On 25 February Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Q: What is your comment on the new resolution proposed by the US and other countries on Iraq?

A: You have all known that Secretary of States Powell visited China yesterday. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan held talks with him and President Jiang and Vice President Hu met with him respectively. Powell informed the Chinese side on the next phase consideration of the US on the Iraqi question including tabling a new resolution on the Iraqi question to the UN Security Council very shortly. Minister Tang made clear China’s position which can be summarized as first, stressing that the Iraqi question should be solved politically within the UN framework; secondly, UN Resolution 1441 should be implemented in full and in particular Iraq should implement it fully, strictly and earnestly.  Inspection should be continued to sort out question so there is no need for a new resolution at this stage.

Q: Does Powell’s visit bring China and the US closer on the Iraqi question and the DPRK nuclear question? Or difference still remains?

A: You can draw your own conclusion since the Chinese media has reported it in full.

Q: The ROK claimed that the DPRK conducted a missile test last night, which the DPRK denied. What is your comment?

A: We have taken note of relevant report. Peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is of crucial importance. It is hoped that parties concerned can keep calm and exercise restraint and work together to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula through earnest efforts, which is good for all the parties.

Q: While Vice President Hu and Foreign Minister Tang held talks with Powell yesterday, the Chinese side told Powell that it hoped to see bilateral dialog between the US and the DPRK on an equal footing. It is interpreted by some people that China is opposed to the US proposal of holding multilateral discussion on the DPRK nuclear question and insists that it should be solved bilaterally by them. Do you think this interpretation correct?

A: The Chinese side has always maintained that peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is of crucial importance and all parties should work together to this end. On the other hand, the Korean peninsula should be nuclear free and denuclearization should be achieved. It is generally acknowledged that political and diplomatic means should be employed instead of other coercive or military means to solve the current DPRK nuclear question. There is consensus on this. The framework agreement between the US and the DPRK in 1994 played a certain role and as a result, we think that the two countries should launch bilateral dialog to solve questions. Powell touched upon some of the US proposals during his talks with Minister Tang including setting up a multilateral regime.  Minister Tang replied by stressing that joint efforts of all the parties concerned are needed but the first step should be direct dialog launched between the US and the DPRK. The multilateral regime proposed by the US can only be established on the basis of consensus among all the parties concerned. It is difficult to be established if the parties concerned have different opinions.  President Roh Moo-hyun talked about the attitude of the ROK side during his inauguration. I think  that majority opinions should be heeded on this question.

Q: A bombing took place in a restaurant in Beijing University. Any news that you can tell me?

A: I have only read this news just now and I am deeply concerned. The police are investigating.  

Q: Minister Tang said during his talk with Powell that the Chinese side has been playing a positive role in encouraging relevant parties to conduct dialog on the DPRK nuclear question.  Does the Chinese side have any new measures in this regard?

A: Secretary of States Powell introduced the consideration of the US side on the DPRK nuclear question. Minister Tang stressed that the Chinese side has always played an active and constructive role on this question. The US side also reaffirmed it. The fundamental goal of the Chinese side is to ensure peace and stability on the peninsula and achieve denuclearization, which is beneficial to all the parties concerned. The current question should be solved through political and diplomatic means.  

Q: Last week Foreign Secretary of Pakistan visited China. Foreign Minister Tang and Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with him. Can you brief us on the talks?

A: Mr. Riaz H. Khokhar, Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, visited China from 21 to 23 February at the invitation of Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The visit is a part of the mechanism of regular exchange of visits by officials of the two countries. Foreign Minister Tang met with him and Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with him. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, South Asia situation and international and regional issues of common interest. The visit embodies the friendly relations of the two countries and in particular, the close contact and coordination of the two ministries of foreign affairs.

Q: You mentioned that Minister Tang made clear that no second resolution is needed on the Iraqi question during his meeting with Secretary Powell. If the US does table such a resolution, will the Chinese side give it a study or object it directly?

A: Today is the second day since the new resolution was proposed. We have made it very clear that there is no need to table a new resolution since implementation of Resolution 1441 has not finished. Members of the Security Council is now having close consultation on the implementation of the resolution. At present, we are all waiting for the report to be submitted by the two agencies of the UN. The priority at this stage is the implementation in full of Resolution 1441 that had been unanimously adopted by all the members of the Security Council. It is not necessary to table a new resolution before Resolution 1441 has finished implementation.  The Chinese side insists that we should concentrate our efforts and work together to implement well Resolution 1441. Currently Security Council members have some differences on the Iraqi question but we need to see that all fifteen members   and majority of the international community all agree that the main goal set in Resolution 1441 is to investigate and eliminate all Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction.

Q: While the US tabled a new resolution on Iraq, France, Germany and Russia proposed a MOU calling for continued inspection which China has offered its support. Why hasn’t China directly take part in the MOU? In addition, what are the topics of the visit by Russian Foreign Minister scheduled tomorrow?

A: The main content of the MOU submitted by France, Russia, Germany on 24 is stressing on the need to strengthen the inspection regime and eliminate the weapons of mass destruction that Iraq may possibly have, which China completely agrees with and clearly supports.

