On 19 September 2002, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Kong Quan: Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman.  Today I don’t have any announcements.  I’d be glad to take your questions.

Q: Last time after 15 North Koreans entered the German school, you immediately announced that China and Germany have reached an agreement.  Is there an agreement concerning the two North Koreans now in the German school?

A: You did not attend the last press conference, and I have already made a briefing on the relevant situations.  China and Germany are having discussion on the two North Koreans who broke into the residence of German diplomats.  The two sides have reached a consensus and it is being implemented.

Q: How does China comment on the kidnapping question between Japan and DPRK?

A: China is a close neighbor to both Japan and DPRK.  We attach great importance to Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi’s visit to DPRK, which has made significant achievements.  Most importantly, the two sides have reached agreement on the solution of the problems left over from history and have decided to restart negotiation on the normalization of bilateral relations.  This is conducive to regional peace, stability and development.

Q: It is reported that the Sri Lankan Government and Tamil Tiger have just finished peace talks.  What is your comment?

A: We have expressed our delight when the Sri Lankan Government and Tamil Tiger began peace talks not long ago.  As a friend of Sri Lanka, the Chinese side has been closely following the developments in the country.  Since the beginning of this year, especially through the recent peace talks, the Sri Lankan peace process has made new progress for which we would like to express welcome.  China sincerely hopes that Sir Lanka can maintain domestic stability and enjoy economic growth and its people can live in peace and content.  This serves not only the aspiration and interests of the Sri Lankan people, but also regional peace and stability.  It is a common expectation of the international community.

Q: Does China oppose Taiwan’s proposal to send Lee Yuan-tseh to attend this Year’s APEC meeting?

A: The relevant APEC MOUs have clear-cut provisions on the level of Chinese Taipei’s representative in the APEC meetings and it has become a standard practice.  We hope that the relevant sides will handle the question of Chinese Taipei’s participation in the APEC meetings accordingly.

Q: Can you tell us some details about the two North Koreans?  You said China and Germany have reached a consensus, and what is it? Will they be allowed to leave China and go to South Korea?

A: You often attend our press conference, so I believe that you can well imagine my answer.  China is a country ruled by law, and we will handle these incidents in accordance with relevant domestic laws and regulation and international laws, and also in a humanitarian spirit.  

Q: Can we understand from the last press conference that those unidentified people who entered German Embassy will be treated in the same way as the previous cases?  In other words, will they leave China and end up in South Korea?

A: I would like to repeat what I have said.  We have our principled position and laws and regulations that we must follow in handling this question.  The principle is that we should comply with domestic laws and regulations, and the general practice of international laws.  At the same time, we will deal with it in a humanitarian spirit.

Q: Recently, India held an election in the Indian-controlled Kashmir.  But leaders of Kashmir called for a referendum.  The relevant UN resolutions also demand there should be a referendum.  What is your comment?

A: We believe that Kashmir is a question between India and Pakistan left over from the history.  We sincerely hope that the two sides will find a proper solution to the question through peaceful negotiation.

Q: This week, the Iraqi Government allowed UN representatives to begin inspection of its military targets.  How does China comment on the role of Russia in the settlement of this issue?

A: The Chinese Government always believes that the Iraqi issue should have peaceful solution through political and diplomatic ways on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.  We appreciate and support all efforts that serve the comprehensive and just solution of the Iraqi issue and the Chinese side is ready to make joint efforts with various parties, Russia included, to make positive contributions towards the end.  

Q: Last time you told us that China has appointed the Special Envoy to he Middle East.  Can you tell us when he will visit the region and carry out his mission?

A: The Chinese Government’s decision to appoint Ambassador Wang Shijie the Middle East Special Envoy has received positive response from relevant parties.  The vast majority of Arab countries have expressed to China their welcome for envoy’s visit to the Middle East, and the Israeli side also stated that China’s Special Envoy could play a unique role.  At present, I am not aware when he will visit the region.  He will set out to contact and strengthen coordination with the relevant parties.  As for the time of his visit, if I have accurate information, I will make it available to you as soon as possible.

Q: Will China support a resolution on Iraq proposed by the US in the UNSC?

A: First of all, we should notice that it is a positive step by Iraq in the cooperation with the UN to unconditionally allow the return of UN weapons inspectors to carry out their work.  On this basis, the imperative now is to get UN weapons inspectors back to Iraq and carry out their work as soon as possible so that they will be able to submit a just, objective and comprehensive inspection report at an early date to push for the political and diplomatic solution of the Iraqi issue.

Q: The United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) had contacts with Iraqi officials several days ago.  What is your comment?

A: It is true that officials from UNMOVIC had a preliminary meeting on 17 September with Iraq on the arrangement of weapons inspection.  We welcome this.  It will help UN weapons inspectors return to Iraq and carry out their work at an early date, and will create conditions for the political and peaceful settlement of the Iraqi issue.  We hope that the next round of meeting between the two sides will achieve the expected results.

Q: The US President had prepared a draft, and called on the Congress to approve military action against Iraq.  What is China’s comment?  Secondly, the US Defense Secretary said if the Iraqi President would leave Iraq and live in exile, the US would avoid using force against Iraq.  What is your comment?

A: As for your first question, I have introduced the principled position of the Chinese Government.  The Iraqi issue is now at a new critical point.  It is a positive sign that Iraq unconditionally allowed the return of UN weapons inspectors.  So we believe that the imperative now is to get UN weapons inspectors back to Iraq and carry out their work as soon as possible so that they will be able to submit a just, objective and comprehensive inspection report at an early date to push for the political solution of the Iraqi issue.

On your second question, China has followed its own principles in handling international relations.  We always hold that state-to-state relations should be handled according to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Q: Is the question of Iraqi President an issue between the US and Iraq or Iraq’s internal affair?  Or is it an international issue?

A: The UN Security Council has adopted several resolutions on the Iraqi issue.  So we believe that the imperative is to solve the issue through political and diplomatic ways on the basis of relevant UN Security Council resolution.

Q: Does China believe it is reasonable or necessary to adopt a new resolution on Iraq?  And how do you comment on the visit by Chen Shui-bian’s wife to the US?

A: I have answered your question earlier when referring to the position of the Chinese Government on the Iraqi issue.  It is a positive step by Iraq to decide to readmit UN weapons inspectors unconditionally.  We believe the imperative now is to get UN weapons inspectors back to Iraq and carry out their work as soon as possible so that they will be able to submit an objective, just and independent inspection report soon.  I think this fully expresses our position on this issue.

The Taiwan question stands at the core of China-US relations.  The US side is very clear about the position and principles of the Chinese Government on it.  The Taiwan question is at the core of the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués.  Besides, successive US leaders have made a series of commitments to the Chinese side.  We hope and require that the US Government strictly abide by the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués and honor its commitments to China to properly handle the Taiwan question.

Q: If the US uses force against Iraq, will it affect the international anti-terrorism unity?

A: China stands for strike against terrorism in all forms and we have always actively participated in international cooperation against terrorism.  During this process, we have stressed that the fight against terrorism should have hard evidence and clear targets, and should avoid arbitrary expansion of strike.

It will be China’s Mid-Autumn Festival in two days’ time.  I wish everyone a pleasant festival.