On 25th, May, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held a regular press confernce.

Liu started by announcing two pieces of news:
 
At the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Foreign Minister Joao Miranda of the Republic of Angola will pay an official visit to China from 26 to 30 May.
  
At the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Foreign Minister Ali Said Abdella of the State of Eritrea will pay an official visit to China from 26 to 30 May.

Q: The US House of Representatives approved the defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2005, which contains anti-China provisions such as selling landing vessels to Taiwan and conducting high-level military educational exchanges with Taiwan. Some Senators also proposed similar anti-China amendments. What's your comment?

A: The anti-China provisions in the defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2005 approved by the US House of Representatives and the amendments of the Senate are hostile to China and are severe violation of the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués and the US Government's repeated commitment to the One China Policy. China resolutely opposes to them and has made solemn representation to the US side.

China urges the US administration to clearly oppose these provisions and amendments by adopting effective measures to prevent them from being made into law so as not to undermine Sino-US cooperation.

Q: Has China seen the text of the draft resolution on Iraq proposed by the US and Britain to the UN Security Council? What's China's position on it?

A: China is supportive of passing a new resolution and has proposed a non-paper to explain China's position. Couple of days ago, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing had phone conversations with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and the US State Secretary Powell. He exchanged views with them on relevant issues and expounded on China's propositions and concerns. We are carefully studying the draft.
   China will participate in the discussions and consultations within the Security Council in a positive and constructive manner. We hope that members of the Security Council can have in-depth exchanges of views and heed to voices of a broad spectrum, those of Iraq, Arabian countries and Secretary General Anan in particular so as to create conditions for the realization of "Iraqi people governing Iraq" at an early date and for the full play of the role of the UN.

 Q: The Fukuoka High Court in Japan rejected the case involving Chinese labor workers in the Second World War. What is your comment?
 
A:The cohesive drafting of Chinese labor was one of the serious crimes committed by the Japanese militarists during their invasion against China. We hope that the Japanese side will adopt a responsible attitude towards history and approach seriously and handle properly the questions left over from history including the cohesive drafting of labor.

 Q: My question is connected with the new draft resolution on the question of Iraq in the UN Security Council. Does China plan to take part in the UN multi-country forces in Iraq?
 
A: At present consultation is under way in the UN Security Council on the new draft resolution on the question of Iraq. It is still too early to discuss your question.
 
To facilitate your understanding of China's position on this question, I would like to introduce to you the non-paper proposed by the Chinese side on the new draft resolution. The non-paper explains goals and principles that the Chinese side has in mind to solve the question of Iraq.
 
There are four 4 goals:
1. Taking immediate stops to improve the security situation in Iraq, restore peace and stability there and help the Iraqi people with national reconstruction and development.
2. Maintaining the political independence and territorial integrity of Iraq, and building a new Iraq that is democratic, open, united and friendly towards its neighbors.
3. Assisting Iraq in reintegrating into the international community and maintaining peace and security in the Gulf region.
4. Creating conditions for international participation in Iraqi reconstruction and for the United Nations itself to play a vital role therein.

There are five principles in solving the question of Iraq:
1. The will and choice of the Iraqi people and the right to decide on the country's future should be respected and the goal of "Run Iraq by Iraqis" should be realized at an early date.
2. The Iraq issues should be resolved properly within the UN framework with the United Nations playing a vital role. The efforts made by the UN Secretary-General and his representatives should be supported.
3. The Security Council should fully heed the opinions of the Iraqi side in making its relevant decisions.
4. The legitimate rights of relevant parties should be respected, and the reasonable concerns of Iraq's neighbors and other Arab countries should be accommodated.
5. Respect, protect and promote human rights in Iraq.

Q: The Prime Minister of Viet Nam concluded his visit to China yesterday. What is your comment on his visit?

A: During his visit in China, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai of Viet Nam and the Chinese leaders have an in-depth and candid exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest. Both sides reiterated that they would, in the principles of "long-term stability, future orientation, good neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive cooperation", expand exchange, increase mutual trust, cooperate sincerely and develop together so as to make unremitting efforts for the good neighborly relations and comprehensive cooperation between China and Viet Nam in the new century.

The two sides also had an in-depth discussion of the development of their economic relations and trade. The Chinese side proposed a number of suggestions, to which Prime Minister Phan Van Khai agreed. The two sides expressed that they would: 1. continue to increase high-level exchange of visits and bring their political relations closer; 2. deepen their economic relations and trade in all fields and all level and work to double the bilateral trade volume in 2010; 3. expand local and non-governmental exchanges between the two countries, conduct multi-channeled exchange and cooperation and consolidate the grass-root basis of the traditional friendship between the two countries; 4. with an eye on the overall picture, handle properly questions existing in bilateral relations.  The visit to China by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai was a successful one and will play a positive role in further promoting the relations between China and Viet Nam.

Q: The newly appointed Foreign Minister of India said that they will continue to put its relations with China in a priority area. What is your comment?

A: We appreciate his positive views on the development of Sino-Indian relations. India is an important neighbor of China and we attach importance to developing friendly cooperation with India. At present, Sino-Indian relations have entered into a new phase of comprehensive improvement and development and is faced with important opportunity for development. We hope and believe that the two governments will work together to maintain the good momentum in bilateral relations, promote constant and new progress in the long-term constructive partnership between the two countries. We are willing to make positive efforts with the new government in India.

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