China and Japan

China demanded Japan immediately terminate so-called "legal procedures" against the detained captain of a Chinese fishing boat and return him home safely as soon as possible, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on September 14.

The fishing boat was seized by Japanese authorities near the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea on September 7. Fourteen crewmembers returned home after China lodged representations with Japan, but the captain is still detained.

Jiang said a delegation of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, had decided to postpone a scheduled visit to Japan. "Japan stirred up the current grave situation and the Japanese side should hold all the responsibility," she said.

"The Diaoyu Islands have been China's territory since ancient times and such a fact cannot be changed by anyone," Jiang said.

"China was the first country to discover the Diaoyu Islands and execute effective jurisdiction over the islands," she said. "China possesses indisputable sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and China's willingness and determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity are unshakable."

China and Myanmar

China and Myanmar agreed to take the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties to enhance cooperation in key areas including energy and infrastructure construction.

China is willing to increase imports from Myanmar and welcomes investment from Myanmar companies, Chinese President Hu Jintao said while meeting with Myanmar's top leader Than Shwe in Beijing on September 8.

The two countries should step up efforts to formulate a bilateral economic cooperation program to guide and facilitate trade ties, he said. Two-way trade between China and Myanmar totaled $2.91 billion in 2009, up 10.7 percent from the previous year.

The Chinese president also vowed to enhance cooperation with Myanmar in border management, while jointly combating cross-border crime. The two countries share a border of more than 2,200 km.

"China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar, and understands and supports the Myanmar Government's efforts toward national reconciliation," Hu added.