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Chinese, Russian FMs Issue Joint Statement. Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov issued a joint statement on the Indian-Pakistani situation Monday, which calls for a political settlement to the current crisis through diplomatic efforts. Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov issued a joint statement on the Indian-Pakistani situation Monday. The statement says that China and Russia are deeply concerned about the escalating tension between India and Pakistan. China and Russia express strong indignation over the terrorist incident in New Delhi on December 13, 2001, and resolutely condemnterrorism in any form, the statement says. China and Russia hold that it is in the fundamental interest ofboth India and Pakistan and conducive to peace and stability in the South Asian Region for India and Pakistan to show restraint and prevent the situation from further deteriorating. China and Russia call on India and Pakistan to find a politicalsettlement to the current crisis through diplomatic efforts. China and Russia hold that a solution acceptable to both India and Pakistan will also facilitate the mediation process after the Afghanistan conflict. China and Russia will continue to make efforts for the realization of the above-mentioned goals, the statement says. President Jiang: Sino-Russian Ties Will Grow Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Beijing Monday that the bilateral ties between China and Russia will develop in the new year. Jiang made the remarks in his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, who was here to attend the one-day meeting of foreign ministers from the six-member Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Jiang said that in the new year he would maintain close contactwith Russian President Vladimir Putin for the implementation of the bilateral treaty on good-neighborliness and friendship signed last year, increase political mutual trust, strengthen economic and trade cooperation, and enhance bilateral strategic coordination in the international arena for global strategic stability and world peace. In reviewing bilateral ties in 2001, Jiang said that both sides"have carried out many practical actions and achieved great results." He particularly commended the treaty, the fast-growing trade between the two countries, the new phase of their political mutual trust and their closer strategic coordination. He said that the growth of Sino-Russian relations is not only in the interests of the two nations, but also important for peace and development in the world as a whole. **** Sino-Russian Ties Will Grow: Jiang. The bilateral ties between China and Russia will develop in the new year, said Chinese President Jiang Zemin Monday in his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov in Beijing. In the same day, Chinese FM and Russian FM issued a joint statement on the Indian-Pakistani situation. The two called on India and Pakistan to find a political settlement to the current crisis through diplomatic efforts. Friendly Bi-Relations to Be Promoted: Jiang The bilateral ties between China and Russia will develop in the new year, Jiang made the remarks in his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, who was here to attend the one-day meeting of foreign ministers from the six-member Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). 2001 Achieved Great Results In reviewing bilateral ties in 2001, Jiang said that both sides "have carried out many practical actions and achieved great results." He particularly commended the treaty, the fast-growing trade between the two countries, the new phase of their political mutual trust and their closer strategic coordination. Sino-Russian Ties to Grow in 2002 Jiang said that in the new year he would maintain close contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the implementation of the bilateral treaty on good-neighborliness and friendship signed last year, increase political mutual trust, strengthen economic and trade cooperation, and enhance bilateral strategic coordination in the international arena for global strategic stability and world peace. He said that the growth of Sino-Russian relations is not only in the interests of the two nations, but also important for peace and development in the world as a whole. Sino-Russia Ties of Great Importance: Ivanov Ivanov said that Putin also attaches importance to the Russian-Chinese ties. He said that political dialogue between the two countries proceeded smoothly and the consensus reached by the top leaders is being implemented. Moreover, the two countries share identical views on the maintenance of strategic stability and other major international issues, he said. He believes that this year summit meetings between the top leaders will push forward the growth of bilateral ties. Shanghai Cooperation Organization FMs meet in Beijing. China, Russia FMs Issue Joint Statement Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov issued a joint statement on the India n-Pakistani situation Monday. Settlement Through Diplomatic Efforts Urged The statement says that China and Russia are deeply concerned about the escalating tension between India and Pakistan. China and Russia express strong indignation over the terrorist incident in New Delhi on December 13, 2001, and resolutely condemn terrorism in any form, the statement says. China and Russia hold that it is in the fundamental interest of both India and Pakistan and conducive to peace and stability in the South Asian Region for India and Pakistan to show restraint and prevent the situation from further deteriorating. China and Russia call on India and Pakistan to find a political settlement to the current