Liu Jianchao: Good afternoon, everyone. I shall begin with one announcement, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yoon Young-kwan of Republic of Korea will visit China from April 10th to 12th. During his visit, Foreign Minister Li will hold talks with him and leaders of China will meet with him. The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations, Korean Peninsula question as well as regional and international situation. With that I’m happy to take your questions.

Q: Please convey our request of daily briefing to the Information Office of the State Council and Ministry of Health. As a global epidemic, SARS bares upon foreign affairs. Foreign Press has criticized China for being slow and lack of transparency on the matter.  Do you believe this criticism valid and constructive?

A: Thank you. I’ll convey your request to relevant authorities.

On your second question, relevant authorities of the Chinese Government have held quite a few press conferences on the situation of SARS. Even before relevant authorities of the Central Government, namely Ministry of Health released related information, relevant local authorities of China had already briefed the press on the local situation. There is no such problem as “lack of transparency”. At the current stage, the Chinese Government is trying to provide more information to the public. If we look at the present operation, Ministry of Health takes a very active attitude on this matter. I believe you will share my view.

Q: Do you think the criticism is valid or not?

A: From the current situation, relevant authorities have released related information of SARS on time. Facts have shown that the epidemic in mainland China has been under effective control with infectious rate marginally decreasing. Most of the patients have recovered and life and work of people in the affected region now have returned to normal.

Well, we understand if there are still some worries. We hope that people can have an accurate judgment of the current situation. So long as proper preventative measures have been taken, it’s safe for foreigners to come to China as usual. We hope that the communication and cooperation between China and the rest of the world can continue to be carried out effectively.

Q: Yesterday Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait held talks with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. Kuwait asked China to openly and frankly condemn Iraq for the missile attacks, especially because the missiles were made by China. He also asked China to support Kuwait. Can you tell us what kind of support, military or technical?

A: On April 7th, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kuwaiti Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Mohammed visited China. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya met with him and his delegation. The two sides exchanged views on the current Iraqi situation and bilateral ties. China noted its principled position on the Iraqi question, hoping for an early end of the war so as to avoid more injuries of the innocent. China stressed that it supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kuwait. As a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, China stands ready to make continuous efforts for the early resumption of peace and stability in the Gulf region.

Q: Has Kuwait asked China to condemn Iraq or support Kuwait in condemning Iraq?

A: China noted that it opposes Iraqi’s attack on Kuwait. China is a responsible country and has always strictly abided by relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. China hasn’t provided any weapons to Iraq since the Gulf War in 1990.

Q: You said that China has been responsible not only to its own people but also to the foreigners. But yesterday the General Secretary of WHO said that China should have responded faster in dealing with SARS and she also hoped that China could react faster in similar situation in the future. Please comment. Will China learn from the case?

A: There have been very good exchanges between China and officials of WHO on the prevention and treatment of SARS. Officials of WHO have been touring in Guangdong province. We’ve been having sound cooperation on the matter with WHO. With respect to the early release of information to the Press, I’ve briefed you on several occasions on the relevant position of the Chinese Government. You may have had the chance to ask the Minister of Health and officials of the Ministry of Health the same question. We must have a scientific understanding of SARS. We can summarize more experiences on the cooperation between China and the international community as well as WHO through our cooperation this time on SARS.

Q: A German weekly yesterday reported that SARS has claimed at least 15 deaths, most of which in NO. 302 Hospital. Will you deny the figure?

A: I’m not aware of the technical matters of the treatment of SARS patients. But according to the latest release of the Ministry of Health, up to April 6th, 1268 infections and 53 deaths had been reported nationwide, among which, there are 1203 infections and 43 deaths in Guangdong Province, 24 infections and 1 death in Shanxi Province, 19 infections and 4 deaths in Beijing, 4 infections and 1 death in Sichuan Province, 6 infections and 1 death in Hunan Province, 1 infection and no death in Shanghai, 11 infections and 3 deaths in Guangxi Province. What I know from MOH is that it will report to WHO everyday on the matter and release the latest information to the public every five days. China has released accurate information and been responsible. Any baseless speculation is harmful.

