On 17 June Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu
Jianchao held a regular press conference.
Liu
started by announcing a piece of news. At the invitation of
Foreign Minister George Papandreou of Greece, which takes up
the current president of the EU, Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing will meet with Foreign Ministers of the Troika of
the EU in Athens and pay a visit to Greece from June 30th to
July 1st. Prior to that, Mr. Li Zhaoxing will pay an
official visit to the UK and Portugal from June 24th to 29th
at the invitations of Foreign Secretary Jack Straw of the UK
and Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz of
Portugal.
The Chinese side holds highly its
relations with the EU and the three countries of the UK,
Portugal and Greece. At present, the Sino-EU comprehensive
partnership has improved, with constantly enhanced mutual
political trust and fruitful cooperation in all fields. The
relations between China and the three countries have further
developed with constantly expanding and deepening
cooperation and exchange between the two sides in such
fields as economy, trade, culture, science and technology
and education. The Chinese side is satisfied with it.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Li will
meet with leaders of the three countries and have an
in-depth exchange of views with foreign ministers of the
three countries and the Troika on bilateral relations and
major international and regional issues of common interest.
The Chinese side hopes and believes that the visit will help
enhance understanding, expand consensus and further promote
and deepen the exchange and cooperation between the two
sides in all fields.
Q: According to
news just received, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing expressed
his hope during his meeting with his Japanese and the ROK
counterparts that Japan and the ROK will attend the meeting
on the DPRK nuclear question. Did the DPRK side inform the
Chinese side that it agreed to their participation? If they
take part, do you think it will have an impact on the dialog
process?
A: During the meeting this
morning among foreign ministers of China, Japan and the ROK,
the foreign ministers exchanged views and reached consensus
on how to enhance cooperation level and promote regional
cooperation. The three sides also exchanged views on the
DPRK nuclear question. They all agreed that the peaceful
settlement of the DPRK nuclear question confirms with the
common interest of countries in the region. At the same time
the Japanese and the ROK foreign ministers appreciated the
Beijing talks and agreed that the process should be
continued.
The position of the Chinese side on
the DPRK nuclear question is clear. It holds that peace and
stability on the Korean peninsula should be maintained. We
are not in favor of nuclear weapons on the peninsula and at
the same time reasonable security concern of the DPRK should
be solved. The DPRK nuclear question should be solved
peacefully through dialog. At present there is relatively
big difference on the DPRK nuclear question. We hope that
the parties concerned can pay more attention to the
substantive content of the dialog without affecting the
process of peaceful settlement of the question because of
difference in formality.
Q: As to the
international conference on SARA held in Kuala Lumpur, are
there any Taiwan experts in the Chinese delegation? What is
the procedure?
A: I have made enquiry
into it before coming here. As to the WHO conference on SARS
held in Kuala Lumpur, the Chinese delegation will be headed
by Executive Vice Minister Gao Qiang of Health. Taiwan is
also hard hit by SARS this time and with the consent of the
Central Government 5 experts from Taiwan will attend the
meeting at the invitation of the WHO. This shows the care of
the Central Government of the well-being and health of the
Taiwan compatriots and flexibility and sincerity of the
Central Government in handling relevant technical issues.
There are various exchange channels across the
Taiwan Straits and there are a great many of exchanges
involving hundreds delegations and thousands of people in
the medical and public health field. The invitation this
time is extended by the Central Government through relevant
channel.
Q: Indian Prime Minister
Vajpayee will visit China soon. Does China hope that his
visit can solve the border issue once and for all? Is the
question core issue of the visit this time? Do you think
that Sino-Indian relations have entered a more pragmatic
phase, e.g. strengthening more pragmatic exchanges including
economic relations and trade?
A: The two sides will talk about the
border issue during Prime Minister Vajpayees visit. In
recent years, the Sino-Indian border has, on the whole, kept
peace and stability with the joint efforts of both sides. I
believe that the two sides can find a just and reasonable
way to solve the border issue so long as both sides act in
the principle of equal consultation, mutual
understanding and accommodation, and mutual
adjustment.
Recently, the Sino-Indian
relations have kept a good momentum of steady development
with frequent exchange of high-level visits, strengthened
cooperation in all fields, rapid development in economic and
trade relations and good coordination in international
affairs. We are gratified with the good developments of
Sino-Indian relations.
China and India are both big developing
countries and friendly cooperation between the two countries
not only confirms with the interest of the two sides but
also conduces to peace and stability in the region and the
world at large. I believe that so long as the two sides
adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence,
enhance trust, expand consensus and strengthen cooperation,
Sino-Indian relations can constantly move
forward.
