On 14 May, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan announced the news of the visit by the Hon. John Howard MP, Prime Minister of Australia to China and commented on the “investigation results” of the consulate incident in Shenyang released by the Japanese Foreign Minister yesterday.

Kong Quan said: “on the afternoon of 13 May the Japanese Foreign Minister released the investigation results of the consulate incident in Shenyang and spoke to journalists.  The so called “investigation results” of the Japanese side apparently run against the truth on many key questions and the conclusion cannot hold water, which is unacceptable to the Chinese side.  We are dissatisfied with the fact that, given the crystal clear fact about this incident, the Japanese side still sticks to its own flimsy statement.

This morning, the Director General of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Luo Tianguang held a talk with his counterpart Masaaki Ono.  I would like to brief you about the talk, especially some details of this incident.

First of all, the Director-General Luo Tianguang pointed out that there are quite some disputes between the investigation results of the Japanese side and that of the Chinese side.  The Chinese side regards it necessary to publicize more details of the investigation to the Japanese side and the public.

The whole process of the incident is as follows:  at 13:55 on 8 May 2002, two guards on duty Zhang Zhaowen and Sun Yongtao of the  Squadron No. 8 of Liao Ning Armed Police Unite Shenyang Branch in charge of the security of the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang found 5 unidentified people (2 men, 2 women and a girl) heading east along the sidewalk outside the southern wall of the US and Japanese Consulates General.  The guards stopped them when they reached the cordon 1 meter from the entrance and asked for their certificate.  Then, one man made a sudden turn trying to force his way in from the side gate east of the entrance.  At the same time, the two women went over dragging and scratching the guards on duty.  The guard held the other man from the back when the man continued to force his way into the consulate.  The man hit the face of the guard hard with his elbow causing bleeding nose.  The man got free from the guard and rushed in from the same gate.  The guard reported to his superior immediately and then two top officers Yin Guohui, Jin Xiaodong, instructor of the Squadron No. 8 Wu Mingyu and Wang Zhi arrived at the visa office quickly.  At the moment, the vice Japanese consul Ken Miyashita and 3 other Chinese employees were also at the scene.  Ken Miyashita asked: ‘are they here for visa?’ The guard replied: ‘no, they want to enter the consulate without any certificate. Two other men have already rushed in.’ Yin Guohui asked vice consul Ken Miyashita: ‘may we enter the consulate to take away the two man inside?’ Ken Miyashita nodded and gestured to let them in.  He said in Japanese that ‘you may go in and take them away’, according to the translator (Weng Tiejun, male, Chinese employee). So Yin Guohui headed in followed by 4 guards on duty.  Ken Miyashita saw 2 people sitting on the sofa inside the visa hall and asked the security staff what was the matter.  ‘North Koreans perhaps’ replied the staff.  Then, Yin Guohui came over to the two men and inquired ‘what are you doing’. The two men gave no reply.  So Yin turned to Ken Miyashita and said: ‘may we take them away?’  Ken Miyashita bowed and nodded in agreement and said ‘yes’ in Chinese.  After that, the Chinese armed police took them away forcefully into the guardroom, followed by Ken Miyashita.  Ken Miyashita made a phone call and 15 minutes later, the vice consul Umaki came to the guardroom and asked in Chinese: ‘where are you from?’  One man answered in Chinese: ‘North Koreans, we are family’, handing Umaki a letter.  Umaki read the letter and handed it back to the man.  Meanwhile, Yin Guohui alarmed the police by dialing 110 and Umaki was making a phone call.  About 5 minutes later, police arrived.  When the police tried to take the 5 men away, Umaki said ‘wait a minute’ and made another phone call.  A moment later, the police again wanted to take them away and Umaki still said ‘wait’.  Finally, Umaki said ‘you may take them away’ and so did the police.  Umaki bowed to the charging officials and said ‘thanks’ in Chinese repeatedly.

These are all the detailed facts of the Chinese side briefed to the Japanese side by the Director General Luo Tianguang after repeated verification.  Based on facts, the Director General Luo refuted the two points on which the Japanese side has different views.  Mr. Luo pointed out that according to the Japanese side, seen the situation at the entrance, the vice consul Ken Miyashita turned back and walked into the visa hall unaware about the 5-6 armed policemen following him.  The Chinese side is of the view that given the distance from the entrance to the visa hall, vice consul Ken Miyashita’s claim that ‘he was unaware about the 5-6 armed policemen following him’ is unconvincing and can hardly justify itself.  Second, according the Japanese side, even though a vice consul allowed the armed police to go in by nodding and gesture, he cannot represent the head of the consulate and the Chinese side cannot assume that they have got permission from the head of the consulate provided in the “Vienna Convention on Consular Relations”.  Luo said that under such urgent circumstances when 2 unidentified men forced their way into the consulate, the words and actions of the officers in the consulate who went to the site and exchanged words with the armed police did represent the consulate, which was a sign of permission.  And during the whole process, the vice-consul Ken Miyashita did not take any preventive action.

