Q: US have found a North Korean vessel carrying scud missiles to Yemen, what’s your comment? Does it mean to China that North Korea has made up its mind to develop nuclear weapons? How does China view the current security situation in the Korean Peninsula?

A: We have taken note of the relevant report. From what we have read, the problem has been settled. It doesn’t seem to be very relevant to the nuclear problems of North Korea.

As for the situation in the Peninsula, our view is that the whole situation is moving towards relaxation in 2002. However, nuclear problems have aroused wide concern, adding the new complicating factors to the situation there. China has always supported a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and committed to peace and stability of the Peninsula. We hold that the Framework Agreement reached between the US and North Korea in 1994 should be implemented earnestly so that related questions can be properly resolved through dialogue. We hope that parties concerned can make joint efforts to further promote relaxation there.

Q: Does China believe it legal for the US and Spain to intercept the ship on the sea?

A: I believe that there are international law has clear provisions on the question. You’d better make some study of the relevant provisions.

Q: We heard that the leader of North Korea will visit China a few weeks, obviously seeking economic aid from China. When will he be here? Will the two sides discuss nuclear problem? Is China going to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear program?

A: You’ve raised a very long question to which answers are available only on condition that Mr. Kim Jong Il will visit China. But the truth is that there’s no such plan. I want to make it clear that China and DPRK are friendly neighbours. China has provided necessary assistance when DPRK runs into economic difficulties. We will continue to do so within our capacities. As for the nuclear problems, China’s position has already made known on many occasions and I’m not going to repeat here.

Q: US President claimed that the US will use nuclear weapons to fight back the possible Iraqi biochemical attacks. What’s your comment?

A: China’s position on nuclear question is pretty clear. We hold that relevant nuclear states should act with prudence. Nuclear weapons are massively destructive. We hope that relevant countries can abide by the fundamental norms governing international relations.

Q: US Deputy Secretary of State Armitage is now in China for a visit, do you have any information of his visit, especially his program this morning?

A: US Deputy Secretary of State Armitage arrived here yesterday for a visit. Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with him yesterday. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan has also met with him this morning. So far as I know, Vice Premier Qian Qichen is meeting with him at this moment. The two sides have stated their positions and exchanged views on China-US relations, Iraqi question, Korean nuclear question as well as other international and regional issues. As for China-US relations, China maintains that following the successful visit by President Jiang to the US, good momentum of development has been witnessed with new progress in anti-terrorism, economic and trade as well as military exchanges and cooperation. The two sides have also maintained close consultation and coordination on major international and regional issues. China hopes that the two sides can seize the opportunity to finalize the agreement reached between the two leaders, strengthen dialogue and cooperation and properly handle their disputes. The dialogue and exchanges at various levels between the two sides have an irreplaceable role in enhancing mutual trust and cooperation. China stands ready to strengthen high-level strategic dialogue and exchanges at various levels in various fields, hoping that the two sides can work together to further their constructive and cooperative relations.

The US side voiced its serious concern over the Iraqi question. China stresses that UN Security Council’s Resolution 1441 and other related resolutions must be implemented fully and strictly, possible or existing weapons of massive destruction must be found out and destroyed. China holds that the Iraqi question should be properly resolved within the framework of the UN, in which the Security Council should play a leading role.

Q: It’s reported that Armitage said that he’s sure that China is going to press North Korea to give up its nuclear program, what’s your comment?

A: China’s position on nuclear problems is known to all. China and DPRK are friendly neighbours. We have normal exchanges and channels for communication.

Q: You mentioned mutually beneficial military exchanges when you briefed us on Xiong Guangkai’s visit to the US. But the US has complained that the military exchanges between the two sides are not mutually reciprocal because they have been denied access to some sensitive bases of China whereas those of the US are open to the Chinese side. Is China going to be more open starting from next year so as to be reciprocal? Another question is concerning the deployment of missiles along the Taiwan Straits. You said that China has the right to deploy missile wherever it wishes. Does it mean that China is going to go on its own to deploy missiles without considering other countries’ reaction?

A: For your first question, the fifth Vice Defence Ministerial consultation between China and the US in Washington is frank, constructive and very helpful in promoting mutual understanding. You asked about the complaints by the US side on the openness of the military sites. I think that China has always held for more open communications and exchanges in military fields as far as possible . Not long ago, China released the 2002 Defence White Paper, expounding thoroughly on China’s defence policy and relevant information of China’s national defence. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, military exchanges are expanding and mutual understanding are enhancing with the development of bilateral ties. It’s fair to say that these exchanges are two way and win-win solution instead of a zero-sum game. China and the US differ in national and military conditions as well as the principle in conducting exchanges. It’s quite normal. The key to the problems is that both sides have the wish to conduct exchanges, enhance trust and develop their relations in a spirit of mutual trust, equality and benefit so that disputes can be reduced through contact and dialogue. The mutual understanding will be further enhanced with more military exchanges in the future. The two sides will maintain contact and consultation on military exchanges next year.

For you second question, I gave an answer already last time. I’d like to reiterate that as any sovereign state, China has the right to make military deployment on its own territory with an aim to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It’s known to all that the source of tension across the Taiwan Straits is the stubborn and deliberate separating activities of the Taiwan Authorities. The splitting activities for the “independence of Taiwan” have become a severe threat to relations across the Straits and the peaceful reunification of the motherland as well as regional security, peace and development. 23 million Taiwan compatriots are our sisters and brothers. No one wishes more than us for a peaceful solution of the Taiwan question. With greatest sincerity, we will try our very best for a prospect of peaceful reunification. We are not committed to giving up the use of force, which is not targeted against the Taiwan compatriots but foreign interfering forces and those splitting forces aimed at seeking “independence of Taiwan”. Therefore the key is that Taiwan Authorities must give up the splitting position.

