08-29-07

中國國防部長訪日修補關係 (Chinese Defense Minister in Japan to Mend Ties)

中國國防部長曹剛川正在對日本進行訪問，希望緩解兩國之間的緊張關係。這是中國國防部長近10年來首次訪日。曹剛川星期三抵達東京，與日本新任命的防衛省長官高村正彥會談。

日本媒體說，兩位官員可能會討論在兩國間設置一條防務熱線。日本和中國彼此猜疑對方的軍事雄心。北京快速增長的國防開支引起日本和美國的顧慮。中國則批評日本參與美國領導的地區彈道導彈防禦系統。

中國國防部長上一次訪問日本是在1998年2月。之後，兩國關係在小泉純一郎擔任日本首相期間惡化。小泉定期參拜靖國神社，使中國感到憤怒。中國認為，靖國神社美化日本軍國主義暴行。

China's defense minister Cao Gangchuan is visiting Japan in the hopes of easing the countries' strained relations. It is the first such visit in nearly a decade. Cao Gangchuan arrived in Tokyo Wednesday for talks with Japan's newly appointed defense minister, Masahiko Komura.

Japanese media say the officials may discuss installing a defense hotline between the nations. The countries have mutual suspicions about the other's military ambitions. Beijing's rapidly growing defense budget has raised concerns in Japan and the United States. And China has criticized Japan for its participation in a U.S.-led ballistic missile shield in the region.

A Chinese defense minister last visited Japan in February 1998, before the countries' relations soured under former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Mr. Koizumi outraged China by regularly visiting a war shrine that Beijing says glorifies Japan's military atrocities.

中國通告世衛組織其食品安全標準 (China Tells WHO of its Food Safety Standards)

中國向世界衛生組織送交了一份通知，為中國的食品安全標準辯護。中國衛生部這份通知說，中國的出口食品幾乎都是安全的，北京尊重與其他國家和機構在食品安全方面合作的重要性。

這份通知呼籲世界衛生組織為中國食品安全工作提供支援和幫助，並且把這項工作向其他成員國報告。

美國和歐洲嚴厲批評中國出口未達標準產品，包括寵物食品原料、牙膏和玩具等。一系列與中國製造產品有關的健康恐慌，促使北京承諾加強對食品和其他產品安全的監督。

China has sent a notice to the World Heath Organization defending its food safety standards. The Health Ministry notice says almost all of China's food exports are safe, and that Beijing respects the importance of cooperating with other countries and institutions on food safety.

The note calls on the World Health Organization to provide support and help to China's food safety work, and to report this work to other member states.

The United States and Europe have harshly criticized China for exporting sub-standard products, including pet food ingredients, toothpaste and toys. A series of health scares related to Chinese-made goods has prompted Beijing to promise to strengthen its monitoring of food and product safety.