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

Q: Today the Iraqi Ambassador to China went to the Foreign Ministry of China to discuss with the Chinese side the current situation in Iraq, the fall of the Saddam Regime and the China-Iraq relations in the future. What is your comment on that?

A: I am not aware of the specific information you mentioned. However, the Chinese government will continue to handle the relevant issues of Iraq in accordance with the international law and China’s relevant laws and regulations.

Q: Now crucial changes have taken place in the war in Iraq. What further assistance will the Chinese government provide to Iraq? How does China view the post-war reconstruction in Iraq and what role will it play in this regard?

A: On your first question, the war has inflicted severe humanitarian problems on the Iraqi people. China is following closely the development of the humanitarian situation in Iraq, and is among the earliest countries to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi refugees. Since the war broke out, we have provided a certain amount of emergency humanitarian assistance to Jordan to help the Iraqi refugees there. In the meantime, the Red Cross Society of China has also taken similar move. At present, the humanitarian situation in Iraq is further deteriorating. The Chinese government and people are very concerned about the difficult plight of the Iraqi people, and will continue to provide more humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people through various effective channels.

On your second question, we stand for the overall and proper settlement of the Iraqi issue within the UN framework according to the relevant UN resolutions. The top priority is to put an immediate stop to hostilities to avoid further humanitarian crisis, and to restore peace and stability in Iraq.

Q: What role will China play in the post-war reconstruction in Iraq? Who do you believe should run the new government in Iraq?

A: In respect of your first question, China has always maintained that the Iraqi issue should be resolved comprehensively and properly within the UN framework according to the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. It is also our hope that the United Nations will soon work out a specific plan on the post-war arrangement of Iraq and make full preparations in due course. In addressing the post-war affairs of Iraq, we hold that the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq should be respected; the willingness and choice of the Iraqi people should be respected; the rational concerns of the surrounding countries of Iraq and the relevant parties should be respected; and the leading role of the United Nations should be respected.

Q: The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution to exclude Germany, France, Russia and Syria from participating in the post-war reconstruction in Iraq due to their anti-war stand. However, despite China’s anti-war position, it is not excluded. What is your comment on that?

A: I have also read the news you mentioned. On the issue of the post-war reconstruction in Iraq, the stand of the Chinese government is for an overall and thorough settlement of the Iraq question within the UN framework according to the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. It is our hope that the relevant parties will make their due efforts in this direction.

Q: The Saddam regime did not use the weapons of mass destruction even under the threat of the US forces. What is your comment on that? Malaysia is the first country to ban the entry of the Chinese because of SARS. Could you comment on that?

A: As for the issue of the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, China’s stand has been consistent. We have always stood for the strict and earnest inspections on the alleged Iraq’s possession of the weapons of mass destruction according to the UN Security Council resolutions. Concerning the war in Iraq, China has already made clear its stand at the very beginning of the war and this position remains unchanged.

Concerning the second question, we have expounded our position on many occasions. We believe that the epidemic situation of SARS has already been under effective control in the mainland. Many patients have recovered and been released from hospital, and the infection rate keeps decreasing. The relevant countries stepped up their entry control due to SARS. We expressed our understanding of this move. However, we still hope that the relevant parties and countries will have a scientific and accurate judgment on the current situation, so as to prevent the normal mutual exchanges from further loss.

Q: Vice Minister of Health insisted on this morning’s Press Conference that the figures given by China are correct. But a prominent doctor who used to be the surgical director for years said that the figures of three military hospitals far outnumber the official ones. What’s your comment on that?

A: I believe that you must have attended the press conference hosted by Vice Minister Ma Xiaowei. He gave a very good answer to the same question asked by some journalists. I can be very responsible in saying that the Chinese Government has been taking a serious and responsible attitude in dealing with SARS and the figures given by the Chinese Government are accurate. Any suspicion and speculation of the figures or spread of the groundless figures are not helpful for the public to have a correct understanding and scientific judgment of the situation of SARS in China. Such information is harmful.

Q: The decision of the DPRK to withdraw from NPT goes into effect officially today. Does China hope the DPRK to rejoin NPT? It’s reported that Kim Jong Il paid a secret visit to China last month, please confirm.

A: On your first question, with respect to the withdrawal of the DPRK from NPT, China has made a clear-cut statement on that. We do not support a Korean Peninsula with nuclear weapons and the DPRK’s withdrawal from NPT. We hope that relevant parties can proceed from safeguarding peace and stability of the Peninsula, resume dialogue soon so that the question can be solved properly and peacefully at an early date. With respect to your second question, the reports you mentioned are groundless.

Q: The ROK Foreign Minister will visit China starting from today. What will the two sides discuss? Will the nuclear issue be discussed? Does China have any proposal for the resumption of talks? Other countries are in favor of multi-lateral dialogues. Does China still insist on direct dialogue between the DPRK and the US?

A: The ROK Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan arrived in Beijing at noon today. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will have talks with him this afternoon. Leaders of China will also meet with him tomorrow. The two sides will exchange views on issues of bilateral ties, the DPRK nuclear issue and other issues of common concern. I’ll brief you on the relevant information in due course.

With respect to the dialogue on the DPRK nuclear issue, China has always advocated for a peaceful settlement of the issue through dialogue and an earlier resumption of dialogue between the DPRK and the US, which is the most effective way to solve the question. Certainly we are positive and open to any plan that is conducive to a peaceful settlement, but the key is the consent of the parties involved.

Q: Did China hold any consultations with other members of the Security Council including Pakistan on the role of the UN in the post-war reconstruction of Iraq?

A: As a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, China has maintained close consultation on the Iraqi question with other members of the Security Council for a comprehensive and proper settlement. China stands ready to make its own effort to seek a comprehensive and proper settlement of the question to realize lasting peace and stability in the Gulf region.

Q: What is your comment on the fall of Baghdad and the Saddam regime?

A: Today the war in Iraq has entered into its 22nd day. The war over the past three weeks and more has inflicted a large amount of civil casualties and property damage on Iraq, and in the meantime caused serious humanitarian disaster. It is our sincere hope that the relevant hostilities would come to an end soon so that the Iraqi people can live a peaceful and stable life.

Q: What is your comment on the death of the four journalists in Baghdad?

A: We express condolences to the tragic death of some journalists in the battlefield in Iraq. Such tragedy once again demonstrated the cruelty of war. China has always stood for the peaceful settlement of international disputes through political means and is not in favor of the use or threat of force to resolve the relevant issues.

Q: Could you be more specific on the role of the United Nations in the post-war reconstruction efforts in Iraq?

A: The United Nations should play a leading role in the post-war reconstruction in Iraq. In handling the post-war reconstruction issues, including the political, economic and other aspects, the relevant members of the UN Security Council will have consultations. It is our hope that the United Nations will work out a draft plan as soon as possible and make full preparations for the relevant post-war reconstruction efforts.

Q: Was the visit of the ROK Foreign Minister at the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing arranged beforehand or specially for the DPRK nuclear issue? Can it be regarded as a gesture of China to solve the DPRK nuclear issue through peaceful means?

A: The visit of Yoon Young-kwan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the ROK, was decided by China and the ROK after consultations through diplomatic channels. During the visit, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and the Chinese leaders will discuss with him the DPRK nuclear issue. On the DPRK nuclear issue, China has always been making vigorous efforts to push for the dialogue of the relevant parties, and we have made helpful contacts with our counterparts of the relevant countries on many occasions. This visit should be part of the diplomatic efforts of China and the relevant countries to push for the peaceful and proper settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue.