Kong Quan: Good afternoon. I have two pieces of announcement. Firstly, at the invitation of President Jiang Zemin, President Halonen of the Republic of Finland will pay a state visit to China from 26 to 28 November. Secondly, State Councillor Wu Yi will attend the 132nd General Assembly of the International Bureau of Exhibitions in Monte Carlo, Monaco from 2 to 3 December and give a presentation on Shanghai’s bid for World Expo 2010. The 132nd General Assembly of the International Bureau of Exhibitions will vote on the host country of World Expo 2010.

Now I am ready for your questions. Who will start first?

Q: What kind of concrete cooperation does China have with Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism? Does China have any new assistant projects in the reconstruction of Afghanistan? Does China have any cooperation with Pakistan in this area?

A: During his visit to China, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Abdullah had talks with his Chinese counterpart Tang Jiaxuan. He was met by Vice Premier Qian Qichen. During the meeting and talks, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the bilateral relations and the internal situation of Afghanistan. The meeting and the talks enhanced the mutual understanding between the two sides. The Chinese Government expressed its support to the efforts by the Afghan Government to fight terrorism.

On the second question, China has announced the exemption of Afghanistan’s debts owed to China. The exact figure is being discussed by the relevant departments of the two sides. As a friendly neighbour, China has been providing assistance to Afghanistan within its capability.  The Chinese Government has already promised US$150 million worth of assistance to Afghanistan. The assistance is now being gradually implemented. During the visit by the Afghan Foreign Minister, the two sides also had an exchange of views on some concrete projects.

In short, China takes a positive attitude in developing its ties with Afghanistan. It has also actively participated in the post-war peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan.

As for Pakistan, China has similar or identical views with Pakistan on many international issues. We believe that China, Pakistan and Afghanistan will make their respective contributions to regional peace, stability and development.

Q: Later this week, delegations from China and India will hold a joint working group meeting on the boundary issue in New Delhi. What is your expectation? Will there be any breakthrough?

A: Welcome to today’s Press Conference after covering the 16th Party Congress. I can confirm that China’s Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi will leave for India on 21 November for the 14th meeting of the Sino-Indian joint working group on the boundary issue. The two sides will have an exchange of views on the boundary issue, other bilateral issues and regional and internationally issues of common interest. On the meeting, it is our wish that new progress could be made at the forthcoming session on the basis of the previous rounds of talks.

Q: The North Korean Government claimed that they already had nuclear weapons. However, now they have changed their tone. What is China’s comment? Besides, the UN weapons inspectors have arrived in Baghdad. What is China’s comment on the development?

A: China has adopted a consistent attitude on the nuclear question of the DPRK. We have made clear our position on the issue on various occasions. Firstly, we have always devoted ourselves to peace and stability of the Peninsula. We support a nuclear-free Peninsula. Secondly, China is against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It is our sincere hope that the relevant sides solve the existing questions through dialogue for the sake of peace and stability of the Peninsula.

On the second question, it is our wish that the UN weapons inspectors could effectively carry out their work at an early date and the relevant sides implement the relevant UNSC resolutions strictly and earnestly.

Q: Could you please brief us on the results of the visit to China by President Kuchma of Ukraine? What are the main topics of discussion with the Chinese leaders? Have they touched upon the Iraqi issue?

A: Yesterday, China’s President Jiang Zemin had wide-ranging talks with President Kuchma of Ukraine on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues. The bilateral relations have enjoyed rapid development in recent years, with smooth and mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic and trade, scientific and technological, cultural and other fields. President Jiang Zemin and President Kuchma also attended the signing ceremony of the Joint Declaration of PRC and Ukraine, Agreement on the Intellectual Property Rights Cooperation between the Government of PRC and the Government of Ukraine, Protocol on the Cooperation in the Aviation Technology between the National Commission for Science and Technology of the Defence Industry of the PRC and the Ministry of Industrial Policy of Ukraine and the Exchange of Letters on the Providing of Assistance to the Government of Ukraine by the Chinese Government. The visit is a successful one. Besides, Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, CPPCC Chairman Li Ruihuan and Vice Premier Li Lanqing will also meet with President Kuchma today. President Kuchma will go on for a visit to Jinan, Shandong Province, where a Sino-Ukrainian hi-tech cooperation park is located.

Q: During his visit, has the Ukrainian President Kuchma talked about the radar sales to China? Is Vice President Hu Jintao going to meet him?

A: On the first question, I have not heard of it.

According to my knowledge, there is no arrangement for President Kuchma to meet Vice President Hu Jintao.

Q: Will the election of the new Communist Party leadership bring any changes to China’s foreign policy?

A: I am sure that you have carefully studied General-Secretary Jiang Zemin’s report to the 16th Party Congress, especially Part 9 on our foreign policy. I believe that, after carefully reading the report, you will come to the conclusion that there will not be any changes to China’s independent foreign policy of peace. There will not be any changes to the fundamental goal of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

Q: It is reported that a U.S. naval ship will make a port call on Hong Kong this Thursday or Friday. Is it part of the international fight against terrorism or a regular training exercise?

A: Some U.S. naval ships often go to Hong Kong for a break. The cases are examined one by one by the Central Government of China according to the relevant provisions of the Basic Law. I understand that the cases of the two ships that you just mentioned are examined within this framework.

Q: Could you please brief us on the results of the visit by China’s special envoy on the Middle East?

A: Ambassador Wang Shijie, China’s Special Envoy on the Middle East, paid a visit to Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Israel from 6 to 14 November. During the visit, he had an in-depth exchange of views on the Middle East peace process and other issues with foreign ministers and leaders of the above countries. Ambassador Wang elaborated on the principled position of the Chinese Government on the question of the Middle East. He also worked on the relevant parties concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. During the visit, he met with the Secretary-General of the Arab League and the special envoys on the Middle East of EU, U.S.A, Russia and UN who were also visiting the region. The visit has yielded positive results, enabling the relevant parties to have a more comprehensive understanding of China’s willingness to play a positive role in the Middle East peace process within the UN framework.

The relevant sides expressed their welcome to China’s appointment of the Special Envoy. They hope that China could play a more active role on the question of the Middle East. They are ready to keep in close touch and cooperation with China.  

I wish to inform you that we have been in touch with Ambassador Wang. He is willing to brief you on his trip sometime this week. We will let you know of the exact time as soon as we have the confirmation.


Q: The Moftec today announced safeguard measures against imported steel products. What is your comment?

A: I think you’d better ask the spokesperson of the Moftec.

Q: Did you say that China has agreed to the U.S. port calls to Hong Kong? What kind of details could you provide? Besides, could you confirm that a U.S. naval ship is going to visit Qingdao on 24 November and a U.S. admiral is going to visit China in mid-December?

A: On the first question, according to my information, U.S. naval vessels had applied for replenishment and vacations in Hong Kong. The cases are examined one by one by the Central Government according to the Basic Law. The approval has been given this time according to this practice.

On the second question, it actually touches upon one of the agreements reached between the two heads of states in the Crawford ranch. The two heads of states have agreed to resume the military exchanges and the defence consultations at the deputy defence ministers level. The two sides are holding consultations on the implementation of the agreement, possibly including the exchange of naval port calls that you have just mentioned. I do not have any concrete information to offer you at the moment.