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Hu condemns car bombing at Indian embassy
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-07-09 07:57 SAPPORO, Japan: President Hu Jintao has condemned Monday's suicide car bombing of the Indian embassy in Afghanistan, which killed 41 people including the Indian military attach. "We strongly denounce the terrorist attack on the Indian embassy. I sincerely express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the bombing in Afghanistan," Hu told Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday during their meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Eight (G8) summit in northern Japan. The bombing, considered by many to be the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital of Kabul since the fall of the Taliban, saw militants ramming an explosive-laden car into the heavily fortified Indian embassy's gates. A Taliban spokesman has denied that the group was behind the blast.
During their 30-minute meeting, the leaders of China and India also discussed the growing status and responsibility of the world's two largest developing countries. "No force can stop the rise of large developing countries, including China and India," Hu told Singh. He called on India to join hands with China to push forward the strategic and cooperative Sino-Indian partnership, protect legal interests of developing countries and fulfill joint responsibilities on global issues such as climate change, and food and energy security. Their talks also touched on a long-standing border issue, on which Hu said he hoped the two neighbors could find "a fair and reasonable solution acceptable to both sides at an early date". Singh said the two sides have made "significant progress" on the issue, referring to an agreement on a set of political principles to guide both sides in the talks. Singh said he hoped the process would continue. Hu also thanked the Indian government and people for their help in relief and reconstruction efforts following the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province. India holds deep admiration for the way China handled the disaster, Singh said, adding that he had no doubt the Chinese people have the capability to overcome the challenges. As an Asian country, India is happy to see China's achievements, Singh said. He also wished for a successful Beijing Olympics, which will commence in a month's time. Zimbabwe impasse Hu also met South African President Thabo Mbeki yesterday and told the leader that China supports his country in breaking a political impasse through domestic negotiation. At the same time, Hu said China hopes the international community respects African countries' appeal for a favorable atmosphere for dialogue on the issue. China has taken note of the resolution passed by the African Union on July 2 calling for the international community to not take any action that might affect the atmosphere for dialogue in Zimbabwe, Hu said. "We respect and attach importance to the stance of African countries and hope the international community can take actions conducive to solving Zimbabwe's problem," he said. China hopes Zimbabwe's domestic parties will eliminate divergences and rebuild stability through negotiation as soon as possible, Hu said. The Chinese government appreciates Mbeki's efforts at mediation and supports the Southern African Development Community to continue pushing forward the negotiations, he added. Mbeki responded by stressing that Zimbabwe's fate should be decided by its own people and opposed sanctions against his country, amid efforts by the United Kingdom and United States to push for the UN Security Council to tighten targeted sanctions this week. In a closed-door meeting with G8 leaders on Monday, Mbeki warned that Zimbabwe could descend into civil war if tougher sanctions were imposed. Brazilian partnership During his talks with Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Japan, President Hu said China is willing to work together with Brazil through bilateral high-level visits and multilateral dialogues on issues of food and energy security, environmental protection and poverty reduction. China and Brazil will strengthen dialogue and cooperation to address global challenges such as energy and food security, and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries. "As the two largest developing countries in the eastern and western hemispheres, the strengthening of the Sino-Brazilian strategic partnership confirms the interests of the two peoples and is conducive to the South-South cooperation," Hu said. The Brazilian leader agreed with Hu, saying that the Sino-Brazilian relationship has seen considerable development. He also said he hoped the two sides will continue to enhance consultation on issues of energy and food security and advance cooperation in the Doha trade talks. Similarly, the two leaders agreed to enhance exchanges in education, culture, technology and tourism. As part of those efforts, Hu said China supports the establishment of the Confucius Institute in Brazil. Lula said he is very pleased to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and is confident that China will hold a successful and outstanding Games in August. China Daily-Agencies |
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