On 20 March, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Kong started by announcing the news that at the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Bharrat Jagdeo of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will pay a state visit to China from March 26th to April 2nd, 2003.

Q: The war against Iraq is now going on. Do you think it justified?

A: On the Iraqi question, the Chinese leaders have expounded the principled position of the government on many occasions. The position of the Chinese Government fully conforms to the strong aspiration of the world people for peace. The military operation against Iraq, in disregard of the opposition of majority of countries and world people and bypassing the UN Security Council, constitutes a violation of the UN Charter and the basic norms of international law. We hereby express our grave concern. We are following the development of the situation closely.

We strongly urge the relevant countries to stop their military actions and return to the right path of seeking a political solution to the Iraqi question.

Q: Do you think that Resolution 1441 is still applicable after the US launched military actions against Iraq?

A: The inspection provided for in Resolution 1441 was forced to stop and inspectors returned. We regret and are disappointed by this development. The inspection had made much progress recently. The Chinese side has always maintained that the Iraqi question can be solved peacefully and Iraq can be denied of weapons of mass destruction peacefully.  China is a peace-loving country and the China people are peace-loving people. We will do our utmost to safeguard peace. Military actions have already begun. We strongly urge the relevant countries to stop military actions and return to the right path of political settlement of the question.

Q: The US launched military actions against Iraq without the UN mandate. So do members of the UN Security Council including China still think the UN can play a role in safeguarding world peace?

A: The military operation against Iraq, in disregard of the opposition of majority of countries and world people and bypassing the UN Security Council, constitutes a violation of the UN Charter and the basic norms of international law. We hereby express our grave concern. We strongly urge the relevant countries to immediately stop their military actions and return to the right path of seeking a political solution to the Iraqi question. The best way to solve the Iraqi question is political settlement within the UN framework.

Q: The Pentagon said that the military actions are targeted only at Saddam. What is your comment on it?

A: I have stated the position of the Chinese government. We are seriously concerned with the current situation and we strongly urge the relevant countries to immediately stop their military actions.

Q: The Chinese government doesn’t welcome the current developments but I wonder whether China is strongly opposed to the actions by the US? Do you think it is an invasion and will you call the US invader? Will your president make phone call with President Bush today to appeal for peace?

A: China has tried its utmost to appeal for political settlement of the Iraqi question and made unremitting efforts, both in the UN framework and in bilateral framework, both in bilateral contact and via phone calls and other ways like conversations with other leaders, before the military actions took place this morning. I have stated the position of the Chinese government just now and we strongly urge the relevant countries to immediately stop their military actions and return to the right path of seeking a political solution to the Iraqi question.

Q: You clearly said in your statement that the operation taken by the US violated the UN Charter. Will China propose a resolution to the Security Council to condemn the US action? Or issue a presidential statement with other countries jointly to oppose the US war on Iraq?

A: China swiftly made clear its position after the military action was launched and strongly urged relevant countries to stop military action. As to the next step, the Chinese government will continue to make its efforts for world peace. Apart from strongly and continuously urging relevant countries to stop at once their military action, we will, like majority of other countries in the world, promote the relevant countries to stop military action and enable the Iraqi question to return to the right path of political settlement.

Q: Do you still have Chinese diplomatic personnel in Iraq?

A: The Chinese embassy in Iraq was shut down two days ago and all diplomatic personnel and reporters have been withdrawn. According to what I know, there are no Chinese citizens in Iraq.

Q: Will the Chinese side summon the US ambassador to or let the Chinese ambassador to convey the position of the Chinese side?

A: With the help of our correspondent friends present, we will make our position known by the international community within very short time.

Q: After the war began, have you coordinated with Russia and France and what joint actions will you take?

A: I have no specifics at the moment. But I think that within the UN Security Council, most countries are opposed to the hasty conclusion of inspection and stand for the continued implementation of Resolution 1441 and the settlement of the question within the UN framework.

Q: Do you think that the war is justified as so stated by the US?

A: You should be very familiar with the UN Charter since you have been reporting international affairs for so many years. Chapter 2 of the UN Charter provides that in international affairs, peaceful means should be adopted in handling disputes and force or the threat of force is opposed. Chapter 7 has clear stipulation when force is to be used to safeguard world peace. We think that the military actions constitute a violation of the UN Charter and the basic norms of international law. We are gravely concerned with this. We strongly urge the relevant countries to immediately stop their military actions and return to the right path of seeking a political solution to the Iraqi question.

Q: We understand China’s concern and will you send message to the Iraqi government too? Do you still have contact wit the Iraqi government?

