On March 4, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan hosted the regular press conference.

Q: Over the past two weeks Israeli troops have taken a series of actions in Palestinian-controlled West Bank and Gaza Strip, which have left many Palestinians dead and injured. What's your comment on that?

A: Recently Israeli troops have taken a series of military actions in the Palestinian-controlled areas, dismantling some civilian houses, killing and injuring many Palestinian civilians. China is very much concerned about it and condemns these actions. We believe that the Israeli military actions are not conducive to the relaxation of tensions in the region, hoping that Israel can withdraw its troops from Palestinian-controlled areas so as to create favorable conditions for early resumption of peace talks.

Q: At the Arab League's Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, some countries proposed that Sadam should step down. Does China consider it as an appropriate solution for the Iraqi question?

A: The summit meeting of Arab League is a very important meeting. The resolution approved during the meeting demonstrates the position and attitude of the majority of countries of the international community for a peaceful solution of the Iraqi question within the UN framework. We hope that the process of solution of the Iraqi question can be continued in accordance with UN resolutions, Resolution 1441 in particular. It's true that on this meeting some countries did make some proposals on the question you mentioned. However more countries believe that the question must be solved by the people of the relevant country itself. We hold that state-to-state affairs must be handled in accordance with the basic principles of the UN Charter.

Q: You mentioned more than once the importance of the UN Security Council in addressing international conflict. Reports say that India strongly wishes to be a permanent member of the expanded Security Council. What's China's position on that?

A: Your question actually involves the whole of the reform of UN instead of baring on one or two particular countries. China's position is that, one; it's been over 5 decades since the founding of the UN. It's certainly necessary to make some reform sanctuary to the development of times. Two; the reform of the Security Council must give priority to render more representation to the developing countries in the Security Council. Three; the reform of the Security Council bares upon immediate interests of various parties therefore no timetable should be set for such a sensitive and major issue. Concerns of various parties must be taken into  full consideration so that wide consensus can be reached after full consultations and discussions among them.

Q: The United States and Britain plan to table a new resolution in the Security Council next week. Russia says it may veto the resolution. As one of the Permanent Members of the Security Council, on what condition will China consider to use its right to veto?

A: The weapons inspection on Iraq is proceeding at this stage. Thanks to the efforts of various parties, some progress has been made. Mr. Blix gave credit to Iraq's cooperation and make explanation of the list of inspection tasks at the next stage. On March 7, the Security Council will heed to the inspection report of the two UN agencies. China believes that under the current circumstances efforts should be made to earnestly and comprehensively implement Resolution 1441 that has been approved unanimously by all 15 Security Council members. The Resolution hasn't been exhausted yet, therefore I'm not in a position to make any comment on your question. The top priority is to work together to finalize this resolution.

Q: On what conditions will China consider to veto? Does China have a policy on that?

A: The policy of the Chinese Government is, under the current circumstances, Resolution 1441 unanimously approved by 15 Security Council members hasn't been exhausted, China calls on various parties to implement the resolution. The resolution provides for Iraq's comprehensive and earnest implementation of the resolution. It also expects the two UN agencies to carry out the inspection in a just and professional spirit and report to the Security Council objectively and comprehensively. At the same time, we also call on various parties to stick to the fundamental orientation to solve the Iraqi question peacefully within the UN framework.

Q: How is the investigation of the bombings in Peking University and Tsinghua University going? Are there any suspects?

A: Chinese police are working all out on investigating the case right now. Their preliminary impression is that, the powders are homemade and those nine people were slightly injured. I'm confident that the police will try their best to break the case at an early date.

Q: Chinese media reports that the Chinese Government has taken some special security measures during the sessions of NPC. Can you brief us on what specific measures have been taken? Given the bombings in the two universities, is China going to take some special security measures?