Mr. Luo stressed that the Chinese armed police had all along abided by the international treaties and relevant regulations when protecting the security of foreign embassies and consulates in China.  Many embassies have expressed their thanks to Chinese armed police for tightening security to prevent unidentified people from rushing into the embassies.  In this unexpected incident, the Chinese armed police carried out their duty in accordance with “Vienna Convention on Consular Relations” and out of the sense of responsibility to protect the safety of the Japanese Consulate and its staff.  The Japanese side should view their good intention from the right perspective instead of misconceiving it.  The Director General Luo Tianguang indicated that the Chinese side pays great attention to the incident after its occurrence and hopes to see a serious and proper settlement through cooperation between the consular departments of both countries.

Now I would like to take up your questions.

Q: You have mentioned that the Japanese side should pay attention to the goodwill of the Chinese side, but some people worry that these North Koreans might be punished after repatriation.  Will China send them back to North Korea or transfer them to ROK?

A: I have touched upon the identity of these 5 people in the briefing just now.  They said they are North Koreans, but it is quite natural that the Chinese side has to verify such claim, which is still under way.


Q: The Japanese Foreign Minister used the word “trespass” in the description of the incident in Shenyang and firmly denied the Chinese statement that the it allowed the Chinese armed police to enter the consulate.  How do you comment on this?

A: As far as we are concerned, the investigation results of the Japanese side apparently run against the fact on some key questions.  The Chinese side cannot accept its conclusion, which can hardly hold water.  In the meeting this morning, the Director General Mr. Luo expounded the results of the careful investigation by the Chinese side in every detail, on which I have made the explanation just now.  I believe that all of you will get your due conclusion based on that.


Q: Some people have shown concern that a series of asylum seeking incidents may make China tighten the border control between China and North Korea and expel the DPRK refugees in the border area in the Northeast China.  What is your response?

A: I would answer your question from two aspects: first, the Chinese side is now verifying the identity of those people rushing into the Japanese consulate in Shenyang, and this work is still going on.  Second, as to those people you mentioned who crossed the border between China and DPRK, due to the long shared border and frequent exchange of people, there are some North Koreans entering China illegally.  It is quite obvious that they entered China illegally and they are not refugees as said by some people.  As a country ruled by law, China has always carried out border control according to relevant laws and regulations on border.


Q: How about the 5 unidentified people inside the US consulate and the Canadian embassy in China? Have they left China?

A: The question you mentioned has been handled properly according to international law and domestic laws of China and in humanitarian spirit.


Q: You may have noticed the fierce emotional response of the Japanese people.  People on streets in Tokyo indicate that such thing will never happen to the US consulate, but only to the Japanese consulate.  How do you explain this?

A: I think such allegation is groundless.  Against the backdrop of the enhanced international anti-terrorism efforts after 9.11, facing the 5 unidentified people breaking into the Japanese consulate in Shenyang, the Chinese armed police carried out their duty with the very aim of safeguarding the security of the consulate, especially the personal safety of its employees.  In doing so, they were even risking their lives.  Their sense of responsibility should be appreciated and the Japanese side should understand it out of goodwill and treat it correctly.  But on the contrary, we have seen the overreaction of the Japanese side, fanfare in the press and even unreasonable attack by certain people, which are unacceptable.  We hope that the Japanese side will take immediate measures to put an end to such situation.


Q: Dalai Lama will visit Australia next week.  The Chinese side has requested political people in Australia not meet with him, why?

A: Dalai is not a pure religious figure, but the biggest serfowner in old Tibet.  You may know something about Tibet in old times with the serfdom darker than medieval.  Second, Dalai is a political fugitive who has always been engaging in separatist activities outside China in the cloak of religion so as to undermine the unity of the Chinese nation.  We oppose any political activities of Dalai or his followers in any country aiming at separating China and undermining national unity, as well as any invitation extended to or meeting with Dalai by official figures of any country in whatever names or forms.


Q: During the talk this morning, did the Japanese side acknowledge that its vice consul had nodded in agreement?

A: On the one hand, the Japanese side acknowledged that the vice consul of its consulate general did nod and gesticulate in agreement; while on the other hand, it claimed that this could not represent the head of the consulate.  Such statement is unacceptable.  Given the urgent situation in front of the consulate, a vice consul came out and exchanged words with the Chinese guards followed by nodding and gesticulation, is it reasonable that the guards should again ask: “would you please have your consul out and repeat this nodding and gesture?”  It is obvious that the guards entered the Japanese consulate after he thought he had got permission from the Japanese side.


Q: With such incidents growing in frequency, what measures will China take to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents?

A: I think that this question should not be directed to me.  At the time of this unexpected incident, there were already foreign presses waiting at the scene, which clearly demonstrates that the incident had been plotted by someone before hand.  I want to stress two points: first, the Chinese Government has the responsibility and obligation to protect the safety of foreign embassies and the employees in accordance with the “Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations” and the “Vienna Convention on Consular Relations”.  We will continue to take measures to this end.  Second, some foreign forces attempt to create incident deliberately and use such incident to challenge Chinese laws and China’s resolution to protect the safety of foreign embassies and consulates and the employees, thus undermining the stability of China’s society, to which we express our strong condemnation and opposition.


