Zhang: Good afternoon everyone. I’ll begin with an announcement: at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister Adrian Nastase of Romania will pay an official visit to China on May 14th. Glad to take your questions.

Q: Can you give us some details about the submarine accident?

A: Mechanic problems caused an accident to Submarine 361 of the Chinese navy when it was training at east of Nechangshang in the territorial sea of China, claiming all 70 lives of those on board. The Submarine 361 accident is a great loss of the people’s navy. We express our deep condolence to all those in the submarine who’ve lost their lives in carrying out the training mission as well as sincere sympathy to their relatives.
　　
The Chinese Government and military leaders have attached great importance to the handling of the accident. Chairman Jiang Zemin and Vice Chairman Hu Jingtao of the Military Committee of the CPC Central Committee made a special trip to Dalian to learn about the situation there. The submarine has now been pulled back to the port and the aftermath is being properly handled. Recently leaders of various countries have sent telegram of comfort to our leaders, to which we’d like to express our gratitude.


Q: Has China noticed any new moves of North Korean in reprocessing spent fuel near Nyongbyon nuclear facilities? Does China have any plan to meet with US officials on the illegal smuggling of drugs and sales of missiles?

A: The position of China on the Korean nuclear issue is very clear. China doesn’t wish to see a Korean Peninsula with nuclear weapons and maintains that the current nuclear crisis should be solved through dialogue and negotiation. China believes that dialogue is the most effective way, hoping that every party can work towards the direction by keeping the momentum of dialogue and refraining from taking actions that will lead to escalation of the situation. China has maintained close contact with the US and relevant parties to exchange views on the related issue.


Q: President Hu Jingtao may attend a ceremony in Russia at the end of this month and pay visits to other countries as well. Can you brief us on his schedule? Besides, will he attend the G-8 Summit Meeting at the invitation of French President Chirac?

A: In accordance with the charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, summit meeting of leaders of member states will be held regularly each year. It’s agreed that this year’s summit will be held in Russia at the end of May. We are making preparations for the meeting.

It’s a Summit of great significance. Participants will discuss a wide range of issues relating to the development of SCO, make important decisions and especially sign a series of legal documents on the institution of the Organization. Leaders of the six members will also voice their opinions and exchange views on major international issues of the day. We believe that this Summit will contribute significantly to the further development of SCO.

French President Chirac has formally invited President Hu Jingtao to attend the informal leaders’ dialogue between the South and North in Evian, France on June 1st. We believe that it’s of significance for leaders of South and North to have dialogue on safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. China endorses the initiative of France and is preparing actively for the meeting.

With respect to the specific date and agenda of the visit and meeting, we’ll put in out in due course.


Q: Which countries have offered assistance to China in the prevention and treatment of SARS?

A: Recently leaders of many countries have expressed sympathy and support to China in its fight against SARS through letter or telephone. The ten ASEAN countries and China have held a special leadership meeting and agreed on effective and practical cooperation to prevent and treat SARS. The Japanese Government has provided 205 million yen in medical equipment.  India’s Minister of Defense immediately gave China pharmaceuticals of 400 thousand Rupee after his visit to China. The ROK Government has donated 100 thousand USD.

Many countries in other regions have also expressed their willingness to donate funds or materials for the prevention and control of SARS. Germany is to provide a donation of 10 million Euro for the purchase of medical materials under the financial cooperation framework between China and Germany. The European Commission, the US, Britain, France and some other countries have also indicated their willingness to provide help and are consulting with the Chinese side on the forms of donation.

In addition, many foreign enterprises in China have also donated funds and materials to prevent and treat SARS.

My knowledge of foreign aid may not be complete and more information in this regard will be released later.


Q: I have taken note that Chinese diplomats have inspected the Embassy in Baghdad, have they reported the result of their inspection? And the second question is that the US Under Secretary Armitage is visiting Pakistan today. He will also visit Afghanistan and India. What’s your comment on his visit?