A: Our concern includes many aspects: first, we are concerned with the military operation against Iraq in disregard of the opposition of majority of countries and world people and bypassing the UN Security Council; secondly, we are concerned that military operation brings damage to the life and property of the Iraqi people; thirdly we are concerned that military operation affects regional and world peace and stability. The Chinese government will, as always, work with the international community to make its part to the maintenance of world peace.

Q: Some Chinese corporations said that Iraq had some unpaid contracts of millions of dollars with them, some of which may be traced back to the first gulf war. Does China hope the new Iraqi Government will honor with these contracts?

A: China maintains normal economic and trade relations with Iraq. Our call for peace and stop of the military action does not merely proceed from this perspective. We focus on maintaining the solidarity and authority of the UN Security Council, safeguarding the seriousness of the Resolution 1441 and other UNSC resolutions on the Iraqi question. Along with the vast majority of the countries in the international community, China calls upon the relevant countries to put an immediate stop to their military action, and return to the right path of the political settlement of the Iraqi question.

Q: Uzbekistan, as member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), is among the over 30 countries that publicly voiced their support to US military action on Iraq, while China and Russia are against US military strike against Iraq, believing that it does not conform to the international laws and UN Charter. How do you view the inconsistency of the attitude of the SCO members towards the war on Iraq?

A: I have taken note of the figures your provided. You may have also noticed that the vast majority of the 191 UN members call for the political settlement of the Iraqi question. And most of the 15 members of the UN Security Council hold the same position.
　　
Q: The war on Iraq has been waged. Do you believe that the peace-loving Chinese people will go to streets for demonstration?

A: The Chinese people love peace very much. We hope not only we can work, live and create wealth in a peaceful environment, but also all the other peoples can develop their countries in peaceful surroundings. The Chinese people express their call for peace through various means and resolutely support the stand of the Chinese government.

Q: This has been the second time for the US to take unilateral action bypassing the UN. As a matter of fact, the role of the UN has been weakened. Will China consider taking any action to safeguard the authority of the UN?

A: Over the past fifty years and more after the Second World War, the UN has played a certain role in safeguarding world peace. After the conclusion of the cold war, UN’s role in this regard has been enhanced. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has been always firmly standing and actively calling for the leading role of the UN in dealing with international disputes.
　　
Q: You said just now that China might express its hope for peace through media. What concrete actions will the Chinese leaders take to stop the military strike?

A: The Chinese people are a peace-loving people. The Chinese leaders will as always reflect the strong appeal of the Chinese people with their own actions. They did so in the past, are doing so at present, and will continue to do so in the future. It may take different forms, but there is one thing certain：the Chinese government will not give up its efforts to safeguard world peace.

Q:  In Tuesday’s phone conversation did President Bush inform President Hu Jintao of its decision to take military action on President Saddam?

A:  I was there when the two leaders had phone conversation. The conversation covers two parts. First, President Bush extended warm congratulations to President Hu Jintao on his election as the President of China，and expressed his willingness to work with President Hu Jintao for the continuous development of the bilateral relations. In particular, President Bush reiterated that the US government would pursue the one-China policy, observe the three Sino-US joint communiqués, not support Taiwan’s independence. President Hu Jintao expressed his appreciation of this, indicating that the two sides should make joint efforts to promote the sound and stable development of the bilateral relations. The two sides also touched upon the Iraqi and DPRK nuclear questions. President Hu reaffirmed the positions of the Chinese government on these two questions and stressed that China stood for the political settlement of the Iraqi question within the UN framework.

Q: There are many international personnel in Beijing now. Are their life and security protected?

A: I am convinced that all foreigners in China enjoy safety and happiness that are unprecedented. The Chinese government attaches great importance to security of foreigners and foreign institutions in China. The public security in China is good. Friends present have covered it substantially. As to the current situation, the relevant departments in China have taken security measures to safeguard foreign institutions. Please rest assured that the security you and other foreign friends are fully protected in China.

Q: China hopes to see the Iraqi question solved peacefully but war has begun. Will you act like France to provide help to the US under certain conditions or take part in the post-war reconstruction like Japan?

A: As to the reconstruction of Iraq, I don’t think it is the time to discuss it.  Military actions have already begun and the priority now is to urge the relevant countries to stop it at once and return to the right path of seeking a political solution to the Iraqi question.

Q: The cabinet of Prime Minister Koizumi has announced its support to the US military actions against Iraq according to Japan-US Security Treaty. What is your comment?

A: I have seen the statement by Prime Minister Koizumi. Due to historical reasons, we hope that Japan will exercise special prudence in playing its military role.

Q: In his famous speech of 2002, U.S. President Bush called North Korea, Iran and Iraq the “axis of evil”. After the attack upon Iraq, who will be the next target?

A: On the day after the speech, I made it clear here that we do not stand for or support the use of similar language in international affairs. The UN Charter should be followed in dealing with state-to-state relations.

Q: There are worries that, when the United States is busy with the Iraqi issue, North Korea may use the opportunity to take some actions that will undermine regional stability. Does China have similar worries? Will the Chinese Government take some measures for the peaceful resolution of the Korean nuclear question?

A: Our basic principles on the Korean nuclear question are a nuclear-free peninsula, peace and stability of the peninsula and the settlement of the question through dialogue. Recently, various parties have come up with some proposals. China adopts a positive and open attitude, so long as those proposals and suggestions are in the interest of the denuclearization of the peninsula and contribute to peace and stability of the peninsula. However, what are most important are the attitudes of the main parties concerned. We hope that the DPRK and the United States could start their dialogue as soon as possible. The sooner, the better.

Q: Will China agree to participate in multilateral dialogue on the Korean Peninsula issue under certain circumstances?

A: China adopts a positive and open attitude towards any suggestions that will work for the denuclearization of the peninsula and help maintain peace and stability on the peninsula. The question at the moment is that the consent of the parties concerned is the key and their acceptance is the crux. We hope that the parties concerned will exercise patience and wisdom. Efforts should be made to avoid taking any measures that may lead to the further escalation of the situation. The parties concerned should resume their dialogue, the direct dialogue between the DPRK and the United States in particular, as soon as possible.

Q: Some countries worry that North Korea will use the opportunity of the Iraqi war to exert pressures upon the United States and adopt some measures that will undermine regional stability. Does China share such worries?

A: We have been closely following the development of the situation on the peninsula. We have all along called upon the various parties to exercise constraint and remain calm instead of taking any measures that may lead to the further escalation of the situation. In our contact with the various parties, we have always stated our position and worked for peace.

Q: Does China believe that the U.S. war against Iraq has eased the situation of the Korean Peninsula or further escalated the tension?

A: I believe that the military action in Iraq has dire consequences. We call for an immediate end to the military operation and the return to the right path of a political settlement of the Iraqi issue. On the Korean nuclear issue, first of all, the parties concerned should start the dialogue as soon as possible, especially the one between the DPRK and the United States. Secondly, efforts should be made to avoid any action that may lead to the escalation of the situation. Peace and stability on the peninsula is vital to the peace of the region and the world at large.

Q: From the American perspective, some U.S. officials believe that the North Korea will blackmail the United States in a bilateral dialogue. What is your comment?

A: The Korean nuclear question is a question of major concern. Various views have been expressed. I wish to reiterate that China has been working for three objectives: denuclearization of the peninsula, peace and stability on the peninsula and the settlement of the question through peaceful means. The formality for the dialogue is not the most important thing. What is most important is the content of the dialogue, as well as the result of the dialogue.

Q: The U.S. Vice President will visit China soon. The invitation was sent long ago. Is he still welcome to China?

A: Last year, Hu Jintao visited the United States as the Vice President at the invitation of Vice President Cheney. The two sides have very good talks. Hu Jintao issued an invitation to Mr. Cheney for a visit to China. Last October, the two heads of state reconfirmed the visit during the talks in Crawford. During the visit to China by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell not long ago, the two sides once again confirmed the visit. China has already hosted the advance party preparing for Vice President Cheney’s tour. At the moment, the two sides are discussing about the details of the visit.

Q: Over the past months, China has maintained a consistent policy on the Korean question. However, the tension there is still on the rise. How does China view the current situation? Does China believe that the crisis on the peninsula has been escalating over the months?

A: It is true that the Korean nuclear question has not been solved. China has been working for peace and dialogue. We have played an active and constructive role by keeping contact with the various parties and stating our position. We hope that the various parties will earnestly consider China’s stand. We hope that the parties concerned will exercise constraint and remain calm. The parties should proceed from the general interest of peace and stability of the peninsula and start dialogue at an early date, so that the objective of a nuclear-free peninsula could be realized.

Q: I hear that the four intruders into the Japanese school will leave China today. Please confirm. How to deal with this question?

A: China has dealt with similar questions according to domestic laws and international laws in a humanitarian spirit.

Q: U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has asked more than 60 countries to expel Iraqi diplomats. Has China received such request? What is the reply?

A: I have no such information. My biggest concern at the moment is for the relevant countries to immediately stop military actions, so that the Iraqi issue could return to the path of political settlement.

Without further questions, I call it a day. Thank you.