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Editorial: China's Successful Hosting of APEC Meeting Hailed. The Ninth Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting, which concluded Sunday, is the first such APEC meeting held in China and is of great significance and far-reaching influence. In an atmosphere of friendly consultation, leaders of APEC members exchanged views on current macroeconomic situation, human capacity building and further development of APEC, and reached a broad consensus and issued a Leaders' Declaration, Shanghai <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/Shanghai.html> Accord and other documents. The leaders showed determination and confidence in overcoming difficulties and achieving economic recovery, which the editorial says will exert a positive influence on the development in and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world as well. The leaders gave firm support for a multilateral trading system and opposition to trade protectionism, and expressed the will to continue to actively promote the launch of a new round multilateral trade negotiations. As Asia-Pacific economies account for more than half of the world economy, the voice of APEC will be significant for the upcoming ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Doha, Qatar. The leaders attending the meeting also issued a statement strongly condemning terrorist activities and expressed determination to strengthen international cooperation in combating terrorism. Being a major member, China has made positive contributions to the APEC and won extensive praise from other member economies. We believe that, with the continued efforts of all APEC members, the Asia-Pacific region will have a brighter future. **** Rodong Sinmun Condemns U.S. Arms Buildup in S. Korea. Rodong Sinmun Monday in a signed commentary says that the DPRK cannot but take a serious view of the step, taken by the United States to increase its airforce combat capabilities in South Korea. The present complicated situation compels the DPRK to increase its military power with heightened vigilance, the commentary says, and goes on: The situation is very complicated and tense and hard to predict as retaliation operations are going on in Afghanistan. Under this situation the U.S. has newly forward-deployed its air task force and military hardware in South Korea allegedly to "fill up a military vacuum," badly getting on the nerves of the DPRK. Such reinforcement is not for filling up any "vacuum" but intended to attain the u.s. sinister purpose. The DPRK repeatedly clarified its principled stand to oppose all forms of terrorism as regards the recent terrorist attacks on the U.S. However, the U.S. is additionally deploying its combat forces in South Korea under the pretext of "military vacuum" to aggravate the tense situation, not squarely seeing the nature of the situation and the reality. This is an undisguised revelation of its unchanged design to dominate the Korean peninsula and the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. imperialists' "military vacuum" theory and arms buildup can never be justified. The DPRK will cement its revolutionary position in every way to actively cope with any situation and sharply watch the developments in full combat readiness. **** Inter-Congolese Dialogue Venue to Be Moved to S. Africa. Former Botswana president Ketumile Masire, who is also the international facilitator of the Congolese peace process, announced here Sunday that the next meeting of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue will be moved to South Africa. "I decided, with the agreement of all the concerned parties, to hold the next meeting of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue in South Africa at a date which will be decided and communicated to the parties in good time," Masire said. However, he couldn't give the exact date when the suspended dialogue will be resumed, only saying that he will consult with all concerned parties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the South African government. According to the facilitator, the dialogue has started effectively with the aim of creating an atmosphere of open discussion favorable to a settlement of the DRC war, within the spirit of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement signed in July 1999. "I would like to inform you that I am satisfied with progress we have achieved and the modest level of consensus that we have built," he said. Masire also noted that "there had been fundamental questions about the nature and competence of this meeting, there had been serious consultations about the agenda, rules of procedure and outstanding issues concerning the representation of different groups of Congolese society". He recognized that "we have not been able to bring all the delegates here to give it the all-inclusive character which we all desire" because before October 15 "we had not put together the necessary technical and financial resources". The Inter-Congolese Dialogue, which was officially opened here Monday with a reduced participation of about 80 delegates due to the shortage of fund, had to be suspended because of the leave of the DRC government delegation on Friday night after accusing the dialogue of not being inclusive. "I have decided to adjourn this session until our next meeting in South Africa," Masire said. He explained that the decision was made to take into account the principles of consensus and inclusiveness of all the components of the dialogue. **** Prime Ministers of Russia and France to Hold Talks In Moscow. French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin is arriving in Moscow Monday. It is expected that during his official visit to Russia, the Prime Minister of France will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Kasyanov . Both Prime Ministers will take part in the Russian-French intergovernmental seminar and a meeting of the commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation. A meeting between Jospin and Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled for Tuesday, October 23. Topical international problems and questions of bilateral relationships, as well as intensification of economic cooperation between Russia and France will be discussed during the negotiations. A large delegation consisting of government ministers and representatives of business circles of France, including the interior minister, the foreign minister, and ministers of foreign trade and civil service, is arriving in Moscow together with the French Prime Minister. **** China Put Big Money in Poverty Relief of Ethnic Minority Areas. For poverty relief during the years 1994-2000 China had put a total of RMB43.25 billion yuan in her predominantly ethnic minority impoverished areas in Inner Mongolia, Guangxi , Tibet , Ningxia and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in addition to Guizhou, Yunnan and Qinghai Provinces. As things now stand in these areas, there has been a drop in the number of impoverished people to 14 million from 45 million in 1999. Farmers in these areas have come to claim an annual per-capita income of 1255.43 yuan to show a growth of 210 percent, pointing to the fact that poverty-relief work has made positive achievements in the impoverished ethnic minority areas in China. That is what has been learned from the 17th Session of the 9th NPC Nationalities Committee called lately in Beijing, present at which was Tomur Dawamat, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. Lu Feijie, director of Poverty-relief Office of the State Council, made a report to the session on poverty-relief and development work carried out in the impoverished ethnic minority areas. He