crisis through diplomatic efforts. China, Russia to Continue Efforts China and Russia hold that a solution acceptable to both India and Pakistan will also facilitate the mediation process after the Afghanistan conflict. China and Russia will continue to make efforts for the realization of the above-mentioned goals, the statement says. **** Russia to Spend More on Weapons in 2002. Russia is to spend much more on weapons purchase and armaments research this year, while expenditures on servicemen's social welfare will not be higher than in 2001, Interfax reported on Monday. Russia is to spend much more on weapons purchase and armaments research this year, while expenditures on servicemen's social welfare will not be higher than in 2001, Interfax reported on Monday. Andrei Nikolayev, Chairman of the Duma Defense Committee, told Interfax that the 2002 budget allocated more money for military logistics, including fuel supplies, than that of 2001. But he complained money for medical assistance to servicemen as well as for free tickets, when the servicemen go on vacation, were too low. This would "at best" take care of half of what is needed, he added. The legislator said housing spending for army officers remained at last year's level and was enough to build a maximum of 23,000 of the 300,000 apartments that are needed. Practically no more would be spent on combat training either, he said. "In 2002 we won't be able to ensure that pilots will get the necessary number of flight hours," and "most of the warships" will remain anchored, as they were last year, Nikolayev said. **** Premier Zhu Calls for Increased Ties with Mongolia. Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said Monday that China is willing to work alongside Mongolia to further the long-term, friendly ties of mutual trust between the two countries. Zhu made the remark in his talks with visiting Mongolian Prime Minister Nambaryn Enkhbayar, who arrived in Beijing Monday morning for a six-day official visit at Zhu's invitation. China will continue to respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Mongolia, the premier reiterated, adding China also respects the non-nuclear status pursued by Mongolia as well as the development model chosen by the Mongolian people. Zhu raised three points for bilateral ties Zhu raised three points for the development of bilateral ties, namely, to continue the exchange of visits of high-ranking leaders, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture and education, especially among the younger generations of the two countries, and to enhance the cooperation in international and regional affairs. Zhu's viewpoints were hailed by Enkhbayar, who stressed that Mongolia and China share a traditional friendship, and that developing mutually beneficial ties of cooperation and friendship with China stands among the most important diplomatic policies of Mongolia. Enkhbayar said Mongolia is willing to steadily develop bilateral relations in line with the treaty on friendly relations and cooperation signed between the two countries in 1994. Zhu also spoke highly of the Sino-Mongolian relations. Zhu said Mongolia is one of China's important neighbors and the two countries share a borderline of 4,600 kilometers. China has always attached importance to developing good relations with its neighbors including the relations with Mongolia, he said, stressing that keeping long-term friendship between the two countries is not only in the interests of both peoples, but also beneficial to regional peace and stability. Economic and trade cooperation On the bilateral trade and economic cooperation, Zhu said since China and Mongolia are good neighbors and the economies of the two countries are complementary, there are unparalleled advantages to deepening bilateral trade and economic cooperation. He said China is currently Mongolia's biggest trading partner and investor, but the potential for bilateral cooperation remains huge. He urged both governments to actively promote and support bilateral economic cooperation. In the meantime, China welcomes enterprises in both countries to establish direct close ties, he noted. Enkhbayar said he was satisfied with bilateral economic cooperation, noting Mongolia is willing to conduct comprehensive cooperation with China. He congratulated China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying this facilitates the bilateral economic cooperation. Both sides on international affairs On the international and regional affairs, Enkhbayar gave account of Mongolia's stance on anti-terrorism, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and cooperation in the region. Zhu elaborated China's position, saying China and Mongolia have reached consensus on many international issues, and the two sides could strengthen coordination and cooperation. After the talks, Zhu and Enkhbayar attended the signing ceremony for three agreements between China and Mongolia. Prior to the talks, Zhu held a grand welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People to honor Enkhbayar. **** Iraq Condemns Israeli "Piracy" Over Ship Seizure. Iraq on Monday condemned as " piracy" the Israeli seizure of a vessel alleged to carry arms for the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), the official INA news agency reported. Iraq on Monday condemned as " piracy" the Israeli seizure of a vessel alleged to carry arms for the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), the official INA news agency reported. "The Israeli act was piracy and aggression on the freedom of navigation and a scandalous violation of the international law," said a cabinet meeting chaired by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. It also stressed that the vessel was seized when it was navigating in international waters, some 500 kilometers away from the Israeli Red Sea coast. The ship with 50 tons of arms aboard was captured by Israeli naval force early Thursday morning. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has accused Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat of trying to use the weapons to fight the Jewish state. But the PNA has rejected the accusation, saying that it has nothing to do with the ship. **** Direct Elections of Township People's Deputies Underway in China. On election day in a village in Jiangsu Province, hundreds of residents gathered in a spacious auditorium to hear instructions on voting for township deputies. On election day in a village in Jiangsu Province, hundreds of residents gathered in a spacious auditorium to hear instructions on voting for township deputies. Ballots were distributed, marked by voters, and stuffed in a red ballot box. While the crowd waited for the tallies, village school teachers and students entertained them with songs and dances. It's a typical scene during the ongoing election of deputies to the township people's congress in East China's Jiangsu Province -- and in 40,000 other towns across China. Most of the township deputies in China completed their three-year term this year. In the economically developed regions of East China, where direct election of people's deputies to township congress and village heads have been held for 10 to 20 years, election procedures and organizational work were orderly and in line with the law. Yaogou Village, in Danyang City of Jiangsu, held its election in the large meeting room of a village business where voters chose two deputies for the township people's congress. The election campaign began three months ago, with villagers recommending 13 candidates. According to the election rules, every ten voters may recommend a candidate in the primary stage of the election. To ensure a quick and smooth voting, election organizers consulted villagers on their preferences, and based on public opinion, they chose three "formal candidates" for the election. "I'm grateful to my fellow villagers' confidence in me," said a delighted Gu Huajun, one of the three formal candidates. "If elected, I will spend more time studying the laws for the protection of villagers' rights." "People's deputies are servants of the people," said the 24- year-old Gu, a section chief of the village business, explaining that he is running for the deputy position "to serve the village and the community." Unfortunately, he was defeated by two incumbent deputies who were running for re-election, one a village head, another a female village official in charge of women's issues and family planning work. The village head promised in his election campaign that he would ask the township congress to pave a road for the village. But no election passes without a hitch. At the start of the Yaogou village election, one villager discovered he was not included on the list of eligible voters, and subsequently ripped the election poster down in protest. But the situation was righted when authorities realized the man's name was absent because he had temporarily moved out of the village, then returned without informing village officials. Election officials then had to add his name to the voter list and publicize the name-list to prevent future mishaps. In the neighboring city of Zhangjiagang, many election halls are equipped with enclosed voting booths to ensure voters' privacy. For convenience of voters who have to work and cannot get to the voting venue, electorate staff take a ballot box to them to collect votes. Of the three formal candidates in the 27th Electorate of Yangshe Town of Zhangjiagang City, only one is a Communist Party member. Another, Huang Yongfa, is from the China Democratic League, one of the eight non-communist parties in China. Huang, a math teacher, said that he will promote use of multimedia in primary and middle schools. To ensure full representativeness of people's deputies, Jiangsu Province proposed that the Communist Party committees should not recommend more than 15 percent of the candidates, and more than 35 percent of them must be non-communists. According to Wang Shihu, an official with the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, direct elections of township people's deputies and village heads are two pillars of grassroots democracy in China. He quoted late top legislator Peng Zhen as saying more than 10 years ago that direct elections are training grounds for millions of villagers. "Based on the election work I saw, I think these training classes are having an effect," Wang said. A total of 700 million to 800 million people will take part in the current village elections, which started in mid-2001 and will conclude at the end of this year, he noted. **** Chinese Delegation Visits Cambodia. A Chinese delegation from southwestern China's Sichuan Province arrived here Monday from Siemreap for an official visit to Cambodia. A Chinese delegation from southwestern China's Sichuan Province arrived here Monday from Siemreap for an official visit to Cambodia. Nie Ronggui, Chairman of the Sichuan provincial Chinese People' s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met separately with Cheam Yeap, Chairman of the Commission of Finance and Banking at the National Assembly of Cambodia, and Sok Kong, Chairman of Commerce's Chamber. During the meetings, the both sides expressed the hope to deepen their bonds and promote understanding and cooperation in various areas in the future. The delegation is expected to conclude its four-day visit to Cambodia on Wednesday. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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