On 18 March,  Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Kong first thanked the correspondents for covering the meetings of the NPC and CPPCC substantially and fully and then announced that at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will pay an official visit to China from March 24th to 26th, 2003.

He went on to introduced that China and Pakistan are friendly neighbors. Over the past 52 years since the establishment of the diplomatic ties, the two countries have formed and developed an all-around partnership of cooperation on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation has been carried out in various fields. Prime Minister Jamali’s forthcoming visit is the first by the leader of the new Pakistani Government. During the visit, he will have an in-depth exchange of views with the Chinese leaders on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common interest. It is our belief that this visit will further expand the mutual agreement, consolidate the traditional friendship and further promote the development of Sino-Pakistani relations.

Q: Now it seems impossible to solve the Iraqi question peacefully within the UN framework since President Bush gave a 48-hour ultimatum. What is your comment on it? The US is no longer seeking the UN authority and it seems that the UN cannot help in this regard. What is your view on the UN role?

A: China is deeply worried and disturbed with the developments of situation in Iraq. We have taken note of the remarks delivered by President Bush this morning Beijing time. The basic point of the Chinese Government’s position on the question is political settlement of it within the UN framework. When the Iraqi question cropped up, the Chinese Government has urged the Iraqi side to implement fully Security Council resolution and stood for the diplomatic and political settlement within the UN framework. As a responsible member of the international community, China strongly appeals for peace and to avoid war.

On the role of the UN, the international community still place great hope and that is why Resolution 1441 has been unanimously adopted by all 15 members of the Security Council and the leading role of the UN on the Iraqi question is clearly supported by many countries in the foreign ministers’ meetings of the Security Council and in open debates. So the international community should still make joint efforts to safeguard the leading role of the UN on solving the question.

Follow-up question:  How do you view it if war does occur after 48 hours?

A: China is a peace-loving country and the Chinese people are peace-loving people. We are opposed to the use of force in international affairs. Article 2 of the UN Charter has comprehensive stipulation of it. Under such situation when war is imminent, the international community should make joint efforts to avoid war.

Q: Australian Prime Minister Howard announced today that the country would take part in the war against Iraq. Has it informed the Chinese side of its position? What is your reaction?

A: We have not been informed. China maintains that war is good to nobody and will not help solve the question. Instead it will give rise to new conflict. From both the points of humanitarianism and safeguarding regional peace and stability, we don’t think door to political settlement should be shut. So long as there is one gleam of hope, every member of the international community should make efforts for peace.

Q: Since China is a peace-loving country, are you willing to provide sanctuary to Saddam?

A: On the political settlement of the Iraqi question, a series of resolutions have been adopted by the Security Council. Premier Wen Jiabao mentioned Resolution 1441 for three times when meeting with correspondents from home and abroad. The resolution is of important significance so we should promote the full and strict implementation of it by all sides. This is the basis of political settlement of the Iraqi question.

Follow-up: Maybe I should rephrase my question. President Bush said that the war could not be avoided unless Saddam leaves. Since China is such a peace-loving country, are you willing to provide sanctuary to him in China to avoid war?

A: I have heard your question clearly and gave a clear reply. Your sentence cannot be found in Resolution 1441. China maintains that the Resolution reflects the call of majority of countries in the world and stands for the main trend of peace and development in the world. As a result, it should be fully implemented.

Q: President Bush said in his address that the only way to avoid war is for Saddam to leave. Do you think that there is any other way to avoid way at this stage?

A: China thinks that the best way to avoid war is the implementation of Resolution 1441 by all jointly.

Q: Resolution 1441 has the wording of “serious consequences” and this is what the US is doing now. What do you think the serious consequences are?

A: As to “serious consequences”, just as the meetings of the Security Council have stated, it should be judged by the two UN agencies and clear opinions should be brought on the basis of full discussion on the report provided by the two agencies by all members of the Security Council.

Q: Secretary General Anna asked the UN weapon inspectors to withdraw from Iraq, which means that Resolution 1441 can no longer be implemented. It seems now that no one thinks there is other way to avoid war. Are you opposed to the 48-hour ultimatum issued by Bush?

A: The situation in Iraq is indeed very tense and war could happen at any moment. China is deeply worried. But so long as there is one hope for peace, we will do our part. All may have noticed that new Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxin had phone conversations with three of his counterparts late last night whereby he reaffirmed the strong appeal of the Chinese side to implement Resolution 1441 and make utmost efforts to avoid war. And Chinese leaders and foreign minister may have other phone calls with their counterparts of relevant countries to strive for peace and avoid war.

