Q: We heard that the Prime Minister of Thailand and leaders of some other countries will attend the first annual meeting of Asia Forum in Bo'ao, please confirm.

A: The said meeting will be held in Bo'ao, Hainan Province of China from April 12 to 13. Primer Zhu Rongji will attend this meeting and deliver a key-note speech. To my knowledge, the Prime Minister of Thailand has accepted the invitation and will give a speech while leaders of some other countries are giving positive consideration to the invitation. As a host country, the Chinese Government welcomes and supports foreign leaders in coming for this meeting and will make sound accommodation for them accordingly.


Q: It is reported that the US and R.O.K. will hold the largest ever joint military exercise from March 21, what's China's comment?

A: We have taken note of the related report. We hope that relevant countries can do more in the interest of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.


Q: During the visit to Hungary after a stop-over in Italy, Lu Xiulian will attend an international seminar hosted by Liberal International there in Hungary, what's China's reaction to that? Will this lead to worsening of China-Italian and China-Hungarian relations?

A: There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China. We firmly oppose to the splitting activities of Taiwan political figures in the international arena by all kinds of means. Recently the Taiwan authorities have kept creating new hurdles to dialogue across the Straits and to  reunification of the motherland as well as causing new tensions to the relations across the Straits by engaging in activities aimed at separating the motherland by making use of "paying foreign visits". The Chinese Government hopes that relevant countries can proceed from the larger perspective of friendly bilateral ties, keep alert on the political attempt of the Taiwan Authorities and strictly abide by the One China Principle and related commitments so as to facilitate healthy development of bilateral friendship and cooperation.


Q: Will China cancel the port calls to the US as an expression of its indignation to the US side caused by recent visits of Taiwanese officials?

A: I have to make inquiries to relevant departments for the specifics. But I must highlight that China expresses its strong indignation and firm opposition to series of the erroneous acts of the US side recently in violating the three Sino-US Joint Communiques. Any violation of the three Joint Communiques will have adverse effect on China-US relations. We call on the US side to strictly abide by the One-China Policy and the three Joint Communiques, do more in the interest of enhancing mutual trust and cooperation instead of hurting the sentiments of the Chinese people.


Q: Some international organizations were involved in the incident occurred in the Spanish Embassy in Beijing last week. And China was unhappy with the wide coverage of that. Is China reluctant to get involved or mediate in similar cases in the future? Please brief us on China's policy on that.

A: I believe that all of us have already known how things developed. In the afternoon of March 15, under the arrangement of the Spanish Embassy, these people left China. I would like to make it clear that the dealing this time will not create a precedent for later similar cases.

China and DPRK are close and friendly neighbours with quite frequent normal flows of personnel. There does exist illegal border-crossing by some Korean people. In China's view, they have crossed the border illegally instead of seeking refuge. China has always dealt with people of this kind properly in light of international and relevant Chinese law and taking into consideration of the normal international practice and humanitarian needs. However, for those who engage in activities here violating of Chinese law and undermine China's security and stability, China has always dealt with them in strict accordance with law and will continue to do so in the future. We wish to warn those individuals and organizations that have unsrupulouly challenged China's law by provoking disturbances and making use of those who have illegally crossed the borders, the Chinese Government will never allow or let go the illegal activities of this kind. We urge them not to arouse disturbances because of mis-judging the situation.


Q: It is said that China had granted visas for four ROK Congressmen, please confirm and comment.

A: There are some inaccurate reports in ROK concerning this. I'd like to take this opportunity say a few words on the matter. Last December, ROK's Embassy in China wished to invite Woo Yae Hwang and other three Congressmen to visit China and learn about China's views on revising its Law on Korean Expatriates and to conduct so-called "investigation". China then stated its attitude to the Korean side that, since there have been unimpeded communications between the two sides, it is unnecessary for them to come to China to learn what they have already been familiar with or to conduct any investigation on Chinese ethnic Koreans here. Therefore, China didn't grant visas to the four people. The decision was made on the basis of the case itself instead of these Congressmen.

