Q: How's the investigation going involving the eavesdropping devices found on President Jiang's special plane? Will it be discussed between President Jiang and President Bush during the latter's visit to China?

A: I've heard about the issue but so far I have no knowledge of it. I don't see this having any impact upon other issues. However if someone wants to bug China, I would like to make it clear that China is a peace-loving country and constitutes no threat to any others. It's unnecessary to bug China.


Q: Chairman Karzai of the interim government of Afghanistan will pay a visit to China tomorrow. Can you please brief us on his main goal and agenda? What kind of role China wishes his visit to play in promoting bilateral relations in the future?

A: At the invitation of the Chinese Government, Chairman Karzai of the interim government of Afghanistan will pay a visit to China from 23 to 24 this month. China and Afghanistan are friendly neighbours and enjoy good relations. During President Karzai's visit, Chinese leaders will exchange views with him on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest. Related specifics of the visit are under arrangement. At the very beginning of the establishment of the interim government, China expressed clearly its wish to develop vigorously friendly relations and cooperation with the interim government. Chairman Karzai will visit China on his way back after attending the Tokyo Conference. China has maintained a positive view on the restoration of peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan. China will provide assistance within its capacity.


Q: At the Doner Conference in Tokyo, China offered a million dollars in assistance to Afghanistan. It's comparatively little given the overall amount that was offered. Is China preparing to offer the temporary government any additional financial support during Chairman Karzai's visit? And, the Chinese press, some magazines and some observers here have written that China is concerned about the growing presence of the U.S. military in China's periphery, specifically countries that have borders with China in the west. Does the government have any concerns that a permanent U.S. military presence on its border will affect China's security? And is China going to discuss such topics with Chairman Karzai when he comes, that is to discuss a permanent U.S. military presence in Central Asia?

A: First of all, with respect to China's plan to assist Afghanistan, I've already said that China had provided Afghanistan with material assistance worth of 30 million RMB yuan. On Tokyo Conference this time, the special envoy of China declared that China would provide Afghanistan with one million U.S. dollars assistance as the starting capital for the interim government. Besides, China will continue to offer a helping hand within its capacity in due time according to the developments of the reconstruction of Afghanistan. With respect to Chairman Karzai's visit to China, the main goal is to discuss restoration of peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan, further enhancing friendship between the two peoples and bilateral issues. Regional and international situation will also be discussed. With respect to your second question, China and Central Asia are close neighbours. China has been very much concerned over the developments in the region. We have taken note that the U.S. has expressed on various occasions that it does not seek long-term military existence in Central Asia. China has always maintained that long-term stability and development in the region is not only in the interest of the fundamental interests of the region and surrounding countries but also conducive to peace and stability of the world.


Q: I'd like to know if the Chinese Government is aware of any Chinese citizens who would be amongst the American prisoners on Guantanamo base in Cuba. And if so, has the Chinese Government expressed any concern about the detaining conditions and their fate?

A: We have taken note that there were some Uygurs captured during the war in Afghanistan. Actually they are East Turkistan terrorists and have close relations with international terrorist forces. If these arrested terrorists are Chinese citizens relevant parties should hand them over to China to deal with in accordance with law.

The Chinese Government is opposed to any sort of terrorism. It will join the international community in strongly condemning and resolutely combating terrorism no matter where, when it arises, against whom or in what form.


Q: Are you sure that there are some Chinese citizens or you are still investigating the issue?

A: There were some Uygurs arrested in the war. Actually they are East Turkistan terrorists.


Q:  You said that you've heard of the reports on the bugging of the presidential plane. Does China consider it as a serious matter and if so are you conducting an investigation?

A: I've heard of and seen the related reports but so far I have to straighten out what on earth it is. It's up to relevant departments to handle. As Foreign Ministry's Spokesman, I am not in the position to make any comment before I know the specifics.


Q: About the recent action taken by the U.S. financial departments against the Bank of China, we know some of the details of the case. But I'm wondering if you can fill in a couple more. For example, that there was improper lending. Do we know who the people were in the bank when the bank is doing the lending, who were the people receiving the loans, and also has the Chinese Government in the investigation come up with any serious information about the motivation? Did the people who were lending and those receiving loans have any improper protocol relationships?

A: I've already answered questions with respect to this matter. I would like to brief you again here on related information. The inspection and punishment exercised by OCC and the People's Bank of China respectively on New York branch of Bank of China for mal-conduct of the former management personnel are conducive to the healthy development of the branch.

Head Office of Bank of China has attached great importance to the investigations. It has taken forceful measures to correct the mal-conduct and done a lot of effective reform and rectification of the internal management, which has been approved by supervisory authorities of both countries. The latter has also given full affirmation to Bank of China's determination in reform and rectification and the improvement that has been made.

As a highly internationalized commercial bank in the financial circle of China, Bank of China has maintained prudent management and achieved good results. At present, it's deepening its internal reform so as to meet vigorously challenges following China's accession to WTO. In its future development, it will continue to adopt the principle of prudent operation, attach importance to and enhance the guidance and management of its overseas branches so as to provide better service to its customers.

With respect to the specific person involved in the case, my knowledge is that, Wang Xuebing, President of the Constructive Bank of China has leading or direct responsibility for major loans of the said branch during his tenure of office in Bank of China. The Central Government and State Council have decided that he ceased to be president of the Constructive Bank of China and has appointed Zhang Enzhao to replace him. Relevant departments are conducting investigations of Wang Xuebing's case.


Q: Has he already been detained?

A: I have already said that he is responsible and his case is under investigations. Relevant departments will deal with the case according to related stipulations.


Q: Would the bugging of President Jiang’s plane be raised between President Jiang and President Bush during their talks next month?

A: So far I haven't seen this having any impact upon other things.