The Chinese side is willing to work
with the Indian side to make vigorous efforts to strengthen
exchange and cooperation between them in all fields so as to
push the constructive partnership of cooperation up to a new
level.
Q: How do you see the
significance of Prime Minister Vajpayees visit to
China to peace and stability in South Asia? Do you think
that it will help improve relations between India and
Pakistan and solve difference between
them?
A: We hope that Prime Minister
Vajpayees visit to China can achieve results in all
fields. During the visit, India and China will
exchange views on major international and regional issues of
common interest. Both India and Pakistan are Chinas
close neighbors and we hope that they can solve their
difference properly through dialog. Not long ago they have
both made a number of friendly gestures, which to a great
extent have helped relax the situation between them. We hope
that the momentum can be kept which is good to peace and
stability in South Asia and good to both India and Pakistan.
Q: Whats
your comment on Taiwan's issuance of a new
passport" scheduled to begin on Sept. 1, which
will bear the word "TAIWAN" on its
cover?
A: There is only one China in
the world, which includes both the mainland and Taiwan.
China's sovereignty and territorial integrity allows for no
separation. Taiwans decision to issue the new
"passport" with the word TAIWAN on its
cover is part of splitting activities for "gradual
Taiwan independence" . It constitutes another serious
step undermining relations across the Taiwan Straits,
something which cannot but put all Chinese people on high
alert. Regardless of the tricks played by the
Taiwan authorities, it will not change the fact that Taiwan
is a part of China and the attempt by the Taiwan authorities
to seek separation and "Taiwan independence" will
never succeed. The international community should respect
China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity and
remain alert to the attempts by the Taiwan authorities to
split China.
Q: Yesterday a Japanese
newspaper quoted a Chinese foreign ministry source as saying
that talks including the DPRK, the US, China, the ROK and
Japan will be convened as early as mid July. Can you confirm
it?
A: I dont know where your
source is. As to Chinas position on the DPRK nuclear
question, it hopes to solve it peacefully through dialog and
that the Beijing talks can continue.
Q: It is reported that a survey
conducted by a Chinese government institution shows that
over half of the Chinese people support the DPRK to develop
nuclear weapons, which seems to be inconsistent with the
policy of the Chinese government in supporting
denuclearization on the Korean peninsula. What is your
comment?
A: The position of the
Chinese Government on the DPRK nuclear question is very
clear. We hope to see peace and stability on the peninsula
and support denuclearization on the peninsula. The position
of the Chinese government remains unchanged.
Q: France has renewed its support for
sending an international force to the occupying land of
Palestine while the Israeli Prime Minister Sharon continues
to reject the international force from entering into it.
Does the Chinese side support the initiative of sending
international force to Palestine? Will you send troops to
attend it? Secondly, in face with the current situation in
Iraq, will you introduce any new developments of the Iraqi
embassy in China? In addition, when will Ambassador Zhang
Weiqiu return to Baghdad?
A: On your
first question, it is the due responsibility and obligation
of the international community to maintain peace and
stability in the Middle East. The Chinese side welcomes and
supports any initiative and effort that are conducive to the
realization of security and stability in the Middle East and
we also hope that relevant parties can be flexible and show
sincerity on the Middle East question, implement the
Roadmap as soon as possible so as to enable the
Middle East question to embark on a road of peaceful
development. At the same time we are of the view that the
international community can increase its input in the Middle
East question.
As to the situation of the
Iraqi embassy in China, China has stopped its official
contact with the personnel of the Iraqi embassy in China in
light of great changes in Iraq. According to my knowledge,
there are still some Iraqi diplomats in China and the
Chinese side will handle the relevant issues according to
international law and Chinas domestic laws.
As to when Ambassador Zhang Weiqiu will
return, I have no news to tell you at this stage.
Q: It was reported yesterday in Seoul
that China amended its way of handling the illegal
immigrants from the DPRK. I want to ask you if there is any
change in this regard? Or any change in the implementation
of the policy by China? In a practical sense, will such
change reduce the illegal immigrants to be sent back the
DPRK?
A: The Chinese side has made
clear its position on the question of the DPRK citizens
coming into China illegally. China is resolutely opposed to
smuggling and illegal immigration and we will handle
relevant question pursuant to international law,
Chinas domestic law and in the humanitarian spirit.
This position remains unchanged.
Q:
Still on the DPRK refugees, it was reported
yesterday that UN High Commissioner on Refugee Ruud Lubbers
criticized Chinas handling of the DPRK
refugees, saying that the Chinese side has not
followed international law and treaties and responded
improperly to the asylum sought by the refugees.
