Extracts. Commentary: A Sensible Choice Colin Powell, US secretary of state, paid a whirlwind-like visit to Beijing for 24 hours from July 28 to 29 with fruitful results: He brought with him the information about President George W. Bush's hope to develop constructive cooperative relations with China, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Premier of the State Council Zhu Rongji and Vice-Premier Qian Qichen met with him respectively, he had an extensive and in-depth exchange of opinions with Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan; he had made fairly satisfactory preparation for President Bush's China visit this fall, which indicates that US relationship with China has again stepped onto the path of sound development. This move taken by the new US government in its China policy is commendable. Developing Constructive, Cooperative Ties with China: a Sensible Strategic Choice A look at the world shows that peace between China, the largest developing country, and the United States, the biggest developed country, benefits both nations and the world. This is the truth all previous US presidents since Nixon had finally come to understand. However, at the beginning, the Bush administration took a haughty and hard-line stance toward China. It first abandoned the China-US "strategic partnership", emphasized strategic competitor, deliberately treated China coldly; later, its overweening arrogance on the plane collision incident angered China; then on the issue of Taiwan and on matters relating to arms sales to Taiwan and reception of official leaders, it frequently committed offences.Just as what was described by overseas media that the said administration had done everything challenging China-US relations. For a while, China-US relations were in a state like "the wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountains". These practices, whether resulted from the pressure of certain domestic interest groups, or from its lack of diplomatic experiences, have harmed China-US relations and will finally impair the American interests. The tense China-US relations have seen gradual relaxation since May, the United States has constantly made good-will expressions. At the end of May, Bush called on the Congress to continue granting China the NTR (normal trade relations) status, which had been passed by the House of Representatives with votes outnumbering last year's figure. China and the United States have reached new agreement on China's entry into the WTO, the United States has indicated that it has no objection to the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in China. Officials of the White House and the State Department have repeatedly expressed that the United States does not regard China as enemy, and the hope that Bush's visit to China can be realized and that China and the United States can maintain "a good relationship". When he came to visit China on July 28, Powell said to President Jiang Zemin that the United States hoped to establish constructive relationship with China. President Bush will come to visit China with the aim of seeking dialog and cooperation. Reiteration of US Pursuance of One-China Policy: a Sensible Stand on Developing China-US Ties The one-China principle and the three joint communiques are the foundation for the establishment and development of China-US relations. Taiwan is China's territory, on this question, there is no room for compromise to be made by China. However, the scale and quality of arms sales by the Bush administration have gone far beyond the limit as set in the China-US joint communique, and the said administration has put in the word that it will try all it can to help in defense of Taiwan. This obvious provocation to China's national interest has not only met with China's strong opposition, but has been assailed by far-sighted American personages. During his recent visit to China, Powell repeatedly expressed that the US government pursues a cone-China policy, this is the case in the past, and it remains so at present, and that the US side will abide by the three joint communiques between the United States and China and will strive to promote US-China relations. Although it is impossible for Powell, in his recent trip, to solve various kinds of problems existing between China and the United States, in terms of attitude and principle, however, his sensible choice has undoubtedly laid a foundation for the relaxation of China-US relations and future development. There are many common interests between China and the United States in their cooperation in economic and trade fields, in regional security and global problems. Mr. Henry Kissinger recently said that viewed from the angle of the general situation, there is the necessity for strategic cooperation between the United States and China, that China will become an important country and a vital link in American diplomacy. Conducting policy adjustment in accordance with the two countries' respective interests and developing mutual trust relations help both countries to further enhance their respective strength. The United States should not regard China as an opponent, otherwise, future generations will pay a long-ranging price for this. It is impossible to rule out differences, but engaging in cooperation hand in hand will provide more opportunities for common development. Mr. Powell's China visit marks a good beginning for China-US relations to move