A: From May 2nd to 5th, Councilor Li Chen of our Embassy in Jordan and two others went to Baghdad to learn and inspect the damage of our Embassy there. They have been back to Jordan safely as we speak. According to what they’ve seen, the Embassy was looted of everything, the premises were severely devastated and the loss is tremendously heavy.

In relation to the visit by senior official of the US, I’ve also read relevant reports. Recently both India and Pakistan have expressed their willingness to take concrete measures to improve bilateral relations, which we are glad to see. Both of them are friendly and close neighbours of China. It’s our heartfelt hope that the two countries can settle their disputes peacefully through dialogue and work together to contribute to peace, stability and development of South Asia.


Q: Is China going to attend the G-8 summit? Who will attend this meeting on China’s behalf? Besides, is China going to ask the US to compensate you for the looting of your Embassy in Iraq?

A: With respect to your first question, as I just said, French President Chirac has formally invited President Hu Jingtao to attend the informal leaders’ dialogue between the South and North at Evian, France. We believe it’s a very important meeting and China is positively considering attending the meeting.

The issue of development features high on the agenda of the meeting. We believe that under the current situation, it’s the pressing task of the international community to rejuvenize the global economic growth and cope with the opportunities and challenges of globalization as well as accomplish common development of mankind. We hope that leaders of South and North can conduct candid dialogue on major issues of international development on an equal footing in an open and pragmatic spirit.

In relation to your second question, the inspection team found out that the premises are severely devastated with a tremendously heavy loss. We have to wait for the technicians for a detailed evaluation of the loss after their on-site inspection. With respect to the next step, we’ll make decisions after a comprehensive technical evaluation.


Q: How many neighbouring countries have closed their borders with China because of SARS?

A: According to the agreement between China and relevant countries on the opening of border ports as well as general international practice, one part can temporarily close or postpone the opening of border ports in case of important health considerations, disasters or force majure.

At present, in accordance with regulations of relevant agreements, some of the seasonal ports between China and Mongolia have been temporarily closed; the opening of Khunjerab pass on the border between China and Pakistan has been postponed; entries and exits of personnel and goods through the border ports between China and DPRK have been restricted; entries and exits through the border pass between China and Kazakhstan have been restricted temporarily.


Q: Is there any SARS infection or suspected case of SARS among those working in the Foreign Ministry? And my second question is, will President Hu Jingtao meet with Japanese leaders during the Summit Meeting of SCO and the dialogue between leaders of developing countries and G-8?

A: With respect to your first question, I can tell you in clear terms that none of the staff of the Ministry is infected or having suspicion-arousing symptoms. Leaders of the Ministry care much for the health of everyone working with the Ministry. A series of measures have been taken to prevent and treat SARS. The compound and the Press Hall are sterilized several times a day. An infrared ray temperature detector is placed at the gate to ensure everybody’s safety. It’s safe for you to attend the Foreign Ministry’s Press Conference.

In relation to your second question, generally, there will be some bilateral meetings between our leaders and those of other states during relevant international conferences. Those arrangements are still in the process of discussion and I’ll update you later.


Q: Those traveling to Shanghai from Hongkong are required to be quarantined for two weeks. Dalian has also taken similar measures. Can you tell us are there any other places making arrangements of the kind, like quarantining those from the affected regions?

A: The Central Government and local ones have attached great importance to SARS prevention and treatment. It has been given top priority, especially in the health work. Under the universal leadership of the Central Government, localities have adopted a series of concrete precautions. But I’m not aware of the specifics of the measures taken by various localities.


Q: Did you take note any new developments of the nuclear facilities near Nyongbyon? What’s your comment?

A: China has no idea of any new developments in the region you mentioned. But in general terms, China is not in favor of a Korean Peninsular with nuclear weapons, which is a very clear position. We hope that relevant parties can take concrete steps to solve the nuclear question peacefully through dialogue and refrain from taking actions that will lead to escalation of the situation.