On April 15, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held the regular press conference.

Liu Jianchao: Good afternoon, everyone. Now the floor is open.

Q: I have a couple of requests and a question. The requests are: Would Premier Wen Jiabao be willing to hold the press conference to tell us about his first month in office? And also, when is the Ministry of Health going to give us an update on SARS? And the question is: What is the status of the Iraqi embassy in China? Does it still represent the government of Saddam Hussein? Have any Iraqi diplomats asked for political asylum in China?

A: On the first part, I have no such information. And I believe you will get the information if there is a press conference. As for when the Ministry of Health will release the latest information of SARS, according to the normal practice, the Ministry of Health will provide an update of the situation every five days each month. Today is the 15th, and the Ministry of Health will provide the latest information today at an appropriate time.

As for the status of the Iraqi embassy in China and whether anybody asked for political asylum, China will handle the relevant issues in accordance with the international law and the relevant provisions of the domestic law. So far nobody has put forward the request of asylum to the Chinese side.

Q: At the end of this month, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will visit Kazakhstan. Could you brief us on the objective and agenda of this visit?

A: As you mentioned, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will visit Kazakhstan later this month, and will also attend the foreign ministerial conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This is a very important meeting in preparation for the upcoming leadership meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Moscow. During the Foreign Ministerial meeting, the various parties will discuss the international issues of common concern including the Iraqi issue. Such discussion will be conducive. As for what specific issues will be discussed at the meeting, I will brief you in the course of this meeting. During his visit, Foreign Minister Li will also exchange views with his counterpart in Kazakhstan on the bilateral friendly relations and cooperation.
　　
Q: There have been many rumors saying that Kim Jong Il has paid a secret visit to China, can you confirm it? If so, what has been discussed? Recently the DPRK indicated that it may accept the multi-lateral mechanism for dialogue. What role did China play in promoting the changes of the position of the DPRK?

A: I hope that the first part of your question is not the prerequisite for the second part. The reports which said Chairman Kim Jong Il paid a visit to China are groundless. With respect to the DPRK’s willingness to accept multi-lateral dialogue, we appreciate its position of solving the question through dialogue. China holds that the nuclear question should be solved peacefully through dialogue. The form of dialogue is not important. The key is that various parties should have the sincerity to address the question. We hope that we can put the nuclear question on the track of peaceful settlement at an early date. China has been making active efforts in promoting the peaceful settlement of the question and will continue to do so in the future.

Q: Reports from the ROK said that China is opposed to the participation of Japan and Russia in the multilateral talks. What’s the reason?

A: China has never opposed to the participation of relevant countries in the multi-lateral talks on the Korean nuclear question. China has always advocated for a peaceful settlement of the question through dialogue. We are positive and open to any proposal that facilitates the peaceful settlement. But the key is to get the consent of the parties involved.

Q: After defeating Saddam, the US begins to threaten other countries including Syria. It has declared recently that Syria possesses weapons of mass destruction. What’s your comment on that? Secondly, before entering Iraq, the US had vowed to free the Iraqi people. Do you believe that the people of Iraq can have real freedom, peace and stability after its occupation?

A: On your first question, we have taken note that Syria has already denied the relevant accusation of the US. China has always maintained that international disputes should be solved through political means. We are opposed to the use or threat of force in international affairs.

With respect to our position on the military actions of US-British coalition forces, we have made a clear statement at the very beginning of the war. Our position remains unchanged. In the meantime we believe that we should return to the framework of the UN Security Council for the final settlement of the Iraqi issue so as to realize the lasting peace and stability in Iraq and the region. It is a commonly held position by the majority of the international community.

Q: Some countries have restricted the entry of people from China’s mainland and Hong Kong because of SARS. What’s your response? Will it affect China’s economic growth and tourism?

A: The disease in China’s mainland at this moment has been under effective control. We have stressed on many occasions that for the foreign tourists in China, if they take proper precautions, their health can be protected effectively. We have taken note of the worries and concerns of some countries over the problem, which we find understandable. I believe that the Hong Kong authorities are communicating with the relevant countries on the exit of its residents and the problem can be solved properly through friendly consultation.

