On April 1, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference.

Q: It is reported that China recently suspended its supply of oil to the DPRK. Please confirm.

A: I have no idea of your question. For years, the Chinese Government has been providing assistance to the DPRK within its capabilities. It will continue to do so.

Q: Recently, the U.S. Department of State published its 2002 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. In its section on China, it continued to criticize the human rights situation in China. What is your comment?

A: The U.S. Department of State has just published its so-called 2002 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Taking no regard of the facts, the Report made irresponsible accusations upon China. We wish to express our strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition towards the Report.    

The Chinese Government has always devoted itself to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedom. Tremendous achievement has been made. This is universally recognized. The Chinese Government and people of various ethnic groups are marching towards a more beautiful future full of confidence.

I would like to take the opportunity to urge the U.S. side to think more of its own business, stop interfering in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of human rights and stop to adopt a double standard on the question of human rights, so as not to lose the trust of the world people.

Q: According to the source from the Japanese Government, North Korea recently launched a missile to the Yellow Sea. Can the Chinese side confirm the news? What is the response?

A: I have also just read the news from the media. We need to gather more information. It is China’s consistent position that the relevant sides should proceed from the general interest of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, exercise restraint, remain calm and avoid taking any action that will escalate the situation.

Q: The recent North Korean missile test is different from the previous two occasions. The recent test was targeted at the Yellow Sea, which is close to China’s territorial waters. What is China’s comment?

A: As I just said, I read the news from the press. We need to gather more information. I have just elaborated upon the position of the Chinese Government on the question.

Q: We learnt that the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong Duc Manh will pay a working visit to China from April 7. What is your comment? How do you view the current relations between China and Vietnam?

A: At the invitation of Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Nong Duc Manh, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will pay a working visit to China from 7 to 11 April 2003. Sino-Vietnamese relations have enjoyed good momentum of development in recent years. The land border between the two and the delineation of the Beibu Gulf have been settled. There are frequent exchanges of high-level visits. Cooperation in the economic and trade area has made new headway. It is our hope that the two sides will use the opportunity of the visit to further promote the development of the bilateral ties.

Q: Recently, some leaders of the United States issued warnings to Iran, Syria and some other countries. What is China’s comment? The Iraqi war has lasted for nearly two weeks. There are many developments. The smart bomb is not so smart. There are many civilian casualties. With the progress of the war, are there any changes to China’s position?

A: Last night, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing had a phone conversation with the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

During the conversation, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing briefed Secretary Jack Straw on China’s position towards the Iraqi issue. Mr. Li said that the Iraqi situation is very worrying. The war has led to the casualties of many Iraqi civilians and caused serious humanitarian problem. It has also added uncertainties to the stability of the Gulf region and the economic development of the countries concerned. Mr. Li pointed out that the settlement of the Iraqi question by force is not in anyone’s interest. The Chinese side has called on many occasions for the end of the military actions as soon as possible. Every effort should be made to reopen the door to a political solution. Li Zhaoxing stressed that the proper settlement of the Iraqi issue cannot go ahead without the UN. China is ready to work with the international community to safeguard the role of the UN in international affairs and the authority of the UN Security Council.

The above is the latest comment on the Iraqi issue by Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

Q: What about the U.S. warnings towards Syria and Iran?

A: The relevant sides should stop the military actions as soon as possible, so as to return the Iraqi issue back to the correct path of political settlement.

Q: You just mentioned about the phone conversation between Minister Li and Secretary Straw. I know that they touched upon the relations between India and Pakistan. Could you please further elaborate? Secondly, last week some Chinese passengers were killed in Kyrgyz. Is it related to the terrorist elements in Xinjiang?

A: During their phone conversation, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw talked about the situation in India and Pakistan. Secretary Straw appreciated the efforts by Pakistani President Musharraf to cooperate with the international community in the fight against terrorism and his efforts to control cross-border violent activities. He hoped that the cross-border violent activities could be further controlled. He also hoped that China could play a role in easing the tensions between India and Pakistan.

Minister Li Zhaoxing pointed out that India and Pakistan are friendly neighbours of China. At the moment, there are no contact or dialogue between India and Pakistan. There is a tendency that the conflicts between India and Pakistan will further escalate. China are seriously concerned and uneased about the situation. The problem between India and Pakistan is left over from history. It is very complicated. Peaceful dialogue and talks are the only way to solve the dispute. China has been working for peace and dialogue between India and Pakistan. We have pushed for the resumption of dialogue so as to solve the differences through peaceful means and avoid taking any action that will lead to the escalation of the situation. Minister Li also briefed Mr. Straw on the recent visit to China by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He reiterated that China is ready to work with Britain and the international community for peace and stability of South Asia.

On the second question, on the early morning of 27 March, a Chinese international coach from the capital of Kyrgyz to Xinjiang’s Kashi was robbed and burnt by armed bandits in Kyrgyz. All 21 people on board were killed. After initial investigation, 19 of the 21 victims are Chinese citizens. Their identities are being verified.

On the same day of the incident, the foreign minister of Kyrgyz briefed the situation to the Chinese Ambassador to the country. He expressed his condolences to the Chinese citizens. At the moment, the two countries are in close contact. With the consent of Kyrgyz, China has sent a police task force to Kyrgyz to assist the local police to break the case and to properly handle the aftermath of the incident.

