On February 18, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held the regular press conference. Zhang began with an announcement.

Vice Premier Qian Qichen of the State Council will be invited to pay a visit to the Republic of Korea from February 24 to 26 to attend the inaugural ceremony of President-elect Roh Moo Hyun.

Q: What’s your comment on the recent conflicts between Israel and Palestine?

A: Recent days have witnessed some relaxation of the conflicts between Israel and Palestine. The two sides have adopted some positive measures to cease violence and restore talks, having some political contacts. President Arafat decided to appoint a prime minister, for which China wishes to express appreciation and respect. We hope to see the two sides continue to take positive and effective measures, brush aside disturbances and eradicate the trade of violence so as to create favorable conditions for the early resumption of peace talks.

Q: The current oil price in the international market is 32 dollars a barrel. If the Iraqi situation got tensed, China’s burden would become heavier since it’s an oil importer. Some claim that the price will be lower once the war on Iraq breaks out. What’s your view on that?

A: Your question is closely related to the Iraqi question. We have always held that the Iraqi question should be solved politically within the UN framework. Couple of days ago, UN Security Council listened to the report on inspection submitted by heads of the two agencies of UN. Foreign Ministers of ten from the fifteen members of the Security Council attended the meeting, which has evidently proved the importance universally attached by the international community to the political settlement of the Iraqi question within the UN framework. We believe that utmost efforts should be made to seek a political and diplomatic settlement of the question. Wars only produce humanitarian disasters and adverse effect on the whole of world economy.

We hope to see a peaceful settlement of the Iraqi question as well as steady and healthy development of world economy.

Q: How does China view the division between the US and some European countries on the war on Iraq? China, Russia and India always advocate for a multi-polar world. Is the current divergence between the US and European countries an opportunity for multi-polarity? Does it contravene world stability?

A: Intellectuals and scholars may be in a better position to analyze and study the question. Countries take their own stand on how to solve the Iraqi question. They may agree and disagree with each other here and there. China has always believed that the Iraqi question should be solved politically within the UN framework. On February 14, the Security Council held another meeting on the question, during which we could clearly see the support of the majority of members for a political settlement.

Q: The Bush Administration is working on a standard as a final test for Iraq on its violation of the Security Council’s resolution. But it’s the standard of the US instead of the UN. Will China support a new resolution on Iraq? Does China believe it necessary for the US to have its own rule of game?

A: Different countries may have their own views and standards on the Iraqi question. But the universal aspiration of the international community is to seek a political solution within the UN framework. With respect to Iraq, China keeps on stressing that Iraq should comprehensively, earnestly and strictly implement relevant resolutions of the Security Council, provide more active, voluntary and full cooperation with the UN inspectors. At the same time, we also believe that Resolution 1441 of the Security Council have very clear and specific regulations for the inspection, which are yet to be implemented comprehensively. There’s still room for efforts. As for next step for the Security Council, all members of the Security Council should have further discussion on that. The top priority is to continue the inspection according to Resolution 1441.

Q: North Korea said that it might pull out from the1953 Armistice. Was China informed by North Korea? How does China react towards this?

A: China maintains that the Korean Peninsula should be nuclear-free, peaceful and stable. Relevant problems should be solved through dialogue. We hope that relevant parties should proceed from peace and stability of the peninsula, exercise restraint and try to solve the problem peacefully through dialogue and consultation instead of taking any action that may lead to escalation.

Q: It’s reported that some scholars of mainland China has started to collect signatures of those opposing to the war on Iraq. Any comment on that?

A: I’d like to take this opportunity to point out that Chinese people have always cherished peace. Foreign Minister Tang noted at the Security Council couple of days ago that China is an ancient civilization. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors brought forth the idea that peace is to be cherished. The Chinese people are longing for the maintenance of peace. To seek peace and oppose war is the shared demand and hope of the people of the entire world. The Chinese Government has always advocated for a peaceful solution to the Iraqi question. It’s the best embodiment of the aspiration and demand of the Chinese people.

Q: China, the US and North Korea are all parties to the 1953 Armistice. Did North Korea inform China of its withdrawal of the treaty?

A: We have seen the official remarks of DPRK. I quote, correct me if I’m wrong, if relevant country continues to take further steps, DPRK will consider withdrawing from the Armistice. We hold that the key to the Korean nuclear question is the realization of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. But at the same time the security concerns of DPRK should also be taken into consideration. We hope to solve the problem through dialogue. Relevant parties should continue making efforts to create favorable atmosphere and conditions for dialogue so as to avoid further complicating the matter.

Q: You said that the Chinese people are peace-loving people. Then why isn’t here any large-scale protest as there have been in other countries?

A: I’ve already said that the Chinese people love peace. Yet there are certainly various ways to express the wish for peace and objection to war. If you have any access to Chinese newspapers and remarks on net, you’ll clearly realize the strong wish and demand of the Chinese people for the maintenance of peace in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Q: The alignment of China, Russia and Germany has become a topic for discussion in recent days. What’s China’s view to that? Is there any possibility for China, Russia, France and Germany to get aligned shortly on Iraqi question? How does China evaluate the cooperation between Iraq and the UN?

