NEWS RELEASES

July 7, 2000 (1:30 p.m. EDT) No. 177

AXWORTHY TO VISIT JAPAN AND CHINA

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that he will participate in the G-8 Foreign Ministers Meeting, taking place in Miyazaki, Japan, on July 12 and 13. He will then pay an official visit to Beijing, China, on July 14 and 15.

G-8 foreign ministers will discuss a wide range of global security topics including conflict prevention, arms control and disarmament, terrorism, organized crime as well as the environment. They will also address regional issues, including the Balkans, Africa, the Middle East Peace Process and South Asia. In the course of their talks, the eight ministers will closely consult with representatives from the Non-Aligned Movement, the G-77 and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"I welcome this opportunity to address global issues with my G-8 colleagues and other international stakeholders," said Mr. Axworthy. "I am particularly pleased that this forum has adopted conflict prevention as one of its priorities and is currently addressing such issues as small arms and light weapons, security sector reform, children in armed conflict and illicit trade in diamonds."

During his two days in Miyazaki, Minister Axworthy will also meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono, British Foreign Minister Robin Cook, and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.

Mr. Axworthy will then travel to Beijing, China, where he will meet with Foreign Minister Tang to discuss a wide range of political and security related topics, including human rights and human security, recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, matters before the United Nations Security Council and disarmament issues.

"Canada and China co-operate on a wide spectrum of global and regional foreign policy issues both bilaterally and within the framework of the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations," said Mr. Axworthy. "I look forward to exchanging views with Minister Tang on current regional and global security issues."

- 30 -For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874