On the afternoon of April 1, 2005, Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, at the invitation of the International Press Center (IPC), gives a briefing for domestic and international journalists as well as information officers of foreign embassies in China on Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming visit to four nations in South Asia and attendance to the opening ceremony of the 4th Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Deputy Director-General Liu Jianchao of the Information Department hosted the briefing.

Wu Dawei: It's a great pleasure to meet all of you. Premier Wen Jiabao is to pay a formal visit to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India from April 5 to 12, during which he will attend the opening ceremony of the 4th Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Islamabad and deliver a keynote speech. Now I'd like to share with you some background information.

With a vast territory and a huge population, South Asia abounds in natural resources and market potentials. The countries in this region enjoy political stability, sound economic development and increasing influence in Asian and international affairs. The 1.4 billion people in South Asia living on an area of 4.8 million square kilometers are working diligently to create civilizations in the new century. South Asia is an important part of Asia and the Chinese government gives high priority to developing good-neighborly relations of friendship and cooperation with all countries in South Asia.

China and South Asian nations enjoy a long history and tradition of friendly exchanges. As the largest neighbor of South Asian nations, China is connected with South Asia by mountains and rivers. There is a boundary line over 4700 kilometers between China and its five South Asian neighbors and their exchanges can be traced back to more than 2000 years ago. The Journey to the West, one of the four Chinese literature classics, tells the story of Xuan Zang, a monk in the Tang Dynasty, traveling to ancient India for Buddhist scriptures. The White Pagoda in Beijing was built under the famous Nepalese craftsman Arniko. These exchanges not only enhanced the friendship between the Chinese people and the people in South Asia, but also promoted the convergence of different cultures.

Many South Asian nations were the earliest to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC). India was the earliest non-socialist nation to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC and Pakistan was one the earliest Islamic countries to establish diplomatic ties with the PRC. Moreover, the five principles of peaceful co-existence were initially put forward by China and India. In the past several decades, our relations with these countries have witnessed continuous development.

In the past several years, new developments have been achieved in relations between China and South Asian countries with enhanced top-level exchanges, expanded economic and trade cooperation, frequent exchanges in various fields as well as deepened coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. In 2004, the trade between China and South Asian nations totaled around 20 billion US dollars, maintaining a momentum of rapid growth. Bilateral exchanges in culture, science, technology and education tend to be increasingly active. There used to be no direct flights between China and India, but currently we have 9 flights per week. Direct flights have been or will soon be opened between China and Pakistan, China and Nepal, China and Sri Lanka as well as China and Bangladesh. China and Pakistan are connected by Karakoram Highway and highway is also available between China and Nepal. The air and land routes have connected the hearts of Chinese people and their South Asian counterparts, providing substantial facilitation to expand bilateral friendship.

China and South Asia are partners for peaceful development. China has 14 neighbors, one-third of which are in South Asia. China pursues the foreign policy of "being a good neighbor and partner" and "building an amicable, tranquil and prosperous neighborhood". South Asia occupies an important position in China's diplomacy with neighboring countries. Both China and South Asian nations need to maintain national stability, social tranquility as well as ethnical harmony, to develop their economy and improve people's livelihood, and to create a peaceful and tranquil surrounding environment. China and South Asian nations enjoy broad common interests and similar development objectives. China would like to see a peaceful, secure, united, cooperative and prosperous South Asian family. The population of China and South Asia almost adds up to 2.7 billion, accounting for 45 percent of the world total. It is an important part of China's policy on South Asia to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with South Asia and promote economic construction and national development.

Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming four-nation tour to South Asia is an important act for the Chinese government to further implement the foreign policy of "being a good neighbor and partner". We hope and believe that this visit will help China and South Asian nations enhance traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, expand mutual trust and determine future orientation so as to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the region and the world at large.

During the visit, Premier Wen Jiabao will exchange in-depth views with leaders of the four nations on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest. He will also hear the experience of the four countries in boosting economic development as well as scientific and technological progress, and send condolence to the victims in tsunami-hit countries. Premier Wen will also attend the opening ceremony of the 4th Asian Cooperation Dialogue Foreign Ministers' Meeting of and make a keynote speech at invitation to elaborate China's position and proposal on strengthening regional cooperation.

