On 27 February Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Gong Quan held a regular press conference.

Q: Did President Jiang and President Castro touch upon the Iraqi question in their talks?

A: President Jiang and President Castro held an in-depth exchange of views mainly on bilateral relations in their talks and the two heads of states reviewed the development of bilateral relations in the past ten years and explored how to further such relations. The two sides also shortly exchanged views on some hot issues in international situation.

Q: It is reported that the DPRK has reactivated the nuclear reactors in Yongbyon. The ROK, the US and some other countries have expressed their concern. What is your comment on DPRK’s move? It is reported that China has refused to attend the Security Council meeting that will be convened soon to denounce DPRK’s nuclear policy. Please confirm. Why doesn’t China attend?

A: On your first question, I have also read the report. We think that the priority at present is to keep calm and exercise restraint by all the parties and avoid move that will escalate the situation.

On your second question, we have stressed many times that the direct dialog between the US and the DPRK is the key to solve the DPRK nuclear question and all the parties including China should make positive efforts to this end. Under the current situation, the Security Council should adopt a prudent attitude and refrain from taking actions that will further complicate the situation.

Q: What security measures does the Chinese side take for the meetings of the NPC and CPPCC?

A: The meetings of the NPC and CPPCC are about to begin and any country will take some security measures for such large-scaled meeting to ensure it convenes smoothly. Such security work is going on as planned, not to be particularly strengthened nor weakened.

Q: The whitepaper on national defense issued by Australia yesterday touched upon the possibility of joining the US TMD to respond to the development of nuclear weapons by the DPRK. Please comment. Japan seems to have the similar move. Does the Chinese side think that it will bring about adverse strategic impact on China?

A: China is not in favor of developing missile defense since it is not conducive to the international efforts of arms control and disarmament, nor will it help to truly solve the security concern of various countries. We maintain that similar questions should be done through good international cooperation. The Chinese side has often advocated the establishment of a new security system featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation.  As to Japan’s similar move you mentioned, the Japanese side should exercise prudence due to historic reasons. We hope that the Japanese Government will abide by its commitment, adhere to “exclusive defense” and take on the road of peaceful development so as to win trust from Asian people.

Q: Did Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov reached any agreement on the Iraqi question during their talks? What is your comment on the remarks made by President Bush to overthrow Saddam?

A: Foreign Minister Tang has just finished his important talks with his Russian counterpart. The two foreign ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations including exchange of high level visits and the development of bilateral cooperation this year. The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on current international issues and of course the Iraqi and DPRK nuclear questions were included. I believe you have all read the Joint Press Communiqué issued after the talks. The two sides expressed their similar views on the two questions. They expressed their deep concern on the situation on the Korean peninsula and in the sincere hope of promoting peace and stability on the peninsula and Asia Pacific, the two sides urged the parties concerned to make necessary efforts and solve the DPRK nuclear question in a peaceful and just manner. Equal and constructive dialog between the US and the DPRK is of important significance to the settlement of the DPRK nuclear question and the achievement of the normalization of relations between them.

The two foreign ministers reaffirmed their same stand in their joint press communiqué: to insist on the implementation of Resolution 1441, continue inspection and the Security Council should strengthen its support and guidance on inspection; and at the same time, Iraq should implement Resolution 1441 fully, strictly and earnestly and should not possess weapons of mass destruction and their vehicles. Iraq should fully realize the importance and urgency of inspection, maximally strengthen its cooperation with the UNMOVIC and IAEA and provide more and active and substantive cooperation to the inspectors so as to provide necessary conditions for the political settlement of the Iraqi question.

Q: Foreign Minister Tang and Ivanov expressed their hope to see direct dialog between the US and the DPRK to solve the DPRK nuclear question but their joint communiqué also supported multilateral framework to solve it. Do China and Russia support multilateral framework to solve the DPRK nuclear question?

A: China welcomes and supports any effort that is conducive to the settlement of the DPRK nuclear question peacefully.  China’s principled stand includes: first, to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula; secondly, to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula and thirdly, to solve the DPRK nuclear question through peaceful and diplomatic way. It can be currently summarized as promoting peace and dialog and reducing tension.  We have always appealed all the parties concerned to keep calm and exercise prudence and refrain from taking actions that will further escalate the situation. But we also stress that consent of the parties concerned is the key, direct dialog between the US and the DPRK the core and we hope that all the parties concerned will make joint efforts to launch US-DPRK dialog as soon as possible and solve the question peacefully.

