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Source: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On 7 January Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held a regular press
conference. Zhang first announced two pieces of news.
At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Ecuador, Minister of
Water Resources Mr.Wang Shucheng, as the special envoy of the Chinese
Government，will attend the ceremony of the presidential hand-over to be held in
Quito on January 15, 2003.
At the invitation of the Chinese Government, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Leader of
the Justice and Development Party, the ruling party of the Republic of Turkey,
will pay an official visit to China from January 14 to 17, 2003.
Q: It is reported that Washington asked Israel not to sell military technology
to China for fear of China’s attack against Taiwan. What is your comment?
A: On the question you mentioned, China has not yet been formally informed up
till now.
Q: Does China plan to put forward any new initiatives to persuade the DPRK to
give up its nuclear plan?
A: At present the Korean nuclear question is concerned by the international
community. China’s position on it can be summarized as the following three:
First we hold that peace and stability on the Korean peninsula should be
maintained; secondly we support the denuclearization of the peninsula and
thirdly we hope that relevant parties should solve the question through dialog.
China has made positive efforts to push for the settlement of the question. We
have held frequent contact with various parties and played a constructive role.
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan made phone calls with some of his counterparts
before the new year. On 3 January he had a phone conversation with British
Foreign Secretary Staw. China has made consultation and coordination with
relevant countries through a number of different ways. We hope to see the
relaxation of the tension on the peninsula through dialog between relevant
parties.
Q: Will China send special envoy to persuade the DPRK to solve the present
crisis? If so, what kind of message will the Chinese side send?
A: China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors and have normal exchange and
contact. I have introduced just now the consistent position of the Chinese side
on this question. We hope to see the question solved through dialog and
consultation and we will continue to keep close contact and consultation with
relevant parties.
Q: The IAEA has just adopted a resolution urging the DPRK to stop any nuclear
plans and allow observers to return to the DPRK. What is your comment?
A: We hold that the Korean peninsula should be denuclearized and peace and
stability maintained. We hope that the resolution just adopted by the IAEA
Council will facilitate the peaceful settlement of the question through dialog.
Q: What is the importance of the denuclearization of the peninsula to China and
the region? What kind of incentives should be taken to encourage the DPRK to
give up its nuclear plan?
A: On your first question, the denuclearization of the peninsula is important
and good for Asia and the whole world. To solve the question, we maintain that
the framework agreement reached in 1994 will help achieve the goal and all
parties concerned are responsible for safeguarding and implementing it. In
conclusion we hope to relax the present tension through dialog to maintain peace
and stability on the peninsula.
Q: It is reported that the US plans to launch military action against Iraq. Will
it affect the counter terrorist cooperation between China and the US and will it
affect peace and stability in the region?
A: We maintain that the Iraqi question should be solved through political and
diplomatic means within the UN framework. At present inspectors from the two UN
agencies are still working in Iraq in accordance with relevant Security Council
resolution, and with full cooperation from Iraq. After the inspection, the
Security Council should listen to the briefings from the weapon inspectors
before making any decision on questions concerning Iraq. We hope to see the
settlement of the Iraqi question through diplomatic and political means.
Q: You made a good comment on the bombing incident which took place in Tel Aviv.
But some western media made the conclusion from it that Israel had the right to
attack Palestine. What is your comment? How are Chinese workers there?
A: A serious bombing incident took place in Tel Aviv on 5 January, which
resulted in heavy civilian causalities including several Chinese workers. The
Chinese Government severely condemns it. The Chinese side is always opposed to
“violence for violence” and urges the Israeli side to keep the maxim restraint
so as to avoid the further escalation of the violent incidents.
As to casualties of the Chinese workers, it is now know that, after the
verification of the Chinese embassy in Israel, one of the Chinese workers died
in the incident, one missing and seven injured, three severely injured.
After the incident, the Chinese Government is deeply concerned with the security
of its workers in Israel. Embassy staff went to the site and hospital over night
to get information. Ambassador Pan Zhanlin and relevant officials work day after
night to try to know and verify the Chinese casualties, visit those injured and
try their best to deal with the after-work.
Q: In light of the present situation, has the Chinese side sent warning to its
citizens not to go to Israel? Such incidents that concerned Chinese citizens
occurred three times. Is the Chinese side satisfied with the Israeli handling of
it?
