On 27 March Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Q: We know that the Security Council is now discussing the Iraqi question. What are the attitude and position of the Chinese side?

A: The UN Security Council is now having emergency open debate on the war in Iraq these two days and over 60 countries registered to address. From the first day of the meeting, we can see that it is the common aspiration of the international community to call for peace instead of war. The Chinese Government once again strongly urges to stop war and reduce the humanitarian disaster of the Iraqi people. Meanwhile we are willing to work with all sides to continue to push for political settlement of the Iraqi question.

Q：How often do officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs meet with the DPRK diplomats? Every day or every week? What message do you convey to the DPRK on the nuclear question?

A: China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors and the two countries often exchange views on bilateral relations and regional and international situation. As to China’s position on the DPRK nuclear question, we hope to see the goal of denuclearization achieved and peace and stability maintained and political and diplomatic means adopted to solve questions.

Q: We read reports saying that staff of the Chinese embassy in Iraq returned to China yesterday but ambassador Zhang Weique left behind. How is he doing now and what is the arrangements of the work for the next phase?

A: As to the withdrawal plan of the embassy staff, the Chinese side need to call them back in different batches according to development of the situation and requirement of the work.

Q: It is said that China still has pretty good relations with the DPRK, but not as good as before. Does it mean that China’s influence on the DPRK is not as big as before? If so, what card can China play to persuade the DPRK back to the negotiating table?

A: I don’t approach the relevant questions of the Korean peninsula from your perspective. We stress on many occasions that it is good to the region and all the countries there to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula. We have always urged that all sides should make joint efforts to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula. Questions should be solved through dialog and actions that may further escalate the situation should be avoided.

Q: Does the Chinese Government have any specific plan of giving humanitarian assistance the Iraqi people and the war-affected refugees?

A: I have said here that we express our deep concern and worry over the sharp deterioration of humanitarian situation in Iraq. As a result, the Chinese Government has decided to provide some humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi refugees. According to what I know, the assistance includes tents to house the refugees and will be delivered within days to Jordan. In the future, the Chinese Government will, as always, provide assistance within its capacity to reduce humanitarian disaster of the Iraqi people.

Q: There are many Muslins in China, about 20 million according to my memory. How do they react to the war in Iraq and is your government concerned with their dissatisfaction?

A: On 22 March the Chinese Islamic Association and Iman Chen Guangyuan issued statement and open letter respectively, which fully expressed the strong aspiration of peace instead of war of the Muslim of all ethnic groups in China and voiced their support to their government on the Iraqi question.

Q: Concerning the DPRK, have you fully ruled out the possibility of imposing or threatening the use of sanction on the DPRK?

A: We have been opposed to the wanton use of sanction in international affairs. The DPRK-US Framework Agreement was used when the DPRK nuclear question first propped out in 1994. Now the question has propped out again and we still hope that the US and the DPRK can solve it through direct dialog. Of course we do not rule out other suggestions and proposals. So long as they are conducive to the goal of denuclearization, to the maintenance of peace and stability of the peninsula, we will give it positive study and consideration.

Q: On the DPRK nuclear question, an article from the Washington Post stated that the DPRK planned to reactivate its nuclear facilities in Yongbyon.  What is your comment? The DPRK may launch rocket to retaliate the spy satellite of Japan. You may have already commented on it but I cannot recall it. Can you comment it now? Do you know that the DPRK reactivated its nuclear facilities? Are you opposed to the DPRK launching rocket?  The DPRK has protested the spy satellite of Japan and what is your position?

A: I have not read the report you mentioned. But similar questions have been raised before and our position remains unchanged. The situation in the DPRK has arisen concern from all sides and we hope that relevant sides will keep calm and exercise restraint, refrain from taking move that will further escalate the situation, make joint efforts to launch at an early date dialog between the US and the DPRK, solve the relevant questions through dialog and safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula through joint efforts of all sides. This is good to all.