On 24 April Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference. Liu started by announcing that at the invitation of Prime Minister Thaksin of Thailand, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council will attend the special meeting on SARS of the leaders of China and ASEAN in Bangkok, Thailand on April 29th.  At present, the issue of SARS constitutes the common threat and challenge facing various countries in the region. Enhancing regional exchanges and cooperation is one of the effective measures against SARS and other multinational issues. The Chinese government attaches great importance to this meeting. We hope to enhance communication, strengthen exchange, carry out cooperation, jointly prevent, control and eradicate the threat of SARS with the ASEAN countries, so that the friendly relations and cooperation between the two sides will make further headway.

Q: What is your comment on the travel warning issued by the WHO against Beijing and Shanxi?

A: We have taken note of the relevant reports. We express our understanding towards the measures that some countries and international organizations have taken to prevent SARS. The Chinese Government has conducted good cooperation with the WHO and we hope that such cooperation can continue. At the same time we will seriously study the recommendations put forward by the WHO on the prevention and treatment of SARS in China. We hope that it can be eradicated earlier with the cooperation between the two sides and the joint efforts of all Chinese people.

Q: An article published by China Daily said that China has played an active role as a third party. Can you explain the significance of such move and can you brief us on the meeting between Kelly of the US delegation and Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi?

A: The DPRK nuclear question propped up once again since last October and resulted in the tension of the Korean peninsula and wide concern of the international community. In order to facilitate its peaceful settlement, the Chinese side has invited the DPRK and the US to have talks in Beijing.

The Beijing talks were held on 23 April at the Diaoyutai State Guest House. Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the opening ceremony and welcome the DPRK and the US side on behalf of the Chinese Government. He held a welcoming banquet for the two delegations at night.

All the sides expressed their respective positions at the meeting on the DPRK nuclear question and the situation on the peninsula and expressed their mutual concern. It is conducive to the enhancement of mutual understanding and seeking ways to solve the question peacefully through dialogue.

The DPRK nuclear question has its complicated background and it needs a process and unremitting efforts to solve it. We hope that relevant parties can demonstrate sincerity and play a constructive role. The Chinese side is willing to work with the international community to continue to make its efforts to bring the question on a track of peaceful settlement.

As to the detailed questions you raised, since it is an internal meeting, I have nothing more to tell you.

Q: Also on the DPRK question. Is the meeting in Beijing going on within the 1994 Framework Agreement as hoped by China? Is the agreement still valid or not any more?

A: I have already introduced what I can say on the Beijing talks. Since it is an internal meeting, I have nothing to add.

Q: You said that the content of the talks is internal but what is the atmosphere?

A: All the sides expressed their respective positions at the meeting on the DPRK nuclear question and the situation on the peninsula and expressed their mutual concern. It is conducive to the enhancement of mutual understanding and seeking ways to solve the question peacefully through dialogue.

Q: Do you think it can yield positive results?
A: It is conducive to the enhancement of mutual understanding and seeking ways to solve the question peacefully through dialogue.

Q: Powell had a phone conversation with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing last night. Can you tell us what they talked about?

A: They exchanged views on the Beijing talks on the DPRK nuclear question and both sides think that the talks are good.

Q: Will the talks among the three countries be held tomorrow as planned? It won’t be finished today, right?

A: Sorry. Apart from what I said just now, I have nothing more to add concerning the talks themselves.

Q: On the talks among the three sides. I want to confirm. You mentioned just now that all the sides expressed their respective positions at the meeting on the DPRK nuclear question and the situation on the peninsula. “All sides” include China? Does the role that China plays in the talks same as that of the US and the DPRK? Or do they have any special arrangement? I want to make sure the role that China plays.

A: All the sides expressed their respective positions at the meeting. As a neighbor of the Korean peninsula, China has always been concerned with the development and evolvement of the DPRK nuclear question and has played a positive role in facilitating the Beijing talks and during the talks. In future, China will continue to make its unremitting efforts for the peaceful settlement of the question.

Q: The DPRK made some remarks before the talks strongly hinting that it had begun to develop nuclear weapons. Since the prerequisite that all sides should follow is that the DPRK should not process nuclear weapons, does China still agree to its participation in the talks? Second question, before or during the talks, has the Chinese side ever expressed its opinions or recommendations to the DPRK side?
A: China has always stood for dialogue to settle relevant issues peacefully since the DPRK nuclear question propped up last October. This is also the consensus of the international community. It is on the basis of such consensus that the Chinese side invites the US and the DPRK delegation to come to China to have the Beijing talks on the question. As to the talks, I have already introduced to you and have nothing more to add.

