Extracts. Chinese, Pakistani Presidents Hold Talks. Chinese President Jiang Zemin held talks with visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Thursday, commending the all-weather friendship and fruitful cooperation between the two countries. On the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, Jiang said Musharraf's visit to China will promote their all-round bilateral partnership. Musharraf said wide ranging cooperation with China remains the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy. Friendship Tested Over 50 Years: Jiang The cooperative friendship between the two countries has been tested by the changes in the international climate over the last 50 years, Jiang said. Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence "Despite different social systems, ideologies and political beliefs, both countries continue their all-weather cooperation in all fields by practicing the five principles of peaceful coexistence," Jiang said. "Both sides should further their coordination and cooperation, to safeguard the legal rights and interests of all developing countries including China and Pakistan , and to maintain peace and stability in South Asia and the world at large." Economic, Trade Cooperation On bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Jiang said China and Pakistan are compatible in the economic area. China is willing to assist Pakistan within its means and to support competent Chinese corporations in investment or contracting projects in Pakistan. China is glad to see that Pakistan withstood the dramatic changes after the September 11 Incident, and stabilized the situation, rejuvenated its economy and improved its external environment, he said. Regional Stability Jiang said that China considers Pakistan an important nation in the region. "Political stability is not only in the interest of the Pakistani people, but also affects regional peace and stability." China, a reliable friend of Pakistan, will consistently support the country's efforts to ensure stability, development and regional prosperity, he said. Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Musharraf Musharraf said wide ranging cooperation with China remains the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy. Pakistan and China shared identical views on a number of major international and regional issues, he said, adding that he believed bilateral friendship will be inherited by the generation to come. He congratulated China on its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and believed that China's WTO entry will enhance developing countries' presence in world trade. Musharraf invited Jiang to revisit Pakistan and Jiang expressed his thanks. After the talks relevant government departments and enterprises from both countries signed seven cooperative documents, including the intergovernmental economic and technological agreement. **** Chinese Villagers Actively Vote for Deputies to People's Congress. More than 900 residents in a small village in Chongqing Municipality elected three local legislators at the township level from four candidates Thursday in Chongqing. It marks the improvment of Chinese democracy and legal systems. 900 residents elected local legislators at township level More than 900 residents in a small village in Chongqing Municipality elected three local legislators at the township level from four candidates Thursday in Chongqing. Duzhou Town, in the eastern suburb of Chongqing Municipality, is one of the 40,000 Chinese towns currently holding elections for local deputies to the people's congress. The three-year term election, a major event in the country's political life, marks the improvement of the Chinese democracy and legal systems. Views of electors and candidates Reporters from Hong Kong and Taiwan, organized by the National People's Congress, covered the election process in Huanglian Village of Duzhou Town for the first time. Despite the cold weather, Zhang Ronghua, who is over 70, arrived 45 minutes earlier. " I will vote for a reliable person who can represent our views to the superior," he said. Deng Fuwei, 29, returned home to vote from faraway Guangdong province. "I value my democratic rights, and will elect representatives who stand for our interests." Deng En, another voter, expressed his hope that the representatives elected would be just, and lead the people to develop their economy. Gao Qiang, one of the candidates, promised to carry out his duties in accordance with the law, and to report opinions and suggestions of the villagers. Liao Chuanying, 54, said if elected, she will present the villager's views on "family planning." Cai Shuguang, 49, said he will give close attention to irrigation works and foodstuff production if elected. The election marks democracy improvement Huanglian Village is a traditional agricultural village with population of 1,775. The average income per year is 2,250 yuan (about 271 U.S. dollars). New deputies to the people's congress at township level have been elected in 25 districts, cities and counties in Chongqing Municipality. Local elections in 14 others are in process. Ren Jinlie, vice-chairman of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee, said although the elections at the town level still need to be improved, voters take their votes seriously, and the election results reflect the voters' will. Lee Man Wah, a senior reporter from Asia Television Limited in Hong Kong, said she previously thought that there was no democracy in rural areas on the Chinese mainland, but now she has changed her view. The elections in Chongqing, despite being a bit disorganized are fair, she said. "Democracy in the rural area of the Chinese mainland is developing." **** Russia Opposes Possible Operation Against Iraq. Moscow "is categorically against a possible military operation against Iraq as part of the next phase of the anti-terrorism combat," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ordzhonikidze said in Moscow Thursday. Moscow "is categorically against a possible military operation against Iraq as part of the next phase of the anti-terrorism combat," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ordzhonikidze said in Moscow Thursday. He said he clarified Russia's stance on this issue during his meeting with visiting U.S. Undersecretary of State John Wolf following reports on possible U.S. attacks. Ordzhonikidze said he told his U.S. counterpart that "such actions would only create tensions in the region and break up the anti-terror coalition." Furthermore, he said, Moscow believes "there is no proof of Iraq's involvement in the September 11 acts of terror in the U.S.. " In this context, the diplomat said, Moscow stressed the illegitimacy of the so-called "no-fly zones" that the U.S. and Britain have imposed on Iraq without the authority of the U.N. Security Council. Ordzhonikidze said he also urged the U.S. and Britain to stop airstrikes against Iraq during his talks with Wolf. The Iraqi problem should be solved on the basis of Russia's initiative of a package approach, he said. Wolf was here for the Second round of Russian-U.S. consultations on Iraq, which focus on a new modality of supplies to Iraq under humanitarian programs. **** Pakistani President Not to Make Stop-Over in Dhaka. Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf will not make the stop-over in Dhaka earlier scheduled for December 24, a foreign ministry source said Thursday in Dhaka. Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf will not make the stop-over in Dhaka earlier scheduled for December 24, a foreign ministry source said Thursday in Dhaka. The source said the president of Pakistan would not be able to make his stop-over in Dhaka on his way back to Islamabad from an official visit to China due to change in his travel schedule. The Pakistani leader was due to have talks with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the Dhaka airport. **** China Hopes UN Move Can Promote Stability in Afghanistan. China on Thursday voiced its hope that the new U.N. Security Council resolution will be conducive to peace and stability in the war-torn Afghanistan. China on Thursday voiced its hope that the new U.N. Security Council resolution will be conducive to peace and stability in the war-torn Afghanistan. Shen Guofang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the statement just after the council unanimously adopted a resolution to authorize the deployment of a multinational force to help keep peace in the Afghan capital of Kabul. "We support the resolution, and we hope that it will help promote stability in Afghanistan," he said. The draft resolution was put to vote after consensus was reached by the five permanent members of the 15-nation council in the wake of several rounds of consultations, he said. The five permanent members, which have veto power on the council, are China, Britain, France, Russia and the United States. "During the consultations, we stressed that the purpose of the U.N. Charter should be observed and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan be safeguarded," he said. "We maintain that the Afghan problems should be solved ultimately by Afghans themselves," he said, adding that the other U.N. organs should also be involved in the reconstruction of Afghanistan once the situation in the country is stabilized. The Security Council Thursday voted 15-0 to authorize the deployment of the multinational force to provide security, initially just in the Kabul and the surrounding areas, with Britain leading the peace-keeping troops. The Security Council measure followed the agreement signed by four Afghan factions in Bonn, Germany, on December 5 to establish an interim government. _________________________________________________ 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] __________________________________________________
