On May 30 2002, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan announced the upcoming visit of the delegation led by Vice Premier Wen Jiabao to the World Food Summit: Five Years Later.

Q: According to a diplomatic source, a former North Korean army man, broke into the Consular Department of South Korean Embassy in China. Has the Chinese side held negotiations with the South Korean side? What are the latest developments?

A: The South Korean Embassy in China had briefed the Chinese side that several self-claimed DPRK citizens went into the embassy, asking for entry into ROK. In accordance with the international law and Chinese laws, foreign embassies in China are not entitled the right of asylum to citizens of the third country, thus the Chinese side has asked the South Korean side to hand over these people. As the South Korean side has not yet done so, the Chinese side has not verified the identities of these people.

The position of the Chinese Government on the handling of illegal entries has been very clear. The Chinese side has handled such cases in conformity with domestic laws, international practices and in a humanitarian spirit. Such policy will remain unchanged.  

Q: In a national televised speech on May 27, President Musharraf said that the Pakistani side would unconditionally make a commitment not to export terrorism to any country. At the same time, he expressed his willingness to have dialogues with the Indian side to relax the current tension. What’s your comment? In addition, what new diplomatic measures will the Chinese side take to prevent an India-Pakistan war, and to urge a more just and balanced attitude by India and the international community towards Pakistan?

A: We have all read the speech made by President Musharraf, and have taken note of the response from the international community. As a friendly neighbor to both Pakistan and India, China sincerely hopes that both sides will bear overall peace and stability in South Asia in mind, show maximum constraint, and peacefully resolve the disputes through negotiations and dialogues. The Chinese side has made positive efforts through both bilateral and multi-lateral channels to urge for peace. We are going to continue such efforts in the future and to make our due contribution to the maintenance of peace and stability in South Asia.

Q: As the Second China-India Eminent Group Meeting winds up, I would like to hear your comment on the results. I have heard that China and India also discussed the issue of Kashmir, and the current situation in India and Pakistan. What’s your comment?

A: The Second Meeting of China-India Eminent Group was held on May 28 and 29 in Beijing. As you know, the First Meeting was held in India last September. Those present at this meeting are well-known personage in political, economic and trade, scientific, technological, cultural and press circles of both China and India. During the forum, celebrities of the two countries have given full play to consultation and raised many good suggestions on further developing China-India relations in a frank and friendly atmosphere. This forum has enhanced the mutual understanding between the two countries and helps our cooperation in all fields go deeper.

China’s position on the issue of Kashmir has been clear-cut. We have always maintained that the Kashmir issue is one between India and Pakistan left over by history. China hopes that the two sides should seek new ways to appropriately solve the problem through peaceful dialogues and negotiations, and refrain from military conflicts.

Q: Russian Defense Minister will arrive in Beijing tomorrow to hold talks with President Jiang and other leaders. What are the views of the Chinese side? In addition, how does China see the establishment of a new partnership between Russia and NATO?

A: Russian Defense Minister Ivanov will pay an official and friendly visit to China from May 31 to June 2. The visit is of great importance, for this is the first visit by Ivanov as Russian Defense Minister. During his visit, Ivanov will have an in-depth exchange of views on the military relations between the two countries and issues of common concern with state councilor and Defense Minister Chi Haotian. He will also meet China’s state leaders.

As you mentioned in your second question, Russia and NATO signed Rome Declaration on May 28, declaring the inauguration of the Russia-NATO Council. The Chinese side welcomes this new change in the European situation. We hope that the move will conduce to the maintenance of peace and stability of Europe, and helps establish a new security concept with mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation at the core in Europe and the world at large, as China has always stand for.

Q: As the relations between Russia and European Union and the relations between Russia and US turn closer, does the Chinese side hold that Russia and China become estranged? Or do you think such a view is a continuation of Cold War mentality, as the times have changed?

