Madam Zhang begins with an announcement: at the invitations of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania, National Committee of the Republic of Namibia and the National Assembly of the Republic of Zambia, Chairman Li Ruihuan of the National Committee of CPPCC will pay official goodwill visits to the above-mentioned three countries from February 9 to 19.

Q: On 28th, DPRK's Embassy in Russia refused the 5 plus 5 proposal in mediating the nuclear issue. DPRK also declined to put the nuclear issue at the multi-lateral level. On the same day, US President Bush noted in his State of Union Address that the US will not be blackmailed and will work with China, Russia, Japan and South Korea to find a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue. China has repeatedly stressed that it wishes to solve the problem peacefully. Can you be more specific in telling us what kind of role China can play?

A: I have stated China's position on the Korean nuclear issue on many occasions here. We can summarize our position into the following 3 points. First of all, China has always advocated for a peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula. Secondly, China hopes to see a nuclear-free Peninsula. It doesn't want nuclear weapons on the Peninsula. Thirdly, China believes that relevant parties should solve the nuclear issue through dialogue. We have been repeatedly stressing that dialogue is the only effective way to solve the current stalemate. We hope that each member of the international community can make its efforts to achieve that end.

China is very much concerned with the Korean nuclear issue. We have maintained close contact and consultation with relevant parties and have been trying to push relevant parties to solve the problem through direct dialogue. We have seen a lot of international efforts in this direction. The delegation headed by the special envoy of the President of South Korea has just concluded its visit to DPRK. These efforts will all help. We are positive towards any effort that helps to make a peaceful, stable and nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. China has always been playing a constructive role to that end.

Q: US President Bush said in his State of Union Address that the US would not be blackmailed by North Korea. Does China believe these lines will help to solve the nuclear issue through dialogue between the US and DPRK?

A: Yesterday, US President Bush delivered his State of Union Address, which involves domestic and foreign affairs of the US. On foreign policy, he talked about Iraqi and Korean nuclear issue. We believe that states should respect each other. Disputes should be solved through dialogue and negotiations. Only by so doing can we help to maintain world peace and stability.

Q: President Bush used strong terms in the State of Union Address to warn Iraq that time is running out for diplomatic efforts. Does China believe there's still time for diplomatic efforts?

A: With respect to Iraq, I'd like to quote Foreign Minister Tang's remarks in an interview with some Chinese journalists this afternoon. He noted that the international community has reached a consensus that Iraqi question should be solved politically within the UN framework. UN has approved dozens of resolutions concerning Iraq, which Iraq should implement faithfully and in earnest term. As a permanent member of the Security Council, China has maintained close contact with relevant parties, working with them actively to push the problem along the track of a political solution. He also stressed that at the critical moment, UN Security Council and the international community should continue to contribute more to that end.

Two days ago, the two agencies of UN submitted their initial report on Iraq to the Security Council. The report says that the overall inspection work has been going on smoothly but more time is needed for further verification. We believe that we should respect the request of the two agencies. Iraq has also expressed on many occasions its willingness to strengthen cooperation and coordination with UN. We are still hopeful for a political and diplomatic settlement of this issue.

Q: What's your comment on the recommendation of Jong Wook Lee as the new director General of WHO?

A: On January 28th, the 111th session of the Executive board of WHO decided to nominate Dr. Jong Wook Lee as the next Director General of WHO. This nomination will be submitted to the Assembly of WHO for approval. Chinese Government would like to extend its congratulations and support to Dr. Lee on this recommendation. Dr. Lee has great expertise and managerial experience and we believe that WHO will make more contribution to the development of global health under his leadership. China stands ready to further strengthen cooperation with WHO in various fields.

Q: Does China believe that President Bush implies under the lines of the State of Union Address that the US will try to solve the Iraqi question by force outside of the UN framework? If the US and Britain use force against Iraq without the UN authorization, what's the response of China?

A: Our position on Iraq has been consistent. Iraq should comply with relevant resolutions of UN Security Council. Over 60 resolutions have been approved by UN, which should be observed by Iraq fully and faithfully. At the same time, Iraqi question should be solved politically within the UN framework. Currently efforts should be made to further implement Resolution 1441 of UN. Heads of the two agencies of UN have submitted their initial report to the Security Council. The latter reviewed the report in the past two days. I believe that everyone can see the consensus of the international community from  what's going on during the two days, which is, Iraqi question should be solved through political and diplomatic channels. UN, the Security Council in particular, should play a leading role here.

The second question you raised is a presumptive one. For the time being, I'm not in the position to give an answer to it.

Q: How long does China believe the inspectors may need to complete their work there? Should there be a deadline?

A: Heads of the two agencies of UN have said that they need more time to continue the inspection. Our position is that their view should be respected. As for how long it might take, several weeks or months, members of the Security Council will have to discuss about it.

Q: Hiroshima returned to Japan on 29th. Please share with us on how her case has been handled by the Public Security Bureau of China?

A: This case is a very unusual cross-border abduction. The Chinese Government has paid great attention to the case, and right after getting report,has wasted no time to assign a lot of policemen to probe the case.The two hostage takers involved were captured in the shortest time and Hiroshima was rescued safely. Initial investigation showed that two hostage takers hold South Korean passports. China has informed the consular section of the South Korean Embassy. The Prosecutorial Bureau will deal with them in accordance with law. After she was identified as a Japanese citizen, Hiroshima left China for Japan on 29th under the arrangement of the Japanese Embassy in China.

Q: The right wing came to power again in the Israeli election. The Sharon Administration doesn't have any plan to solve its conflicts with Palestine through political means. China has always advocated for a peaceful solution to the conflicts between Israel and Palestine. Does China have any comment on that?

A: The general election of Israel has concluded. China respects the choice of the Israeli people. China hopes that the new government of Israel can continue staying to the peaceful strategy, trying to solve its disputes with relevant countries through political dialogue on the bases of relevant UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace" so as to continuously push ahead the Middle East peace process.

Q: Some of the remarks of President Bush in the State of Union Address, for instance the North Korean and Iraqi regime must be changed, contravene with China's position. Does China agree with US interference with other countries' internal affairs?

A: We believe that any problem between states should be solved through diplomatic and political channels. Only by so doing, can we help to maintain world peace and security, promote development of the whole world as well as prevent possible grave humanitarian crisis caused by other means.

Last but not least, I'd like to, on behalf of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, extend our best wishes for everybody present here. May you enjoy a happy spring festival, a great start and all the wonderful things in the ram year.