On 3 September, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan held the regular press conference.

Kong Quan said, it was the first press conference after the summer vacation and it was great pleasure to meet all present, and I believe that all correspondents have spent a nice holiday.  The International Press Center of the MFA has held and arranged quite a few interview activities for foreign correspondents in China during the vacation time, if not too fatiguing.  During the one-month-and-half vacation, 20 new correspondents have come to work in China and I would like to express welcome to the new friends who were present at the press conference.

Kong Quan announced that Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, as the head the Chinese delegation, will leave for New York on 9 September to attend the 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.


Q: The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister had talks with the Chinese leaders yesterday.  What did they mainly talk about?  What roles will China and Bangladesh play for peace and development in the region?

A: Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Morshed Khan is now on a visit in China and his Chinese counterpart Tang Jiaxuan had talk with him which was wide-ranging and fruitful.  The two Foreign Ministers had in-depth exchange of views on the overall situation of bilateral relations, including political exchanges and economic and trade cooperation.  They also discussed how to further promote the bilateral relations.  Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao also met him yesterday.  The Vice President spoke highly of the China-Bangladesh relationship, and indicated that China would make joint efforts with Bangladesh to achieve greater development of the bilateral relations in the 21st century.


Q: Taiwan has announced that Mongolia and Taiwan would set up offices to each side.  How do you comment on this?

A: I think everyone here is clear about the position of the Chinese Government on this question.  We have always required and hoped that the countries that have established diplomatic relations with China would abide by their commitments to adhere to the One China policy.  We hold no objection to the non-governmental economic and cultural exchanges between them and Taiwan.  Yet we firmly oppose their establishment of official relations with Taiwan or any official exchange.  We strongly oppose the Taiwan Authority to develop official relations with other countries under any pretext to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" internationally.  In a word, we require and hope that countries with diplomatic ties with China will abide by the One China policy and prudently handle relevant issues.


Q: How many North Koreans attempted to break into the diplomatic compound in Sanlitun yesterday?  And earlier some North Koreans were detained by Chinese police, how are they now?

A: I am making inquiry into this case, but have not received any reply from the relevant authorities.  I will give you a response as soon as possible.  


Q: Why did Chinese police broke into the home of a South Korean correspondent and brutally treated German journalists trying to film North Koreans?  

A: I would like to answer your first question.  I think what you are asking is the case of Mr. Yeo Si Dong from Chosun Ilbo of South Korea, and some journalists also phoned to ask about it.  Here I want to give you a detailed and comprehensive introduction of the situation.  On the evening of 31 August 2002, which was three days ago, the policemen of the Exit and Entry Administration Division of Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB), Chaoyang Branch and the Jianguomenwai police station went to the home of a Chinese citizen surnamed Shen in the Modern City apartments in Chaoyang district to conduct regular domicile inspection.  I want to emphasize that they intended to go to the home of a Chinese citizen surnamed Shen to have regular domicile inspection.  When the door opened, they found that it was the family of Mr. Yeo Si Dong who resided in the apartment, who is the Beijing correspondent of Chosun Ilbo of South Korea.  When inquired by the police, Mr. Yeo indicated that he was the resident of the apartment.  However, all the ID certificates he produced showed that he lived in Jialin Garden.  Later he explained that he moved into this apartment on 15 June 2002.  Since his identification was not clear then, the police kept his passport, residence card and journalist card temporarily and asked him to go to the Exit and Entry Division of the PSB to give a clear explanation on 2 September, which was the first working day.

Yesterday, Mr. Yeo went to the Exit and Entry Division and made a clarification.  The staff of the division told him that according to the Article 21, Chapter 3 of The Detailed Rules for the Implementation of Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (Rules), foreigners are required to register at the local PSB if there is change concerning the name, nationality, profession, identification, working unit and address on the residence card within ten days.  It is obvious that Mr. Yeo has violated the relevant regulations of China and according to Article 42, Chapter 7of the Rules that foreigners engaged in such a violation should be warned or fined for no more than 500 yuan.  If the case is serious, he will be ordered to leave China within a time limit.  Mr. Yeo has recognized his mistake of failing to register at the Exit and Entry Division of PSB after he changed address.  He accepted the punishment and will pay the fine tomorrow.  The case has already been finished.  Here I want to remind all of you that the Information Department of MFA will try its best to provide maximum facilitation for foreign journalists in China so that they will be able to report China comprehensively and objectively.  At the same time, we hope that journalists will abide by Chinese laws, regulations and rules, which are provided to every one of you in written when you were going through formalities on your arrival day, especially those regarding the exit and entry of foreigners.  As for the German journalists you have mentioned who were allegedly pushed and beaten when filming special pictures, I am inquiring of the relevant authorities about it.  I want to make two points here.  On the one hand, as I just have said, one of the responsibilities of our department is to provide facilitation for journalists, and this is what we have been doing.  Not long ago, many of the journalists present here went to Hunan Province to report the Dongting Lake flood, and quite a few of you failed to apply according to the right procedures.  Nor did some of you inform the MFA or the local government.  Hunan province especially dispatched staff to help your work and to ensure your security.  So I want every one of you to know that the Information Department of MFA and the relevant departments of the Chinese Government are always trying to provide maximum assistance for journalists in your work.  Yet on the other hand, if some emergencies take place, the police at site need to keep order, and at the same time they are required to be strict and gentle in law enforcement, not in an emotional way.  I will further verify the situation you have said and update you with the latest information if possible.


