On 11 March, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan held a regular press conference. Kong started by welcoming the correspondents and declared that he would make no announcement that day to reduce their burden since they were all busy covering the meetings of the NPC and CPPCC and some of them even issued over a dozen articles each day.

Q: The US and NATO extended their military presence to Central Asia two years ago and tries to exert impact in this oil and gas rich region. What is your comment since the region borders China’s Xinjiang?

A: Peace and stability bear upon all the countries in Central Asia. We have also taken note that the US side expressed many times that they had no intention of long-term military presence in the region. We hope that all the sides will work together to maintain peace and stability in the region for only this conduces to peace and development in the region.

Q: China has a clear-cut stand on the Iraqi question. But will you veto the second resolution?

A: The question has been under discussion in the past a dozen days. Many countries including China all strongly appeal that Resolution 1441 of the Security Council continue to be implemented to solve the question politically within the UN framework.  On 7 March Foreign Minister Tang reaffirmed China’s position when he attended the Security Council’s meeting for the third time in a month. We hope that Resolution 1441 can continue to be implemented fully. We also urge Iraq to implement the relevant resolution earnestly, fully and strictly so as to enable the political settlement of the question. Last night President Jiang had phone conversation with Chancellor Schroeder and President Bush respectively and pointed out clearly that the core of the Iraqi question at this stage is, first, continued inspection and secondly, peaceful settlement with no need of a new resolution.

Q: It is said that an American Charles Lee was detained in China because of Fanglungong and US consular officials have visited him twice. Any developments of the case?  Another American was beaten in Qingdao. Though he was out of danger now but claimed that the culprit was not punished. Can you brief us the case?  In addition, will the current power handover have any impact on China’s foreign policy?

A: On your first question, is he Li Xiangchun? In fact I have introduced it to you on this occasion. There is a US citizen named LI Xiangchun who was detained on 24 January on suspicion of violating Article 124 of the Criminal Law of China, namely sabotage radio and television facilities. He has been treated humanely during detention and is in good health.  US consular officials visited him on 28 January according to relevant provisions of law. The case is being investigated.

On you second question, I can enquire for you.

On your third question, Foreign Minister Tang gave a very clear answer during his press conference last week that while China’s foreign policy has its continuity and stability, it also keeps up with the times. Its basic goal is to safeguard world peace and promote common development while creating a peaceful international environment and stable surrounding environment for China’s reform and opening up, all of which, I think, will remain unchanged.

Q: The DPRK’s second missile test not only further enhanced the stalemate between it and the US but also will bring danger to the ROK. What is your comment? Minister Tang said that he would work to push for the settlement of the DPRK nuclear question. Has the Chinese side tried to promote dialog between the DPRK and the US? What specific measures has the Chinese side taken in solving the crisis peacefully? Do you send a delegation to the DPRK or receive one from the DPRK?

A: We have taken note of the report of DPRK’s missile test. We hope that under the current situation, various sides can exercise restraint and avoid  taking actions that will further escalate the situation.

China is deeply concerned with the DPRK nuclear question and we have made clear our position here many times. It can be summarized as first, we stand for achieving the goal of denuclearization on the Korean peninsula; secondly, peace and stability on the peninsula should be maintained; thirdly, relevant questions should be solved diplomatically and politically. Last night President Jiang made it clear during his phone conversation with President Bush that form may not always be the most important in solving the question. The most important is whether the two sides are sincere, whether it has substantive content and result and to what extent the settlement will facilitate denuclearization, peace and stability on the peninsula and solving in particular the respective concern of the US and the DPRK. China has always played a constructive and positive role on this question.

Q: France and Russia have clearly stated that they would veto the new resolution proposed by the US and the UK on Iraq. Will China also veto or hide behind France and Russia?

