By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-10-26 07:22

Premier Wen Jiabao will pay a six-day visit to four countries next week to forge closer bilateral ties.

He will fly to Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, to attend the Sixth Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) prime ministers' meeting next Friday.

And before visiting Moscow, where he will meet Russian Prime Minster Viktor Zubkov, Wen will travel to two former Soviet republics of Turkmenistan and Belarus.

Attending the closing ceremony of the "Year of China" in Russia is also part of Wen's itinerary.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Thursday that a series of key agreements will be signed at the SCO prime ministers' meeting and during Wen's visit to the four countries.

"Wen will have in-depth exchange of views with other state leaders on strengthening of bilateral ties, deepening of cooperation for mutual benefit, and international and regional issues of common interest," Liu told a regular press briefing.

Wen will also work with prime ministers of other SCO member states to study and implement the Bishkek Summit consensus reached two months ago and the SCO Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.

UN envoy on Myanmar

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan told the UN secretary-general's special advisor on Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari Thursday that the people and the government of Myanmar have to resolve the crisis in that country through dialogue and negotiation.

Concluding his talks with the UN envoy, Tang appealed to the international community to offer constructive help to Myanmar instead of pressuring the country and threatening it with sanctions.

He said China will continue to support the UN and ASEAN member countries in their efforts to restore normalcy in Myanmar.

Gambari met with Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei on Wednesday.

The UN envoy has been touring Asian countries to exchange views on the Myanmar issue. His last stop is Japan before he visits Myanmar again in early November.

Situation in Sudan

Chinese oil workers in Sudan have not been affected by the recent conflict, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Thursday.

But he urged the Sudanese government to take steps to ensure their safety.

Liu denied reports that China is selling fighter jets to Iran, saying no talks have been held on the issue. "They are irresponsible reports," he said.