A: We welcome the improvement in the relationship between Russia and the US. We believe that the enhancement of cooperation between Russia and the US, who are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and the largest nuclear powers in the world, conduces to world peace, security and stability. Yet we have to point out at the same time that the Chinese Government has its own position on the maintenance of world peace and stability. We think that over a decade has passed since the end of Cold War, we should give priority to the establishment of an international security system based on a new security concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation, to better maintain the lasting stability of the international situation.

Q: The Chinese side was once very critical of NATO, holding that it is not necessary for a military alliance to exist under the new world order. Is the Chinese side still of a critical view towards such a military alliance as NATO?

A: We have always opposed any form of military alliance, and maintained that the international community should establish a new security concept based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation and create a peaceful and reliable international environment of lasting stability and security. We hope that NATO could conform to the trend of the times, abide by the UN Charter and its purposes, and play a positive role in promoting peace and stability in Europe and the world at large.

Q: Taiwan is currently promoting the establishment of a free trade zone with the US and Japan. What’s your comment? My second question is, recently, Taiwan has used “Chinese Taiwan” or “Chinese Taipei” in the names of its official and non-official organizations. Is this due to the response made by China’s mainland towards the renaming campaign of some parties in Taiwan?

A: The attitude of the Chinese Government is very clear on your first question. There is but one China in the world. We require and hope that all countries with diplomatic relationship with China should earnestly abide by the one-China commitment, and refrain from establishing official relations with Taiwan or carrying out any exchanges of official nature. As for your second question, the attitude of the Chinese Government is also clear-cut. There is but one China in the world. Both Taiwan and the mainland belong to one China. China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no separation. The collocation in some international organizations, such as WTO, is a special arrangement, which by no means changes the fact that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory.

Q: New Zealand Foreign Minister has met with Dalai. Has the Chinese Government lodged a protest to the New Zealand side against it?

A: We have expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition. We have said on many occasions that Dalai is not an ordinary religious personage, but has been in political exile and has engaged in activities aimed at splitting the motherland under the pretext of region. For this reason, we are opposed to meeting between foreign leaders and Dalai Lama, which seems to give his splitting activities sort of support or appreciation. We require that New Zealand should seriously consider the position of the Chinese side.

Q: Could you brief us on the details of President Jiang’s meeting with US congressmen yesterday? During the meeting, has the US side pledged to the Chinese side that it would not continue to move towards a pro-Taiwan position? Has the Chinese side provided assistance to the US congressmen in their visits to the North Korea?

A: On May 29, President Jiang met with the delegation of US House of Representatives to China led by Mr. Weldon, Chairman of the Military Procurement Subcommittee of the Arms Service Committee of the House of Representatives. The two sides had an exchange of views on China-US bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common concern. President Jiang once again emphasized that the Taiwan Question is the most sensitive and most important question at the core of the China-US relations. The Chinese side hopes the US side could strictly abide by its one-China commitment, and principles enshrined in the three China-US Joint Communiqués, so that the China-US relations would enjoy a sound and stable development. This serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples. The US visitors carefully listened to President Jiang’s remarks and learnt the importance of the issue. As for your second question, I believe it is between the US and North Korea. Our attitude on the issue of Korean Peninsular has been very clear. We actively support the efforts of ROK and DPRK as parties directly concerned to constantly improve their relations through dialogues. At the same time, we stand for and support such efforts of DPRK and US, as well as that of DPRK and Japan.

Q: The Japanese Government is now speeding up the formulation of relevant bills concerning Emergency Legislation, and plans to extend the duration of Diet to this end, in order to strive for an early passage of the bills in the Diet. What’s your comment?

A: China and other Asian countries have all closely followed the three bills concerning the Emergency Legislation. Due to historical reasons, Japan should earnestly fulfill its commitment to “exercise defense limited to its own territory and coastal waters and never seek to become a military power”, and continue to follow a path to peaceful development. It is not only in conformity with Japan’s own interests, but is also of vital importance to the regional peace, stability and development.