On the afternoon of May 20th, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held a regular Press Conference.
Liu Jianchao: Good afternoon! I have two pieces of news to announce.
At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Yoweri kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda will visit China May 26th-30th.
At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Benjamin William Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania will visit China May 28th-June 2nd.
Now, I will take your questions.
Q: In his "inauguration address" this morning, Chen Shuibian said one of his wishes was that Taiwan could join the WHO in two years. What is the response of the Chinese side? Apart from this, he also expressed the willingness to establish any kind of relationship with the mainland. This can also be interpreted as including "diplomatic ties". What is the Chinese side's response to this?
A: As for the content of the so-called "inauguration address" of Chen Shuibian, please refer your questions to Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. I am not authorized to comment on the content of Chen Shuibian's speech.
As for Chen Shuibian's wish that Taiwan can join the WHO in two years, the WHO is a specialized agency of the UN limited to sovereign states. According to the Constitution of the WHO, Taiwan, as part of China, can not join the WHO in any name. China's justified position has won support and endorsement of the overwhelming majority of the countries in the world. It is unlikely for Chen Shuibian to realize his so-called "wish".
Q: During the six party talks, the DPRK side proposed that if the US side agreed to resume its assistance to the DPRK side in building light water reactor, the DPRK side would freeze its nuclear programmes. But according to some media reports, the US has rejected this proposal. What is your comment on this? And will this affect the process of six party talks?
A: To answer your question, I have noticed some related reports that the DPRK side put forward this proposal when the US and the DPRK directly contacted each other. The US has denied the report. This question is left over by the 1994 Framework Agreement between the US and the DPRK. The Chinese side hopes that the parties concerned can properly handle the related questions through dialogue.
Q: Chen Shuibian said in his "inauguration address" that Taiwan attached importance to its relations with the US and that Taiwan would continue to build up its military power given the military threat from across the Straits. What is your comment on this?
A: I have also noticed the related statement of Chen Shuibian. Here, I would like to reiterate that US leaders have reaffirmed on many occasions that the US side adheres to the "one China" policy, abides by the three China-US Joint Communiqués, opposes "Taiwan independence and opposes any words or deeds by Taiwan authorities that are aimed to change the status of Taiwan or that may lead to "Taiwan independence". We urge the US side to honour its commitment, not to support the splittist activities by Taiwan authorities in any form and not to send any wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" forces so as to maintain the peace and stability of China-US relations and the Taiwan Straits.
Q: According to some sources, the Bengali government has decided to close Taiwan's "Taipei Representative Office" in Dhaka. What is your comment on this?
A: On May 19th, Bangladesh formally informed the Chinese side of the Bengali Government's decision to close the so-called "Taipei Representative Office" in Bangladesh. We highly appreciate Bangladesh's position of adhering to the "one China" policy.
Q: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai is now visiting China. The dispute over Nansha Islands between the two countries will probably become one of the important topics for discussion during his visit. What statement will China make to Prime Minister Phan Van Khai on this question? Or through Vietnamese Prime Minister's visit to China, what results does the Chinese side want to achieve on the question of Nansha Islands?
A: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai starts his official visit to China today. Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of China will hold a welcome ceremony for him at 5:30 this afternoon and the two sides will hold talks after that. This evening, Premier Wen Jiabao will host a state banquet in honour of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. Prime Minister Phan Van Khai will meet with President Hu Jintao, Chairman Wu Bangguo and Chairman Jia Qinglin tomorrow.
As for the dispute between the two sides on Nansha Islands that you mentioned, I believe the two sides will touch this question in their talks. The Chinese side will elaborate on its position. Meanwhile, the two sides will also explore how to properly handle the related questions in accordance with the already reached understanding and The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Q: Yesterday, Israel attacked Palestinian refugee camp in Rafah and caused great casualties. Despite strong opposition from the international community, Sharon continues its wrong policy. Similarly, the US bombing in Iraq injured and killed more than 40 civilians. What is the Chinese side's comment on these two similar events? Second question, please give us some details on Brazilian President's visit to China. Will China support Brazil to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council?
A: The Chinese side condemns the Israeli troops shooting Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza, causing great casualties. We hope that the Israeli side can respond to the appeal of the international community and immediately stop its military actions in Palestinian occupied area to avoid the deterioration of the situation.
I have also noticed the reports of US troops shelling Iraqi civilians and causing great casualties. The situation is not so clear yet. We hope competent authorities can investigate on this. If there are real civilian casualties, the Chinese side expresses its firm opposition.
As for Brazilian President's visit to China, at the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Lula will pay a state visit to China May 22nd-27th. This is another important event in the history of the two countries' bilateral relations after President Jiang Zemin's visit to Brazil in 2001. During his visit, President Hu Jintao will hold formal talks with him and Premier Wen Jiabao will also meet him. The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and international as well as regional issues of common concern. President Lula will also go to Shanghai for global conference on poverty alleviation. During his visit, governments and enterprises of the two countries will sign a series of cooperation documents involving such fields as diplomacy, justice, health, economy and trade. The Brazilian business delegation accompanying President Lula will have extensive exchanges with Chinese business communities to explore their ways of cooperation.
We think highly of the important influence of Brazil, the largest developing country in West hemisphere, in international and regional affairs. We are ready to continue to develop our strategic partnership on the basis of five principles of peaceful coexistence.
China supports the Security Council to carry out some proper and necessary reform measures. We think the primary tasks of the reform are to rectify the current imbalance in the Security Council, follow the principle of fair geographical distribution and give priority to increase the representativeness of developing countries. Meanwhile, to improve the working methods of the United Nations is also very important. China supports taking concrete measures to increase the transparency in the work of the Security Council and guarantee its work efficiency. The reform of the Security Council involves the immediate interests of all parties. Extensive and in-depth discussion should be held in an effort to achieve extensive consensus.
Q: China states that Taiwan question is an important question in China-US relations. Is there anything in Chen Shuibian's "inauguration address" this morning that will make Taiwan question less important in future China-US relations?
A: I have made it clear that I am not authorized to comment on the so-called "inauguration address" of Chen Shuibian. The US side is clear about the Chinese side's position on the question of Taiwan. We have reiterated the Chinese side's position on Taiwan question many times. We demand the US side to properly handle the question of Taiwan. I have nothing more to add.
Q: It is reported that an American official visited China for consultation on China's joining NSG. Which American official came to China and whom did he meet?
A: I have not got the detailed information about this visit. About China's joining NSG, China supports NSG's positive role in non-proliferation, the objectives and purposes of non-proliferation. The Chinese side supports international efforts in export control and hopes to make its own contribution to international efforts against proliferation through joining NSG.
If there are no other questions, thank you.
