The fourth round of Sino-US strategic dialogue, to be held in Washington from June 20, is expected to boost the healthy development of bilateral ties.

The three-day dialogue will be co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a press conference yesterday that the dialogue mechanism, based on the consensus reached by Presidents Hu Jintao and George W. Bush in 2004, has become an important platform for the two sides to discuss strategic and political issues.

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China and the US are stakeholders and constructional partners, Qin said, and will have an in-depth exchange of views on major bilateral issues on the basis of the three previous rounds of dialogue.

On whether the Chinese currency can be revalued, he said any change has to suit the country's situation and must be conducive to the economic development of China and the world at large. He ruled out succumbing to pressure from the US Congress.

"Economic and trade issues should not be politicized," Qin said.

His remarks come before a group of US senators is expected to unveil legislation this week in order to pressure Beijing to revalue its currency more quickly, and thus make its exports more costly.

"The US Congress believes the yuan exchange rate is too low but on the basis of whose standard? Is it the US standard?"

Palestinian FM's visit

China is worried over the tense situation in the Middle East, Qin said, and urged Israel and Palestine to restrain themselves and return to talks as early as possible.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amer arrives in Beijing today on a three-day visit.

A statement issued by Amer's office said his tour, which also includes Japan, Russia and a series of European Union countries, is to seek ways to lift the political and financial embargo imposed on the Palestinians and their government, resume the peace process and end violence in the region.

He will meet with Chinese leaders and hold talks with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to discuss the situation in the Middle East and find ways to expand bilateral ties.

Dalai Lama in Australia

Beijing yesterday expressed strong dissatisfaction over Australia ignoring China's concern and allowing the Dalai Lama to visit the country and engage in activities harmful to the integrity of China.

"The Dalai Lama is not a simple religious figure. He is a long-time political exile engaged in separatist activities and destroying national unity," Qin said.

Child labor

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) is looking into accusations that Chinese factories use child laborers to make products for the 2008 Games, Qin said.

BOCOG has very strict labor rights and social responsibility requirements for factories that are contracted to make licensed Olympic products.

"If employment regulations have really been violated, BOCOG will deal with the cases seriously," he said.

(China Daily 06/13/2007 page2)