Q: Why do you call it an emergency?

A: The reason it is called an emergency is that it happened suddenly.  We did not have any foreshadow.  Yet foreign journalists were able to set up their cameras at the exact site where the incident would happen.  This shows that you are well informed, so it is not an emergency for you indeed.  Yet for Chinese public security personnel, they are faithfully carrying out their duty to guard the security of embassies, consulates and diplomatic compounds in China and suddenly some people attempted to break into the diplomatic institutions forcefully.  This is for sure an emergency.  


Q: If it is an emergency, how do you explain that dozens of policemen appeared around our compound in the early morning?

A: As you know, since the April incident of breaking into embassies, many foreign embassies in China told the MFA that they hoped the Chinese side could strengthen security to prevent diplomatic institutions from being disturbed.  According to their requirements, the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations and relevant laws and regulations of China, the Chinese side has taken a series of steps.  So I think that the situation you mentioned that security was suddenly strengthened one day morning is contrary to the fact.


Q: If it is the foreign embassies in China who asked for tight security, then is it possible for you to ask the police or plainclothes police to uncover their identity when performing duty so that we will be able to know that they are our friends, not enemy?

A: The main duty of the armed policemen who serve as the guards at the foreign diplomatic institutions in China is to safeguard the security of the foreign embassies and consulates in China in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and relevant Chinese laws and regulations, and to guarantee that their work and life are not disturbed.  As for what you have said that all the guards can be clearly identified, I think that the police have their reasons when performing duty, but I will extend your idea to the relevant authorities.


Q: How are the North Koreans who attempted to break into the MFA last week?

A: There were some unidentified people demonstrated outside the east gate of the MFA on 26 August.  As you know, it is permitted to held assembly and demonstration in China according to Chinese laws, but you have to apply for approval in advance.  As far as I know, they had not applied to the relevant authorities.  At present, the Chinese police are verifying their identities.  This is all my knowledge in this regard.


Q: If they apply for demonstration, where should they go?  Are foreign journalists permitted to camera their activities?

A: Since they had not applied, so I cannot answer for the relevant authorities whether or not they will be approved.  As for the second question, you may ask your friends from CNN who are present today.  I have just seen the pictures they have taken on TV.

As I have just said, every time such an incident happened, we will be able to see that journalists of foreign media have arrived at the site beforehand and broadcast their report in the shortest period.


Q: It is said that the influential search engine Google was banned recently. Can you verify and comment on it?

A: I have no knowledge of what you said.  I suggest you inquire the relevant authorities.

It is reported that at the first half of this year, the number of China's Internet users has increased to 50 million with the highest growth race in the world.  On the other hand, all countries believe that there is some bad information on the Internet, which should not be spread at will.  It is the common recognition of all countries to explore a proper way to manage Internet, and this is what China is doing.


Q: What does the Chinese side believe is the root cause for the incidents of breaking into embassies?  And what is the way to solve this problem once for all?  Will China's policy in the past several months be changed?

A: First of all, I want to correct your wording.  Today we have not referred to the so-called issue of "North Koreans". I have made it clear for several times that I saw the pictures on TV and the relevant reports regarding these recent incidents.  I am checking with the relevant authorities and I have not received the reply yet.  Before the police get the final result, we cannot assert that they are North Koreans.  If you were referring to the incidents happened earlier and they were identified to be North Koreans after verification, then we have for several times introduced the stance of the Chinese side.  Firstly, they entered China illegally to make a living in China.  The Chinese people are benevolent.  Although we are not that rich, we provided food, job and livelihood for them.  They entered China illegally, which is a violation of Chinese laws.  Under such circumstance, they should not do any other unlawful activity, including attempting to break into the foreign embassies and consulates in China.  Secondly, China has handled these incidents in a humanitarian and lenient way.  Among those law-breakers, we found that some of them had traveled between China and North Korea for 12 times.  This really counts.


Q: When the North Koreans are repatriated, did the Chinese side require the North Korea to guarantee their humanitarian treatment?

