BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday expressed its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to Britain's accusation of its handling of a British drug smuggler.

    Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the comments at a regular press conference, in response to relevant questions. 

Akmal Shaikh, a British national who was convicted of smuggling drugs into China, was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday in Urumqi, capital of northwestern Xinjiang Ugyur Autonomous Region, after approval from China's Supreme People's Court (SPC).

    "Such accusation was groundless, to which China expressed its resolute opposition," Jiang said. "We urge the British side to correct its wrongdoing to avoid causing damages to bilateral relations."

    Jiang said the case was an individual criminal case, and Chinese judicial authorities had always handled the case independently in accordance with China's law and legal procedures.

    She said the defendant's litigation rights and legitimate treatment had been fully guaranteed in the trial.

    China attached great importance to its relations with Britain and hoped this case would not affect the bilateral relations, Jiang said, noting "We hope the British side can rationally treat the case, and not create new obstacles for the bilateral relations."

    China is a country under the rule of law. The judicial authorities of China handle cases in strict accordance with law and China's judicial independence brooks no interference from the outside, said Jiang.

    BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese bulk carrier "De Xin Hai", which was rescued from pirates early Monday, is heading home under the protection of China's naval escort, a Chinese official said Tuesday.

    Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu said at a regular news briefing that the vessel and crew were expected home at an early date.

"De Xin Hai", which belongs to Qingdao Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd, was carrying about 76,000 tonnes of coal from South Africa to India when it was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, 350 nautical miles northeast of the Seychelles and 700 nautical miles off the east coast of Somalia on Oct. 19.

    After the incident, the Chinese government ordered a rescue mission while ensuring the safety of the ship and the crew members.

    The vessel and 25 Chinese crew members aboard were successfully rescued at 3 a.m. on Dec. 28, according to Chinese Marine Search and Rescue Center.

    Jiang said the shipping company would make appropriate arrangements for their return, depending on their physical conditions.

    The government attached great importance to protecting Chinese abroad, Jiang said. It would continue its naval escort in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions.

    She said China was willing to work with the international community to ensure security of international shipping channels.

    BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- China intensified airport security checks for flights to the United States following the thwarted terror attack on a U.S. passenger flight on Christmas Day, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on Tuesday.

This was in accordance with international conventions and the requirements of the U.S. government, she told a regular press conference. She said China had always taken tight airport security to ensure the safety of the travelers.

    "China is opposed to terrorism in any form, and this stance is consistent and clear," she said.

    A 23-year-old Nigerian, who claimed to have ties with al-Qaida, attempted to blow up a Delta/Northwest flight flying from Amsterdam to Detroit with 289 people on board on Dec. 25.

    BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- China opposed Israel's new settlement plan in East Jerusalem, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said here Tuesday.

    Jiang made the remarks when commenting on Israel's bid to add about 700 new apartments in East Jerusalem at a regular news briefing.

 "The final status of Jerusalem remains one of the core issues in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, " Jiang said. "It can only be based on relevant UN resolutions and should be properly resolved through bilateral political negotiations."

    Israeli Construction and Housing Ministry is seeking bids for construction of 692 new apartments in East Jerusalem, a ministry spokesman said on Monday, adding the home construction in three Jewish communities was expected to be finished in two to three years.

    "China urged Israel to act cautiously and make positive response to the international community's efforts to promote peace and create conditions for early resumption of peace talks," said Jiang.

    The peace talks on final status issues had completely stopped last December after Israel insisted to expand settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

    BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- China had worked actively for the release of fishermen detained by Myanmar, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Tuesday.

    Jiang said at a regular news briefing that thanks to the positive efforts made by Chinese Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassy in Myanmar, Myanmar authorities had agreed to arrange for the detained Chinese fishermen to return to China. The Myanmar authorities detained 10 foreign fishing vessels and 128 foreign fishermen caught fishing in Myanmar waters on Nov. 18.

    The detained fishermen included five Chinese, four from Taiwan and one from southeast China's Fujian Province.

    Jiang said China's Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassy in Myanmar contacted the Myanmar authorities after learning of the detention and had urged the Myanmar authorities to deal justly with the case, safeguard the legal rights of Chinese fishermen and release them as soon as possible.

    She said Chinese envoys to Myanmar had visited the detained fishermen three times and asked the Myanmar authorities to treat them well.