Will you deny such a charge or anything that needs to be
explained?
A: It is consensus of the
international community to fight against illegal
immigration. On the question of the DPRK citizens coming
into China illegally, such consensus is also applicable.
These people are not refugees. China has always
adhered to the three principles in handling them: first,
pursuant to the international law and secondly according to
relevant domestic laws; and I would like to call your
attention in particular that China has always handled
relevant issues in a humanitarian spirit. So it cannot
accept the criticism against China on this question.
Q: The Bush administration has begun
to study the plan of sending customs personnel to ports and
airports to prevent the proliferation of weapons, missiles
or drug. Will China cooperate if such an effort requires a
currently not existing coalition? Can you confirm any of
Chinas ports, e.g. Shanghai, will provide such
cooperation? Secondly a follow-up question on the personnel
of the Iraqi embassy in China, how much longer will you
allow them to stay in China?
A: On
the question of proliferation, China is opposed to
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and has taken
many important measures to this end. We maintain that
countries should conduct good cooperation on this question
to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The Chinese and the US sides have common interest on this
question and will conduct more effective cooperation on this
question through specific consultation.
As to
some specific questions, e.g. whether there is such
monitoring organ in Shanghai, I am not clear about it and I
can enquire for you.
As to when Iraqi
diplomats in China will leave, the Chinese side will handle
properly according to international law and domestic law. I
will introduce to you at the time.
Q:
What is the main objective of the trip to Europe of Foreign
Minister Li Zhaoxing? Will he just get acquaintance with his
European counterparts, or will he sign some agreements
during the trip? We know that Li Zhaoxing visited Europe not
long ago and is now in Asia, and will once again go to
Europe soon. What is the special significance of his
visit?
A: This is the first time for
Li Zhaoxing to visit West Europe as the Foreign Minister
since the new Chinese Government came into office. It is our
hope that this visit will enhance the mutual understanding
and increase consensus between China and the EU and the
relevant European countries, so that the two sides will
promote and deepen the exchanges and cooperation in various
fields. As for the agreements to be signed and the issues to
be discussed during this visit, I will give you an update on
that in due course.
Q: Back to the
Iraqi issue. The US side announced yesterday that it might
take four years to set up a democratically elected
government in Iraq. If so, will China choose to establish
ties with a government set up by the occupation force, or to
wait for the establishment of the democratically elected
government in Iraq?
A: As for what
type of government should be set up in Iraq in the future,
China believes that Iraq should hold a democratic, just,
free and transparent election with the help of the
international community, and in particular, under the UN
supervision. It should be up to the Iraqi people to choose
the new government according to their will. The new
government should be widely represented, pursue the policy
of good-neighborliness and friendship, abide by the relevant
resolutions of the UN Security Council, and in the meantime,
live up to the relevant international commitments. It is our
hope that Iraq will soon restore its normal social order and
the Iraqi people will soon live a stable life, so that it
will facilitate the exchanges and cooperation between other
countries and Iraq.
Q: It is reported
that Chinas Defense Minister will visit the US this
autumn. Could you brief us once again the timetable of the
China-US military exchanges?
A: By
the end of last year, in order to implement the consensus
reached between US President Bush and the then President
Jiang Zemin, the military exchanges between China and the US
have gradually been restored and developed, and the two
sides have carried out a series of military exchange
activities. These activities have played a major role in
enhancing the understanding and trust between China and the
US in the military field. The military exchange constitutes
a major component of the overall China-US relations. China
adopts a positive attitude towards enhancing the military
exchanges between China and the US. As for the details of
the military exchanges for the next phase, I refer you to
the Ministry of Defense.
Q: Could you
provide some details on the agenda of Prime Minister
Vajpayees visit to China? For instance, will he visit
Shanghai or other places; whom will he meet with; whom will
he travel with? My second question is related to Myanmar.
The ASEAN conference has decided to break its tradition to
discuss this issue. What is the comment of the Chinese
side?
A: As for the specific agenda
of Prime Minister Vajpayees visit to China, I will
brief you on the relevant information when the visit begins.
According to my knowledge, as agreed by the two sides, Prime
Minister Vajpayee will visit Shanghai and Luoyang this
time.
Recently there is some turmoil in
Myanmar. As a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, China hopes that
it will keep its stability and economic growth. In the
meantime, we are also confident that the people in Myanmar
are capable of handling well their own business. China
always pursues its stand of non-interference in other
countries internal affairs.
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