Q: Yesterday, President Putin signed the Treaty of Good-neighbourness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia, what's your comment?

A: The Treaty is of great significance. It has defined the framework of law for friendship between China and Russia for generations to come and laid out guidelines for the two countries develop all-round relations in the new century. We welcome President Putin's signing of the treaty.


Q: Last Friday, India tested Agni-II following Premier Zhu's visit to India, what's your comment on that? What's your position on nuclear proliferation in the region?

A: We hope that any action taken by relevant countries can be conducive to peace and stability in South Asia.


Q: Four members of the P Five including China have expressed endorsement to Arafat. The U.S., though cannot eliminate terrorist activities in its own country, accused Arafat of not capable enough in combating terrorism, what's your comment on that? Did members of the Security Council discussed in their consultations about Arafat using limited resources to combat terrorism?

A: China holds that President Arafat is the leader of the Palestinian people and represents a banner for the just cause of Palestine. Maintaining authority of PNA chaired by Arafat will be conducive to reducing present tensions in the region and encouraging both Palestine and Israel to resume peace talks.


Q: Is it come to recognition of the P Five that if the international community continues to put strong pressure upon Arafat while Israel keeps on killing innocent civilians, it may cause the already tensed situation between Palestine and Israel out of control?

A: We have always opposed any violent actions against innocent civilians. Against the present backdrop of dangerous and emergent Middle East situation, we hope that relevant parties can exercise restraint and calm, take effective measures and prevent the situation from further deteriorating by making earnest efforts to solve their disputes through peaceful means.


Q: Prime Minister of Cambodia has signed a government circular recently, asserting that Cambodian Government will unswervingly support "one China" and commit itself as it did to developing traditional friendship between Cambodia and China. It says that Cambodia is opposed to any attempts to split China and separate Taiwan from China. It also requires all its officials and civil servants to refrain from having official contact with Taiwan. What's China's comment?

A: China thinks highly of Cambodian Government's correct and lasting position of "one China". The reiteration of relevant policies of the Cambodian Government by issuing a circular will be conducive to the healthy development of our friendly relations. We believe that Cambodian Government will continue to adopt a "one China" policy and endorse the peaceful reunification cause of the Chinese people.


Q: Has the visiting Vice Prime Minister Aziz of Iraq got satisfied support from China when the U.S. threatens to crack down Iraq? Will he leave Beijing today right as schedule or shorten his program in China?

A: At the invitation of Vice Premier Qian Qichen, Vice Prime Minister of Iraq paid a visit to China from January 27. The most important objective of his visit is to brief China on the latest developments in Iraq and exchange views with China on bilateral relations and other issues of common interest. Vice Premier Qian Qichen held talks with him. Premier Zhu also met with him. Both sides have pledged to maintain exchanges of visits at all levels. My knowledge is that Mr. Aziz is visiting a municipal planning project of Beijing this afternoon and he will leave Beijing tomorrow morning.


Q: According to a report of Xinhua News Agency yesterday, China is opposed to expansion of anti-terrorism. Is it a new policy of China or a consistent position on anti-terrorism?

A: China's position on anti-terrorism is a clear-cut one. We are opposed to willful expansion of the scope of anti-terrorism.


Q: Some U.S. officials take Iraq as the next anti-terror target. What's China's reaction to U.S. continuous pressure on Iraq and its expansion of bombing some places of Iraq to a comprehensive war? Do you think that U.S. over extended itself in anti-terror campaign?

A: We are very concerned over the developments of Iraqi situation. We believe that Iraq should carry out in good faith relevant resolutions of U.N. Security Council. At the same time, sovereignty and security of Iraq should be respected fully. The question of Iraq should be solved at an early date on the basis of U.N. Security Council's resolutions. I have already elaborated China's position on the expansion of anti-terror campaign.


Q: What's China's position on nuclear test and development of nuclear weapons in South Asia?

A: We have reiterated China’s position on this matter on various occasions. I’d like to stress here that we hope that South Asian countries can do more in promoting peace and stability in the region.


Q: Although there are continuous Palestinian violent attacks against Israel, President Jiang made harsh remarks of Israel in his reply to Arafat. If my understanding is correct, China has changed its policy of keeping balance between Palestine and Israel. What’s your comment? The difference between the U.S. and China on Middle East is quite visible. Will President Jiang discuss the issue in his talks with President Bush in February?

A: China has always opposed and condemned any sort of violent actions against innocent civilians. We hold that under the present dangerous and urgent situation in Middle East, relevant parties should exercise calm and restraint and take effective measures to prevent situation from further deteriorating. You mentioned President Jiang’s reply to President Arafat. In my view, it’s a very important letter, in which President Jiang expressed sympathy to difficult situations facing PNA and Palestinian people. President Jiang also stressed that China supports any effort that will be conducive to an end of the conflict between Palestine and Israel and resumption of peace talks in an early date. I believe that China’s stand is quite clear. With respect to President Bush’s visit, the two sides will exchange views on issues of common concern.


Q: After 40 years the U.S. declared to resume its arms sales to India and strengthen its military cooperation with the latter. In your view, will it endanger balance in the region?

A: I’ve just made China’s position on the matter known. We hope that South Asian countries can treasure peace and stability and relevant countries can do more in promoting peace and stability in the region.