Q: Japan started its salvage of the sunken ship in the East China Sea today. What is your comment?

A: The Japanese vessels started their salvage operations today. The Chinese side has also sent law enforcement ships to the scene for supervision and control. As promised, the Japanese side will timely brief China of the progress. There is a smooth channel for communications.


Q: The U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defence Peter Rodman has concluded his visit to China. During his meeting yesterday with China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, did they touch upon some areas for the bilateral military exchanges? What is the result of the visit? Will the military-to-military ties restore to the level prior to the plane crash incident?

A: Let me give you a briefing on the visit to China by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defence Peter Rodman. Mr. Rodman paid a working visit to China from 25 to 27 June. During the visit, he met with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, State Councillor and Defence Minister General Chi Haotian, Deputy Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Deputy Chief of the General Staff General Xiong Guangkai. He also had working talks with Major General Zhan Maohai, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Ministry of Defence. In a frank and constructive atmosphere, the two sides exchanged views with each other on ways to develop Sino-U.S. relations, the military-to-military ties and especially ways to restore and develop exchanges between the two armed forces. The two sides agreed that it is of vital importance to maintain healthy and stable relations between China and the United States. It serves the fundamental interests of the two and contributes to peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific and the world at large. The two sides will earnestly work to implement the important agreement which has been reached  by the two leaders on the development of constructive and cooperative relations between China and the United States.


Q: What is your comment on President Bush’s new peace plan on the Middle East?

A: We have stated our position on President Bush’s new plan on the Middle East. We welcome the U.S. peace making efforts. At the same time, we hold that the leaders of Palestine should be independently decided upon by the Palestinians themselves through elections. The international community should respect the choice of the Palestinian people.


Q: The Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conferences, which was held in Sudan yesterday, issues a statement, blaming some Western countries of adopting a double standard towards the Muslims and Muslim nations by targeting Muslims in Palestine and Kashmir and suppressing them via the fight against terrorism. What is your comment?

A: On the Meeting itself, I have not got anything more to say. However, China is resolutely opposed to terrorism. We support the international community’s fight against terrorism. At the same time, we stand that the fight against terrorism should be based upon concrete evidences. It should be exclusively targeted at terrorism. We are against linking it with any specific religion, ethnic group or country.


Q: Does China have any interest in obtaining an observer status of the G-8? Has China applied to become a member of the G-8?

A: China has no intention to join the G-8. However, we are ready to have dialogue and communications with the relevant countries of the G-8 on questions of common interest.


Q: We have learnt that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Inam-ul Haque is due to visit China. Please confirm. What is the purpose of the visit?

A: The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Inam-ul Haque has been invited to visit China from 28 to 30 June. During the visit, he will exchange views with the Chinese side on the bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest. The details for the visit is still being worked out.


Q: Could you please brief us on the details of the above visit? Will the two sides touch upon the current situation in South Asia?

A: As I just said, the detailed programme of the visit by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan is still under discussion. On the current tension between India and Pakistan, I have made clear China’s position on many occasions. In our view, in order to fundamentally ease the tension between India and Pakistan and achieve their peaceful co-existence, both India and Pakistan should resume their dialogue as soon as possible and resolve their disputes and differences on such questions as Kashmir through peaceful means.


Q: One of the most popular basketball players in the United States is a Chinese citizen. Will that have any effect on Sino-U.S. relations? Will it change American’s image of Chinese?

A: We wish to congratulate Yao Ming on being the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. Prior to this, two other outstanding Chinese basket ball players, Wang Zhizhi and Menk Batere, have already joined the NBA. During their games in the United States, they have been warmly received by the Americans for their performances. In my view, their participation in matches in the States could help push ahead Sino-U.S. exchanges in sports and culture, as well as the mutual understanding between the two peoples.  


Q: U.S. officials will go to Taiwan for discussions on arms sales to Taiwan. What is your comment?

A: On many occasions, the Chinese side has made solemn representations with the U.S. side on its arms sales to Taiwan. I wish to reiterate that the Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive question at the core of Sino-U.S. relations. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan has violated the One China policy and the principles enshrined in the Three Joint Communiques. It has   undermined Sino-U.S. relations and peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits. The Chinese side has all along opposed to it and called on the U.S. side to abide by its promises to China by stopping its arms sales to Taiwan.