China hopes that Premier Wen Jiabao's visit next week to the Republic of Korea and Japan should help enhance mutual trust and cooperation between the countries.

Wen will travel to Seoul on Tuesday and call on ROK President Roh Moo-hyun and his female counterpart Han Myung-sook, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said yesterday at a regular press briefing.

After a one-day stay, Wen will fly to Tokyo, where he will hold a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and make a speech at the parliament, Qin said.

Wen will conclude his three-day Japan tour in Kyoto, the country's ancient capital.

The ROK and Japan are both important neighbors of China, Qin said.

"It is of great importance if the three countries can build good neighborly and friendly relations based on mutual trust and cooperation."

Relations between China and Japan have improved since Abe took office last September. Beijing was his first overseas destination as prime minister.

Qin said China has urged Sudan to show more flexibility in considering a peace proposal that was put forward by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Beijing raised the issue during Chief of Joint Staff of Sudanese armed forces Haj Ahmed El Gaili's ongoing eight-day China visit, which began on Sunday.

Qin said China's basic position was to realize peace and stability and reconstruct the economy in the Darfur region.

He said any solution to the issue should respect Sudan's sovereignty and unity, adding that China welcomed the negotiation based on Annan's proposal by the relevant parties.

Qin said China is willing to continue to play a constructive role and work together with the international community to push forward the issue.

Haj Ahmed El Gaili held talks with Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan yesterday and the two sides agreed to boost friendly cooperation.

The guest will meet Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Liang Guanglie today.

(China Daily 04/04/2007 page3)