forward. It is hoped that China and the United States can become a cooperative force promoting world peace and development in the new century. **** Senior CPC Official Hails Jiang's July 1 Speech as Guiding Document Zeng Qinghong, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has described the July 1 speech by CPC General Secretary Jiang Zemin as a guiding document for the Party's building and the great cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Zeng Qinghong, head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, told a group of senior officials in the department recently that it remains a task of great significance and priority to study and implement the spirit of the speech. Jiang delivered a speech on July 1 at a gathering marking the CPC's 80th founding anniversary, in which he elaborated on his new thinking in Party building in the rapidly changing situation. In the speech, Jiang made an objective analysis of the role and the environment of the whole Party and the significant changes in the Party's tasks, and he offered an answer to important theoretical and realistic issues facing the Party in its development, said Zeng. Zeng said the ideological line of emancipation of the mind and seeking truth from facts runs through the speech, which exhibits the spirit of being brave and constant in innovation. On July 14, the group discussed the point made by the general secretary on expanding the Party's basis of classes and its ties with the masses in a bid to raise its influence over society. On July 21, the group held a discussion on Jiang's remark on the standards of recruiting new Party members from emerging social strata. They noted that outstanding members of emerging social strata should be included in the Party so long as they are up to the standards required for Party members, accept the Party's guiding principle and charter, and are willing to work under the guidance of the Party's line and principle. With outstanding workers, farmers, intellectuals, servicemen and cadres as the backbone and the principal part of the Party, the inclusion of elite members of other strata will be conducive to expanding the Party's influence over the whole society and its cohesiveness, said the group. **** Clearing up Accounts to Curb Corruption China will straighten out bank accounts of non-profit institutions in a bid to improve management of the treasury and curb corruption from the source, said officials attending a meeting on the issue in Beijing Tuesday. The meeting was jointly held by the Ministry of Supervision, Ministry of Finance, National Audit Office and China's central bank, the People's Bank of China. Representatives from commercial banks also attended the meeting. He Yong, minister of Supervision and deputy secretary of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, told the meeting that all non-profit institutions in China, including schools, hospitals, research institutes and other cultural and scientific bodies, should perform a thorough self-inspection of their bank accounts and close whatever is unjustifiable. The supervision chief stressed that the non-profit institutions can only open a new bank account with the approval of the finance departments and a permit issued by the People's Bank of China. He urged all parties at the meeting support each other and enhance the bank account inspection. "Institutions that conceal unjustifiable bank accounts and deposit public money under private accounts should be punished in accordance with relevant regulations, and their leaders shall be held responsible,'' he added. **** Children's Rights to Get Better Protection in China The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is seeking more pledges from China to improve child survival, protection and development in its global campaign known as "Say Yes for Children." Launched in April, the worldwide campaign is designed to collect signatures from people dedicated to promoting the rights of children. Those who make that pledge sign a form and are allowed to help define priorities in regards to issues affecting children.The form lists 10 principles from which people are asked to select the top three. The results of the pledge campaign will be presented for discussion at the Special Session for Children at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 19-21. Through making the pledges, the concerns of the Chinese on child-related issues will be gathered and shown to the world, according to Edwin Joseph Judd, UNICEF's area representative for China and Mongolia. The co-operation between UNICEF and China is based on the spirit of the "Say Yes for Children'' campaign in support of China's efforts to fulfil the rights and improve the well-being of China's 380 million children, he said. The Chinese Government and UNICEF have just started a new five year co-operative programme (2001-05) to improve child survival, protection and development in China. It has attracted dozens of world celebrities, including UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, former South African President Nelson Mandela and Queen Rania of Jordan. Worldwide, UNICEF has received over 3 million pledges and it hopes to get 2 million more in China. UNICEF is now promoting the campaign in China with contributions from international figures such as UNICEF Ambassador Yue-sai Kan. Yue-sai Kan, a well-known Chinese American anchorwoman, signed up for the campaign