Q: The Chinese Government has called for direct dialogue between the US and DPRK. However it also supports any proposal that is conducive to the settlement of the Korean nuclear issue. It sounds contradictory. If China believes that multi-lateral channels are helpful to the settlement, then will it support the involvement of the UN?

A: China has always followed closely with the developments of the Korean nuclear issue. China holds that the nuclear issue should be solved peacefully through dialogue. We don’t want to see a Korean Peninsula with nuclear weapons. At the same time we also believe that the security concerns of DPRK must be addressed. We believe that the involvement of the Security Council at the moment will not be conducive to the settlement of the issue. No party should take any move that might complicate the situation.

Q: India’s Foreign Minister Sinha said in an interview by AFP on April 2nd that India will continue to view China as one of its most important neighbours as well as its important friend. What’s your comment on that?

A: We appreciate his statement. India is an important neighbour of China. We have a long history of friendly relations. In recent years bilateral ties have been constantly developing on the basis of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Under the current complicated international situation, China and India, the largest two developing countries should enhance coordination and cooperation and join their hands in making contribution to regional peace and development.

Q: The Prime Minister’s office of Singapore declared that Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong will postpone his visit to China, please confirm. Many foreign embassies in China have refused to issue visas to Chinese. Do you have any comment?

A: On your first question, so far as I know Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said that he hopes to visit China this year. At present the two countries are discussing the schedule of this visit.

On your second question, we hope that relevant countries can have scientific and accurate judgment according to our briefings on SARS. We don’t want to see the normal exchanges between China and relevant countries to be affected by it.

Q: Today the British Prime Minister and the US President held talks on the post-war reconstruction in Iraq. What kind of role do you believe UN and China should play in this respect?

A: With respect of Iraq, China has on many occasions called for an early end of the war so as to avoid more injures and deaths as well as further threat to peace and stability of the region. With regard to the post-war arrangements in Iraq, the Chinese Government maintains that UN should play a leading role. Only by so doing, can lasting peace and stability of the Gulf region be realized. Many countries in the world have shared this view.

Q: The UN Security Council will hold a meeting to discuss a President Statement on Korean nuclear issue. Many countries including Permanent Members of the Security Council have called for criticizing DPRK. Is China opposed to such a statement?

A: China has always believed that the Korean nuclear issue should be solved peacefully through dialogue. It’s not conducive for the Security Council to get involved at the moment. At the same time we also believe that no party should take any actions that will complicate the situation.

Q: If the Security Council is not conducive to the settlement of the Korean nuclear issue, what kind of attitude will China take in attending the meeting?

A: China has always held that the Korean nuclear issue should be solved through dialogue especially through talks between US and DPRK. China has made its own efforts in promoting the settlement of the issue and will continue to do so.

Q: Both India and Pakistan noted that they will not exclude taking preemptive measures against each other. What’s your comment?

A: China has always maintained that the conflicts and problems among states should be solved peacefully through dialogue instead of resorting to use or threat of force. As countries of importance in South Asia, India and Pakistan shoulder great responsibilities for peace and stability in region. We hope that they can sit down to properly handle their disputes through dialogue and negotiation so as to turn the situation in South Asia towards relaxation and stability.

Q: There’ve been 37 infections of SARS in China apart from Guangdong Province. You said that SARS infections in other regions were imported cases. How do you know that? Why the death rate is so high in regions other than Guangdong? 8 deaths among 37 infections, the death rate surpasses 20%.

A: The figures I’ve got were released by MOH to the public. These figures and the assessment of the situation, including how comes the conclusion that these cases are imported infections, I think you’d better make enquiries to the MOH. I am not a doctor and I am not clear about the related technical matters. MOH and authorities in charge of epidemic prevention will continue to remain in communication with you and provide further information you want to know. They are very positive towards it.

Q: On the Korean nuclear issue, will China attend the consultation of the Security Council? Is China against putting the issue into its agenda? China said that the Security Council should participate in the reconstruction of Iraq. Does China believe that UN should play a role or its participation is the most effective way?

A: As one of the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, China has briefed its position to relevant parties. They are clear about our position.

