On 28 January, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held a regular press conference.

Q: China is going to send 175 officials and soldiers to take part in the UN peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please introduce the significance of China’s participation in the peacekeeping operation this time.

A: In order to support the UN peacekeeping operation and the peace process in Africa, the Chinese Government decided to send an engineer corp. and a medical team to the UN peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo soon. Over the years, the UN peacekeeping operation has played an important role in easing and promoting the settlement of regional disputes and has been widely appreciated and praised by the international community. China has sent military observers, civilian police, civilian officials and engineer corp. to over ten UN peacekeeping operations. It decided early last year to send established non-combat troops to join the first-grade standby arrangement of the UN peacekeeping operation. As the permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to support and take part in the UN peacekeeping operation.

Q: The UN Movic and the IAEA informed the Security Council of their weapon inspection in Iraq on 27 January. What is the comment from the Chinese side?

A: We have taken note of the assessment opinions of the UN Movic and the IAEA and the response from various sides.

China has always stood that the Iraqi question should be solved politically within the UN framework and that Iraq should implement the relevant UN resolutions in full and in real earnest.

We maintain that currently no conclusion to the weapon inspection in Iraq should be jumped to. The Security Council should respect the opinions of the two agencies and support the continued inspection to sort out questions. We also hope to see enhanced Iraq’s cooperation to the UN.

Q: I hear that the Chinese side will send Hirasima Kudeko to Japan within this week. Please confirm. How is she recently?

A: I introduced last week that the case of Kudeko is different from an ordinary case of illegal entry. It is a serious kidnapping case. The kidnappers blackmailed the government of a third country and as a result, it is severe in nature. It seriously violated China’s law and disturbed public security. The Chinese side will deal with it severely.

At present, relevant department has verified Kudeko’s identity but the case is still being investigated.

Q: President Bush will deliver his state of union address tomorrow and it will touch upon the possible war against Iraq. Under which circumstances does the Chinese side think it legitimate to launch a war against Iraq?

A: China has always maintained that the Iraqi question should be solved through diplomatic and political means within the UN framework. Last night Beijing time, the UN Movic and the IAEA submitted a report. Though the report shows that there are still some specific questions that need to be clarified, Iraq has, on the whole, accorded cooperation to the UN weapon inspection and it is going on smoothly. We hold that the opinion of the two UN agencies should be respected and continued inspection supported so as to sort out relevant questions. On the other hand, we also hope that Iraq can continue to strengthen cooperation and coordination with the UN.

Q: If all the political efforts fail, will China support the US war against Iraq?

A: We maintain that so long as there is still one hope for political settlement of the Iraqi question, we should do our utmost to this end. China stands for political settlement of the question within the UN framework.

Q: Will China invite countries that share similar views with it on the Iraqi question to have consultation to solve the question of possible war against Iraq?

A: According to what I know, the UN Security Council will further review this question and relevant countries and members of the Security Council will also consult it.

Q: The Palestinian side said that the silence of the international community in face of Israel’s violence against Palestine would only give rise to its violence. Does China, as one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, have any specific proposals to end Israel’s violence against Palestine? Will China’s special envoy Wang Shijie go to the region recently?

A: The Chinese side is deeply worried and uneasy to see the further escalation of the tension between Palestine and Israel. We maintain that “violence for violence ” is not conducive to the settlement of the question. We urge the parties concerned to, proceeding from maintaining regional peace and safeguarding people’s life and property, take effective measures to stop violence and resume negotiation as soon as possible. The settlement of the conflict between Palestine and Israel through negotiation is the only effective way to achieve peace.

China has always followed the Middle East situation closely and worked for the early resumption of negotiation and achievement of peace between Israel and Palestine. Though China’s special envoy is now in Beijing, he is keeping frequent contact with all the parties concerned to contribute to the early settlement of the Middle East question.

Q: Under which circumstance will China support the war against Iraq?

A: We have always stood for diplomatic and political settlement of all disputes in the world. On the Iraqi question, the UN has adopted over 60 resolutions and Resolution 1441 adopted not long ago is now being implemented. Relevant UN agencies have submitted a preliminary report on Iraq’s weapon and inspection and the Security Council will continue to discuss it very soon. We maintain that chance should be given to peaceful settlement of the Iraqi question to try to solve it politically within the UN framework. Only this conforms to the interest of the countries in the region and the world at large.

Q: How long does China think the UN weapon inspectors still need for their work in Iraq? Does the Chinese side think it necessary for the Security Council to adopt another resolution?

A: We think that the opinions of the two agencies should be respected and continued inspection allowed to sort out questions. As to how long it needs in specific, we are willing to listen to the opinion of the inspectors. The next move by the Security Council depends on the review of the report submitted by the two agencies and their inspection.

Q: Will Vice President Cheney visit China before the NPC meeting?

A: China and the US keeping high level exchange of visits is very important for the bilateral relations. Vice President Hu Jintao sent an invitation to Vice President Cheney last year and he will visit China in the first half of this year. The two sides are still consulting the specific time.

Q: The head of the Asian Pacific Bureau of Japan’s Foreign Ministry will visit China today. What are the topics to be discussed and will the case of Kudeko be touched upon?

A: Since the consultation you mentioned has not begun, it is difficult for me to forecast the content to be discussed. I am willing to introduce it to you next time.