On the second question you mentioned, Russian Foreign Minister will pay an official visit to China from 26 to 28 February. The visit is a part of the mechanism of exchange of visits between the foreign ministers of China and Russia. It was scheduled at the end of last year and was proponed due to reason of agenda. As far as I know, Foreign Minister Tang will have an in-depth exchange of views with his Russian counterpart and plan the high level exchange of visits and important cooperation between the two counties this year. I believe that the two foreign ministers will also exchange views on the current major international and regional issues, including of course the Iraqi question and the DPRK nuclear question. According to what I know, President Jiang is likely to meet with him and the two sides are preparing some documents of cooperation.

Q: On the report of DPRK’s missile test, given the extremely sensitive moment and the urge by many countries in the region that the DPRK not to take any move to aggravate the situation, will China criticize such move?

A: We have taken note that the reports are different. All sides continue to follow and get to know what on earth happened. If it did happen, we think that the parties concerned should work together to safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula and keep calm and exercise restraint.

Q: Can you comment on the visit to China by President Castro and the Sino-Cuban relations? Will the two sides sign joint statement?

A: The relations between China and Cuba have been developed smoothly and the two countries understand and support each other. The visit this time is a return visit of the President Jiang’s trip to Cuba two years ago. Sino-Cuban economic relations and trade have been constantly developed with 420 million USD trade volume last year, which still leaves room for further development. During the visit, leaders of the two countries will further explore the development of bilateral relations and business communities of the two countries will also take this chance to promote their economic cooperation and trade. I believe this visit is a very important one and will play an extremely significant role in further enhancing the mutual understanding between the two countries and promoting the Sino-Cuban friendly relations and cooperation.

Q: President Roh Moo-hyu swore in today. How do you view the future Sino-ROK relations? How will you cooperate on the DPRK nuclear question?

A: President Roh Moo-hyun formally swore in this morning and Vice Premier Qian Qichen attended his inauguration ceremony. Vice Premier Qian thanked President Kim Dae-Jung for his contribution to the development of Sino-ROK relations on behalf of the Chinese Government and warmly congratulated President Roh Moo-hyu in face. We believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, Sino-ROK partnership of cooperation will surely be further developed in the next ten years.

On you second question, the DPRK nuclear question is very complicated. The consensus is to solve it through diplomatic and political means. We hope that the goal will be achieved through efforts of all the parties concerned.

Q: On the missile test of the DPRK, it is pointed out by some experts that the missile was exported by China to the DPRK. What is your comment?

A: It is totally groundless and highly irresponsible.

Q: Can you introduce the latest information of the earthquake in Xinjiang?

A: People throughout China are deeply concerned over those in earthquake stricken areas. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council has sent a disaster relief team, the State Bureau of Seismology sent an expert team and the Ministry of Civil Affairs allocated 8 million RMB in disaster relief fund. When the earthquake took place, Party Secretary and Governor of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region were in Beijing for meeting and they went back overnight to organize relief work. A great number of relief is been prepared including 6000 tents and 1500 quilts that already sent to the region. Some countries have proposed to provide some disaster relief fund and materials, to which we have expressed our thanks. Secretary General Anna has also expressed condolence. I would like to take this chance to thank the governments and friends of those countries for their care. We believe that the Chinese Government will exercise its utmost and do a good job in disaster relief.

Q: When will the four DPRK citizens in the consular affairs department of the Japanese Embassy leave China? When will the Japanese woman and her daughter in the Consulate General in Shen Yang leave China?

A: The relevant department is verifying their identity. We have expressed our position on such incidents many times. Some DPRK citizens come to China illegally due to economic difficulty and they should not do such thing as illegally breaking into the foreign embassies again. We are particularly opposed to some foreign organizations, under various pretexts, organize and instigate them to break into foreign embassies and undermine China’s stability and social order. The Chinese side will handle such cases according to domestic and international law and in a humanitarian spirit.

Q: On the earthquake in Xinjiang, you mentioned just now that several countries expressed their willingness to provide assistance to China. Do you think such assistance needed? It is reported now that over 260 died and 4000 injured.  Will the final casualty further increase?

A: People nationwide are concerned with the situation in the disaster stricken areas and there have been donations and help. Some big cities have already begun to send materials to the areas to support them to go through the difficulties.  According to what I know, the civil affairs departments in China have not appealed to the international community and we thank sincerely those countries that offered help to us.

Jiashi and Bachu are located in the areas frequently hit by earthquake and several after shocks occurred after yesterday’s earthquake. Deputy head of the State Bureau of Seismology is already on site and he said that forecast of earthquake is a difficult question worldwide. Since the two counties are remote, there is certain difficulty in figuring the casualty at once. But anyhow, the Central Government and the local governments will exercise their utmost to find and rescue those injured. I can only introduce to you what I know but you may ask the Ministry of Civil Affairs for details.

Q: Just to clarify, you just said that the report that the missile tested by the DPRK came from China was totally groundless? Hasn’t China provided such missile to the DPRK?

A: It is totally groundless and highly irresponsible to indicate or accuse directly that the missiles come from China. You all know that China adopts a very strict control over the export of weapons of mass destruction, including missile, chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. We have issued laws, regulations and export control list since last September. China is a highly responsible country and we are strongly opposed to such totally groundless and highly irresponsible remarks scattered by a handful of people.