On January 23rd, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held the regular press conference.

Q: Does China see any justification yet for US military intervention in Iraq?

A: We have always stood for a political and diplomatic settlement of the Iraqi issue within the UN framework. We hope that the parties concerned will make due efforts to this end.

Q: What is China’s position to the Turkey’s invitation for a regional meeting to solve the Iraqi issue among the relevant countries? Besides, What activities is China’s special envoy to the Middle East now engaged in?

A: We have taken note that some countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt proposed for a meeting to discuss the Iraqi issue. The Chinese side has always stood for the political and diplomatic solution of the Iraqi issue within the UN framework. We adopt a positive attitude towards this proposal and hope it may conduce to the settlement of this issue.

Ambassador Wang Shijie, China’s special envoy to the Middle East visited the Middle East last November and made an in-depth exchange of views with the relevant parties on relaxing tension and promoting peace in the Middle East. The visit was a successful one, getting the wide attention and welcome from all the parties concerned. Mr. Wang Shijie is currently in Beijing and stays in contact with all the parties concerned. We are ready to make our own efforts to solve the Middle East issue.

Q: Are there any casualties of the Chinese citizens in the recent earthquake in Mexico?

A: The Chinese government is seriously concerned with the powerful earthquake of the state Colima in central Mexico. President Jiang Zemin has sent telegram of condolences, extending the sympathy and condolences from the Chinese government and people to the Mexican people in the devastated region, and hoping that they can recover from the calamities and reconstruct their homeland at an earlier date. According to my knowledge, no Chinese citizens were injured in this earthquake.

Q: On January 10 the Australian government approved to send troops to the gulf to support the US military activities there and today Australian sent a transportation ship there. What is the position of China?

A: We have taken note of the relevant report. We have always stood for the political and diplomatic settlement of this issue within the UN framework. We hope that actions taken by the parties concerned are conducive to this end.

Q: How do you evaluate the upcoming direct flight of chartered planes across the straits？

A：As this issue involves the cross-straits affairs, you may refer it to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. As far as I am concerned, there will be a press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council tomorrow and I am sure you can get the answer there.

Q: It is reported that the DPRK government will appoint a Hong Kong citizen Eric Hotung as the head of the Sinuiju SAR of the DPRK. What is your comment?

A: I also read reports from the media and am not aware of the specifics.

Q: Recently the Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce was shot dead, which is very unusual in China. What is your comment on that?

A: You have mentioned a criminal case in China. According to my knowledge, the case is now under further investigation and I have no details to share with you here.

Q: The US side deems it inevitable to present the DPRK nuclear issue to the UN Security Council, is that also China’s position on this issue? If not, what measures may China take to stop this?

A: We stand for peace and stability of the Korean peninsular and the realization of its denuclearization. We maintain that the current tension should be resolved through dialogue. We noticed that the parties concerned also expressed their readiness to settle this issue through face-to-face dialogue. There is a Chinese saying,“Only a certain set of keys can open a particular lock.” Since the relevant parties believe that dialogue between the US and the DPRK is the core in solving this issue, I believe that they should continue to make efforts in resuming dialogue between the US and the DPRK.

Q: Is there room for maneuver if the DPRK nuclear question goes to the UN Security Council?

A: I understand your interest in this issue. But I believe the priority at present is to push the relevant parties to resume direct dialogue at an early date, rather than to make any move that may further complicate this issue.

Q: During US Deputy Secretary of State Bolton’s visit to China, did the two sides discuss the US arms sales to Taiwan? In other words, was the Taiwan question an issue of dialogue in the first round of strategic security consultations between China and the US?

A: Last time I have already briefed you on US Deputy Secretary of State Bolton’s visit to China. During the talks, the two sides mainly exchange views on the issues of common interest including counter-terrorism, strategic security, international arms control and non-proliferation. The Taiwan issue has always been a core issue relating to the smooth development of China-US relations. Our stand is quite clear on this point. During the meetings and talks, both sides agreed that the common ground of the two countries in the international security field outweighs our differences, and it is necessary for the two sides to enhance consultation on the relevant issues. Both sides were satisfied with the result of the consultation.

Q: John Bolton said that he detected no opposition from China to the North Korean nuclear issue being brought to the UNSC. Did he get that wrong? Besides, France and Germany recently indicated that they were not in favor of the military actions against Iraq. What is your comment? Does China feel quite close to France and some other countries on this matter?

A: I have read relevant reports. During the meetings and talks, China has explicitly elaborated on its stand on this issue. We believe the imperative is to promote the face-to-face dialogue between the parties concerned, which is the only effective way for the settlement of the DPRK nuclear question. We do not hope to see any move made by the relevant parties that may further complicate this matter.

Regarding your second question, we are concerned and worried about the current massive military build-up in the gulf region. We have always stood for the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iraqi issue. Our position on this point is quite close to that of France and some other countries.

Q: Could you brief us on the latest development of the case of Hirashima Fudeko? When did Japan inform China of this case?

A: As Hirashima Fudeko entered China illegally, we are trying to further verify her identity. This case is not an ordinary case of illegal entry. Rather, it is a serious case of abduction. It is a odious crime for the kidnappers to blackmail the government of a third country. Their activities seriously violated China’s laws and regulations and disturbed China’s social security. The Chinese government will handle this case in strict accordance with law. According to my knowledge, at present the case is under further investigation.

Regarding your second question, you may refer it to the Japanese side.

Q: It is reported that the United States will send aircraft carriers to the Korean waters, what is the reaction of the Chinese side?

A: We have noticed the relevant report.