On 26 September, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue had a regular press conference.

Zhang Qiyue: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Today I don’t have any announcements.  I would be glad to take your questions.

Q: How do you comment on the current situation in Cote d’Ivoive?

A: As a friendly country, China has been closely following the developments in Cote d’Ivoive.  The peace and stability in the country do not come by easily.  Any attempt to undermine them runs counter to the interests of the Cote d’Ivoive people.  The Chinese Government supports President Gbagbo’s efforts in maintaining domestic stability and promoting national reconciliation after he took office.  We are convinced that the Cote d’Ivoive Government and people will be able to restore political stability under the leadership of President Gbagbo to create a sound environment for the economic and social development in Cote d’Ivoive.
 

Q: What is China’s response toward the British report on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction?

A: After we received the briefing from the British side, we have been studying the relevant British report.  We believe that the imperative for the Iraqi issue is to readmit UN weapons inspectors to Iraq as soon as possible and have on-site investigation to ascertain the truth.  The Chinese side is willing to work with the international community and continue to strive for the political solution of the Iraqi issue within the UN framework.  


Q: The US Government announced that it would send an envoy to North Korea.  Does China view it a positive step?

A: Recently, the Korean Peninsular has shown a tendency toward relaxation.  DPRK has improved its relations with the US, Japan and Russia to various degrees and we welcome this development.  Today the US has announced that it will send officials to North Korea to have contact and we regard it as a positive step.  We hope that the relevant countries will improve their relations with DPRK and enhance mutual trust through dialogue to maintain the tendency of relaxation on the Peninsular.  


Q: Russian Foreign Minister recently described the Iraqi report by British Prime Minister as an “advertisement”.  Does China hold the same view?  Secondly, although the UN adopted a new resolution on the escalation of Middle East situation, Israel still stuck to its own way and destroyed houses of Palestinians yesterday, which aggravated the situation in the region.  How does China comment on this?  

A: I have just expressed the position of the Chinese side on your first question.  This report is quite a long one.  The English version has more than 50 pages and the Chinese version will be even longer.  We are carefully studying it after we were informed by the British side on this.  As I have just stressed, the imperative for the Iraqi issue is to readmit UN weapons inspectors to Iraq as soon as possible and have on-site investigation.  It is reported that Executive Chairman of the UNMOVIC Dr. Hans Blix will have contact with Iraqi officials in Vienna next week, which is a positive step.  The Chinese side holds that the Iraqi issue should be solved within the UN framework.  

It is true that the Middle East situation is still strained.  At the last press conference, I expressed the concern and worry of the Chinese Government.  We strongly condemn the large-scale military action by Israel in the Palestine-controlled territory, especially laying besiege on President Arafat’s official residence.  Recently the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1435, which reflects the call of the international community.  We call upon Israel to heed the call of the international community, halt its military action against Palestine and its besiege on President Arafat as soon as possible and ensure his personal safety and due dignity to create necessary conditions for the resumption of peace talks.


Q: It is reported from Washington that if the US fails to obtain support from the UN on the Iraqi issue, the US will act unilaterally.  Yet the Chinese Government reiterated that the US should act within the UN framework.  If the US takes unilateral action ultimately, how will it affect China-US relations?

A: The Chinese side has expressed for many times that the Iraqi issue should be solved politically and peacefully within the UN framework.  The UN has already adopted 59 resolutions in this regard, and we call on Iraq to fully and effectively implement and observe the relevant UN resolutions.  At the same time, the international community should make joint efforts to solve the Iraqi issue within the UN framework.

Here I want to brief you on the characteristics of the general debate of this year’s UN General Assembly.  Firstly, all member states stressed the importance of multilateralism and stood for the intensification of international cooperation and coordination.  Secondly, many countries emphasized that the role of the UN should be strengthened in accordance with the UN Charter.  Thirdly, the issue of development has received wide attention.  The vast majority of member states, especially developing countries held a universal view that the international community should attach greater importance to the development issue and various countries should intensify cooperation in poverty alleviation and promotion of common prosperity.  Fourthly, all parties expressed their willingness to continue to strengthen international anti-terrorism cooperation and believed that both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism should be treated.  Fifthly, most countries stood for peaceful solution of regional hotspots through political and diplomatic ways.  I think this is the universal call of the international community.  The handling of the Iraqi issue should comply with this call and be in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.  


