Kong Quan: Good afternoon everybody. We have with us
today Indian correspondents accompanying Prime Minister
Vajpayees visit. Let me welcome you on behalf of the
Information Department of the Foreign Ministry. It seems
that we dont have a strong presence of resident
foreign correspondents here today. I gather that some of
them are attending the press conference hosted by the
Ministry of Health and the Beijing Municipality. I hope and
strongly believe that they can bring us some good news,
which is also expected by all of us.
Let me
start with a few words of the stand of China on the
following matter. Yesterday Madam Mozah, Consort of the Emir
of the State of Qatar, declared the establishment of the
International Fund for Iraqi Higher Education on the
international conference on higher education in Paris and
took the lead in donation. China would like to express its
appreciation and support, hoping that the establishment of
the Fund will facilitate the recovery and development of
education of Iraq.
With that, I am happy to
take your questions.
Q: Concerning the
joint declaration between China and India, is it true that
India will address all the concerns of China on Tibet and
China will solve the concerns of India on Sikkim in return?
And is the present position of India on Tibet any different
from its previous one? China hopes to get a clear statement
of India to recognize Tibet as an inalienable part of China.
Does China get it?
A: Youve
raised questions with totally different nature. Its
known to all that the question of Sikkim is an enduring one
left over from history. Our basic consideration is that we
must respect both history and reality. Its impossible
to solve the question entirely overnight.
The
statement by Prime Minister Vajpayee on Tibet in the joint
declaration signed by Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister
Vajpayee is an important and positive one. In the mean time,
Id like to evaluate the joint declaration as a whole
piece. It reviews the over 2000 years long friendly
exchanges between the two peoples and development of
bilateral ties, smooth generally though with ups and downs
only occasionally, in the past fifty years and more. It
notes the momentum of progressive development in the current
bilateral relationship. In all, its an important
document. It makes a comprehensive plan over the future
relationship in political, economic and trade, cultural,
scientific and technological, educational as well as
military fields. The fundamental starting point of the
document is to demonstrate the common aspiration and
interests of both countries to develop the good-neighbourly
and friendly relations. Both are determined to tap the
potentials and deepen the mutually beneficiary cooperation.
Leaders of both countries have fully recognized that the
development of mutually beneficiary cooperation caters to
the need of economic and social development of both
countries and promoting cooperation and stability of Asia.
Its helpful to bring about a multi-polar world and to
make full use of the favorable factors brought about by
economic globalization. Friends from the press can see the
whole text of the document later today. I hope that you can
introduce to the Indian readers the content and significance
of the document.
Q: Did China and
India sign the MOU on border
trade?
A: Yes. The MOU has been
signed. With the presence of both Prime Ministers, China
signed with India the agreement on border trade. The
agreement is of significance, by which the two countries can
further their bilateral trade. As you may know, bilateral
trade volume last year reached 4.9 billion dollars. It also
grew by 70 percent from January to May. Its a rapid
growth. But I gather that its still far to match the
size of the two economies in terms of the complementarities
and their economic potentials. In their talks, the two Prime
Ministers discussed the comprehensive enhancement of
economic and trade cooperation and decided to strengthen the
cooperation and exchanges of border trade.
Follow-up: Is the border trade between the two
countries going to be conducted through the pass of
Sikkim?
A: If you have a map with you, you can
clearly see the areas covered by the border
trade.
Q: Why does Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing choose Britain, Portugal and Greece in his first
European visit as the Foreign Minister? Is there any
significance in the selection? Has there anything to do with
the return of Hong Kong and Macao? Who will be in his
delegation?
A: Its Foreign
Minister Li Zhaoxings first visit to the west European
countries in this capacity. There are about over 20
countries in west Europe and there has to have some
sequence. According to my knowledge, during his visit he
will be attending the China-EU Foreign Ministers
meeting, which is a very important political meeting.
Its also his first official contact with the EU
troika, namely Foreign Ministers of the current and incoming
EU presidency as well as representatives of the European
Commission. During the talks, he will exchange views with
his counterparts on bilateral ties, international situation
and issues of common interests. After that, he will visit
Greece. And the visit to Portugal and Britain will be made
before the talks.
You mentioned Portugal in
particular. The relations between China and Portugal have
been developing smoothly in recent years. Consultations,
coordination and cooperation in political field have been
going on smoothly. In the meantime, economic and trade
relations have maintained a good momentum of development.
Last years trade volume reached 380 million dollars.
Its not a huge number, but already a historical high.
We are satisfied with sound development of Sino-Portuguese
relationship, hoping to further develop bilateral ties in an
all-round manner through this visit and constant exchanges
of high level visits and personnel exchanges in the future
as well as constant expansion of the field of cooperation
Q: Is China keen to develop relations
with India to balance the expanding presence of the US in
South and Central Asia?
