Rice visits Chinese earthquake zone

CHENGDU, China, June 29 (UPI) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Sunday his talks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice promoting U.S.-China relations were constructive.

Furthering that relationship ahead of the upcoming G8 meeting in Japan and beyond "not only serves the fundamental interests of our two peoples, but also contributes to peace, stability and the development in the region and to the world at large," Yang said in Beijing.

Yang said China hopes the United States "will strictly honor its commitment and properly handle the Taiwan question and support the peaceful development of cross-straits relations."

Regarding denuclearization of North Korea, the minister said he and Rice agree "important progress has been made."

Rice said the United States "continues to be concerned about the situation" in Tibet and wants "to encourage the dialogue that has begun there."

Rice visited earthquake-ravaged areas of China Sunday and praised the country's recovery efforts. When asked by a reporter, Rice contrasted China's willingness to accept international help following the devastating quake with the Myanmar government's rejection of international flood-relief efforts. She noted even the United States appreciated outreach from other countries after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.

"But the main thing is to say to the Burmese authorities, 'This is not a matter of politics, this is a matter of human beings wanting to respond to other human beings in need,'" she said.

Yang offered his country's thanks to the United States for its "vigorous support and valuable assistance" following the May 12 natural disaster that claimed tens of thousands of lives.