On 24 September, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue had a regular press conference.

Zhang Qiyue: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I am very glad to meet you here again.  First of all, I would like to express welcome for a guest from afar, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea.  Welcome to Beijing.

Today I don’t have any announcements.  I am pleased to take your questions.

Q: In the past four days, the Middle East situation was escalating.  The Israeli army besieged the headquarters of President Arafat and threatened to blow it up. What is your comment?

A: The Chinese Government is deeply concerned and worried about the escalating Israel-Palestine conflict.  We strongly condemn Israel’s large military action in the Palestine-controlled territory, especially its siege of President Arafat’s official residence.

The Chinese side always believes that force will not help solve the problem, but rather aggravate the current tension and hatred between the two sides.  We have noticed that President Arafat has made an announcement recently to urge Palestinian factions to stop violence against Israel.  The Chinese side harshly condemns the recent suicide bombings in Israel.  We call on the Israeli side to heed the call of the international community to halt military action against Palestine as soon as possible, end siege on President Arafat and ensure his personal security.  It is the only way to create conditions for the early resumption of peace talks.  

Q: Last week, you announced that China had appointed a Middle East Special Envoy.  Is there a timetable for his activity and when will he visit the region?

A: Not long ago, we announced that the Chinese Government had appointed a veteran diplomat as the Middle East Special Envoy.  This shows that the Chinese Government, as always, attaches importance to the peace cause of the Middle East.  After the recent escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Chinese side has taken a series of steps.  China’s permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Wang Yingfan has, on behalf of the Chinese Government, expounded China’s position at the UN Security Council meeting.  The Chinese side also actively participated in the consultation on the Middle East at the Security Council and other places.  Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Wenchang had urgent meetings with envoys of Arab countries to coordinate the positions of various parties.  Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, who is accompanying Premier Zhu to attend ASEM Summit in Denmark, had a phone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart yesterday and made clear the stance of Chinese side on the latest development in the Middle East.  Foreign Minister Tang said that China is ready to work with Arab countries to promote the relaxation of the current Middle East tension and create conditions for the early resumption of peace talks between the relevant parties.

As for China’s Middle East Special Envoy, the Chinese Government will send him to the region at an appropriate time.

Q: The Palestinian National Authority thinks that the silence of the international community has led to Israel’s invasion against Palestine.  As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, what concrete measures will China take to stop such invasion?  Secondly, we heard that the Chinese Government summoned Israel’s Ambassador to China and condemned Israel’s recent military action against Palestine.  Can you confirm it?  

A: For your first question, as a permanent member of the Security Council, China, as always, is committed to the promotion of Middle East peace and stability.  We believe that under the current situation, the Israeli side should heed the call of the international community to stop large-scale military action against Palestine at an early date and halt siege on President Arafat.  We hope that the two sides will resume peace talks as soon as possible, and this is very important for the relaxation of Middle East situation.

Q: A lot of media in Pyongyang yesterday reported that a Chinese businessman Yang Bin will head North Korea’s Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.  What is your comment?

A: We have noticed DPRK’s announcement to set up Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.  We welcome and support this new step by DPRK in economic construction.

China and DPRK are friendly neighbors, and we share traditional friendship.  China is ready to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with North Korea to promote common development of China, DPRK and the region.

As for your specific question, I have no comment.

Q: The move by North Korea to establish a Special Administrative Region seems very similar to China’s reform and opening up.  Is North Korea copying China in its economic reform?  Will China encourage North Korea to further reform and open up?

A: China’s reform and opening up have been going on for more than two decades.  During the initial stage, China set up several special economic zones in the coastal area.  We have followed a socialist road with Chinese characteristics and developed a socialist market economy in line with our national conditions.  China’s mode of development is not necessarily suitable for other countries.  We have noticed the new step by DPRK in economic construction.  We welcome and support it.

Q: Hong Kong will introduce a legislation on treason and subversion according to Article 23 of the Basic Law.  Many Hong Kong people fear that Hong Kong’s democracy, human rights and freedom will be affected.  What is your comment?  

A: I have tried to get some knowledge on this question.  According to Article 23 of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People's Government, or theft of state secrets, to prohibit foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in the Region, and to prohibit political organizations or bodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodies.  It is quite necessary for the Hong Kong SAR to introduce a legislation to implement the aforementioned article.  It serves the overall interest of Hong Kong and the whole country and is also consistent with the international legislation practice.

