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to See More PicturesQ:
Yesterday, more than 20 North Koreans rushed into the
Spanish Embassy in China. Could you please brief us on the
incident? In the last such incident, the Chinese Government
did not regard those people as refugees. How will china
treat these people this time?A:
This morning, some people illegally entered the Spanish
Embassy in China. The identities of these people are under
verification. Our initial inquiry suggests that these people
are not refugees. We have always opposed to the illegal
border crossing or entry. We will deal with this incident
according to law.
Q: It is reported
that the 8th Sino-Japanese Security Consultation will be
held in Japan soon. Please confirm and give your
comment.A: China's Vice Foreign
Minister Wang Yi will lead Chinese officials from the
Foreign Ministry and the Defence Ministry to attend the 8th
Sino-Japanese Security Consultation which will be held in
Tokyo on 18 March. The Chinese delegation will meet with
their Japanese counterparts headed by the Vice Foreign
Minister Takano Posiyuki. The event will be the first such
security consultation at the deputy ministerial level. The
two sides will exchange views with each other on relevant
questions of common concern.
Q: It is
reported that in the past, Japan criticized the Chinese
Government of its forced repatriation of the North Korean
refugees, because these refugees are detained when they are
sent back. It is reported that some of the people threaten
that they will take poison if China repatriate them again
back to the DPRK. What is China's
comment?A: China and the DPRK are
friendly neighbours, with more than 1300 km of common
border. There has been frequent flow of people between the
two. There are also some incidents of illegal crossing of
borders. Our position is that we are always opposed to the
illegal crossing of borders. When such incidents occur, we
will properly handle them according to the international
laws, the relevant Chinese laws and the international
practices. We have all along treated them well out of
humanitarian considerations. Thus, the accusation against
China by some is unreasonable.
Q: Is there a refugee
problem between China and the
DPRK?A: As I just mentioned, China
and the DPRK are very friendly neighbours. There were a few
incidents of illegal crossing of borders. However, in view
of international law and the purposes of the illegal
crossing, these people are not "refugees". In
accordance with law and out of humanitarian considerations,
China has handled such incidents in a proper manner. It
should be said that there is no such a thing as
"refugee problem" between China and the
DPRK.
Q: Has China had any contacts
with Spain or the DPRK over this
issue?A: We are trying to get more
information on the incident. We are also trying to verify
the identity of these people. We have been in contact with
the relevant sides. We hope to work for a proper solution.
Q: On 11 March, the EU Council of
Foreign Ministers approved their annual summery on the human
rights situation in China. They also decided to adopt a
position on the bill related to China at the UN Human Rights
Commission this year similar to that of last year. What is
China's comment?A: The Chinese
Government has always attached importance to the promotion
and protection of the human rights of the Chinese people.
Remarkable achievement has been made, which is recognized
all over the world. We have noted that the EU Council of
Foreign Ministers has stressed the importance of Sino-EU
human rights dialogue. We are ready to make joint efforts
with the European side to properly handle our differences on
human rights through dialogue and exchanges on the basis of
equality and mutual respect.
Q:
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of State confirmed that the
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kelly met with the
Taiwanese "Defence Minister". What is the Chinese
reaction?A: The Chinese Government
and people have expressed their strong dissatisfaction and
indignation over the U.S. permission of Tang Yiau-ming to go
to the United States and the arrangement of
meetings with high-level U.S. officials. In our view, the
U.S. act has violated the Three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques
and the solemn commitment that the U.S. side has made to the
Chinese Government and people. It will inevitably badly
affect the Sino-U.S. relations. We have made solemn
representations with the U.S. side. Yesterday, China?s
Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi met with U.S.
Under Secretary of State Grossman in Washington. In Beijing,
the Foreign Ministry of China has also made solemn
representations with the U.S. Ambassador.
Q: Recently, some countries,
including India, are more and more involved in the Afghan
issue. However, the war in Afghanistan persists and peace is
still far off. What is your
comment?A: China has closely
followed the situation in Afghanistan. We are happy to see
that, after the Bonn meeting, with the concerted efforts of
the various parties in Afghanistan and the international
community, the Afghan people finally see the dawn of peace.