A: Various countries will certainly take some security and guarding measures when meetings of such large scale are held. For instance, the municipal government of Beijing took some new steps this year to ease traffic jams and reduce the negative impact of the motorcades of delegates on the traffic. It's totally normal to take these measures. With respect to the special measures you mentioned, I haven't felt any enhanced measures more obvious than last year. With respect to the bombings in Peking and Tsinghua University, as I said before, it's an isolate case that will not produce any adverse effect on the meetings of the NPC and CPPCC. The police are working all out on it. As a matter of fact, it's been over for relevant universities.

Q: Foreign Minister Ivanov discussed with Foreign Minister Tang about the exchange of visits of the leaders of the two countries when he was here for a visit last week. At what level will these visits be? And when? Besides how is the preparation going for US Vice President Cheney's visit to China?

A: The exchange of high level visits between China and Russia is under arrangement. We have with Russia a mechanism of exchange of visits between heads of states and Prime Ministers. Accordingly, the new President of China will visit Russia this year. He has also been invited by Russia to attend the grand ceremony marking the 300 anniversary of the City of St. Petersburg. All these visits were discussed by Foreign Minister Tang and his counterpart. Besides, there will also be a series of exchange of visits at the ministerial level. You are most interested in the latest exchange of visits of heads of states and governments. I will update you as soon as possible.

With regard to Vice President Cheney's visit to China, his advance party was greeted by China not long ago. The two sides focus their discussion on protocol arrangement and his initial agenda. We have some time to go before the due visit in April. We'll be having further discussion on that. I'll let you know as soon as I've the definite information.
 
Q: Last Sunday, the North Korean planes intercepted and followed the US planes. What's your comment on that? Did China voice its position on that to North Korea?

A: We have also read reports. Various parties have expressed their concerns over the matter. We believe that under the current circumstances, various parties should stay calm and exercise restraint so as to safeguard peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula as well as Northeast Asia.

Q: What's your comment on the Iraq's elimination of Al Samoud II missiles?

A: Iraq has eliminated some of its Al Samoud II missiles. We welcome and appreciate its cooperation with the two UN agencies, hoping that Iraq can further enhance its cooperation with UN inspectors in this spirit so as to create conditions for further progress of the inspection.

Q: Both Russia and France have said that they might veto a new resolution on Iraq tabled by the US and Britain. If one of them did veto, would China follow suit?

A: In the UN, some have proposed a new draft resolution on Iraq. Others have proposed a Memo. But what we have seen more is a hope of the international community to solve the question peacefully and in the UN framework in particular. As the Permanent Member of the Security Council, China has always adopted a responsible attitude towards the Iraqi question. We hope for a peaceful solution of relevant question within the UN framework. We also call on Iraq to implement Resolution 1441 comprehensively, earnestly and strictly. It's safe to say that China's position is very clear and represents the appeal of the majority of the international community for a peaceful solution. Just now your colleague from the Middle East News Agency mentioned the Declaration of the Summit Meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh, of which peaceful solution is also the fundamental goal.

Q: The Parliament of Turkey has passed a resolution recently to deny the use of its land and facilities by the US Army to attack Iraq. Any comment on that? Does China believe it conducive to avert war?

A: There are many discussions around the decision by the Turkish Parliament. From my perspective, I'm not in a position to make any concrete comment. I'd like to stress only that various parties are concerned with the recent heated situation in Iraq. Under the present circumstances, we hope that the UN Security Council can have full and adequate deliberation on the question after earnestly heeding to the report of the two UN agencies. Our basic idea is that Iraq should provide more comprehensive and substantive cooperation with the two UN agencies so as to sort out relevant questions. Had there been weapons of massive destruction, they should be eliminated comprehensively so that the Iraqi question can be solved peacefully within the UN framework.

If you don't have any further questions, I'd like to remind you that Foreign Minister Tang will host a press conference during the sessions of NPC and CPPCC this Thursday, March 6. The regular press conference of the Foreign Ministry on that day will be cancelled.

Thank you.