A: Chinese embassy in Israel has already sent security notice to Chinese
citizens going to Israel and workers already there to remind them of their
security in Israel through its website and other means. On your second question,
the Israeli side attaches great importance to the casualties of the Chinese
workers and makes clear that it will go all out to rescue and help those injured
and give compensation to those dead or injured.
Q: In light of the current situation, some countries including Thailand has
already stopped its labor export to Israel. Does China have the similar plan?
A: I have mentioned just now that, in light of the current security situation,
Chinese embassy in Israel has already sent notice to relevant Chinese agencies
and companies there to remind them of the life and security of their employees.
Q: It is reported that the US is suing Boeing and Hughes for secretly providing
space technology to China. What is your comment?
A: China’s commercial launching service has always followed strictly the
prevailing international practice and the principle of fairness and openness is
adhered to. It is unnecessary and impossible for China to gain satellite, rocket
and missile technology from US companies. We maintain that the so-called
allegation that the US companies making improper technology transfer to China by
using China’s carrier rocket is ridiculous and does not conform with the facts.
Q: The IAEA stated that the Korean nuclear question will be handed to the UN
Security Council if the DPRK refuses to implement the resolution. Will China
agree to it? It is reported that Russia is unwilling. What is the position of
the Chinese side?
A: I have introduced just now the position of the Chinese side on this question.
China always considers the question from the principle of maintaining peace and
stability on the Korean peninsula. On whether to forward it to the UN Security
Council, we are in favor of solving the question through dialog between various
parties. Any step should be conducive to solving instead of complicating the
question.
Q: Is China formally asked to play a mediating role on solving the Korean
nuclear question?
A: China has kept close contact with all parties concerned.
Q: China will launch manned space ship recently. Is it out of the consideration
of national prestige, development of science and technology, telecommunication
need or other?
A: The successful launching and smooth return of Shengzhou IV was widely
reported in the Chinese media. Relevant officials of the Chinese side also
introduced the position and plan of China’s next step in its space plan. It is
of great importance to the entire mankind to conduct scientific study and
international cooperation in this regard.
Q: Has the US side confirmed to the Chinese side to take part in Taiwan’s
military exercise this year?
A: We have seen relevant reports from some media. We would like to point it out
that any form of military exchange and cooperation between the US and Taiwan
violates the principles of the three China-US Joint Communiqués and will damage
the China-US relations. The Chinese side has made solemn representations to the
US side and urged it to abide by its commitments to the Chinese side on the
question of Taiwan and stop any military exchange with Taiwan.
Q: It is known that China signed a repatriation agreement with the DPRK. Please
confirm and introduce.
A: We have stated our position many times on how to deal with those coming
illegally from the DPRK. We handle it in accordance with international laws and
China’s domestic laws and in the humanitarian spirit.
Q: The Chinese side protested against Japan’s leasing of the three islands of
the Diaoyu Islands and was refused by the Japanese side. What is your comment?
A: On China’s position on the question of Diaoyu Islands, Vice Foreign Minister
Wang Yi and Deputy Director-General Cheng Yonghua have all made it clear and
lodged solemn representations while summoning the Japanese ambassador and
relevant officials recently. China’s position is consistent and clear that D
Islands and its adjacent islands are integral part of the Chinese territory and
any unilateral actions taken by the Japanese side on the islands are null and
noid.
Q: What kind of economic assistance has China provided to the DPRK.? Any
exchange at this stage?
A: China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors. We have kept normal exchange and
economic relations and trade. In times of difficulty for the DPRK we have also
provided some concrete assistance and help. We have nothing specific to provide
you.
Q: When will the special advisor to the Secretary General of the UN arrive in
Beijing? Who will meet with him?
A: We welcome the visit to the DPRK by the special advisor to the Secretary
General of the UN. As far as I know, he will have a short stopover in Beijing
later this week. The Chinese side is willing to exchange views with him and
relevant meetings are still being arranged.
Q: It is reported that the US and Japan will impose economic sanction on the
DPRK. What is the comment of the Chinese side?
A: We hope that various parties will, proceeding from the overall situation of
maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, relax the current tension
through dialog instead of taking any move that will further escalate it.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin
Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of
International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the
opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or
its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2007 by
MIIS.
