Q: What is the programme and objective of Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuans visit to Pakistan?

A: The forthcoming visit by Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan to Pakistan will be a very important one. As friendly neighbours, China and Pakistan have maintained close consultations and cooperation in many fields. The two sides are holding consultations with each other on the programme of the visit.


Q: China has indicated that it will exercise supervision on the Japanese investigation of the sunken boat in the East China Sea. Could you please clarify? Will China send maritime supervision ships to the scene?

A: Yesterday, I answered a correspondents question on the Japan's intention to carry out investigation over the sunken boat in the East China Sea. The key points are: First, China and Japan have held several rounds of consultations on this issue. The Japanese side recognizes that China enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction on its exclusive economic zones according to the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea. Secondly, Japan has sent a special working team for detailed briefing and explanation on a series of questions of China's concern. The team has provided China with the programme for underwater investigation and gone through the necessary procedures according to the maritime law and relevant Chinese domestic laws. The Japanese side has promised to adopt all effective measures to prevent any possible pollution to the sea. Thirdly, Japan has promised to brief China on the progress and result  of the underwater investigation. In light of this, China has decided not to object to the Japanese investigation.

At  the moment, there are already Chinese law enforcement ships patrolling the area. These ships are sent by the maritime administration of China to exercise supervision and administration according to the maritime law and relevant domestic laws of China.  


Q: What is the programme and main agenda of the visit to China by Secretary of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Khazakstan K. Tokaev?

A: The Secretary of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Khazakstan K. Tokaev will pay a good-will visit to China from 9 to 11 May. It is an important visit with meetings between the two foreign ministers. The programme and agenda of the visit are being finalized.



Q: According to Chinese press report, when meeting with Prime Minister Hariri of Lebanon, Premier Zhu Rongji held Israel chiefly responsible for the tension along the border between Israel and Lebanon. Why? Besides, Premier Zhu also called upon the Arab countries to unite with each other against outside forces. Who did he refer to as outside forces---only Israel or the United States included?

A: On the first question, I have read the relevant report. Premier Zhu has made crystal clear the consistent principled position of China on the question of Middle East.

On the second question, according to my understanding, Premier Zhu held that the Arab countries are an important force of the international community. It is our hope that they could step up their unity to jointly deal with the political, economic and other challenges.



Q: When meeting with the leader of the Komei Party of Japan yesterday, President Jiang harshly criticised the action by the Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi to pay homage to the Yasukuni Shrine. However, many Japanese still have no idea of the next steps to be taken. What is your comment? Will the visit to the Shrine affect Koizumis visit to China within the year?

A: China attaches importance to its relations with Japan. In the spirit of taking history as a mirror and facing towards the future, we are ready to develop our friendly relations and cooperation in various fields. However, the Japanese leaders should have a correct attitude towards the history of aggression by the militarists. They should come up with real deeds to echo their remarks and commitments on this question. Many Asians, including Chinese, are the victims of Japan's militarism. Japan should have a correct understanding  of the history and express  remorse for it, so as to win the trust of the Chinese people, the Asian people and the international community.

On the visit by Koizumi, from my understanding, the ministries of foreign affairs of the two countries have not yet discussed the issue.


Q: What is your comment on the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Moscow?

A: The  SCO foreign ministers held a regular meeting in Moscow on 26 April. It is the second meeting of the foreign ministers so far this year. During the important meeting, the ministers mainly made preparations for the forthcoming SCO Summit Meeting to be held in St. Petersburg in early June.  They also had an in-depth exchange of views on the current international and regional situation, the construction of the SCO and other issues. Wide-ranging agreements were reached, reflecting a good momentum of the SCO in recent years to accelerate its cooperation and construction.



Q: China criticized Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Is it an interference in Japan's internal affairs?

A: I totally disagree with your argument. If the criticism by the Chinese Government and people of Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine is viewed as an interference in Japan's internal affairs, how do you view the past aggression by the Japanese militarists of China and other Asian countries and the massive damage incurred upon their people? It is the consensus of the Chinese and other Asians that the Japanese leaders should honour their commitment of correctly viewing the history and expressing remorse for it by going along the road of peace and development.



Q: Could you please brief us on the visit by Vice President Hu Jintao to the United States? Is it his first visit to the States?

A: According to my knowledge, it is Vice President Hu's first visit to the United States over the past decade. There are full  coverage of  his U.S. tour over the past two days by the Chinese press and world's main news agencies. I have nothing more to add. I believe that the visit and the contacts will enhance our mutual understanding.

As far as I know, Vice President Hu will meet with the Senate majority and minority leaders and the Speaker today. In the evening, he will attend the welcoming dinner by the Secretary of State. Tomorrow morning, he will have talks with Vice President Cheney. In the afternoon, he is due to meet with President Bush and some other senior U.S. officials. On 2 May, he will leave Washington for San Francisco for a visit to an IT company.


Q: Recently, with the help of Russia, India tested a supersonic cruise missile. It will certainly lead to an arms race in South Asia. What is Chinas comment?

A: I have noticed the report. We hope that the countries in South Asia consider and deal with the relevant issues by proceeding from the general interest of maintaining peace and stability in the region.



Q: Recently, the United States and India reached an agreement on security cooperation along the trade route from the Suez to the Malacca. What is your comment?

A: I have also read the relevant report. In our view, the security cooperation among the relevant countries should contribute to regional peace and stability.



Q: What is Chinas comment on the U.S. resumption of its seat at the UN Human Rights Commission?

A: I have noted the relevant report.