Q: Do you have any news concerning the DPRK reactivating its nuclear reactor in Yongbyon? Do you think it will further complicate the situation?

A: We have taken note of relevant report and hope the parties concerned will keep calm and exercise restraint and refrain from taking any move that will further escalate the situation.

Q: What is China’s stand on the reunification of the Korean Peninsula? Does China have any difference in developing its diplomatic relations with the DPRK and the ROK?

A: On the issue concerning the Korean Peninsula, the main parties are the north and south Korean and we hope that both sides will further enhance understanding and ultimately achieve independent reunification through peaceful means.

China and the DPRK are close and friendly neighbors. The two countries  enjoy friendly and good neighborly relations and often exchange views on bilateral relations and international issues. On the other hand, China established its diplomatic relations with the ROK ten years ago and bilateral relations have been rapidly developed since then. Not long ago a new president was elected in the ROK.  Vice Premier Qian Qichen headed a delegation to attend his inaugural ceremony and President Roh Moo-Hyun met with him.  The two sides have made clear that they will develop further their partnership of cooperation on the current basis. It is fair to say that China has kept good relations with both the north and south. We hope that with our joint efforts, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula can be maintained, which is good to all parties.

Q: It is reported that President Jiang and President Castro signed yesterday an agreement on economic cooperation.. What is the specific content? How much will China provide to Cube in economic assistance?

A: I have no text of the agreement on hand but I can enquire for you. Inter-governmental agreement on economic cooperation usually covers cooperation between the two sides in economic and trade fields.

Q: Will China send special envoy to the DPRK to mediate the nuclear question?

A: China has played an active and constructive role on the DPRK nuclear question and always maintained close contact with all the parties concerned. Envoy is only one form of various efforts. I have no news on whether an envoy will be sent now.

Q: What is your comment on the 13th summit of the Non-Allied Movement (NAM) just concluded in Kuala Lumpur? Do you think the NAM will play a role in fostering a multipolar world?

A: The summit was the first convened by the NAM and was of important guiding significance to it in the new century.  China, as a member of the developing world, is itself the biggest developing country and also an observer of the NAM. Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya headed a delegation to attend the summit. We believe that with the joint efforts of its members, the NAM will, in accordance with the new situation, adjust its strategy, constantly enhance mutual understanding and trust, and strengthen mutual help and support. In face with the current trend of multipolarization and globalization, developing countries are faced with not only opportunities but also challenges. And they should make joint efforts to safeguard their interests.

Q: It is known that leaders of the PLA held talks today with former Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto Ryutaro and the two sides mentioned the restoration of military exchange between China and Japan. Do you have any hope or worry for it?

A: I have yet to read the news you mentioned and need to verify afterwards.. It is fair to say that military exchange is a part of bilateral relations. We hope to develop the exchange between the two militaries and enhance mutual understanding on a sound and comprehensive basis.

Q: Did Foreign Minister Tang and his Russian counterpart talk about the new resolution on Iraq to be proposed this week? Did the two sides reach some kind of consensus? Will China veto or abstain from it?

A: The two foreign ministers made complete statement on this question in their joint press communiqué and I have introduced to you its main points. The priority at this moment is to implement Resolution 1441 agreed upon by all members of the Security Council, which is the necessary legal basis to solve it. The two foreign ministers also stressed that the two UN agencies played an important role and their work made progress. The Security Council should strengthen their guidance and support to the inspection.  Iraq should implement Resolution 1441 fully, strictly and conscientiously without possessing weapons of mass destruction and their vehicles and it should realize fully the importance and urgency of inspection.. The two sides were determined to continue their full support for the political settlement of the Iraqi question and maintained that war can and should be avoided. In fact it is the common aspiration and demand of the international community to take all measures to avoid war. In conclusion the two sides stressed that the Security Council should shoulder the important task of safeguarding international peace and security and should continue to play its core role in solving the Iraqi question by upholding the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. The two sides expressed that they will continue to keep close contact and cooperation and push for the political settlement of the question on the basis of the principles of the UN Charter.

Q: Which Chinese leaders met with President Castro?

A: According to what I know, President Jiang held talks with President Castro and Chairman Li Peng met with him. Premier Zhu also met with President Castro, their first meeting ever. Vice President Hu will meet with him this afternoon.