A: China handles these incidents in a lenient way.  Some law-breakers had traveled between China and North Korea for 12 times. We have always handled relevant issues in line with international and domestic laws and in a humanitarian way.  At the same time, I want to say again that Chinese people have provided food and job for them although the Chinese people are not very rich.  Yet some foreign NGOs and so-called human rights groups have made use of all kinds of pretexts to instigate them to do unlawful activities, challenge openly Chinese laws and regulations and attempt to break into foreign diplomatic institutions in China.  Their practice has impaired China's social stability and interrupted the normal work and life of foreign embassies and consulates in China.  We are firmly against it.


Q: The Bush Administration is currently considering striking Iraq.  What is China's position on this?

A: Recently, Iraqi Foreign Minister Sabri visited China.  Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan had separate meetings and talks with him.  When meeting with him, Vice Premier Qian Qichen stressed that currently the Iraqi issue has the tendency of escalation and China is very concerned and worried about it.  China always holds that the Iraqi issue should be solved through political and diplomatic channels within the framework of the United Nations, and is not in favor of use or threat of force.  At the same time, we hope that Iraq will strictly implement the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council in full and continue to maintain cooperation with the UN to avoid new complexity of the issue.  As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to make unremitting efforts for an early and reasonable settlement of the Iraqi issue.


Q: If the US decides to attack Iraq through UN authorization, will China use veto power in the Security Council to prevent the US proposal from being adopted?

A: This question is your presumption, and I want to repeat the stance of the Chinese side on the Iraqi issue.  We believe that the core of this issue is the comprehensive and effective implementation of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.   On the one hand, Iraq should restore cooperation with the UN to allow the UN weapons inspectors back to Iraq, and on the other hand, we also hold that the concern of Iraq regarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and security should be earnestly respected.  All parties should make efforts to push for the political and diplomatic settlement of the issue within the UN framework.


Q: Last weekend, which was 31 August and 1 September, Director General of the Asia-Pacific Department of the MFA of Japan Kakuei had consultation with DPRK in Beijing.  Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan met with him and the Japanese side announced the relevant situation.  How was the talk between China and Japan?  Besides, the only unsettled border issue at the east section of China-Russia border is the issue of Heixiazi Island.  In August, the Russian side built a floating bridge at the borderline.  Did China make representation to the Russian side?  How is the current situation?

A: We are happy to see the achievements of the meeting in Beijing between Japan and DPRK on the improvement of bilateral relations.  China always hopes to see continuous relaxation of the situation on the Korean Peninsular.  We welcome and support the announcement by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi that he will visit DPRK.  Both countries are important neighbors of China.  We hope that through this visit, Japan and DPRK will strengthen communication, solve the problems left over from the past and improve relations to help ease the Peninsular situation.  As for the content of the meeting between officials of China's Foreign Ministry and him, I am willing to get some information for you.

As for the second question, China and Russia share long border, and at present the vast majority of the border issues have been solved.  Especially after the signing of the treaty on good-neighborliness and friendship between China and Russia, the bilateral relations have been developing rapidly and cooperation in all fields have been expanded and deepened.  Leaders of both countries have maintained close consultation and exchanges of views in all areas.  Both sides hope to solve the remaining issues as soon as possible through friendly consultation.


Q: Thank you for answering so many sharp questions patiently today.  It seems that China is not happy with critical opinions from foreign media?

A: Thank you for your encouragement.  I have noted that every one is so energetic in raising all kinds of questions after the vacation.  China is not opposed to the negative report about China of foreign media.  No country in the world can claim to be perfect.  Nor can China.  As a developing country, China faces the arduous task of development.  The living standard of its people is still low and after over 20 years of development, although its economy has made great progress, the per capita and aggregate level still lag far behind developed countries.  At the same time, economic growth differs from region to region.  I don't know whether you attended Premier Zhu's press conference during the NPC session earlier this year.  When asked what his biggest headache was, he replied solemnly that it was how to improve the living standard of farmers that gave him headaches throughout the whole day.  So what I want to say is that China is not opposed to the negative report about us, and from these reports we can better find out our problems.  Yet as an official of the Information Department, I hope you would be more comprehensive and objective and from more levels when reporting China.  For example, yesterday a special incident happened, as you said.  Is it the biggest thing of this country with 1.3 billion people during the past 24 hours?  Of course not.  For instance, in the Dongting Lake flood, the local people have overcome great difficulty.  The traffic of the forth, third and second ring roads of Beijing flows freer day by day.  We hope that every one present can make a comprehensive report of the situation in all fields.  At the welcome dinner for the 50 new journalists two months ago, I said that there are now over 200 countries and more than 6 billion people in the world.  About 89 million people enter China annually, and this is a small figure comparing to 6 billion.  That is why one of the main channels for people of other countries to know China is foreign media in China.  From the perspective of the Information Department of MFA, we will try our best to provide facilitation for your report and we also hope that journalists will report China more objectively and deeply.  My answer may be too long, but this is what I always want to say to our journalist friends.


Thank you.