This is a most unfortunate event. China has always attached great importance to the safety of international long-distance transportation. China has asked Kyrgyz to adopt all possible measures to ensure the safety of the business.

Q：About the phone conversation between Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Straw on Iraq, British reports said that the two sides discussed the role of UN after the war in Iraq. Can you confirm this? Did the two sides discuss about the developments of the war?

A: The two sides discussed about the post Iraq-war arrangements. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Straw briefed on the British consideration in this regard. He believed that the UN should play a core role in the post-war arrangements. Foreign Minister Li also stressed once again that the final settlement of the Iraqi question will not be possible without UN.

The British side also briefed China on the summit meeting in Camp David between Britain and the US as well as the developments of the military operation of the coalition forces inside Iraq. The Chinese side clearly expounded on its position on the Iraqi question.

Q: It was announced earlier that the US Vice President Cheney will visit China this month. Will the war on Iraq affect this visit? Or will this visit be paid as scheduled?

A: During Vice President Hu Jingtao’s visit to the US, he invited Vice President Cheney to pay a visit to China. As far as I know, both China and the US are making preparation for this visit. I will release any accurate information once I have it.

Q: Did the two Foreign Ministers discuss about British Prime Minister Blair’s visit to China this month?

A: China and Britain have had contact at various levels. The British side noted that Prime Minister Blair decided to postpone his visit due to some reasons from the British side, which China finds understandable. We welcome Prime Minister Blair to pay a visit to China at a convenient time.

Q: I’ve got two questions. First, why did British Prime Minister Tony Blair cancelled this visit? Is it because of SARS or the war on Iraq? Second, on the incident of the bus in Kyrgyz, do you suspect any terrorists or Uygur separatists?

A: You can ask Britain about the specific reason of the postponing of the visit. But definitely not because of SARS.

On the armed attack against the Chinese bus in Kyrgyz, the police of China and Kyrgyz are investigating on it. What we are sure at this stage is that the armed gangsters are to blame. We will have to wait for the investigation for the details and conclusion.

Q: You said that China is now trying to get more information of the firing of missiles by DPRK. Are you saying that DPRK didn’t inform China beforehand or that is also included in your inquiry?

A: As I just said, I’ve just read reports and I have to make further inquiry. I’ve briefed you on the principled position of the Chinese Government on that.

Q: The National Security Adviser of the ROK President will visit China lately. Can you share some details with us? He is going to discuss the plan of “natural gas for peace”, i.e. ROK will transmit natural gas to DPRK for the renouncement of its nuclear program. China says that it welcomes the dialogue between DPRK and the US as well as any action that facilitates the realization of peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. And China is not in favor of imposing pressures and sanctions. What’s your comment on the positive proposal? Had China discussed with DPRK or other relevant parties on that?

A: According to my knowledge that Mr.Ra Jong Il, National Security Adviser of the President of ROK will be in Beijing as the guest of the Embassy of ROK in China. I’ve no further news on that. I’m not aware of the question relating to the oil pipeline. However, we have always opposed to the use of sanctions to handle questions in international relations. The Korean nuclear question can only be solved through peaceful means. The most effective way is that relevant parties should have dialogue. It serves nobody’s interest if the current stalemate drags on. We hope that relevant parties can exercise restraint and calmness and avoid taking any actions that may lead to escalation of the situation. China has always been working on the promotion of peace and dialogue. China will continue to do that so as to push the nuclear question towards the track of political settlement.

Q: It’s reported that China has suspended its oil export to DPRK for 3 days. Several officials refusing to release their names confirmed that. One of them said that it’s a punishment to the DPRK’s firing of missiles. Others said it’s due to technical reasons. Did China suspend the transportation of oil to DPRK? Why?

A: I have no idea where you got the information. I’m not aware of the question. The Chinese Government has provided assistance to DPRK within its capacity and will continue to do so in the future.

Q: You said just now that Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing talked with Foreign Secretary Straw about post-war arrangements in Iraq, the role of UN in particular. What kind of role does China believe UN should play in the post-war reconstruction in Iraq? What’s the reaction of Foreign Minister Li towards the British proposal?

A: During the conversation, the British side also noted that UN should play a core role in the post-war reconstruction. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing stressed that there can be no proper settlement of the Iraqi question without UN. But it’s still too early to talk about the post-war reconstruction. The war still drags on. We call for relevant sides to put an end to the military action so as to bring the Iraqi question back to the path of political settlement.

Q: Since the war on Iraq broke out, we’ve been hearing some Iraqi officials obviously linking Israel with the war and condemning the US for waging the war to protect Israel. What’s the view of China? Has Israel been involved in the war? Is it true that the US waged war to protect Israel?

A: Foreign Ministry of China issued a statement on March 20th on the military operation in Iraq by relevant countries. You should have a fresh memory of that. On the clashes between Palestine and Israel, we hope that the two sides can sit down at the negotiating table as soon as possible so as to solve relevant disputes at an early date through peaceful dialogue in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and the principle of “land for peace”. I don’t want to link the Middle East question with the Iraqi question.