On 5 September, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan held the regular press conference.

Kong Quan announced that at the invitation of the Chinese Government, Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew will pay a working visit to China from 8 to 11 September.


Q: Has the issue of the 15 North Koreans who forced their way into the German school been solved? Is that school a piece of Germany or Chinese territory?

A: First of all, it is a school, not a foreign diplomatic mission in China.  Secondly, this issue is now being properly handled.


Q: It will be the one year anniversary of the September 11 incident in a few days’ time.  How do you comment on the current international situation of counter terrorism?  What measures has the Chinese side taken in this regard?

A: I would like to answer your second question first.  China is the victim of terrorism, which is a public hazard of the international community. That is why the Chinese Government, as always, firmly opposes terrorism in all forms.  China has taken a series of measures since the September 11 incident, which can be summarized in the following three aspects.  First, in the multilateral area, the Chinese Government has actively pushed forward and supported the adoption of the relevant anti-terrorism resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council.  Second, in the bilateral area, China has established a consultation mechanism on anti-terrorism with the US, Russia, the UK, France, India, Pakistan and other countries.  Third, domestically, China’s relevant authorities have taken concrete measures in financial, legal, civil aviation security, and exit and entry administration fields to strike and prevent terrorism with a satisfactory effect.  The Chinese Government will continue to actively conduct anti-terrorism consultation and cooperation with the international community, learn the experiences and approaches of various countries and improve our anti-terrorism measures in relevant areas to strike terrorism more effectively and forcefully.

As for your first question, during the past year, various countries have cooperated closely in combating terrorism and have made remarkable achievements.  However, there is still a long way to go in anti-terrorism, and the international community should further strengthen cooperation and work out a comprehensive strategy on the basis of the UN Charter to treat both the symptoms and the root cause of terrorism.  At the same time, efforts should be made to avoid linking terrorism to specific countries, ethnic groups or religions.  In a word, terrorism is a public hazard of the international community and China will, as always, continue to promote international anti-terrorism cooperation.


Q: The Afghan anti-terrorism war is continuing, and peace has not been achieved yet.  How does the Chinese side comment on this?

A: The war in Afghanistan is a part of the international war against terrorism.  We support the international community to strike against terrorism, and at the same time, as a neighbor of Afghanistan, China has actively participated in the peace process and post-war reconstruction in Afghanistan.


Q: How many North Koreans are there in the foreign embassies in Beijing at present, especially in the embassy of South Korea?  How will China handle the incident that 7 North Koreans attempted to break into the Foreign Ministry last week?

A: I have no knowledge about how many people are in the foreign diplomatic missions in China.  In the past two days, some people attempted to break into the foreign diplomatic missions in China, and we firmly oppose it.  The police are verifying their identity.  In the first half of this year, North Koreans who entered China illegally have made several attempts to break into the foreign diplomatic missions in China and we have made clear our attitude of strong opposition against it.  Last time I have said that they entered China illegally and the benevolent Chinese people have provided food and jobs for them.  So they should not do any other unlawful activities.  In particular, they should not be instigated by some organizations and individuals to try to break into the foreign diplomatic missions in China under all kinds of pretexts to impair China’s stability, challenge Chinese laws and endanger the security of foreign diplomatic missions.  I have for many times elaborated on this position here.

As for your second question, I have introduced at the last press conference that some unidentified people demonstrated outside the east gate of the Foreign Ministry and even attempted to break into it on 26 August.  Their activities seriously violate the relevant Chinese laws and regulations on assembly and demonstration and such an activity will not be allowed in any other countries.  The Chinese public security authorities are dealing with these unidentified people.


Q: As for the North Koreans who forced their way into the German school, German Chancellor hopes that this issue can be solved speedily and satisfactorily.  Earlier China indicated that such incidents would be solved in a humanitarian way.  How will China settle it?

A: I have noticed the statement by German Chancellor Schroeder.  As I have just said, China and Germany have reached consensus on the proper settlement of this issue and at present the consensus is being implemented.  The principled position of the Chinese side on this issue, which must be very clear for the journalist friends who often attend press conferences, is a three-fold one.  First, China is a country ruled by law, so everything should be handled according to law.  We will handle it in line with relevant domestic laws and regulations.  Second, it will be handled in compliance with international law.  Third, it will also be dealt with in a humanitarian spirit.


Q: Can you brief us on the achievements of the visit by Chairman Li Peng to Thailand? How do you comment on the development of China-Thailand relations?

A: China’s Xinhua News Agency and CCTV have already reported a lot on Chairman Li Peng’s visit.  China and Thailand enjoy good bilateral relations and have rich cooperation and exchanges in various areas.  Parliamentary exchange is an important part of the exchanges between the two countries.  Yesterday Chairman Li met Thai parliamentary leaders and both sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the further strengthening of exchanges and promotion of cooperation.  Today King of Thailand will meet Chairman Li.  During the visit, he will also have the opportunity to conduct in-depth exchanges of views with other Thai leaders on the all-round promotion of the mutually beneficial friendship between the two countries in the 21st century.


Q: You have just pointed out that the Chinese people are benevolent and have provided the North Koreans with food and jobs.  Can you elaborate on China’s policy on the issue of the North Koreans who entered China illegally?  How many such people are there?

A: Since they entered China illegally, do you think that we can find out the exact number?  Yet one thing is certain that they entered China illegally because of economic reasons.  China shares long border with DPRK, and they came here to make a living.  It should be said that the Chinese Government and the local people are kind and lenient.  We have often seen on TV that some developed countries have taken rigid measures when repatriating illegal immigrants, but it never happens in China.  I have introduced to you at the last press conference that some of the illegal trespassers we have found had traveled between China and DPRK for 12 times.  I do not know whether it is the highest record, maybe there is someone traveling even more times.