A: We are not in favor of the new resolution proposed by some countries. The world is faced with many questions now and the use of force alone will not work. The inspection has currently made some progress. We call for the political and diplomatic settlement of the question according to Resolution 1441 of the Security Council within the UN framework. Inspection has currently made some progress but with some problems of course. This not only shows its effectiveness but also the necessity of continued inspection. Under such circumstances, it is obvious that inspection should be continued and there is no need to table a new resolution, especially one with the content of authorizing force.

Q: How to interpret President Jiang’s remarks during his phone conversation with President Bush that form is not important in solving the DPRK nuclear question? Does it mean that the Chinese side think multilateral dialog is also effective besides direct dialog between the US and the DPRK?  

A: Thank you for your question but you miss the most important word. I just said that form of dialog is not the most important and you missed the word “most”. What I understand is that the Chinese side hopes to solve the DPRK nuclear question peacefully but we adopt an open attitude towards all proposals that are conducive to achieving denuclearization, safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. Different proposals on dialog have been put forwards but the key is whether it can have substantive content, whether it can solve their respective concern, whether it can achieve the goal of denuclearization and whether it can maintain peace and stability on the peninsula. All parties should work together to achieve these goals.

Q: I come to cover the meetings of the NPC and CPPCC. My question is what is your response to the proposed summit on Iraq of members of the UN Security Council?

A: Welcome to Beijing for the meetings and I hope that you will come not just for the meetings of the NPC and CPPCC next time. China has always supported the important role of the UN on the Iraqi question to safeguard its authority. We are studying the proposal and willing to keep contract and consultation with other members of the Security Council.

Q: Does the Foreign Ministry have a study report on the impact of the Iraqi war on China? Can you give us some details if there is such a report? Will China issue a strong-worded statement or take other move if the US and the UK launch war against Iraq by bypassing the UN?

A: On your first question, I have no specifics but I think that it is only natural that various sides make judgment, analysis and assessment on the situation. The Chinese side resolutely maintains that the UN should continue to play an important role on the Iraqi question to safeguard solidarity and authority of the Security Council. Solidarity and authority of the Security Council are reflected on a series of resolutions it adopted, especially Resolution 1441 adopted when China assumed rotating presidency of the Security Council last November. It has comprehensive and detailed articles on the weapon inspection in Iraq. We think that the priority at the moment is various parties implement it strictly so as to enable the political settlement of it within the UN framework. On 7 March Foreign Minister Tang clearly stated in his address to the UN that we should show not only courage and determination but also patience and wisdom in handling the Iraqi question. We are opposed to the use of force and we urge all parties to make joint efforts so as to follow the road of political settlement of the Iraqi question.

Q: Recently there have been demonstrations worldwide to oppose war. Why doesn’t China allow its citizens to hold demonstrations?

A: China’s Constitution gives its citizens freedom in demonstration and assembly and these rights will be protected according to law. Demonstration is one way for the people to express their wish to avoid war. The Chinese people have also made clear their strong wish of preventing war and solving the Iraqi question politically through different ways. The most important is that the Chinese people endorse and support the position of the government on the question.

Q: Minister Tang said that China’s efforts on solving the DPRK nuclear question peacefully have made “initial” result. Can you further introduce it?

A: China has always kept contact with all parties and played a constructive and positive role. The Chinese side has made clear its position and views on many different levels from state leaders to foreign minister. We maintain that on solving the question, consent of the parties concerned is the key and direct dialog between the US and the DPRK is the core. As a result, we have always actively promoted early dialog so as to make efforts for the peaceful settlement of the question.

Q: How do you think the DPRK nuclear question can be solved as soon as possible? Will the Chinese side propose a multilateral forum to discuss it? If so, when and where?

A: Different parties have put forward some proposals. The Chinese side thinks that if they are conducive to achieving the goal of denuclearization, maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and solving effectively the concerns of the main parties concerned, then it will adopt an open attitude. The Chinese side has always played a constructive and active role on the settlement of the DPRK nuclear question and we also hope that all parties can make joint efforts in this regard.