfills its obligations with practical actions.

 

Tang spoke positively of the important role played by the UNHCR in international refugee protection and humanitarian crises.

 

Tang also stressed that the refugee problem should be resolved thoroughly through realizing lasting peace and promoting common development. All countries should solve disputes in a peaceful manner and build a harmonious world under the guidance of the UN Charter and guidelines on international relations.

 

China is following a path of peaceful development, Tang said, adding he believes that the creation of a prosperous, stable and harmonious society for 1.3 billion Chinese people would be a great contribution to world peace and development.

 

Guterres appreciated China's important contribution to world peace and development, saying the UNHCR values China's international status, and hopes China plays a bigger role in international humanitarian affairs.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2006)