A: In the past few days, China has voiced its aspiration for a peaceful solution to the Iraqi question through political means on many international occasions including the Security Council. Many countries have taken a similar stand. It’s fair to say that it has become the universal demand and aspiration of the international community.

With respect to Iraqi’s implementation of the Security Council resolutions, two days ago, the two inspection agencies of the UN reported again to the Security Council. They said that the inspection work has made some progress on the whole but there are some matters to be verified. The past few days have witnessed the coordination of Iraq with UN on the inspection. We’d like to call upon Iraq to comprehensively and strictly implement relevant resolutions of the Security Council, fully recognize the importance and imperative of the inspection work. In fact, the purpose of enhancing inspection is to seek a peaceful solution to the Iraqi question. We hope to see the cooperation of Iraq with UN so as to implement Resolution 1441 comprehensively.

Q: We heard that the DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun stopped over Beijing today on his way to NAM. Did the two countries discuss the Korean nuclear issue?

A: DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun stopped over Beijing today. Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi had an in-depth exchange of views with him on bilateral ties and the nuclear issue. Both of the two noted that the existing problems on the Korean Peninsula should be solved peacefully through dialogue. Mr. Paek stopped here on his way to the 13th Summit of NAM.

Q: During their talks, did the two discuss the possibility of DPRK to pull out from the 1953 Armistice?  Members of EU said that war could be the last resort. Does China believe it’s still too early to say that?

A: On your first question, I’ve shared with you what I know. Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged views with Mr. Paek on nuclear issues in an in-depth manner. Both of the them noted that the current problem on the Korean Peninsula should be solved peacefully through dialogue.

With respect to the statement of EU on Iraq, I believe it’s quite clear that EU still hopes to solve the Iraqi question through peaceful means. The UN has its mechanism for Iraq, which should be relied on currently. Peaceful means haven’t been exhausted. In other words, we are not at the dead end yet. Relevant parties should make utmost efforts to seek a peaceful solution to Iraqi question.

Q: We’re told that a Chinese delegation will attend the 13th Summit in Malaysia this month. Who will be present? What’s the comment of China on this meeting?

A: The 13th Summit of NAM will be held in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia from February 24 to 25. It’s the first summit meeting of Non-Aligned Movement in the new century and is of guiding significance for future development of the movement. As an observer of NAM, China has attached importance to its role in international affairs and has enjoyed sound cooperation with it. Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya will head a delegation to attend this meeting.

Q: The two Koreans involved in the Hirashima Kudeko case were sent back to South Korea. What are they charged with? Does China still believe it’s a grave case of kidnapping?

A: I talked about the case in detail before. We believe it’s a grave case of kidnapping. After investigation, the Public Security Bureau has dealt with the two in accordance with law.

Q: It’s reported that Powell and Castro will visit China. Can you confirm?

A: My understanding is that US Secretary of State will visit China shortly. China is discussing with the US on the specific agenda of his visit. We will update you in due course. I haven’t got any information on the second visit you mentioned.

Q: It’s reported that the US will set up a Northeast Asia Command to handle the Korean nuclear question. What’s your comment on that?

A: Korean nuclear question can only be solved through peaceful means. Relevant parties should create favorable atmosphere and conditions for direct dialogue and avoid taking any steps that might cause further complication of the problem. Parties involved should make efforts to that end.

Q: Can you brief us on recent widespread viral disease in Guangdong Province? Reports say that the Roche Pharmaceutical Company has taken advantage of the panic among people to promote its products improperly. Is China concerned with that?

A: You’ve asked a question involving domestic affairs. As Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson, I am not aware of the specifics. But my understanding of the situation is that, the non-typical pneumonia in Guangdong has been under effective control. Those who got infected were cured and released from hospital. With regard to the specific pharmaceutical company, you can refer your question to departments of health of China.

Q: Will China’s Middle East Envoy take part in the next summit meeting of the Arab League?

A: We have taken note that the Arab League has just concluded a meeting where members of it voiced the aspiration of Arab countries for a peaceful solution to the Iraqi question. My knowledge is that the meeting hasn’t decided on when to hold the next summit meeting. If the schedule was decided and China received the invitation, we would consider.

Q: Will Rolling Stone perform in Beijing and Shanghai?

A: Sorry, I have no idea.

Q: You mentioned on many occasions that China has remained in contact with relevant parties on the Korean nuclear issue. Is there any progress in this morning’s talks between China and North Korea?

A: China hopes to solve the problem through dialogue and has made its efforts to that end. This morning, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged views with Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun in an in-depth manner on bilateral issues and Korean nuclear issue. Both of them noted that the Korean nuclear issue should be solved peacefully through dialogue, which itself is an improvement.

Q: How long did this morning’s talk last?

A: For talks of this kind, the most important thing is what has been discussed instead of how long. The two exchanged views on bilateral ties and the Korean nuclear issue, noting that the latter should be solved peacefully through dialogue. I believe this is of great significance.