中国外长呼吁亚洲保持积极势头

Yang Jiechi notes that a range of progressive actions have been made recently in handling disputes between Asian countries.

"China hopes relevant countries will respect China's legitimate rights and interests in the Asia Pacific region and avoid making remarks or taking moves that may complicate the situation."

The Japanese Cabinet named some isles around Diaoyu Island last week.

The Chinese foreign ministry has said such moves are invalid since China owns "indisputable" sovereignty over the Diaoyu Island and the isles around it.

Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi is now calling on Japanese to respect history and handle these sensitive issues with China properly.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, Yang Jiechi suggests relevant countries put aside disputes and develop the area together.

"China and the relevant countries have the ability and wisdom to properly handle the South China Sea issue and work together for peace and stability in the South China Sea."

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have reached an agreement on guidelines to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

However, territorial disputes are ongoing, with the Philippines recently opening a bid for foreign companies to invest in offshore oil and gas areas in region.

The Chinese have made it clear that the move is illegitimate, while an editorial in the China Daily newspaper over the weekend calls the Philippine side a troublemaker in maritime disputes.

Over the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Yang Jiechi is urging all sides to work together to push forward the six-party denuclearization talks.

"We hope that all the parties concerned will pull together their wisdom, remove disturbances and work together to play a constructive role for advancing the six-party process, achieving the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and lasting peace and stability in northeast Asia."

Following a meeting between the nuclear negotiators from North Korea and the United States in Beijing this month, North Korea agreed to suspend nuclear tests, long-range missile launches and uranium enrichment activities.

North Korea has also agreed to the return of UN nuclear inspectors to verify and monitor its nuclear activities.

The Chinese foreign minister has revealed that one Chinese top leader is set to attend a nuclear summit in Seoul later this month.

Aside from Asia, Yang Jiechi has also taken time to comment on the Iranian nuclear issue and the seemingly deteriorating situation in the Middle East.

"On the Iranian nuclear issue, we are opposed to the development and possession of nuclear weapons by any country in the Middle East, including Iran. At the same time, we believe that all countries, while fulfilling their responsibilities and obligations, have the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy."

China proposed a six-point statement for the political resolution of the Syrian crisis last week, throwing its support behind the assessment of the humanitarian situation in the country and the mediating role that the United Nation and the Arab League play.

For CRI, I'm Su Yi.