China`s top diplomat upbeat on inter-Korean ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said Tuesday he disagrees with those who think Sino-American relations are strained, adding that China and other nations are optimistic that stability can be maintained on the Korean peninsula through ongoing dialogue.

Tang said in a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is sure to visit Seoul this year. ``It`s just a question of when,`` he said.

Tang warned of the grave consequences on Sino-Japanese relations of any decision by Tokyo to continue distorting history in its school textbooks, saying the Japanese government was ultimately responsible for the contents of the books studied in its schools.

Referring to a recent U.S. State Department report condemning the state of human rights in China, Tang denounced Washington for once again adopting a double standard. China`s top diplomat also took issue with the proposed sale of U.S.-made Aegis submarines to Taiwan, saying, ``The sale of these arms would strain relations between Beijing and Washington.``

He went on to say that the sharp increase in China`s defense budget this year was meant to boost the earnings of service members, thus allowing them to keep pace with the rising income levels of civilians.

Tang said China`s defense spending comes out to only 5 percent of the U.S. military budget of $304 billion and just 30 percent of Japan`s defense budget.

Lee Jong-Hwan ljhzip@donga.com