Q: I have two questions.  Firstly, President Jiang is going to visit the US soon.  Can you tell us something about the agenda and topics of this visit?  It is reported that China will sign a fourth joint communiqué with the US.  Can you confirm it?  Secondly, Singapore used to have its military training bases in Taiwan, but recently it is reported that Singapore will relocate its military bases from Taiwan to Hainan Island.  Is it true?

A: As to the first question, I want to point out that at present, the China-US relations have on the whole maintained a good momentum of development.  There have been frequent exchanges of high-level visits and strategic dialogues.  The two sides have had close and fruitful cooperation in various fields, especially in counter terrorism.  China and the US also maintained close consultation and contact on the current international issues.

The Taiwan question is always the most important and sensitive question at the core of China-US relations.  We have always asked the US side to abide by the One China policy and observe the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués, which set forth the basic principles for the bilateral relations.  So long as the US side observes these principles, China-US relations will enjoy smooth development.  At present, the two sides are preparing for President Jiang’s visit in October.  I am not aware of the detailed agenda and I think we will brief you on it at an appropriate time.

As for your second question, I have no knowledge about it.

Q: If the US asks the UN Security Council to adopt a new resolution on military strike against Iraq, how will China react?

A: The Iraqi issue is a public concern and China’s position on it has been consistent.  Iraq should strictly and comprehensively implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.  To my knowledge, Security Council has already adopted 59 resolutions in this regard, which has made provisions in all aspects on how to solve the Iraqi issue.  China believes that Iraq should strictly and comprehensively implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the imperative is to readmit UN weapons inspectors in Iraq to carry out their work and provide an objective report as soon as possible.  Then the UN Security Council will be able to draw an objective, independent and just conclusion on the relevant issues.  I also heard that the US and some other countries will submit a new proposal to the Security Council, and so far we haven’t seen such a proposal.  If there is one, we are ready to study and research it.

Q: Chinese media reported that recently China has intensified the strike against East Turkistan terrorist group.  At the same time, China announced that China will have a cross-border military exercise with Kyrgyzstan and some other central Asian countries.  Does it show terrorism in the border areas between China and Central Asian countries is on the rise?

A: Your question has many aspects.  The Chinese side has for several times expounded its position on counter terrorism.  Terrorism should be firmly condemned and fought against no matter when and where it happens, who is targeted and who commits it.  The East Turkistan terrorist group has perpetrated quite a number of terrorist activities for which we have hard evidence.  Yet this does not necessarily mean that recently terrorism is on the rise.

In the wake of the September 11 incident, counter terrorism has become the priority for many countries.  China has intensified international anti-terrorism cooperation with relevant countries.  The upcoming joint military exercise between China and Kyrgyzstan you mentioned is against this general backdrop.  It is the first bilateral anti-terrorism joint military exercise within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and also a concrete step to implement the Charter of Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Shanghai Convention on Fight against Terrorism, Splittism and Extremism.  It shows the firm determination of the two countries to commit to fight against the three forces and is of great significance for the two sides to strengthen mutual understanding in the military area and safeguard security and stability in the border areas.

Q: Will Chinese People’s Liberation Army have the military exercise on the territory of Kyrgyzstan?

A: To my knowledge, it is the first time for China’s PLA to cross border to have military exercise with a neighboring country.

Q: China’s used to have a defense policy that it would not have military exercise with other countries.  Yet this cross-border military exercise will arouse doubt from the international community.  If Chinese PLA can cross border this time, it can do so next time.  What is your comment?

A: I believe that after September 11 incident, many things have changed.  We have just said that against the general backdrop of international anti-terrorism cooperation, China and Kyrgyzstan decided to have a joint anti-terrorism military exercise in the border areas in accordance with the Charter of Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Shanghai Convention on Fight against Terrorism, Splittism and Extremism.  Although the military exercise is a cross-border one, it is limited to the border areas.

Q: Will China’s PLA continue to carry out military operation against terrorists and fugitives outside China’s territory after this military exercise?

A: I have made it rather clear that it is the first military exercise between China and Kyrgyzstan conducted in accordance with the Charter of Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Shanghai Convention on Fight against Terrorism, Splittism and Extremism.

Q: Can you tell us how many soldiers will take part in this military exercise?

A: I think you should refer to the Defense Ministry.  I am not aware of the relevant information.

Finally, I want to make an announcement that due to National Day holidays, Foreign Ministry’s regular press conference will be suspended from 1 to 7 October, and will resume on 8 October, Tuesday.  

Thank you.