Since its establishment, the Afghan Interim Government has
devoted itself to national reconciliation and
reconstruction. Gratifying progress has been made
in various fields. At the moment, there are some small scale
conflicts in some parts of Afghanistan now and then.
However, the overall situation in Afghanistan is becoming
more and more stable. After years of conflict and war,
everything waits to be rebuilt. The peace process in
Afghanistan could not be accomplished over night. There are
still many hardships and challenges. It is our sincere hope
that the relevant parties in Afghanistan and the
international community jointly work to safeguard the
hard-won peace in Afghanistan. Efforts should be made for a
comprehensive political settlement of the Afghan issue.
Q: The result of the election in
Zimbabwe was revealed on 13 March. President Mugabe has been
re-elected. What is China's
comment?A: We wish to express our
congratulations to President Mugabe on his re-election at
the presidential vote in Zimbabwe. In our view, the
international community should respect the will and choice
of the people of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is an important country
in Africa. It is our hope that Zimbabwe could maintain
stability and development, so as to make a positive
contribution to the peace and revival of the southern and
the rest of Africa.
Q: What is your
view on the recent serious escalation of conflict between
Palestine and Israel?A: Over a
period of time, the Israeli troops had a massive invasion of
Palestine. It further intensified in the past few days,
leading to massive casualties and damage. China is greatly
shocked by the development and strongly condemns the move.
In our view, the Israeli action could not help the
settlement of the issue, rather it could only lead to the
further deterioration of the situation. The Chinese
Government calls upon the Israeli Government to actively go
along with the peace efforts of the international community
and immediately stop its military action against Palestine,
so as to achieve an early restoration of talks with
Palestine and settle the dispute through peaceful means.
Q: Could you please brief us on the
agenda of Vice President Hu Jintao's visit to the United
States? Will Tang Yiau-ming's visit to the United States a
major topic for discussion?A: We
will make the announcement in due course. On the second
question, we have stressed on many occasions that the Taiwan
question is the most sensitive and important question at the
core of Sino-U.S. relations. We hope that the U.S. side
could earnestly treat this issue and strictly abide by its
commitment to the Chinese Government and people, which is to
adhere to the One China policy and the Three Sino-U.S. Joint
Communiques. Sino-U.S. relations can only move ahead when
the Three Communiques are adhered to and the Taiwan question
is properly handled.
Q: When will
President Jiang visit Germany? Will the German President
make a return visit to China?A:
China has maintained good relations with Germany. This year
marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between China and Germany. China
attaches great importance to President Jiang's visit. The
announcement will be made in the near future. In recent
years, there are exchanges of high-level visits between the
two countries. On the visit that you have just mentioned,
the two sides are holding consultations.
Q: Does President Jiang plan to visit
Iran next month?A: China and Iran
are holding consultations on the visit.
Q: What is China's comment on the
U.S. missile defence test launch
tomorrow?A: We are not in favour of
the U.S. missile defense system. It is our hope that, under
the new international situation, the various parties carry
out earnest and serious dialogue, so as to come up with a
new security thinking and seek a solution that could
accommodate the security interest of the various parties
without undermining the international efforts for arms
control and disarmament.
Q: Last
night, President Bush gave a press conference, which, as a
matter of fact, confirmed the Pentagon Report which listed
some countries as potential targets for nuclear strikes. Has
the Chinese side been briefed by the U.S. Government? Has
Bush's public remarks met China's
request?A: I have noted the report
on President Bush's remarks. We hold the U.S. side
responsible for an explanation for the matter.
We have pointed out on several occasions that,
under the new international situation, threats from
non-security factors are on the rise. The international
situation is more changeable and complicated. Under such a
situation, countries should form a new thinking on security,
the core of which should be mutual benefit, mutual trust,
equality and coordination. Such a new thinking should guide
the state-to-state relations so as to step up international
cooperation. Any Cold War mentality or actions are
inappropriate and could not serve world peace and development.