said that during the 1994-2000 poverty-relief period government poverty-relief fund had been used primarily in 257 impoverished ethnic minority counties out of the country's 592 major impoverished counties and special funds had even been allocated depending on local difficulties and demands raised. Meanwhile, international support has been sought to help out and to this end, a total of US$610 million have been obtained from the World Bank. Ten western provinces and regions had been backed with help from 9 eastern coastal provinces and 4 self-administered cities. By now, against an obvious decrease in the number of poor people there has been a fast increase of income by farmers and a marked improvement of people's life and infrastructure construction in the impoverished ethnic minority areas in China But for various reasons poverty still poses a serious problem in the ethnic minority areas, said Lu. This is because a low income by a large number of impoverished people, making up as much as 36.5 percent of the country's living in utter poverty. Of these, a 6.5 percent relapse was even noted though having been helped out of poverty. Social development and education is still at a low undeveloped level. Illiteracy stands at over 30 percent. There is nearly no infrastructure construction, no access of modern traffic and electricity to speak of for poor natural conditions vulnerable to various disasters. But a change, as is demanded, will be made to this impoverished state of things and increased funds will be provided by the state in support of economic development in the impoverished ethnic minority areas, he said. Various views were aired and many suggestions made through a full discussion of the report. A consensus reached is that the stress of poverty-relief work in the years to come in China will be put on its impoverished ethnic minority areas because of their economic significance and political importance. Serious efforts will be made to see to it that the country's impoverished ethnic minority areas be helped out of their long-standing poverty in the way gaps between the undeveloped ethnic minority areas and developed regions are to be greatly narrowed at an early date, Lu said. **** Chinese, Zimbabwean Parliament Leaders Meet in Beijing. Inter-parliamentary contacts are of significance for promoting state-to-state relations, and China is ready to strengthen parliamentary exchanges and cooperation with its Zimbabwean counterparts. Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remark in a meeting with Speaker Emmerson Mnangagwa of the Parliament of Zimbabwe in Beijing Monday. Li cited the friendship between the two parliaments, saying that it has played a positive role in promoting the development of Sino-Zimbabwean relations. Noting that the bilateral friendship dates back to ancient times, Li said that since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 21 years ago, bilateral relations have developed smoothly with constant high-level visits and fruitful cooperation in such fields as politics, economy, culture and education. The two peoples are pursuing peace and endeavoring to make economic progress, Li said, adding that China will make joint efforts together with Zimbabwe for strengthening their bilateral traditional friendship and cooperation. China appreciates Zimbabwe's "one-China" policy and support for China in international affairs, added Li. Li also recalled his visit to Zimbabwe years ago, saying that the friendly people, beautiful scenery and rich resources of that country left him with a deep impression. He pointed out that China, as a friend of Zimbabwe, has always been concerned about that country and is delighted to see Zimbabwe 's achievements in promoting national reconciliation and economic development. He stressed that the government and people of every country are entitled to selecting their own development path and policy in line with their own conditions, adding that China's experience has shown that economic development is the central task after a country's independence. China is convinced that Zimbabwe will return to a rapid development path with joint efforts from both the government and people, Li said. Mnangagwa expressed his admiration for the great changes he has seen here since he first visited China 40 years ago. He noted that his country treasures its friendship with China, which dates back to the period when Zimbabwe was struggling for national liberation and independence. He went on to say that the Zimbabwean people will never forget the Chinese people's material and moral assistance, and the development of bilateral relations since the two countries set up diplomatic ties demonstrates that the bilateral friendship has a firm foundation. In international affairs, Zimbabwe and China are striving for the establishment of a new international political and economic order, and there are broad prospects for their cooperation, said the speaker. The Zimbabwe Parliament will strengthen its cooperation with its Chinese counterpart, so as to make further contributions to the continuous development of bilateral ties. **** Hu Jintao Meets Russian Guests. Chinese vice-president Hu Jintao met in Beijing Monday afternoon with Anatoly Vasilijevich Kvashnin, chief of general staff of Russia's armed forces. Hu, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that President Jiang Zemin and President Vladimir Putin have held a successful meeting in Shanghai, a significant event in the history of Sino-Russian relations which will promote the development of a bilateral relationship. He pointed out that over the past years, Sino-Russian strategic cooperative partnership relations have been developing smoothly with prominent results. Top leaders of both sides have had close exchanges, and economic and trade cooperation as well as local and non-government exchanges have been constantly expanding. He said that the two sides have also had fruitful cooperation in international affairs. The most important is that President Jiang Zemin successfully visited Russia and signed the bilateral treaty on good-neighborly friendship and cooperation, setting a sound legal basis for the long-term development of Sino-Russian relations. Recently, he said, Premier Zhu Rongji made a successful visit to Russia and reached consensus with Russian prime minister on the implementation of the agreements between the two heads of State and on reinforcing bilateral cooperation. All these are strongly pushing toward a healthy, lasting and stable development of Sino- Russian strategic cooperative relations in the new century. Hu stressed that China and Russia are the biggest neighbors of each other, and are both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. Under present complicated and changing international conditions, the two States and militaries in China and Russia are stepping up negotiations and cooperation to jointly fight terrorism and other evil forces in accordance with the fundamental interest of the two peoples. It is also conducive to protecting and promoting regional and global peace, stability and development. China is willing to cooperate with Russia in this respect. Kvashnin said that China is a great country and the Chinese army is a great army. His visit to China is fruitful, and the two sides fully exchanged views on issues of common concern, which will help promote mutual understanding. He said that Russia and China have the same or similar views on the development of international situation. The two sides are willing to step up cooperation in fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, and jointly protect regional and global peace and stability. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
