On 13 July Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held a regular press conference.

Zhang: At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Sam Nujoma of the Republic of Namibia will pay a working visit to China from 19 to 26 July.

Q: When answering question of the visit to Taiwan by Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore the day before yesterday, you mentioned that Singapore should take full responsibility for the consequences. What are the consequences and responsibilities? It is reported that Governor Zhou Xiaochuan of the People's Bank of China has cancelled his visit to Singapore. Can you confirm it?

A: The question of Taiwan touches upon China's core interest. The Chinese government's principled position on this critical question is consistent, resolute and clear. As Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee's visit to Taiwan in any form or under any context all violates the one-China commitment of the Singaporean government and undermines the political basis of Sino-Singaporean relations. This will inevitably create grave consequence to the bilateral relations and cooperation and the Singaporean side should take full responsibility for it.

As to the specific issue, my answer is that Sino-Singaporean exchange will inevitably be affected.

Q: Is Governor Zhou Xiaochuan's cancellation of his visit to Singapore this week a protest of Lee's visit to Taiwan? The Taiwan Times of Taiwan has described Lee's visit as coordinating dialog across the Taiwan Straits. What is your comment?

A: I have already answered your question concerning Governor Zhou's visit to Singapore. Under the current situation, Sino-Singaporean exchange will inevitably be affected.

On your second question, I would like to stress that the question of Taiwan is China's internal affair. China has never asked nor does it need any other country or individual to "pass on the message" across the Taiwan Straits.

We understand the benign wish of the international community, countries in the region in particular, to see peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. Now it is the "Taiwan independence" force that is threatening peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. Anyone, if he is truly proceeding from safeguarding peace and stability in the region, should fully realize the serious harm of the "Taiwan independence" activities and refrain from sending wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" force.

Q: The Singaporean side has said that Lee's visit this time is an informal and private visit. Why can't the Chinese side accept this?

A: Lee has been in the high office of the Singaporean government for many years. His capacity cannot be changed by just a claim of "informal and private visit". The argument made by the Singaporean side defies fact and cannot stand.

Q: What further measures will China take apart from protest, e.g. recalling Singaporean ambassador?

A: We are studying and taking relevant measures according to the developments of situation.

Q: Xinhua quoted you by saying that the second presidential report on the "Tibet Issue" submitted to the congress was irresponsible. Please specify in which areas it was irresponsible? Has the Chinese government held talks with the representatives of Dalai Lama in 2004.  Isn't it right that the US government officials meet with Dalai Lama?

A: The second presidential report on the "Tibet Issue" by the US government totally defies facts in Tibet and clamors for Dalai's splittist activities. This violates the basic norms governing international relations and the principles of the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués. It is an interference of China's internal affairs and we are resolutely opposed to it. 

We maintain the US side should respect a most basic fact, e.g. Tibet is a part of China and the Tibetan affairs are China's internal affairs. We hope the US side can honor its relevant commitments with concrete actions without interfering in China's internal affairs with the question of Tibet.

It is the election year in the US this year. You'd better refer to the US side for the question whether there are some forces in the US that are trying to make a fuss by using the question of Tibet.

The Central government's channel for contacting with Dalai Lama is unimpeded. Its policy is clear. Dalai must truly give up the advocacy of "Tibet independence", stop splittist activities and openly acknowledge that Tibet and Taiwan are integral parts of the Chinese territory. This is the important principled foundation for dialog between the Chinese government and Dalai Lama.

Dalai is not an ordinary religious figure but rather a political exile long engaging in activities to split China and undermine national unity. We are resolutely opposed to government officials of any country to meet Dalai Lama. We hope that relevant countries can proceed from the overall situation of safeguarding its relations with China, respect China's position on this question and refrain from any move that is not conducive to bilateral relations.

Q: UN Secretary General Anna nominated Pakistani ambassador to the US as new special envoy on Iraq. What is your comment?

A: China is always concerned with the developments of situation in Iraq. We hope that Iraq's interim government can stabilize as soon as possible its security situation with the help of the international community, promote and realize as soon as possible its political transition and start reconstruction at an early date. I believe that the nomination of the new special envoy on Iraq by Secretary General Anna will facilitate this process.