Q: Could you repeat China’s position to the abortion of Taiwan related bill at the World Health Assembly for 6 years in succession?

A: The World Health Organization is a specialized UN organization that opens only to sovereign states.  As part of China, Taiwan is not entitled to join WHO.  The Taiwan authority has abetted a handful of countries to raise Taiwan related bill year after year with the ulterior motive of attempting to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” in WHO and achieve its political scheme of separating the motherland.

Since 1997, such Taiwan related bill has been rejected by the international community for 6 years in succession.  Facts have proven that the attempt of the Taiwan authority to achieve political goal by whatever tactics including making use of public health related issue will not win people’s heart and is doomed to failure.


Q: The United States and Russia have reached the agreement to reduce the nuclear weapons of both countries by large margin.  How does China comment on this?

A: We welcome the result of US-Russia nuclear disarmament negotiation.  We are of the view that countries with the largest nuclear arsenal should be the first to assume special responsibility on disarmament.  We hope that US and Russia could continue to reduce nuclear weapon through irreversible and binding means that open to inspection so as to promote the international nuclear disarmament process.


Q: The Foreign Minister of China will visit Afghanistan, what is the significance of this visit?  What kind of role will China play in the reconstruction of Afghanistan?  Will there be any cooperation between China and Pakistan?

A: Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan will arrive in Afghanistan on 15 May and he will meet with Afghan Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah and the Chairman of the interim government Hamid Karzai.  From the information I got, the last visit by the Chinese Foreign Minister to Afghanistan was in 1965 when the then Vice Premier of the State Council and the Foreign Minister Chen Yi paid a visit there.  Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan’s visit after so many years is of great significance at a time when Afghanistan begins its post-war peaceful reconstruction.  He will exchange in-depth views with Afghan leaders on the bilateral relations and the friendly cooperation in economic and trade and other fields in particular, as well the US$ 155 million’s aid provided by China.  As the friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, China supports Afghan in its efforts to begin reconstruction in a peaceful and stable environment at an early date.  Pakistan is an important country in South Asia and a neighbor of Afghanistan.  Tang Jiaxuan will also visit Pakistan during his trip, two years after his last visit.  The goal of his visit is to keep consolidating the traditional China-Pakistan friendship and deepening the mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields, exchange in-depth views on the regional situation and help Afghanistan in its peaceful reconstruction and enhance cooperation.


Q: According to the video released by the Japanese side, before the vice Japanese consul’s arrival, one Chinese guards had already entered the consulate, showing that the guards had not attained any consent or permission from the Japanese side.  What will you say about this?

A: You mean that the feet of the guard had crossed the yellow cordon at the entrance while stopping the man who was trying to break into the consulate?  The fact is very clear to everyone.  Can you expect his feet to stay steadily when hit hard by external force?  Out of the sense of responsibility, the guard was trying his very best to stop those unidentified people from breaking into the consulate general and safeguard the safety of it and its employees


Q: There are people who think that such incident happens because China refuses to recognize these North Koreans as refugees and does not allow the UN HCR to carry out orderly activity along China-DPRK border based on the international law and other relevant laws.  How do you comment on this?

A: I do not agree with your perspective.  Due to the long shared border and frequent exchange of people between the two countries, there are some North Koreans entering China illegally. The Chinese law has clear differentiation between trespasser and refugee.  Obviously, those people are not “refugees” as said by some people, so it is unnecessary for us to have UN HCR involved.


Q: The Tibetans in Australia think Tibet is under religious persecution by China with many temples destroyed last year.  What’s your comment on this?  And how about the freedom of religious belief in Tibet?

A: Dalai has went out of his way to separate the motherland outside China, fabricating baseless lies to deceit people in the world.  In fact, people that have visited Tibet including foreign friends can witness the remarkable changes taken place in Tibet in recent years and the well-protected temples.  Several years ago, the Central Government set aside special fund for the maintenance of a large number of temples including Potala Palace.  In Tibet, the freedom of religious belief is fully protected as in other provinces of China according to law.


Q: How will China and Japan handle the 5 unidentified people?  Is there any breakthrough in the talk between the two sides?  How will the two sides solve this problem?

A: First of all, the Japanese side should face the fact and take relevant measures by drawing conclusion from the detailed investigation results of the Chinese side.


Q: The former US President Carter is in Cuba for a visit.  What is China’s view?

A: We hope that Mr. Carter’s visit will facilitate dialog and exchange between Cuba and the United States and improve their relations.


After the press conference, some correspondents continued asking Kong Quan if the Chinese side had enter the consulate without permission from the Japanese side because the guard crossed the yellow cordon while stopping the unidentified people from breaking into, Kong Quan indicated that: at such an urgent moment, the Chinese guard carried out his duty and struggled hard with people trying to break in. Such incident has happened in the past.  On the morning of 6 March 1995, an unidentified people attempted to break into the Japanese Consulate General with explosive tied around waist and gun in hand.  With most part of his body inside, risking his life, the Chinese armed policeman arrested him after fierce scuffle, preventing a serious incident.  The Japanese Consulate General expressed its gratitude to the Chinese armed police repeatedly and presented gift as a token of its thanks.