Q: China-US human rights dialogue will start next Monday. What’s the significance of this dialogue in furthering the diplomatic ties between the two?

A: The 13th China-US Human Rights Dialogue will begin next week. The two sides will exchange views on issues of common interest on the basis of equality and mutual respect. US is not the only one that attaches importance to Human rights issues. China has also attached great importance to the development of human rights of its people. China stands ready to conduct communication and exchanges with other countries on the basis of equality with a view to enhance mutual understanding.

Q: It’s been a year since China’s accession to WTO. The US released a report saying that China hasn’t done enough in many areas. What’s China’s response to that?

A: I haven’t seen the report you said. But there have been a lot of praises on China’s observance of the related rules of WTO and implementation of its commitment since China’s accession to WTO a year ago. According to the Protocol, 17 items of the transitional trade policy need to be reviewed. Right now China has gone through the review of 16 of them. It’s fair to say that there has been more appreciation than criticism and China has gained popular respect of the members. China has exercised its rights as a full member, playing an important role in the new round of negotiation and enjoying a fair and multilateral environment of trade, including MFN treatment. We are very responsible in fulfilling our obligations and have fully enjoyed our rights at the same time. Therefore we have a very good start at the first year of being within WTO. China’s performances have won international acclamation.

Q: The Prime Minister of Bangladesh will visit China soon. What’s the significance of this visit to bilateral ties between China and Bangladesh and the whole region?

A: Bangladesh is a country of significance in South Asia. China and Bangladesh are friendly and close neighbours. Our friendship dates far back into history. Friendly relations based on Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have been developing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The two sides have conducted sound cooperation and exchanges in political, economic and cultural fields with frequent exchanges of high level and non-governmental visits. Economic and trade cooperation has become wider with a trade volume of 972 million dollars between the two sides last year. A sound momentum of all-directional development has taken shape in the friendly cooperation between the two sides. The enhancement of friendly relations and cooperation between the two sides are helpful in maintaining regional peace and stability as well as promoting development of the region. I believe that this visit will further promote the development of bilateral ties.

Q: The US has rent a large military base in Qatar, what’s China’s comment on that? Can you confirm the visit by French Foreign Minister from 9th to 10th of January?

A: Your first question is still the question of Iraq. China wishes to see that relevant parties can earnestly and fully implement Resolution 1441 of the Security Council and UN weapons inspection can proceed smoothly in Iraq. The point of departure is to seek for a political and diplomatic resolution within the framework of the UN.

China and France are in contact with each other on the visit of the French Foreign Minister. I will release the news in due time once I get clear information.

Q: Mr. Hyde made a speech in Tsinghua University last Tuesday, talking about US-China relations from the American perspective. He said that there are both positive things and problems in the bilateral ties. What’s your comment on his remarks?

A: I’m very sorry that I missed his speech. I’ve expounded on China’s position on China-US relations. During his visit to China, Mr. Hyde met with various Chinese leaders. I believe that his visit will play an important role in promoting mutual understanding between the two countries and the two Congresses in particular.

Q: Armitage claimed that he discussed with the Chinese side next step towards Iraq. Can you release the details?

A: The two sides have had in-depth consultations on Iraq during their talks. I’ve just briefed you on China’s position. Against the current backdrop, China wishes to see the evaluation report of the UN weapons inspectors to the Security Council after an objective, just and comprehensive inspection of the massive destructive weapons in Iraq. It’s up to the Security Council to decide what should be the next step.

Q: Commander-in-chief of the Pacific Command of the US, Admiral Fargo is here in Beijing. Can you confirm the news? Is he here for a visit from 12th to 17th? What is he going to discuss with the Chinese side? And what is he invited to see? I’d like to compare his visit to that of his predecessor, Mr. Blair. Is there any difference between the two, by which I mean that is Admiral Fargo going to talk more and see more, or just the same as the past?

A: Thank you for your question. You’re well informed. Mr. Fargo, Commander-in-chief of the Pacific Command of the US Army will visit Beijing, Chengdu, Nanjing, Shanghai and Ningbo from 12th to 17th of December. Leaders of relevant departments of the Chinese Government of military will meet with him. During his stay in China, Mr. Fargo will also visit the Army Reserves, Navy and Air Force of China.

You mentioned that you want me to compare Mr. Fargo’s visit to that of Mr. Blair. I think that you’d better make the comparison yourself.

Q: Armitage said that a North Korean vessel carrying missiles was intercepted, which justifies the US assertion that North Korea is the main proliferater of weapons. Proliferation doesn’t necessarily mean nuclear weapons only, scud and ballistic missiles should also be included. What’s your comment on that?

A: I’ve only read reports on what you’ve asked. Since I’m not aware of the details, I’m not in the position to make any further comment.

Q: You just mentioned that Mr. Fargo will visit the cities of Chengdu, Nanjing, Shanghai and Ningbo. The last three places are all within the Nanjing Command which is targeted against Taiwan. Is it out of the consideration of the current situation across the Straits that he is allowed to see some important places, including the East China Sea Fleet? Is he going to see some missile facilities? Can you shed us some light on that?

A: I understand you anxious to know more about the visit. But I’ve already told you all that I know up to this moment. I also want to make one clarification here. Just now you said that the Nanjing Command is targeted against Taiwan. I’ve never heard such things. The military force of China is to safeguard sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the whole of China.