On 7 January Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held a regular press conference. Zhang first announced two pieces of news.

At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Ecuador, Minister of Water Resources Mr.Wang Shucheng, as the special envoy of the Chinese Government，will attend the ceremony of the presidential hand-over to be held in Quito on January 15, 2003.

At the invitation of the Chinese Government, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Leader of the Justice and Development Party, the ruling party of the Republic of Turkey, will pay an official visit to China from January 14 to 17, 2003.

Q: It is reported that Washington asked Israel not to sell military technology to China for fear of China’s attack against Taiwan. What is your comment?

A: On the question you mentioned, China has not yet been formally informed up till now.

Q: Does China plan to put forward any new initiatives to persuade the DPRK to give up its nuclear plan?

A: At present the Korean nuclear question is concerned by the international community. China’s position on it can be summarized as the following three: First we hold that peace and stability on the Korean peninsula should be maintained; secondly we support the denuclearization of the peninsula and thirdly we hope that relevant parties should solve the question through dialog.

China has made positive efforts to push for the settlement of the question. We have held frequent contact with various parties and played a constructive role. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan made phone calls with some of his counterparts before the new year. On 3 January he had a phone conversation with British Foreign Secretary Staw. China has made consultation and coordination with relevant countries through a number of different ways. We hope to see the relaxation of the tension on the peninsula through dialog between relevant parties.

Q: Will China send special envoy to persuade the DPRK to solve the present crisis? If so, what kind of message will the Chinese side send?

A: China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors and have normal exchange and contact. I have introduced just now the consistent position of the Chinese side on this question. We hope to see the question solved through dialog and consultation and we will continue to keep close contact and consultation with relevant parties.

Q: The IAEA has just adopted a resolution urging the DPRK to stop any nuclear plans and allow observers to return to the DPRK. What is your comment?

A: We hold that the Korean peninsula should be denuclearized and peace and stability maintained. We hope that the resolution just adopted by the IAEA Council will facilitate the peaceful settlement of the question through dialog.

Q: What is the importance of the denuclearization of the peninsula to China and the region? What kind of incentives should be taken to encourage the DPRK to give up its nuclear plan?

A: On your first question, the denuclearization of the peninsula is important and good for Asia and the whole world.  To solve the question, we maintain that the framework agreement reached in 1994 will help achieve the goal and all parties concerned are responsible for safeguarding and implementing it.  In conclusion we hope to relax the present tension through dialog to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula.

Q: It is reported that the US plans to launch military action against Iraq. Will it affect the counter terrorist cooperation between China and the US and will it affect peace and stability in the region?

A: We maintain that the Iraqi question should be solved through political and diplomatic means within the UN framework. At present inspectors from the two UN agencies are still working in Iraq in accordance with relevant Security Council resolution, and with full cooperation from Iraq. After the inspection, the Security Council should listen to the briefings from the weapon inspectors before making any decision on questions concerning Iraq. We hope to see the settlement of the Iraqi question through diplomatic and political means.

Q: You made a good comment on the bombing incident which took place in Tel Aviv. But some western media made the conclusion from it that Israel had the right to attack Palestine. What is your comment? How are Chinese workers there?

A: A serious bombing incident took place in Tel Aviv on 5 January, which resulted in heavy civilian causalities including several Chinese workers.  The Chinese Government severely condemns it. The Chinese side is always opposed to “violence for violence” and urges the Israeli side to keep the maxim restraint so as to avoid the further escalation of the violent incidents.

As to casualties of the Chinese workers, it is now know that, after the verification of the Chinese embassy in Israel, one of the Chinese workers died in the incident, one missing and seven injured, three severely injured.

After the incident, the Chinese Government is deeply concerned with the security of its workers in Israel. Embassy staff went to the site and hospital over night to get information. Ambassador Pan Zhanlin and relevant officials work day after night to try to know and verify the Chinese casualties, visit those injured and try their best to deal with the after-work.

Q: In light of the present situation, has the Chinese side sent warning to its citizens not to go to Israel? Such incidents that concerned Chinese citizens occurred three times. Is the Chinese side satisfied with the Israeli handling of it?