On March 8 this year, ROK's Embassy in China briefed China that the said Congressmen hope to make a trip to China as guests of the Embassy on March 20. After full communications, China agreed to grant them visas. On March 12, ROK side presented a note to our Embassy in ROK, which confirmed the goal of this trip but advanced the visit to March 13, asking for visas on the same day. During the normal process of granting visas, these Congressmen went to the Media, claiming that they were denied visas by the Chinese Government. China found their hasty acts regrettable and hard to understand, although granted them visas on March 15 proceeding from the great perspective of the friendly relations between the two countries.

I'd like to point out that China hopes that the ROK side can treasure the mutual trust and live up to its commitment. China also hopes that the said Congressmen can do more in the interest of the development of friendly relations between the two countries.


Q: UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, Mrs. Robinson declared that she would not seek another term yesterday. Given that she has always been critical to China, is China happy with her decision? Does China hope that her successor will take a more balanced position or be less critical to China?

A: China has been enjoying effective cooperation with UN human rights mechanism and sound cooperation with UN High Commissioner on Human Rights and the office in recent years. I have no comment on her decision.


Q: Vice Premier Wu Bangguo will visit Pakistan within this week. What kind of impact will this visit have in China-Pakistani relations, economic and trade relations in particular?

A: At the invitation of the Pakistani Government, Vice Premier Wu Bangguo will head a governmental delegation to visit Pakistan from March 21 to 24 and attend the kicking-off ceremony of the Gwader Port project. China and Pakistan enjoy friendly relations and cooperation. This visit will certainly further promote the development of bilateral relations, economic and trade in particular.


Q: Did China and Japan reach agreement of port calls on yesterday's security consultation?

A: The Chinese delegation headed by Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi is now in Tokyo conducting consultations with the Japanese side head by Wang's counterpart. It's the 8th security consultations between the two countries and the first of this kind at the Vice Ministerial level. The two sides exchanged views extensively in an in-depth manner on security issues. With regard to port calls, it's an agreement reached during Premier Zhu's visit to Japan in 2000. The two sides agree this time that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the normalization of relations, earnest efforts should be made to prepare and finalize the agreement so as to make these calls in the near future.


Q: What's your opinion of the current China-US relations? How will recent visits by Taiwan's political figures undermine the relations?

A: Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing had expounded explicitly on China-US relations when he made representations with the US Ambassador couple of days ago. In his solemn representations with the US side as a result of series of erroneous acts by the US side in as short as over one month, Vice Foreign Minister extensively expounded on China's position.

I'd like to stress here that Taiwan question bares upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and it remains to be the most important and sensitive issue at the core of China-US relations. Any violation by the US side of the three Joint Communiques will bring about adverse effect to bilateral ties.

We hope that the US side can correct its erroneous acts by strictly abiding by the three Joint Communiques. Only by so doing, can the two sides devoting themselves to developing constructive and cooperative relations. It's safe to say that China attaches importance to the positive results of President Bush's visit to China and the sound opportunities for bilateral ties brought about by this visit. However, China's efforts as only one side are not enough to yield good results of the bilateral ties. We hope that the US side can comply with the three Joint Communiques in good faith and do more to facilitate the development of the constructive and cooperative relations.


Q: On Sunday terrorists attacked a church near the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad. What's China's comment? Is there any agreement to be signed during Indonesian President's visit to China?

A: China follows closely with and strongly condemns the terrorist bombing and kidnapping which occurred recently in Pakistan. China is against terrorist acts in whatever form. We appreciate Pakistan's explicit position on anti-terrorism and the efforts it has made in this regard.

With respect to the state visit by Indonesian President to China, it is the first visit by President Megawati in this capacity. The main goal of it is to further deepen the good-neighbourly relations and comprehensive cooperation of mutual trust, promote the cooperation between the two sides in various fields, economic and trade in particular. China attaches great importance to the visit, during which President Jiang and other Chinese leaders will meet or have talks with her and exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of common interest. As about what agreement to be signed by then, the two sides are making active preparations for that.


Q: Please give us some details of the arms control consultations between China and the US which just finished last week.

A: At the beginning of this month, officials from both China and the US had consultations on arms control and non-proliferation. China briefed the US side on China's consistent policy on non-proliferation and measures taken by the Chinese Government on export control. The consultations are helpful in promoting mutual understanding. The two sides will continue to maintain the contact.