CHINA: Beijing says it hopes the deployment of U.S. Marines to Australia will help maintain peace in the region
Record ID:
858214
CHINA: Beijing says it hopes the deployment of U.S. Marines to Australia will help maintain peace in the region
- Title: CHINA: Beijing says it hopes the deployment of U.S. Marines to Australia will help maintain peace in the region
- Date: 6th April 2012
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (APRIL 5, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY CHINESE NATIONAL FLAG FLYING CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON HONG LEI WALKING INTO ROOM FOR REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON HONG LEI SAYING: "Regional countries' policies and the interactions with relevant nations should favour peace, stability and development in the region. We hope relevant countries can make a constructive contribution to building a united and harmonious Asia-Pacific." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON HONG LEI SAYING: "China believes that the location is not the most important issue. What is most important is that Iran and six countries start dialogue as soon as possible, maintain dialogue and that talks are fruitful. China is willing to work together with the various parties NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 21st April 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: China, China
- City:
- Country: China
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVACAMRIONS87T7GYBMUQA7N1QO7
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: China said on Thursday (April 5) that it hopes Australia and the U.S. can work for a peaceful Asia-Pacific region after around 200 U.S. Marines began a six month deployment in Australia.
"Regional countries' policies and the interactions with relevant nations should favour peace, stability and development in the region. We hope relevant countries can make a constructive contribution to building a united and harmonious Asia-Pacific," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular news briefing in Beijing.
The 200 marines are the first wave of a build up of 2,500 troops due eventually to rotate through a de facto base in Darwin, as the U.S deepens its military presence in the region.
The deployment of the Marines has sparked concern in China, where many believe it is part of a larger U.S. strategy aimed at encircling it and thwarting the country's rise as a global power.
Hong also said that China was ready to discuss the location of next week's talks on Iran's nuclear programme after Iranian media quoted Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi as saying it could be held in Iraq or China.
"China believes that the location is not the most important issue. What is most important is that Iran and six countries start dialogue as soon as possible, maintain dialogue and that talks are fruitful. China is willing to work together with the various parties to reach a consensus on the location issue," Hong said.
Iraq said on Wednesday (April 4) it had offered to host talks between Iran and six world powers on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme next week, acting on an Iranian request to change the venue from Istanbul following friction with Turkey.
Tehran last month agreed to renewed talks with the five permanent members of the Security Council, as well as Germany.
The issue of location is a further setback to talks which were last held in January 2011, when the sides failed to agree on an agenda. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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