Q: Will the difference between China and the US on the Iraqi question exert long-term impact on your relations?

A: The US is clear about the position of the Chinese side on the Iraqi question. As the largest developing country in the world, China shares common views on many issues and have difference on certain issues with the US, the largest developed country in the world. China has pointed out clearly in its contact with the US side that there are many questions in the world and force alone will not solve all. China maintains that the Iraqi question should be solved diplomatically within the UN framework.

Q: It is reported that the WHO will soon send a expert team to China. Does it have something to do with the atypical pneumonia in some countries and regions in Asia, Europe and America? What work will the team do in China and which department of public health will cooperate with it?

A: In fact the WHO has sent three officials and experts to China late February and early March and conducted studies on the atypical pneumonia in Guangdong province with the Ministry of Public Health and relevant departments. Minster Zhang Wenkang met with representative of the WHO to China and introduced information concerning pneumonia in Guangdong. Zhang thanked the WHO for sending experts to conduct exchange and cooperation with their Chinese counterparts and hoped to have further cooperation in the future.

Representative of the WHO to China informed Zhang of the recent cases of atypical pneumonia in other countries and regions and praised the Chinese government for taking effective measures. He said that the WHO will further enhance its technological cooperation with the Chinese government and make joint efforts to prevent and control disease.

According to the press release issued by the Ministry of Public Health and Guangdong Province, the atypical pneumonia which took place in Guangdong province last November has been put under control by and large. The Chinese Government attached great importance to it and organized experts to analyze the source of the disease to take measures. Now the disease has been brought under effective control and patients have been gradually recovered.

Q: Will Prime Minister Jamali be the first foreign leader to visit China since the new government assumes office? What significance will the visit bring on bilateral relations?

A: Prime Minister Jamali will visit China from 24 to 26 March. According to what I know, he will be the first foreign leader to be received by Premier Wen Jiabao since he assumed office. The visit by Prime Minister Jamali is a very important one and will be one for the two new governments and premier and prime minister to open a new era. The visit will help enhance mutual understanding and consensus between the two sides and promote development of the bilateral relations.

Q: On Iraqi question, can you introduce in details what China does to stop war? Second question, US Assistant Secretary in charge of human rights affairs, paid a two-day visit to China early this week and discussed with the Chinese side relevant issues of the Human Rights Commission. Will the US side table another anti-China resolution this year? Or hint that they won’t do it if China supports military actions against Iraq?

A: Political settlement of the Iraqi question is the consistent goal of the Chinese government. China has always played a constructive role in over 60 resolutions adopted by the Security Council on Iraq. Resolution 1441 in particular, is one with milestone significance. It not only set obligations that Iraq must strictly implement but also gave clear tasks to the two UN inspection agencies. China will continue to strongly appeal in the UN for political and peaceful settlement of the Iraqi question and urge Iraq to implement in real earnest relevant resolution of the UN Security Council. We also clearly expounded our position to the relevant countries on bilateral occasions and expressed hope that they can heed the call of the international community for peace, go with the trend for peace and development in today’s world and make joint efforts to solve the Iraqi question politically within the UN framework.

Your second question has nothing to do with your first one. China stands for dialog in the human rights field and basis for dialog is equality and mutual respect. We have always maintained that cooperation in the field should be a highlight of cooperation for the international community instead of confrontational point for conflict.  And China has expounded on this in the Human Rights Commission in Geneva on many times.

Q: The possible military action may be the second time that the US takes by bypassing the UN, the first being the military action in Kosovo within the NATO framework. How you view the role of the UN? Since the influence of the UN is diminishing, will you consider joining other international organizations, say G7?

A: In the five decades after the World War II, the UN has played certain role in safeguarding world peace. After the cold war, the international community has formed a consensus to strengthen the role in safeguarding peace. We hope that every member of the international community can act according to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and foster a peaceful and stable environment for the world today. We think that the principles and purposes of the UN Charter should be the basic norms for us to handle international affairs. China also stands for the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and the new security concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination in handling international affairs.

China has no intention to join G7 at the moment. But we have contact with it and appreciate it for informing China of its meetings both beforehand and afterwards.  

After the press conference, Kong was asked about whether China had withdrawn all its embassy staff from Iraq. Kong answered by noting that in light of the current situation in Iraq, China had decided to temporarily close its embassy in Iraq and withdrawn all embassy staff out of security consideration.