A: Chinese embassy in Israel has already sent security notice to Chinese citizens going to Israel and workers already there to remind them of their security in Israel through its website and other means. On your second question, the Israeli side attaches great importance to the casualties of the Chinese workers and makes clear that it will go all out to rescue and help those injured and give compensation to those dead or injured.

Q: In light of the current situation, some countries including Thailand has already stopped its labor export to Israel. Does China have the similar plan?

A: I have mentioned just now that, in light of the current security situation, Chinese embassy in Israel has already sent notice to relevant Chinese agencies and companies there to remind them of the life and security of their employees.

Q: It is reported that the US is suing Boeing and Hughes for secretly providing space technology to China. What is your comment?

A: China’s commercial launching service has always followed strictly the prevailing international practice and the principle of fairness and openness is adhered to. It is unnecessary and impossible for China to gain satellite, rocket and missile technology from US companies. We maintain that the so-called allegation that the US companies making improper technology transfer to China by using China’s carrier rocket is ridiculous and does not conform with the facts.

Q: The IAEA stated that the Korean nuclear question will be handed to the UN Security Council if the DPRK refuses to implement the resolution. Will China agree to it? It is reported that Russia is unwilling. What is the position of the Chinese side?

A: I have introduced just now the position of the Chinese side on this question. China always considers the question from the principle of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.  On whether to forward it to the UN Security Council, we are in favor of solving the question through dialog between various parties. Any step should be conducive to solving instead of complicating the question.

Q: Is China formally asked to play a mediating role on solving the Korean nuclear question?

A: China has kept close contact with all parties concerned.

Q: China will launch manned space ship recently. Is it out of the consideration of national prestige, development of science and technology, telecommunication need or other?

A: The successful launching and smooth return of Shengzhou IV was widely reported in the Chinese media. Relevant officials of the Chinese side also introduced the position and plan of China’s next step in its space plan. It is of great importance to the entire mankind to conduct scientific study and international cooperation in this regard.

Q: Has the US side confirmed to the Chinese side to take part in Taiwan’s military exercise this year?

A: We have seen relevant reports from some media. We would like to point it out that any form of military exchange and cooperation between the US and Taiwan violates the principles of the three China-US Joint Communiqués and will damage the China-US relations. The Chinese side has made solemn representations to the US side and urged it to abide by its commitments to the Chinese side on the question of Taiwan and stop any military exchange with Taiwan.

Q: It is known that China signed a repatriation agreement with the DPRK. Please confirm and introduce.

A: We have stated our position many times on how to deal with those coming illegally from the DPRK. We handle it in accordance with international laws and China’s domestic laws and in the humanitarian spirit.

Q: The Chinese side protested against Japan’s leasing of the three islands of the Diaoyu Islands and was refused by the Japanese side. What is your comment?

A: On China’s position on the question of Diaoyu Islands, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Deputy Director-General Cheng Yonghua have all made it clear and lodged solemn representations while summoning the Japanese ambassador and relevant officials recently. China’s position is consistent and clear that D Islands and its adjacent islands are integral part of the Chinese territory and any unilateral actions taken by the Japanese side on the islands are null and noid.

Q: What kind of economic assistance has China provided to the DPRK.? Any exchange at this stage?

A: China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors. We have kept normal exchange and economic relations and trade. In times of difficulty for the DPRK we have also provided some concrete assistance and help. We have nothing specific to provide you.

Q: When will the special advisor to the Secretary General of the UN arrive in Beijing? Who will meet with him?

A: We welcome the visit to the DPRK by the special advisor to the Secretary General of the UN. As far as I know, he will have a short stopover in Beijing later this week. The Chinese side is willing to exchange views with him and relevant meetings are still being arranged.

Q: It is reported that the US and Japan will impose economic sanction on the DPRK. What is the comment of the Chinese side?

A: We hope that various parties will, proceeding from the overall situation of maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, relax the current tension through dialog instead of taking any move that will further escalate it.