A: Obviously
I cannot agree with your view. If you take a look at the
map, you will note that China and India are large neighbours
to each other. If you make some study of the history, you
cannot fail to find out that both countries are ancient
civilizations. Take a look at the reality. Both countries
are two most populous developing countries in the world,
which are confronted with the tasks of developing their
economies and their economic developing levels are similar.
Its fair to say that the two counties are common in
perspectives of historical, present and future development.
Therefore its their due responsibility as two
populous, developing states and ancient cultures, to develop
good-neighbourly friendship and cooperation and contribute
to peace, stability and prosperity of South Asia and the
rest of Asia through the common economic development on a
complementary basis.
Q: Russian
Foreign Minister Ivanov proposed to establish the
Russia-China-India dialogue mechanism when he visited India.
Was that discussed during Vajpayees
visit?
A: China, Russia and India
share many common interests in promoting a democratic
international relationship and safeguarding international
security and stability as well as developing regional
economy and safeguarding regional stability and development.
They also have many identical positions and concerns.
Recently intellectuals of the three countries have had some
discussions on that, Foreign Ministers of the three
countries have also had an informal meeting in attending
international conferences. With respect to the question
raised by the lady, Id like to stress that the
trilateral exchanges and cooperation are by no means
alignment and will not target at any other state. We believe
that those exchanges, coordination and cooperation conform
to enhancing mutual understanding and bilateral ties between
the three. They also help to maintain peace and stability of
the region and the world at large.
Q:
What is the possibility of the Japan-and-the-ROK-included
multi-lateral talks on the Korean nuclear question? Are
there any changes? Does DPRK agree to hold multi-lateral
talks?
A: I can hardly make
evaluation on Korean nuclear question every day or even
every hour. China has all along held that the Korean
Peninsula should be nuclear weapon free. We do not want to
see nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, believing that
a peaceful and stable Peninsula serves the interests of the
countries in the region. We hope to solve the problems
peacefully through diplomacy and negotiations, and we are
working on that. We proposed to host the tripartite talks in
Beijing in April, which the international community believes
to be a sound start in solving the nuclear question
peacefully through diplomacy. China is still working on that
so that various parties can continue the process of Beijing
talks.
With respect to the number of
participants, we have noted on many occasions that China
doesnt have any selfish interest on the matter. We are
open to the formality of the talks. The key is the result,
which should help to ensure a nuclear-free, peaceful and
stable Peninsula
Q: ROK President Roh
Moo-hyun will visit China next month. What will he discuss
with President Hu Jintao? Will they discuss the channel and
way to solve the nuclear question? Secondly, did China
invite Kim Jong Il, the leader of DPRK to come to Beijing
and bring DPRK back to the negotiating
table?
A: Preparation for the visit
by ROK President Roh Moo-hyun is underway. Ill be able
to give you an accurate account of the schedule very
shortly. Since its at the invitation of President Hu
Jintao, definitely there will be formal talks between the
two Presidents who will exchange views on international and
regional issues.
With regard to your second
question, China and DPRK are friendly neighbours. We
maintain frequent exchanges and
communication.
Q: World Health
Organization is going to lift the SARS travel advisory on
Beijing. Whats your comment on
that?
A: If its true, it will
be very good news. It marks a crucial step forward in the
combat against SARS after months strenuous work of the
Chinese Government and people. Of course we have even harder
work to do to win the absolute victory. We have noted more
than once that China has done the hardest work and
sacrificed most in the battle against SARS, which is a
challenge to all the mankind. There are also many helpful
experiences and useful lessons, which we stand ready to
share with WHO and the international community to secure the
final victory.
Q: We heard that the
joint declaration mentioned that India recognizes Tibet as
an autonomous region of China and the border trade between
the two countries will be through Sikkim. Will China
recognize Sikkim as a Pradesh of India to reciprocate
that?
A: In the Declaration on
Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation
Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of
India signed by the Prime Ministers of China and India
yesterday, India recognized Tibetan Autonomous Region as
part of the territory of the Peoples Republic of
China. I believe its a very important and positive
statement. Ill not reiterate my evaluation of the
document. I hope that you will have chance to learn
comprehensively the wide-range consensus reached by the two
governments.
On your second question, the
question of Sikkim is left over from history and remains
unsettled for a long time. Its by no means an easy
question that can be solved overnight. Still, we hope to
solve this question gradually.
Q: Does
China believe that India has made considerable concession to
China? India has clearly recognized Tibet as part of the
Chinese territory. Then whats the position of China on
Sikkim? Does China gain more from the visit? Will
Indias recognition of Tibet as part of the Chinese
territory put much pressure on
Dalai?
A: I do not quite agree with
your perspective. The development of China-India relations
is a mutually-beneficial and win-win situation to each
other. As you are a correspondent accompanying the Indian
Prime Ministers visit, I believe that you must be the
early bird to get the text of the China-India Joint
Declaration. If you run through it, you will find it a
positive, balanced, mutually-beneficial and win-win document
of major importance. It is not only crucial to the current
development of China-India relations, but also of important
historic significance to the long-term stability, prosperity
and development of South Asia. Therefore I definitely do not
agree with what you said like who made more concessions and
who made less.