Q: Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will visit DPRK on 17 September.  Does the Chinese side believe this visit will make breakthrough achievements?  And can you tell us the detailed agenda of President Jiang’s visit to the US?  I only know that he will go to President Bush’s ranch in Texas to have a high-level meeting on 25 October.  Can you tell us more information?

A: It is good for Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to visit DPRK.  The Chinese side has expressed welcome and support for it immediately after the announcement of this piece of news.  The reason is simple that both Japan and DPRK are important neighbors of China, and China always hopes that the Korean Peninsular can move toward peace and stability.  We hope that through this visit, both sides will have in-depth exchanges of views to help solve the problems left over form history and lay a favorable foundation for the further development of bilateral relations between the two countries.  

President Jiang will visit the US at the end of October before the APEC summit.  An advance group led by Director General of the Protocol Department of the MFA Zhang Yun will leave for the US soon to discuss with the US side about the detailed agenda.  You must understand that before the two sides reach consensus on the agenda, I have no more information for you.


Q: China believes that those North Koreans entered China illegally.  Yet they claim to be political refugees, not come here for economic reasons.  More and more North Koreans try to travel to South Korea or other countries via China.  What do you think is the way to solve this problem?

A: I have for several times expounded China’s position.  First, we do not hope to see this kind of illegal incidents of border crossing.  Since some of them want to make a living in China due to economic reasons, we have adopted a lenient attitude.  Yet we firmly oppose that they are instigated to do other unlawful activities with an illegal identity.  


Q: The US President Bush will make a speech at the UN General Assembly on 12 September to explain the Iraqi policy of the US.  Does China welcome this?  Besides, according to Japanese media, Japanese Prime Minister will meet Premier Zhu on the sideline of the ASEM summit in Copenhagen at the end of this month.  Can you confirm it?    

A: At present, the Iraqi issue has the tendency of escalation and the Chinese side is deeply concerned and worried about it.  We believe that the core of the issue is the comprehensive and effective implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions.  On the one hand, Iraq should restore cooperation with the UN to allow the UN weapons inspectors back to Iraq.  On the other hand, the concern of Iraq regarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate security should be earnestly respected.  All parties should make efforts to push for the progress of the Iraqi issue.  China has for several times said that we are not in favor of use or threat of force, and holds that the Iraqi issue should be solved in a political way within the framework of the relevant UNSC resolutions.

You have also mentioned the possible meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi and Premier Zhu on the sideline of the ASEM.  The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the exchanges of high-level visits between China and Japan.  This year is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and now a series of celebration activities are being held.  As for whether Chinese Premier will meet Japanese Prime Minister, the two sides have not decided yet.


Q: US President will explain why the US wants to topple the Saddam administration in his speech at the UN General Assembly.   Does the Chinese side view it as a positive step?

A: Since the speech has not been made yet, it is not convenient for me to comment without relevant knowledge.


Q: President Bush said that he would have consultation with China on the Iraqi issue.  What is your comment?  Did the US side contact the Chinese side on this issue?

A: I can confirm your information.  The US side has contacted China.  The China-US relations are faced with a good opportunity for development.  President Jiang is going to visit the US, and this will be the third meeting between the two heads of state within one year.  It should be said that the two sides have maintained close consultation and exchanges of views on many major issues.


Q: Did you say that the US side has contacted China? When? What did China say to the US?

A: The US side has contacted China and the two sides are now under discussion.


Q: Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi will visit China next week.  What is the main topic of the talk between the two foreign ministers?

A: You have been in China for less than three months, and have already made great progress with your Chinese.  Congratulations!  Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi will visit China next week.  Actually at the beginning of this year, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi visited China as Japanese Environment Minister and besides that, she had several opportunities to meet with Foreign Minister Tang after she took office.  During this visit, the two sides will have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations.  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries.  The China-Japan relations have made great progress in the past three decades.  The exchanges and cooperation in all fields have been fruitful.  I believe that the two foreign ministers will review the progress in all fields of bilateral relations and have in-depth discussion on the further development of China-Japan relationship in the future.  Chinese leaders will also meet her.


Q: At present, the situation in Palestine is still serious.  Some Palestinians were killed.  How does the Chinese side comment on the current Middle East situation?  

A: The Chinese Government is very concerned about the Middle East situation, and is very worried about the recent escalation of tension in the region.  We always hold that both Israel and Palestine should proceed from their fundamental interests and long-term peace of the Middle East to face the reality and exercise restraint.  The two sides should break the violent circle to seek political settlement of the existing problem through dialogues and negotiations.


Q: Yesterday, the Israeli Supreme Court made the decision to expel two Palestinians from the West Bank to Gaza Strip.  How do you comment on this?

A: We are against this approach, because it will only further harm the national feeling of the two sides.  We hope that the Israeli side will not take measures that will impair relaxation of regional tension.  


Q: Does the German school that the North Korean broke into belong to German territory?  Is it protected by The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations?   Have China and Germany solved this problem?

A: Since it is a school, it is not a diplomatic mission.  The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations has clear definition for diplomatic missions.  This German international school is not a diplomatic mission and does not enjoy diplomatic privilege and immunity.  The Chinese side, as always, handles such incidents in line with the relevant domestic and international laws and in a humanitarian spirit and we believe that they will be solved soon.  In fact, China and Germany had contacted immediately after the incident and have reached consensus and it is now being implemented.