Q: A new prime minister will be elected today in Pakistan. What is China’s comment?

A: We are very pleased to see the relevant reports. China and Pakistan are friendly neighbours. It is our sincere hope that Pakistan will enjoy stability and devote itself to national development.

Q: The United States will cut its heavy fuel oil supply to North Korea. It may cause difficulties to the lives of the North Koreans this coming winter. China has close ties with North Korea. Will it consider replacing the United States in oil supply to North Korea?

A: This question has been raised on several occasions by your colleagues. Maybe you were not at our previous two press conferences and missed my response to the question. The supply of fuel oil to the DPRK was provided for by the Untied States in its agreed Framework of 1994 with DPRK for the settlement of the nuclear issue. We hold that this agreement has not come by easily. It was reached after protracted talks between the two sides. The agreement has contributed to the goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. It has also contributed to peace and stability of the Peninsula. It is our hope that the relevant sides could earnestly carry out their commitments and obligations.

Q: A U.S. naval ship will make a port call to Qingdao next week, the first such visit since the plane collision between China and the United States. What is the significance of the visit? What is your comment on the current Sino-U.S. relations?

A: In recent years, there are some military exchanges between China and the United States. These exchanges are mutually-beneficial. The military ties are important components of the bilateral relations. Such exchanges will promote mutual understanding between the two armed forces and contribute to the overall development of the bilateral relations. Due to reasons known to all, Sino-U.S. military exchanges were suspended. During President Jiang Zemin’s visit to the United States last October, the two leaders reviewed the overall bilateral ties and had an in-depth exchange of views on the future development of the relations. A series of important agreements were reached, including the restoration of military exchanges. The naval port calls that you have just mentioned and the defence consultations at the deputy defence ministerial level will be restored. According to my knowledge, the relevant departments of the two countries are holding discussions on the details for their implementation.

Q: The US has officially requested Britain to join the possible war against Iraq. Is it going to affect the work of the UN weapons inspectors and the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1441?

A: What’s the international community concerned most about Iraq? We believe that the focus of the international attention is that Resolution 1441 approved by UN Security Council not long ago can be implemented fully, strictly and earnestly. The resolution embodies views of the international community and its wish for a political settlement within the framework of the UN. China calls for an earnest implementation of this resolution.

Q: China and the US have different understandings of the “no fly zone”, can you explain more on what’s China’s position on that?

A: UN Security Council has never authorized the establishment of “no fly zone”. We hope that all of UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1441 can be fully and strictly implemented so that the Iraqi question can be properly resolved under the framework of the UN.

Q: There are reports saying that Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan will be visiting Spain and Germany. Can you brief us on his agenda? What’s the significance of this visit? Why does he only visit the two countries?

A: After attending the Foreign Minister’s Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan will pay an official visit to Spain from November 24 to 27. He will meet with the Spanish King and Prime Minister Aznar and hold talks with his counterpart. Their discussions will be extensive since bilateral ties are developing smoothly with fruitful achievements in all fields. The two sides will also have an in-depth exchange of views on future development of bilateral ties.

Following his visit to Spain, Foreign Minister Tang will also pay an official visit to Germany from November 27 to 29 at the invitation of German Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fischer. During his stay in Berlin, he will meet with President Rao, Chancellor Schroeder, hold talks with Foreign Minister Fischer. The two sides will review the recent development of bilateral relationship, explore possibilities of furthering it and exchange views on major international and regional issues. I believe that this visit will further promote bilateral ties between China and the two countries respectively.

As for why there are only two states on his agenda, China has established diplomatic relations with almost all European countries. It’s just impossible to cover all of them in one trip. In recent years, Foreign Minister Tang will visit Europe once or twice a year. His counterparts in Europe also pay frequent visits to China according to their schedule. In one word, the relations between China and countries in EU have been developing smoothly with deeper and wider cooperation.

Q: Can you tell us more details of the port call of the US naval ship to Qingdao? For instance, how long will it stay there? Are the service men allowed to go sight-seeing and shopping?

A: I don’t have any specific information of this call. I suggest you to make inquiries to the Ministry of Defence. In general terms, China is working actively with the US to finalize the agreement reached between two leaders on the restoration and enhancement of the bilateral military exchanges.

Q: Will there be more US port calls to China in the foreseeable future? Besides, US Assistant Secretary of State Kelly said that President Bush didn’t commit himself to visit China next year. Is China expecting his visit to China next year?

A: Relevant departments of the China and the US are having close contact to finalize the agreement reached between the two Presidents on resumption and enhancement of bilateral military exchanges. We believe that the exchange of visits and contact are helpful in promoting mutual understanding and the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries.

As for President Bush’s visit, President Jiang extended invitation to him at Crawford, the latter happily accepted it. As usual, the two sides will discuss about the suitable timing through diplomatic channels.

Q: Can you update us on Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee’s visit to China?

A: During his visit to India this January, Premier Zhu invited Prime Minister Vajpayee to visit China. The latter happily accepted the invitation. We are deeply convinced that the exchange of visits between leaders of the two countries are of significance to furthering the bilateral relations and China has always been positive towards that. Prime Minister Vajpayee’s visit this time will also further promote the development of bilateral ties. The specific agenda is still under discussion.

Q: My question is concerning the visit by Vice Foreign Minister of China to India. Will he restate China’s position during his talks with the Indian leaders and officials, which is that India should resume its talks with Pakistan so that some questions including Kashmir can be solved peacefully?

A: Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on his trip to India today for the 14th round of talks of the joint working group on boundary questions. We hope that the two sides can reach new agreements on this meeting. Since it’s a meeting between the two Foreign Ministries, the participants will have chance to exchange views on international and regional issues, but boundary issues will still dominate their discussions.

Q: We learnt that there have been very frequent exchange of high level visits between China and North Korea. Does President Kim Jung Il plan to visit China?

A: You’ve been quite skillful in asking the question. I believe that he will visit China again some day in the future. China and North Korea are friendly neighbours with frequent exchange of visits and views. So far I haven’t heard any news of this visit.

Q: It’s reported that some North Koreans were caught attempting to break into Vietnam via southern China. They were handed over by Vietnam to China and detained in Guangxi Province. Do you have any information on that? Another question is that the US reportedly has approached to over 50 countries for personnel and material assistance during the possible military strikes on Iraq. Has China been approached? What was China’s response? If not, what will be China’s response?

A: For your first question, I’m not aware of the situation there. But I wish to stress here that China is a country governed by law and we will act accordingly. My colleagues and I have on many occasions expounded on China’s position on the North Koreans who have trespassed into China illegally. They have entered China illegally out of economic reasons and the increasing number of such people has brought about social problems in the border areas of China. Recently some so-called religious and human rights organizations have organized these people to break into the foreign embassies and consulates in China and the Foreign Ministry. We can never accept such reckless disruption of China’s law and social stability. China will handle such things in accordance with law.

For your second question, various parties are pretty clear about China’s position on Iraq. As the Permanent Member and the rotating Chair of the Security Council, China has maintained close contact and consultations with relevant parties, requesting a strict implementation of UN Security Council’s resolutions for a political settlement of the Iraqi question under the framework of the UN.

Q: It’s reported that former US Defence Secretary Perry is now visiting China. Can you brief us on his visit?

A: He is here in China to attend a China-US workshop on security at the invitation of China Fund of International Strategic Study, a private institute.