As for the question of Sikkim, I
would like to tell you once again in very clear terms. The
issue of Sikkim is an issue left over from history, and has
been there for some time, which cannot be fully settled
overnight.
As for what type of person Dalai is
and what he has done in India, you will be more aware of
that since you are in India. In the joint declaration signed
by the two Prime Ministers, the Indian side reaffirmed its
prohibition on Tibetans conducting anti-China activities in
India. As you know, China and India jointly proposed the
Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence fifty years ago.
Among them, a most basic principle is the mutual
non-interference in internal affairs. As a friendly
neighbor, it is totally natural for the Indian side to ban
some people from being engaged in anti-China political
activities within its own territory.
In
general, the Chinese Government attaches great importance to
Prime Minister Vajpayees visit. Now the visit is still
under way and there are some crucial meetings in the
afternoon, including Prime Minister Vajpayees meetings
with President Hu Jintao, NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu
Bangguo, and Vice President Zeng Qinghong. After that Prime
Minister Vajpayee will also visit Luoyang and Shanghai. We
are confident that this visit will be a visit of great
significance, and also a successful
one.
Q: China-India Joint Declaration
says that India will not allow Dalai to be engaged in
anti-China activities. Could you give more details on that?
What measures will India take to forbid Dalai from
conducting anti-China activities? Have the two sides
discussed the repatriation of Tibetans in India? Have the
two sides reached agreement on the repatriation of more
Tibetans in the future?
A: You will
find your answer after you read this joint declaration an
hour later, for which I will give no more details here.
Tibet is an inalienable part of Chinas
territory, and Chinas autonomous region as well. The
stand of the Chinese Government has been widely recognized
by the international community. There is no doubt
about it. We believe that the statement of India in this
declaration is important and positive, and beneficial to the
overall development of the bilateral
relations.
Q: Has the Chinese side
touched upon Pakistan and its relations with a certain
countries in the meetings with Vajpayee? What stand did
China elaborate?
A: During both
yesterdays talk between the two Prime Ministers and
the meeting between Chairman Jiang Zemin of the Central
Military Commission and Prime Minister Vajpayee this
morning, the situation in South Asia was discussed. The
Chinese Government gives credit to the recent relaxation of
the situation in South Asia, because we are deeply convinced
that the maintenance of peace, stability and common
prosperity of South Asia conforms to the interests of the
various parties. Both Pakistan and India are friendly
neighbors of China. It is our hope that India and Pakistan
will continue their efforts to ease the tension and solve
the existing issue through peaceful and diplomatic means. By
doing so, South Asia and Asia at large will be dedicated to
the development of environment of peace and
stability.
Q: According to the report
of Taiwan`s media , Taiwan`s "foreign minister"
Eugene Chien met with US Vice President Dick Cheney during
his attendance of a meeting under the sponsorship of the
American Enterprise Institute and discussed "bilateral
relations". What is your comment on
it?
A: China has expressed deep
concern over the issue and requested that the US clarify its
position in this regard.
We believe that any
official exchange between the US and the Taiwan authorities
is the blatant violation of the principles enshrined in the
three Sino-US joint communiqués and the commitment from
the US side. The move by the US constitutes the interference
in China's internal affairs and will damage Sino-US
relations and the bilateral cooperation. China is firmly
against it. We once again urge the US side to recognize the
importance and sensitivity of the Taiwan issue and correct
its erroneous move of having official contacts with Taiwan
in order to avoid creating obstacles for the advancement of
Sino-US relations.
Q: Do you think
that the development of China-India relations will help
restore the normalization of India-Pakistan relations and
help the two countries resolve their
disputes?
A: We hope that all the
South Asian countries will be dedicated to the development
in harmony and peace. Chinas foreign policy in this
regard has always been promoting the settlement of disputes
between the relevant South Asian countries through peaceful
and diplomatic means, enhancing the mutual understanding and
trust through contact and dialogue, and safeguarding its
national security through cooperation. Within this general
framework, you will reach the conclusion that China will
develop its relations with one or another countries with no
damage to its relations with others or at the sacrifice of
it.
The last question please, for I will soon
participate in the activities concerning the meeting between
President Hu jintao and Prime Minister
Vajpayee.
Q: During the talks between
Vajpayee and the Chinese side, the Indian side mentioned the
cross-border terrorism, and the Chinese side expressed its
concern over this issue. What is the stand of China on
fighting cross-border terrorism?
A:
While the leaders of the two countries exchanged views on
the South Asian situation, the two sides touched upon this
issue. Now there is consensus in the international community
including the South Asian countries on combating terrorism,
and the various parties are making efforts to this
end.
Ok, thank you for attending todays
conference. I am truly sorry for I will have to participate
in some crucial activities this afternoon. Hopefully I will
bring more news to you next time.
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