Q: It is a question on the trade dispute between China and the US.  The US recently accused China of dumping shrimps to America below the market price and fishing representatives from 8 American states will charge China with dumping.  Is China engaged in dumping and what is your comment?

A: As for your question, the accusation against China by relevant sides is not fair.  China is always opposed to the abuse of anti-dumping policy.  Such a practice is not in the interests of either party.


Q: October 11 will be the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, and on Saturday the two sides will hold a large celebrating activity.  Germany is China’s biggest investment partner in Europe and how do you comment on the China-Germany relations?  Secondly, not long ago China sent those North Koreans who entered the German school to South Korea, but the school is not a diplomatic estate.  Why did China made such a decision?

A: For the first question, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany and the bilateral ties are very good.  The two countries have maintained frequent political exchanges, and Chinese President Jiang paid a successful visit to Germany earlier this year.  The economic relations and trade between the two countries are expanding with each passing day, and Germany is the biggest trade partner of China in Europe.  Recently Germany held a general election and we have expressed our congratulation.  Although Chinese Premier Zhu and Foreign Minister Tang were paying visits abroad then, they conveyed their congratulation to German Chancellor Schroeder and Foreign Minister Fischer.  

China always attaches importance to its relations with Germany and is willing to develop a long term and stable friendly relations and cooperation with Germany.  We believe that the development of China-Germany relations is not only in the interest of the two countries and two peoples, but also plays a positive role in world peace and stability.  The Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts with the new German Government and take the 30th anniversary as an opportunity to further promote the comprehensive development of long-term friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

As for the second question, we have for many times made clear our position.  We have always handled this question according to international and domestic laws and in a humanitarian spirit.


Q: It is reported that a US navy ship collided with a Chinese fishing boat recently in the Yellow Sea.  Can you tell us some details?  Has China made representations to the US side?

A: Without China’s permission, the US navy vessel Bowditch conducted activities in China’s exclusive economic zone in violation of international maritime law.  This also violates China’s relevant rights, interests and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone.  We demand the US side abide by international laws and hope the US navy ship will stop activity in China’s exclusive economic zone.  


Q: Can you give some details about the collision between the US navy vessel and Chinese fishing boat, such as what is the exact area?  Did the US ship really collide with a Chinese ship and what representations did China make to the US side?

A: I have told you what I know and I have nothing more.  Actually, details are not that important.  What matters is that the US side should strictly abide by international law and stop its relevant activity in China’s exclusive economic zone.  


Q: In April last year, a similar case of plane collision happened in Hainan and after that the two sides conducted consultation on how to promote bilateral relations and avoid similar accidents in the future.  What progress has been made in this regard?  

A: After the plane collision incident in April 2001, China and the US had several rounds of contact and consultation.  We have for many times stressed that the most important thing is that the US side should abide by the relevant provisions of international laws and respect China’s sovereignty and relevant rights and interests.  On the question of US navy vessel Bowditch, we hope that the US side will honor the provisions of the international maritime law and respect China’s relevant rights, interests and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone.

The China-US relations on the whole maintain a sound momentum of development.  A steady relationship between China and the US is not only in the interests of the countries and peoples, but also conduces to the peace and stability on Asia-Pacific and the world at large.  So we hope that the US side can fully recognize the significance of developing constructive and cooperative relations with China.


Q: Just now you have mentioned exclusive economic zone.  Can you tell us what it is? What is the difference between exclusive economic zone and territorial water?

A: The United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea has clear provisions for exclusive economic zone and today’s press conference is not devoted to the discussion about it.  I suggest you look it up in The United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, which has made very clear that one country is entitled to relevant rights, interests jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone.


Q: Recently Hong Kong signed with the US the relevant documents on container security screening.  Is the Mainland going to have similar cooperation with the US?

A: China opposes terrorism in all forms and welcomes any suggestion and measures that help international anti-terrorism campaign.  The Chinese Central Government attaches importance to and supports Hong Kong SAR Government’s participation in the relevant international anti-terrorism campaign to safeguard Hong Kong’s social tranquility and stability, economic prosperity and development.  In principle, the Central Government is in favor of Hong Kong SAR Government’s cooperation with the US on container security screening in accordance with the Basic Law.

As for whether the Mainland will have similar cooperation with the US, the relevant departments are studying it and consulting with the US side.  

Thank you.