With respect to your second question, UN should play a leading role in the post-war reconstruction of Iraq, which is conducive to lasting peace and stability in the Gulf region. Many countries share this position. China will consult relevant countries of the Security Council on this matter.

Q: According to Beijing Youth Daily, on Saturday, Vice Premier Wu Yi called for the establishment of an emergency medical mechanism, by which embassies should be included in the information briefing and alert mechanism. Is this mechanism established especially for SARS?

A: Thank you for your question, but I feel that you’ve taken me as the MOH Spokesperson. The Chinese Government has always attached great importance to the health undertaking of China. We will make timely summarization of our experiences, including those on the handling of SARS. The Chinese Government will continue to take a responsible attitude to its people in handling relevant questions.

Q: China is strongly opposed to the human rights report issued by the US. Is there any reaction of US to China’s opposition? Please brief us on Japanese Foreign Minister’s visit to China. Given that the Japanese Prime Minister has postponed his visit to China several times, will her visit play a constructive role in facilitating the latter’s visit to China?  

A: With respect to the report on human rights status in China issued by the US Department of State, I’ve already stated the position of the Chinese Government here. The US knows our attitude.

On your second question, during the visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister, the two have had in-depth and candid exchange of views on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues with many consensuses being reached. It’s agreed to develop bilateral ties on the bases of strict adherence of the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and other two documents in the spirit of history serving as a mirror whileas orienting towards future. Both China and Japan agree to take the opportunity of the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship to further enhance bilateral and regional cooperation as well as expand mutual interests. It’s a successful visit and very helpful in promoting the development of bilateral relationship. China has always been very positive to the exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries, hoping that the Japanese leaders can create appropriate atmosphere for the realization of the visits.

Q: General Secretary Nong Duc Manh held bilateral talks with General Secretary Hu Jintao yesterday. The media has already covered it but I want details, especially the position of the Vietnamese side on the question of Taiwan. I know its One China stand but what is its attitude towards the visit by Taiwan officials? The two sides stressed on economic relations so what specific measures do you have to strengthen economic cooperation? His agenda concludes on 11th, and what is his remaining agenda?

A: Since you have seen reports of his visit to China so I won’t go into details. As to the relations between Viet Nam and Taiwan, he said that he would continue to adhere to the One China policy and do not enter any official relations with Taiwan. On economic cooperation, the two sides have always adopted positive attitude towards economic cooperation between China and Vietnam. The two countries have developed their relations on the basis of the 16-word principle of “long-term stability, future-oriented, good-neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation ” and the comprehensive cooperation includes of course economic aspect. As to specific agenda, sorry that I am not so clear about it but I can make enquires for you.

Q: Has the China urged the DPRK not to reactivate the nuclear facilities in Yongbyon? If so, when?

A: China and the DPRK have normal diplomatic relations and the dialogue channel between the two sides remains unimpeded. The DPRK side is clear about our position on the question.

Q: Apart from Goh Chok Tong who postponed his visit to China, are there any other diplomatic activities and visits affected? Will any foreign embassy staff leave Beijing or Guangdong?

A: According to my knowledge, the overseas diplomatic visits of China have not been affected. As to whether the diplomatic missions in China have any withdrawal plan, you’d better direct it to them. But I want to stress that the epidemic situation in the mainland has been brought under effective control and we hope that relevant sides can judge the situation scientifically and correctly.  

Q: After Mr. Pekka Aro from the ILO died, how many people have got vaccinated?

A: Sorry I am not clear about it. You can refer it to the relevant authorities.

Q: There are much work involved with the authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore to track down those that may have been affected by SARS. But the Finnish embassy in China said that nobody had contacted them so far as to whom Mr. Aro may have contacted. So what effective measures have you taken to prevent the disease from spreading?

A: As to the specific question concerning SARS, I am not so clear as spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But one thing is certain that the Chinese Government has always adopted a very responsible attitude and exerted its utmost efforts to control the epidemic situation with important result achieved in this regard. We express our condolences to the unfortunate passing away of Mr. Aro and hope that the epidemic can be eliminated.

Q: Are there any foreign embassies in Beijing closed because of SARS?

A: I can help you enquire the details but I have not heard that any foreign embassy has been closed or evacuated.