Q: The Information Office of the State Council yesterday issued a report criticizing the human rights situation by the U.S. army. Does the report represent the position of the Chinese Government? Do you think the U.S. military presence around the world after the September 11 Incident is illegal or disproportionate?

A: It is a fact that there are many domestic and human rights problems in the United States. It is our hope that the United States would earnestly handle its own human rights issues, go along with the trend of cooperation and dialogue in the international human rights field and do more things that will contribute to the progress and development of the mankind.


Q: The United States regards China as one of the targets of its nuclear strike. Has China officially asked the U.S. side to give an explanation? What is the U.S. response? Will China adopt some retaliation measures or further express her dissatisfaction?

A: Like many other countries, we are deeply shocked by the report by the U.S. Department of Defense, which lists China among the seven nations as targets of possible nuclear strikes. We hold the United States responsible for an explanation.

In my statement yesterday, I stressed that China is a peace-loving nation, posing no threat to any other country.

China has always stood for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. The nuclear states should unconditionally undertake not to be the first to use nuclear weapons, or use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against nuclear-weapon-free countries or zones. China and the United States also had an agreement on the non-targeting of nuclear weapons.

In our view, it is the trend of the day for the international community to work for peace, cooperation and development. Any cold-war mentality does not go along with the above trend and could only lead to failure.


Q: Could you please elaborate on the content of the non-targeting agreement? Has China been briefed by the United States?

A: I just reiterated my statement. I have nothing new to provide. I have noted that some U.S. officials came out to make some clarifications today. We are waiting for a clear-cut official explanation from the U.S. side.


Q: What is your comment on the meeting between Tang Yiau-ming and the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defence? Will the event affect the constructive and cooperation relations between the two?

A: In disregard of the Chinese opposition, the United States is bent on allowing Tang Yiau-ming to go to the United States.  We wish to express our strong dissatisfaction and indignation.

The U.S. move is a gross violation of the One China policy and the Three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqués. It will inevitably give rise to the arrogance of the forces for Taiwan independence and undermine Sino-U.S. relations and the cross-Straits ties. The Chinese Government has made solemn representations with the U.S. Government.

It should be stressed that Sino-U.S. relations could only move forward when the Three Joint Communiqués are adhered to and the Taiwan question is properly handled.


Q: President Bush claimed that the war against terrorism has now entered the second stage. Does China support this second stage of the war? How would you comment on the first stage?

A: We have also noted the remarks by President Bush after 6 months of the September 11 Incident. China’s stand against terrorism is clear-cut. We have always held that the strike should have clear targets and concrete evidences. It should follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The scope of the fight should not be willfully expanded.

The fight against terrorism is a long-term and complicated task for the international community. It could not succeed without effective international cooperation. China is ready to work with the international community, including the United States, to step up the cooperation and exchanges in this field.


Q: In its new fiscal budget, the Japanese Government has reduced its assistance to China by 1/4. What is your comment? Does the delegation of Vice Premier Wu Bangguo to Pakistan include any Chinese military officials?

A: The issue of Japanese loans is agreed upon by the two governments. The loans played a positive role in China’s economic construction in the past. Such loans are in the common interest of the two. It is up to the two governments to work out the future arrangement of the loans.

On the second question, Vice Premier Wu will visit Pakistan at the invitation of the Pakistani Government to attend the kick-off ceremony of a port. This port is purely a civil one. There is no military involvement.


Q: It is reported by the official media of the DPRK that the Deputy Foreign Minister of the DPRK has left for China. Please confirm. Is the visit related to the resumption of dialogue between the DPRK and the United States?

A: I could confirm that DPRK’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Yong Il is visiting China. The visit is part of the exchange programme of the two foreign ministries. The two sides will exchange views with each other on ways to maintain and strengthen their traditional friendly relations and cooperation. They will also touch upon the situation of the Korean Peninsula and other issues of common concern.

On the question of restoration of dialogue between the DPRK and the United States, we have always adopted a positive attitude.


Q: Mr. Wang Jiarui, Deputy Head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, is now paying a visit to Seoul. Do the above visit and the one by the Deputy Foreign Minister of the DPRK constitute a new effort by China to push for dialogue between the North and the South? I understand that, during President Bush’s visit to China, China indicated its willingness to work in this field.

A: I am not aware of the specific visit that you have just mentioned. As for the situation on the Korean Peninsula, we have always supported and aspired for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. There were some good signs and momentum the year before last. We wish to see the continuation of such a momentum. We hope to witness the early restoration of exchanges and dialogue between the North and the South and the further development of DPRK’s ties with other countries of the international community. China is ready to play an active part in this endeavor.


Q: I have noted that, in his address to the NPC session, Premier Zhu called for friendly ties with the Islamic and Arab countries. Recently, Saudi Arabia came up with the proposal for the settlement of the Middle East question. Will China cooperate with the Arab countries on this issue?

A: China has maintained traditional friendship and cooperation with all the Arab countries. We have good coordination and cooperation in international and regional issues. China supports all efforts that serve the Middle East peace process.


Q: Yesterday, the 6+2 Meeting on Afghanistan was held in Kabul. What is China’s comment? Who attended the meeting from the Chinese side?

A: I have also read the relevant reports. On 11 March, the 6+2 Meeting of Afghanistan was held in Kabul. It was attended by the diplomats from China, the Untied States, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Foreign Minister of the Interim Government of Afghanistan and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Afghanistan also attended the meeting. The Chinese side was represented by Mr. Zhang Min, China’s Charge d’Affaires a.i.  The meeting listened to the briefing from the Afghan side on the current situation in the country and the progress of the work of the special independent commission on Afghanistan. It also officially accepted Afghanistan as a member of the mechanism. It was also decided that the mechanism would have a monthly group meeting. We hold that the meeting will have an active role to pushing ahead the restoration of peace and the rebuilding of the nation. In the future, we will actively participate in the mechanism, so as to make our due contributions to Afghanistan’s peace and reconstruction.


Q: We have learnt that you will be China’s ambassador to Afghanistan. Please confirm.

A: I can confirm the news. This press conference is my last one in the capacity as the spokesman of the Foreign Ministry.  I have been appointed China’s ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Afghanistan. With the consent of the Afghan Interim Government, I will leave for my post in Kabul next month.