In addition, Premier Wen will attend the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the establishment diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and India as well as China-India and China-Pakistan Business Cooperation Conference. He will also meet with youth representatives from China and Pakistan, and deliver speeches to students and professors in well-known universities in India. During Premier's visit, China will also sign cooperation documents in such areas as politics, economy, trade, science, technology and education with the four countries.

The leaders and governments of the four countries give top priority to Premier Wen Jiabao's visit and have made thoughtful arrangements to ensure the visit will yield positive achievements. I believe with concerted efforts of all parties this visit will surely be a great success.

Just before Premier Wen starts his tour to South Asia, Foreign Minister Lu will visit Afghanistan, Nepal and Maldives. This is part of China's diplomacy with South Asia. We hope to build comprehensive, in-depth and lasting partnership with all South Asian nations though these efforts.

Now I would like to take your questions.

Q: Border disputes between China and India have existed for many years. Could you update us on the latest negotiations?

A: The border issue is a legacy of history between China and India. The two countries have set up a special representatives' meeting mechanism and one of the responsibilities of the special representatives from China and India is to work out political guidelines for the resolution of border issues. The special representatives of both sides have held 4 meetings on the political guidelines. The 5th meeting will be held during Premier Wen's visit to India. Judging from the current situation, it is likely for the two sides to reach consensus during Premier Wen's visit to India. It takes time to resolve the border disputes between China and India completely. The two sides need to do more under the guideline of the political guidelines accepted by both governments. There is also a joint working group on the border issues as well as an expert committee or an expert group. So the special representative meeting mechanism, the joint working group meeting and the expert group meeting constitute a complete three-layered system and all of the three mechanisms are under operation.

Q: The Dalai Lama has been living in India for a long time, which brings great trouble to bilateral relations. Will any specific issues regarding the Dalai Lama be put forward during Premier Wen's visit to India?

A: The Tibetan issue is an important matter that concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Dalai is not purely a religious figure, but a political exile. He is engaged in activities aimed to split the country. The Indian government recognizes that the Tibetan Autonomous Region is part of the territory of the People's Republic of China and pledged not to allow the Dalai to be engaged in anti-China political activities. We prioritize and appreciate India's stance and believe India will continue to deal with this issue cautiously.

Q: My question is related to China-Pakistan economic cooperation. With a growth rate of 7 percent, Pakistan's economy grows rapidly in recent years. How would China comment on Pakistan's economic development? Will there be some new channels for bilateral economic and trade cooperation with the development of Pakistan's economy? What economic and trade cooperation agreements between the two sides will be signed during Premier Wen's visit to Pakistan and what is the significance of these agreements for promoting the development of bilateral relations?

A: I have been to Pakistan. As you said, the economy in Pakistan has made great progress recently. China and Pakistan boast good cooperation in the field of economy and trade. During his visit to Pakistan, Premier Wen and Pakistani leaders will conduct in-depth discussion on how to develop and expand the economic and trade cooperation between two countries. I think that some new agreements will be reached. As for which agreements will be reached and what role these agreements will play in developing economic cooperative relations between China and Pakistan, it depends on the result of the meeting between the leaders of two countries.

Q: I am very interested in the energy cooperation between China and India. During Premier Wen's visit to India, will the two countries discuss the cooperation in such fields as oil transportation, and resource and energy exploitation in Central Asia?

A: China-India relations are in a phase of comprehensive improvement and development. Not long ago, I went to India and held the first China-India strategic dialogue with the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India. As it means, the strategic dialogue aims at discussing how to develop the comprehensive friendly cooperation between the two countries and how to strengthen the coordination and cooperation of both countries in international affairs from the strategic perspective. This strategic dialogue was very good. Both sides exchanged views frankly. There are territorial and border issues between China and India. However, the borders of two countries have maintained peaceful. There are neither conflicts nor sound of guns. It is a great thing. The border issues will not prevent the two countries from developing good-neighborly relations of friendship and cooperation in other fields in a comprehensive manner.

During his visit to India this time, Premier Wen will exchange in-depth views with Indian counterparts on broadening the exchange and cooperation of the two sides in every field.

Q: Will China support India to become a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations? During this visit, will Premier Wen acknowledge India as a nuclear country? The U.S. recently approved to export F-16 fighters to Pakistan. What influence will it bring to the military cooperation between China and Pakistan?