Q: Since it is a regional question, do you think Japan, Russia and the ROK, apart from the three sides now in talks, can play a role in its settlement?

A: I have said during Tuesday’s press conference that China appreciates the positions of relevant countries to insist on dialogue to solve the question peacefully and welcomes the constructive role played by countries that are concerned with it. But relevant issues need to be consulted by relevant sides.

Q: Is there any change of the French Prime Minister’s visit to China? Please introduce his agenda in Beijing and will the two sides discuss the Iraqi question?

A: I announced on Tuesday’s press conference that the French Prime Minister will visit China. During his visit, Premier Wen Jiabao will have talks with him and hold a welcoming banquet in his honor. President Hu Jintao will meet with him and hold a banquet for him. In addition, he will also meet with Liu Qi, Party Secretary of Beijing.

Leaders of the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on how to further strengthen the Sino-French comprehensive partnership under the new situation and major international issues. The Iraqi question you mentioned just now, I think, will be on the list.

Q: As to the travel warning sent by the WHO against Beijing, you mean you agree that traveling to Beijing is dangerous and warn travelers not to come here?

A: Thank you for your question. I am not an expert on prevention and treatment of epidemic. So I suggest you refer it to the department of health and they will give you a more satisfied answer. In addition, let me tell you a piece of news, which many of you may have already known. At 10 am tomorrow Mr. Cai Fuchao from Beijing will hold a press conference in the International Hotel to introduce Beijing’s prevention and control of SARS. So you may raise the question to him there.

Q: First Deputy Chairman of the Defense Commission of the DPRK is visiting Beijing or has concluded his visit? Can you introduce the role he is playing in the talks? Is he still in Beijing? Has he participated in the talks or is he just a bystander?

A: I would like to point out first that his visit this time is a normal exchange of visit between the two militaries. The visit will enhance the friendly relations between the two countries and two militaries. He visited China at the invitation of General Guo Boxiong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. He visited China from 21 to 23 and I think he left Beijing already.

Q: A technical question. You said the trilateral talks are an internal one but I think that countries participated in the talks are all fully independent countries. So what is internal according to your explanation? Why call it an internal meeting?

A: There are many such examples in international exchanges and diplomatic activities. There is nothing to be surprised that this meeting is categorized as a meeting of internal nature.

Q: Is China still willing to be a host if the US and the DPRK decide to continue the talks after this round?

A: As to the talks, I have nothing more to tell you. But I want to stress that China will continue to make its own efforts to push for the peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear question through dialogue.

Q: Now Nato enters Afghanistan. Is China concerned with such a move since it has not been authorized by the UN?

A: We have taken note of the relevant report and hope that the international security and assistance troops will continue to play an active role in safeguarding peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Q: A reason that the Beijing talks cannot be convened earlier is who should participate. The US insists on multilateral talks while the DPRK think it should be bilateral. China would rather have bilateral talks.  So now do you think you are a participant with important responsibility or just a bystander?

A: As to the role that China plays in the Beijing talks, China, as a neighbor of the Korean peninsula, has always been concerned with the development and evolvement of the DPRK nuclear question and has played a positive role in facilitating the Beijing talks and during the talks. In the future, China will continue to make its unremitting efforts for the peaceful settlement of the question.

Q: When will you reopen your embassy in Iraq? Will Chinese diplomats return to Baghdad?

A: As to whether China will send its diplomats to return to Baghdad, we will consider it at an appropriate time. It is not time to discuss now.

Q： There are many rumors in Beijing now. Are you planning to shut the Beijing international airport?

A: As to the question concerning the prevention and control of SARS, you’d better refer it to the officials from Beijing at tomorrow’s press conference. As spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I have nothing more to tell you.

Q: The head of the Chinese delegation in the trilateral talks is Fu Ying. Some observers said that her rank is not as high as Assistant Secretary Kelly. Others said that she is an expert on Southeast Asia instead of Northeast Asia, since she used to be an ambassador to the Philippines. Do you agree? Why don’t you send a delegate of more experience and higher rank?

A: Fu Ying is Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs, responsible for Asian affairs, surely including questions of the Korean peninsula. As to the heads of the three delegations, it has been agreed upon by the three sides that it is decided by the parties themselves.