Q: China was scheduled to host the WIPO Leaders’ Meeting at the end of this month. What’s the status of this meeting now? Secondly, has China contacted the Iraqi opposition forces? What’s the attitude of China in writing off the debts of Iraq to China?

A: The WIPO Leaders’ Meeting was scheduled to be held in Beijing from April 24th to 26th this year. This meeting is hosted by China as required by WIPO. China has attached great importance to the meeting and has made a lot of preparation work. Couple of days ago, WIPO declared that the meeting couldn’t be held as scheduled. The Chinese Government regrets the decision and expresses its thanks to the active participation of various parties in the preparation work. China stands ready to work with them to promote the development of the cause of intellectual property rights.

With respect to your second question, the contact between China and Iraq has been multi-facet. We have both official and non-governmental links, which is decided by traditional friendship between the two countries.

With respect to debt, Iraq owes billions of dollars to China. We are going to deal with the matter in accordance with international law and practice as well as through friendly consultations.

Q: Will China recognize the Iraqi government formed by the occupation forces? Secondly, with respect to China’s condemnation of the looting of its embassy in Baghdad, has China expressed its attitude to the relevant parties through diplomatic channels?

A: With respect to your first question, our basic norm in handling international relations is to respect other peoples’ choice of their social system, way of development and their leaders. We hope that war can be ended at an early date so that people in Iraq can live a peaceful and stable life as soon as possible.

With respect to your second question, international law requires that the warring parties have the obligation to protect the safety of the personnel and property of diplomatic missions. China has made an emergent representation to the US on the looting of its Embassy in Iraq. The US has promised to take measures to ensure the safety of the premise and property of China’s Embassy and to investigate into and deal with the looting. China will follow closely this matter.

Q: Is China going to recognize the new Iraqi government formed by the coalition forces?

A: China holds that Iraqi post-war issues should be handled within the UN framework, which is the common understanding of the international community.

Q: It’s been said that some tourist operators in Shanghai are asked to discourage people from traveling to Hong Kong, can you confirm it? Secondly, what measures are you going to take to restrict the international traveling during the upcoming May Day vocation?

A: With respect to your first question, I haven’t heard any information like that. Therefore I can’t confirm that. With respect to your second question, the golden week of May 1st should be the prime time for the Chinese citizens to travel abroad. But according to the report of the WHO, there have been 19 countries and regions affected by SARS. Under this circumstance, there has been dramatic decrease of tourism worldwide, tourism abroad in particular. The Chinese citizens have greatly reduced international traveling for sake of safety and health, which is totally understandable.

Q: If various parties agree to hold multi-lateral talks on the Korean nuclear issue, is China going to host such talks?

A: As I said before, China has adopted a positive and open attitude towards any proposal conducive to the peaceful settlement of the issue. It’s hard for me to answer the presumptive question you’ve raised but one thing I’m quite sure is that China stands ready to make its own efforts for the peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue.

Q: You just said that China supports the position of the DPRK. Is China supportive of direct dialogue? If multi-lateral talks are realized, who should be included? What’s your expectation to the nuclear issue?

A: I’ve briefed you on the relevant position of China. We appreciate the DPRK’s position to address the issue through dialogue. China has adopted a positive and open attitude towards proposals that help to seek a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue. Up to the moment, no party has tabled any specific proposal therefore I am not in the position to make any comment. With respect to the prospect of the settlement of the issue, we believe that there is the possibility for a peaceful solution through dialogue and hope that the relevant parties can make efforts to realize it.

Q: I’d like to confirm once again the North Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s visit to China this March. Can you give me a straightforward answer, yes or no?

A: My answer is no.

Q: Can you update us on the latest development of the investigation of the attacks in Kyrgyzstan on a bus carrying Chinese citizens?

A: With respect to the attacks on Chinese citizens on their way back home from Kyrgyzstan, China has been closely cooperating with Kyrgyzstan to identify the victims. Among the 21 victims, 18 are Chinese citizens, 3 Kyrgyz citizens. We’ve had great cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and we are working with them closely to break the case at an early date. In the meantime Kyrgyzstan also promised to try all out to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Kyrgyzstan, which we express our appreciation.

Q: The US announced that it would give up tabling anti-China resolution at the UN Human Rights Commission Session, what’s your comment?

A: With respect to human rights, China has always advocated for dialogue and exchanges between states on the basis of equality and mutual respect so as to enhance mutual understanding and common ground as well as the healthy development of the international human rights undertakings. This position has become the trend in the field of international human rights.

Q: SARS has severely affected tourism in China. Can you tell us the extent of it? Are there any other industries affected by it? What measures will China take to help those industries?

A: We cannot deny that tourism of China has been somewhat affected by SARS. You’d better make enquires to the authorities in charge as to the extent and details of loss. SARS is very bad news to China. However I believe that through the joint efforts of the Chinese people, we can overcome the temporary difficulties and continue to ensure the healthy economic growth at a high rate.

Q: We’ve just read reports suggesting that China refused to let the WHO officials inspect the military hospitals. Can you tell us why?

A: Unfortunately I am not aware of the details you mentioned. But I’d like to stress that since the outbreak of the disease, health and quarantine authorities of China have had very good cooperation with the WHO. The latter has given high credit to China’s cooperation. We’ll continue to have productive cooperation.

Q: The second annual meeting of Boao Forum will be held next month. How many leaders have confirmed their participation? What’s the significance of the meeting? Who will be the key-note speaker? Who will attend the meeting on behalf of China?

A: The second annual meeting of Boao Asia Forum will be held in Hainan in May. China has sent information to the relevant parties. There’s still some time to go before the meeting convenes. The specifics are yet to be confirmed.

The Forum is the first non-governmental forum in China with a view to promoting the mutual understanding between the peoples and the regional economic growth in Asia. It has made some achievements in realizing its purposes. This year’s meeting is of great significance. We are looking forward to having exchanges with political and economic figures of the relevant countries and parties on further promoting economic growth of Asia. Leaders of China will attend the meeting. We’ll release the specifics in due course.

Q: Do you think the international press coverage of China’s SARS situation is balanced?

A: I wonder if you should raise the question to your colleagues. I believe that the Chinese side has timely briefed the press on the illness. Since April, in particular, the Chinese side has held several press conferences for the media and released the relevant figures. Such practice will continue.

Q: I wish to know the view of the Chinese Government or you yourself. Do you believe that the international press has made balanced coverage of China’s SARS situation?

A: Frankly speaking, we understand fully well the concern by the international community and media over the SARS situation in China. Most media has covered the SARS situation in China fully and objectively, enabling the outside to learn about the SARS situation in China. We cannot deny, however, that there is the tendency for some media to try, to some extent, to politicize the issue. Such a tendency will not help the outside world, especially people of other countries, to have a correct understanding of the situation. At the moment, the Chinese people are making every effort to fight the disease. It is my hope that the international media could treat the issue in a sympathetic manner. No one should go all out to play up the issue. Otherwise, it will not help the international community correctly learn the situation.

Q: You said last week that the SARS epidemic has been effectively controlled on the mainland. However, at last Friday’s press conference by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, an expert claimed that we couldn’t yet use the term “control” to describe the situation. Have you changed your view upon the situation?

A: In my view, what term should be used is not very important. What is important is the real situation now. Today, the Ministry of Health will once again release the relevant information on the SARS situation on the mainland. We are well founded in claiming that the epidemic has been effectively controlled. The parameters are the slower increase of the infected cases, the rise of the released patients and the decline of the death rate. From this aspect, the illness on the mainland has been effectively controlled. However, I wish to stress that the current situation is still grave. The Chinese Government and the relevant departments will keep on making arduous efforts and adopt resolute measures to eradicate the illness at an early date.