last month. She said it is an innovation aimed at changing the way the world treats children. "I believe the Chinese will take active part in it, as people are increasingly integrated into the world,'' she said. People can submit their pledges bu visiting http://gmfc.org, http://ccppg.com.cn or http://unicef.org. **** China Condemns Israel's Suppression of Palestinian Civilians China condemns Israel's suppression of Palestinian civilians by randomly using force, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Wednesday. Spokesman Zhu Bangzao said the Chinese government is seriously concerned about the continued escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine over the past few days. Israel used armed helicopters and heavy weapons, the Palestinian side has suffered serious casualties and property losses, and the regional situation continues to deteriorate, Zhu said. He said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has lasted for 10 months, has made the regional situation even worse and aroused extensive concern in the international community. Although the two sides committed themselves to a cease-fire not long ago, the conflict has never stopped and the situation has deteriorated even more recently, Zhu said. The spokesman called on the Israeli and Palestinian sides, the Israeli side in particular, to take prompt measures to stop all unilateral actions detrimental to the peace process in the Middle East, earnestly implement the cease-fire agreement and create an appropriate atmosphere for resuming peace talks at an early date. **** Israel Rejects International Criticism of Attack on Hamas Israel has rejected international criticism of its attack on the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) office in the West Bank City of Nablus, the Internet edition of Ha'aretz, a leading Israeli newspaper, reported Wednesday. The attack, launched by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at about 2 p.m. Tuesday, has killed eight Palestinians, including two senior Hamas leaders and two children, making it one of the deadliest attacks in the 10-month-long violence between the Palestinians and Israel. A senior Israeli diplomatic source said Israel will continue its policy of liquidations because Israel needs to protects its citizens in every possible way, according to the report. The United States, Israel's long-term ally, issued a strong statement Tuesday, describing the attack as "provocative," " excessive," and "an obstacle to efforts to restore calm," in the region. State Department spokesman Charles F. Hunter termed the attack " a dangerous escalation of violence," saying the U.S. opposes Israel's policy of assassinations, which, in this case, has led to the killing of innocent civilians. Ari Fleischer, spokesman for U.S. President George W. Bush, called the attack a violation of the U.S.-brokered Israeli- Palestinian cease-fire, which took effect on June 13, but has failed to hold. In a strongly-worded statement, British Foreign Office Minister Ben Bradshaw said "Britain cannot accept the targeted assassination by Israel of Palestinian militants." He said "We and our European Union colleagues have repeatedly made clear that such assassinations are wrong and illegal under international law...These assassinations create an environment in which atrocities are seen as justified and lead to further violence." French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday noted that the attack has constituted a deadlock. "There is no other option than to resume a political process and to immediately implement the recommendations of the Mitchell Report," the ministry said. The mitchell report, released in May by an international fact- finding panel led by former U.S. senator George Mitchell, calls on Israel and the Palestinians to end violence, take confidence- building measures and finally resume their peace talks. More than 670 people, most of them Palestinians, have been killed since the bloody clashes erupted last September between the Palestinians and Israel. **** Military Clashes Kill More Than 100 in Colombia At least 15 soldiers and 87 leftist rebels have been killed in military clashes over the past three days in the northwest, northeast and south of Colombia, military sources said Wednesday. Commander of Colombian Armed Forces General Fernando Tapias told a news conference that the conflicts between government troops and rebel guerrillas took place in the provinces of Cordoba, Huila, Tolima, Caqueta, Santander and Arauca. The bloodiest fighting in a border area, 800 kilometers northwest of Bogota, killed two officers, 11 soldiers and at least 60 rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the largest guerrilla group in the south American country, Tapias said. In other military operations at the same time, government troops killed 27 rebels, wounded more than 50 guerrillas and destroyed 16 barracks of the guerrilla forces. Colombian Air Force Commander General Hector Velasco noted that more than 100 insurgents died as air force planes supporting ground troops dropped bombs on the rebel forces. Colombia is locked in a 37-year-long civil war between leftist rebels, far-right paramilitaries and the government armed forces. About 200,000 people have been killed and an average of 3,000 kidnappings take place every year. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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