Kong Quan: Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon. Your presence here is really a surprise for me. Many of you are covering the 16th Party Congress. I have seen many of your faces on TV. I thought that you would directly go to attend the Press Conference on Western Development by the Press Centre of the Party Congress. I am greatly encouraged by your presence here before you go to the next event.  

I have two pieces of announcement to make. Firstly, at the invitation of President Jiang Zemin, President Kuchma of Ukraine will pay a state visit to China from 17 to 20 November. Secondly, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah of Afghanistan will pay an official visit to China from 17 to 19 November. Besides, I have learnt that teachers and students from the Foreign Affairs College of China are here to participate in our Press Conference. On behalf of the Information Department of the Foreign Ministry, I wish to express our welcome.

Now I am ready to take up your questions.

Q: China has indicated that it could not sign an international code of conduct on the non-proliferation of ballistic missiles. Could you please confirm and explain the reasons? China would not participate in this international effort in non-proliferation. However, North Korea now seems to have a nuclear development programme. How does China plan to make its own contribution to the stability of the Korean Peninsula?

A: The Chinese Government is resolutely opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We attach great importance to the International Code of Conduct on the Non-proliferation of Ballistic Missiles as you mentioned. We support the principle of non-proliferation of the Code of Conduct. From the very beginning, we have participated in the discussions of the Code and come up with reasonable amendments. Regrettably, however, the final text of the Code has not adopted and absorbed China’s suggestions, which makes it difficult for China to participate in the Code. The issue itself will not change the position of the Chinese Government to stand resolutely against any form of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their carriers. On all questions, the Chinese side has reiterated its position that it does not support, encourage or participate in the supply of weapons of mass destruction to any country. At the same time, we have improved our domestic legislation. Maybe you will recall that several legislations were adopted successively recently to step up our legislations in this area. In other words, the old administrative measures have now been replaced by legislative measures. China will step up its international cooperation in this field according to its own practices. China has been working for peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

Q: You have just announced the forthcoming visit of the Afghan Foreign Minister. Could you please give me some details?

A: The forthcoming visit by the Foreign Minister of the Transitional Government of Afghanistan is very important. Since the end of the turmoil in Afghanistan, the bilateral ties between China and Afghanistan have enjoyed smooth development. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan visited Afghanistan. China has actively participated in the peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan. Through the forthcoming visit, the two sides can have an in-depth exchange of views on concrete issues in the bilateral cooperation, regional situation and peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan. We believe that the visit will promote mutual understanding, friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation on an equal basis.

Q: Nancy Pelosi has become the minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. In light of her stance on the question of human rights, is China afraid that her election will affect Sino-U.S. relations?

A: After the mid-term election in the United States, we have stated our position on similar questions raised by correspondents. Fundamentally speaking, the mid-term election in the United States is its domestic affairs. It is our hope that, as the two legislative bodies, the National People’s Congress of China and the U.S. Congress could increase their exchanges and mutual trust, so as to jointly push ahead the constructive and cooperative relations between China and the United States.

Q: What is China’s comment on the U.S. threat to cut its supply of fuel oil to the DPRK? If the United States cuts its supply, will China, as a friend, supply fuel oil to North Korea?

A: It is a provision of the Geneva Nuclear Framework Agreement to supply fuel oil. The agreement was reached upon after discussions between the United States and the DPRK. In our view, the agreement has played an important role in maintaining denuclearization, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. It should be noted that the agreement has not come easily. China holds that the relevant parties should earnestly implement the agreement. The Korean nuclear issue is something of major concern. China has all along advocated for and supported the settlement of the issue by the relevant parties through dialogue and talks.

Q: The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly will arrive in Beijing today. Which Chinese officials will he meet with? What questions will be discussed?

A: The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly will arrive in Beijing this afternoon. It is a pity that I can not offer you his flight number. Tomorrow, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Assistant Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong will have talks with him. As far as I know, they will mainly exchange views on three aspects: Firstly, bilateral ties. A series of agreements were reached upon at the meetings between the two heads of state at President Bush’s ranch in Crawford. The officials of the two foreign ministries will exchange views on concrete follow-up measures of these agreements, so that they can be implemented as soon as possible. Secondly, Mr. Kelly is in charge of Asian affairs. Needless to say, he will exchange views with senior officials of the Foreign Ministry of China on the East Asian situation and the situation of Asia as a whole. Thirdly, I believe that, as officials of foreign ministries, they will also have an in-depth exchange of views on the international situation and other questions of common concern.

Q:  Yesterday, we read the Foreign Ministry Spokesman’s statement on the application by Lee Teng-hui for a visit to Japan. If Lee visits Japan, what will be China’s reaction?

A: On the visit by Lee Teng-hui to Japan, the Chinese side has officially made clear its position to the Japanese side. We have all along opposed to any visit under any names or forms by Lee Teng-hui to any country with diplomatic ties with China. The Chinese Government has noted that the Japanese Government yesterday made it clear that Lee’s visa application had not met the necessary requirement. We call on the Japanese side to strictly follow the spirit of the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and properly handle the issue.

Q: Could you please give some further explanations to China’s refusal to sign the International Code of Conduct on the Non-proliferation of Ballistic Missiles? If China does not play its role at such international arena, does China prepare to unilaterally persuade Pyongyang to give up its existing nuclear programme?

A: The Chinese delegation has actively participated in the whole discussion of the International Code of Conduct. In a constructive spirit, it has come up with some reasonable amendments. However, the amendments were not accepted. I mentioned just now that, on the one hand, China has since September issued or amended four laws and regulations on the control of missiles, biological agents, chemicals and military goods trade in accordance with its own practices and those of foreign countries. Overall speaking, China has stepped up its arms control. Some of the parametres of our missile export control regime are even stricter than those under the MTCR. On the other hand, China has also increased its international cooperation. We do not encourage, participate in or support the supply of weapons of mass destruction to other countries. In light of this, whether China signed the International Code of Conduct this time or not will by no means affect the determination and the practical efforts by the Chinese Government to resolutely oppose the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Nor will it affect the effective cooperation in this field between China and the international community.