A: The reform of the UN is now a hot topic worldwide. The governments and people of all countries pay attention to and are concerned about the reform of the UN I think that such attention is good for the reform of the UN. Everyone expresses his or her ideas and gives his or her suggestions. It is beneficial for the reform of the UN to succeed. China supports the reform of the UN and supports the expansion of the UN Security Council. But we do not hope that the UN is split. We believe that the UN can consolidate its solidification through its reform and play greater roles in the international affairs. Moreover, the reform will help the UN undertake its tasks more effectively. Some countries hope to enter the UN Security Council or become the permanent member through the reform. We understand it is normal to have such aspiration. Whether a country can become a member or a permanent member of the UN Security Council depends upon the efforts of the country itself and the recognition from the international community.

On the issue of the U.S. selling F-16 fighters to Pakistan, we hope that this kind of cooperation will be beneficial rather than harmful to the peace, stability and development in this region.

Concerning the nuclear state issue of South Asia, the international community has reached common consensus.

Q: It is said that foreign ministers of China, India and Russia will meet in Far East of Russia on June 2nd. During this visit, will Premier Wen talk about strengthening the coordination among these three big countries?

A: This is not the first meeting for foreign ministers of the three countries. At present, some multilateral meetings have been held among many countries in the international community. Some are held within the international organizations and agencies. Some are arranged by relevant countries themselves, such as the meeting between China, Japan and Korea, 10+3 meeting and 10+1 meeting. India and Russia are neighboring countries of China. We are willing to maintain sound cooperative relations with India and Russia. We also hope that the meeting among the foreign ministers of three countries will score positive achievements.

Q: Will China build a working relationship with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) so as to promote the peace and development in this region? This time, Premier Wen will first visit India and then Pakistan. Recently Pakistan and India are making active efforts to solve the Kashmir issue. Will Chinese leaders take the opportunity of the visit to drive the leaders of two countries to address the dispute so as to develop sound bilateral relations?

A: Since its inception, SAARC has an played important role in promoting the economic development of South Asian nations. China is willing to establish cooperative relationship with SAARC. We hope that the founding of SAARC can play a greater role in the development in South Asia.

Recently, India and Pakistan have maintained the momentum of dialogues. I have noticed that the relations of two countries have been improved due to these dialogues. We are glad to see it. We hope that India and Pakistan will continue their dialogues to solve their differences and some remaining problems of history so as to make contribution to the peace, stability and development in South Asian region.

Q: India is the largest democracy in the world. The Bush administration expressed that India and the United States are natural allies. Could you tell us that to what extent China's polices toward India are influenced by the United States?

A: India has a population of 100 million. When I flew to New Delhi, the airplane traveled for four hours in the territory of India. It is a fact that India is a large country. I do not quite understand what it means to say that the U.S. wants India to be a big country. Developing relations with India by China is not targeted to the third country. It is not hard for China to understand the wish of India to develop relations with other countries. It is normal for the U.S. to develop relations with any country in Asian region and in the neighboring region of China. What we hope is that the development of relations between any countries should be conducive to maintaining world peace and promoting common development.

Q: Today is the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and India. What do you have to say on this special occasion? Will the two countries sign a joint statement during Premier Wen's visit to India? I know that Premier Wen is going to visit Bangalore, which was once visited by former Premier Zhu Rongji. What is the special significance of the visit to this city by Chinese leaders?

A: Bangalore is the base of India for scientific and technological development and is known as the Silicon Valley of India. This time Premier Wen will pay a visit to the area around Bangalore and meet with some local scientists. Premier Wen would like to know more about the experience of India in developing science and technology. As for whether to issue the joint document or not, we are consulting with the Indian side to issue a joint statement as a result of Premier Wen's visit, that is, as a result of the meeting between the government heads of China and India.

Q: Will Premier Wen discuss with Indian leaders the issue of anti-government armed forces in Nepal during his visit to India?

A: The situation in Nepal witnessed some changes recently. The position of the Chinese government on this issue is that the international community should respect the choice of the Nepalese people. We support the efforts made by the king of Nepal and the Nepalese government to maintain domestic political stability, seek for national reconciliation and develop national economy.

Q: Could you make some comments on China-Pakistan cooperation in the field anti-terrorism? Does the Chinese side wish to continue to expand and deepen such cooperation?

A: China and Pakistan have carried out effective cooperation in the field of anti-terrorism. Both the Chinese government and the Pakistani government attach great importance to fighting against terrorism and believe that both sides should carry out sound cooperation to maintain the peace, stability and security of the region.

Liu Jianchao: The briefing is over. Thank you.