Extracts. APEC High Level Meeting on Human Capacity Building to Open in Beijing The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High Level Meeting on Human Capacity Building will open Tuesday morning, the first high level dialog to address exclusively the human resources issue among APEC's 21 members. Chinese President Jiang Zemin and the Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah will deliver speeches at the opening ceremony. The two-day event will be co-chaired by Chinese Minister of Personnel Zhang Xuezhong and Brunei Minister of Industry and Primary Products Resources Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib. All the 21 APEC members have sent delegations to the meeting, which attracts almost 500 participants. The meeting has drawn widespread attention and some 160 journalists from over 40 domestic and overseas media organizations have been registered to cover the event. **** World Health Assembly Excludes Taiwan Issue from Agenda The 54th World Health Assembly (WHA) Monday turned down a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate in the assembly as an observer and decided by consensus to exclude the Taiwan issue from the meeting agenda. Speaking at the General Council meeting and the opening plenary session of the WHA, Chinese Deputy Health Minister Peng Yu said that China was strongly opposed to the proposal tabled by Honduras and a few other countries. Peng said that similar proposals had been raised in the previous four years and were rejected by the assembly which showed that the majority of the WHO member states remained opposed to such proposals. **** China to Continue Efforts for Mideast Peace: Vice-President Hu China will, as always, continue to make its due efforts along with the international community for the realization of an early resolution to the Middle East issue. Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao made this remark Monday afternoon in talks with Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam of the Syrian Arab Republic, who is here on an official visit as Hu's guest. Touching upon the Mideast peace process, Hu said that the situation in the Middle East has been strained since September last year, and the peace process is severely stagnant, adding that China is deeply concerned over this. China condemns Israel for its use of force against Palestine and its infringement upon Lebanon's sovereignty, Hu pointed out, voicing his hope that the parties concerned can stop conflicts and resume peace talks at an early date. He noted that China, as a sincere friend of the Arab states, has always supported the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, the just cause of the Arab people, and the just demand of Syria for the recovery of the Golan Heights. Khaddam briefed Hu on the latest developments in the situation in the Middle East, saying that Syria is keen to realize peace in the region on the basis of relevant resolutions of the United Nations on the Mideast issue. He voiced his appreciation for the Chinese government and people's consistent support for the just cause of the Arab people, adding his hope that China can play a bigger role in this process. Bilateral ties China values its long-term friendship with Syria, and is willing to make unremitting efforts with that Mideast country to expand cooperation and push ahead their bilateral cooperative relations in the new century, Hu said. Hu recalled his visit to Syria earlier this year, and expressed thanks for the hospitality of the Syrian government and people. "This year marks the 45th anniversary of the forging of Sino- Syrian diplomatic ties," Hu said, adding that such ties have withstood the test of time as well as changes in the international arena. The past 45 years have witnessed frequent contacts between high- level officials of the two countries as well as fruitful bilateral cooperation in all sectors, Hu said. "China and Syria have supported each other and shown sincerity in all-round cooperation, " he added. Sino-Syrian ties have maintained a good momentum for development in the new century, as a result of the ceaseless efforts of the two governments as well as the two peoples, Hu said. "The Chinese government appreciates the Syrian government's adherence to the 'one China' policy and the support it renders for China's reunification," Hu said. He also expressed thanks for Syria's firm support for China on human rights and other issues. Khaddam said relations between Syria and China have experienced constant growth since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1956. The frequent exchanges of visits between leaders of the two countries in recent years have strongly enhanced bilateral cooperation, he said. He spoke highly of China's achievements in its economic development, and expressed willingness to further cooperation with China in diverse sectors. Regarding Sino-Syrian trade relations, Hu said economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has recorded significant growth in recent years, thanks to the joint efforts of the two sides. Bilateral trade is on the rise, and there are more areas for cooperation. Hu stressed that economic and trade cooperation between China and Syria has great potential, as the two countries are highly complementary in this regard. China is willing to explore with Syria new modes, new areas and new ways for expanding bilateral trade cooperation on the principle of equality, reciprocity and efficiency, he said. Khaddam expressed satisfaction at the growth of bilateral trade and economic relations, saying that the sound political relations between Syria and China have laid a solid foundation for the two countries to expand cooperation in the economic and trade sectors. Syria wishes to further its cooperation with China in the industrial, agricultural and water conservancy sectors for the benefits of the two peoples, he said. Prior to their talks, Hu presided over a welcoming ceremony for Khaddam, who arrived here Sunday afternoon on a five-day official visit as Hu's guest. **** DPRK Slams US Religious Organization's Annual Report The Democratic People's Republic of Korea <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/dprk.html> (DPRK <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/dprk.html> ) on Monday slammed a U.S. religious organization for its annual report in which it distorted truth and interfered in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in an editorial that the international association of religious freedom in the United States <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/usa.html> in its recent "annual report" cited sheer lies that "the DPRK suppresses all religious activities" and "people are tortured and persecuted for believing in the religion." This is a base falsification of truth and an intolerable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, all intended to tarnish the image of the DPRK and invent a pretext for increasing international pressure upon it, the KCNA said. This association may issue an "annual report" every year and that is its own business. But, it is intolerable that styling itself an organization leading world religion, said the report. The association should face up to the reality in the US before decrying the system in the DPRK, the report added. **** Celebrations to be Held in Tibet to Mark Liberation Anniversary The Tibet <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/tibet.html> Autonomous Region will hold a series of celebrations from now to early August to commemorate the 50th anniversary for the region's peaceful liberation. On May 23, 1951, the Central People's Government and the Local Government of Tibet signed the "Agreements on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet," marking the region's peaceful liberation. Highlights of the celebrations include a grand public rally to be attended by people from all walks of life; large exhibitions depicting the achievements made in Tibet over the past 50 years; and diverse entertainment performances consisting of "Golden Years", a large-scale song and dance evening to be organized by the region's Culture Department, and a number of plays and programs produced by the local and the military art troupes. Among celebration events will be a literary and art competition among officials and people, a trade and cultural week in the regional capital, all forms of symposiums and discussions, and a wide solicitation for articles and essays. Relevant offices will produce and publish a number of audio-video products and books on the commemorating celebrations. Included will be seven TV plays, and political documentary films such as the "Sing in praise of Tibet" and the "Serve as a Witness to Tibet". The Tibet People's Publishing House is to release five new books, including "Unforgettable Tibet" and "Sing in Praise of Snowfield". "Series on 50 Years of Development in Tibet" will be published by the Nationalities' Publishing House. In addition, the State Post Bureau will issue a set of postcards to mark the occasion. **** Chinese Vice-premier Meets Syrian Vice-president Chinese Vice-premier Wu Bangguo <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/people/wubangguo.shtml> said Monday that China believes its relationship with Syria <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/Syria.html> will grow more comprehensively in the new century. Wu made the remarks during a meeting with Vice-president Abdul Halim Khaddam of the Syrian Arab Republic, who arrived here Sunday for a five-day official visit to China. This is Khaddam's seventh visit to China. The vice-premier said China pays great attention to developing its relations with Syria, and the Chinese side believes that with the care of leaders from both countries and the active efforts from relevant departments, the China-Syria relations will grow even further. The friendly cooperative relations between the two countries have been growing vigorously on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit and common development, Wu noted. Khaddam said Syria hopes to strengthen its cooperative relations with China in various areas, believing that his current visit to China can serve this aim. Before the meeting, the Syrian vice-president gave a lecture to Chinese students at the Beijing <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/beijing.html> Foreign Studies University <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/beijing.html> . _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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