Q: Last Friday a high court in Japan made a ruling concerning the compensation to the Chinese laborers during the World War II. It was the first victory by the Chinese laborers with the Japanese court. What is your comment?

A: The coercive drafting of Chinese laborers was a serious crime committed by the Japanese militarists against the Chinese people during the War of Aggression against China. We hope that the Japanese side can treat seriously the court ruling, adopt an attitude responsible to history and properly handle the question left over from war at an early date.

Q: What is your attitude towards Israel building separation walls?

A: The International Court has expressed its opinion on the "separation walls" and proposed its authoritative opinions on whether it is legitimate for Israel to build "separation walls" in the occupied land and its legal consequence. The Chinese side has always maintained that relevant parties to the Middle East question should bear in mind the overall situation, adopt active steps and solve disputes and conflicts between Israel and Palestine through dialog and negotiation. We hope that relevant sides can treat seriously the opinion and that it will help promote positive progress in the Middle East peace process.
 
Q: At present Myanmar's Premier is visiting China. Many countries are criticizing Myanmar's internal questions. What is your comment on the criticism? Will it affect China-Myanmar relations? The Philippines has said that it will withdraw its troops to save its hostage. What is your comment?

A: Premier Khin Nyunt of the Union of Myanmar is visiting China now. Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with him yesterday. Myanmar is China's close and friendly neighbor and China will continue to develop its friendly cooperation with it in all areas in the spirit of "Being partner and friend with its neighbors".

As friendly and close neighbor, we hope that Myanmar can maintain political stability and economic growth and its people can live in happiness. As to its internal question, China always handles it according to the principle of non-interference in other's internal affairs. The democratic process of Myanmar is a gradual process and needs a stable and favorable external environment. The international community should create benign environment for the democratic process of Myanmar on the basis of respecting its sovereignty without interfering in its internal affairs.   

As to the Philippine's hostage, we are very concerned with the developments and hope that it can be properly solved.

Q: Though China's has been praised by the international community for its fight against aids, reports say that the government of Henan has recently closed a school for aids orphans. Why?  The DPRK said yesterday that a military delegation is visiting China now. Please introduce.

A: The Chinese government attaches great importance to the fight against aids. Recently China sent a delegation to the aids conference in Bangkok and Premier Wen Jiabao issued an important article concerning it. This all shows the great importance that the Chinese government attaches to it. In fact the Chinese government has already regarded the fight against aids as something that bears upon the well-being of the country and the nation. Recently the Chinese government has adopted many measures to prevent the spread of aids, including providing medical and social security for aids patients and free drugs for poor people who are HIV positive. Please refer your specific question to relevant departments.

Your second question is about an important exchange between China and the DPRK. At the invitation of General Chao Gangchuan, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, State Councilor and Minister of Defense, Kim Il-chul, Member of the Defense Commission and Minister of the People's Armed Forces of the DPRK pays a 3-day formal good-will visit to China from 12 July. General Chao Gangchuan held talks with him and the two sides both expressed their willingness to enhance bilateral cooperation through closer military-to-military relations. They also exchanged views on intentional and regional issues. Chairman Wu Bangguo of the NPC also will meet with Kim Il-chul.

Q: Please give us a detailed briefing on the major messages that China sent to Mrs. Rice?

A: During the visit of US National Security Advisor Rice to China, Chinese leaders held talks and met with her. The two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on China-US relations and regional and international issues. Both China and the US are countries with important influence in the world. Maintaining frequent high-level exchanges and dialogue is highly significant to promoting bilateral relations and preserving stability in Asia as well as in the world as a whole.

During Mrs. Rice's visit, Chinese leaders have clearly expressed to her the attitude of the Chinese side. First, China attaches great importance to developing bilateral relations with the US. Against the backdrop of the constantly changing international situation, the shared interests of China and the US are on the rise and our relations have become increasingly, instead of decreasingly, important. We hope that the two sides continue to expand common ground and narrow differences through dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect, treating each other on an equal footing and seeking common ground while reserving differences. Second, China reiterated the importance of the Taiwan question in China-US relations. The Chinese leaders repeatedly underscored that the Taiwan question bears on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. To handle this question properly is the key to the sound and smooth development of China-US relations. We hope the US honors its repeatedly-made commitments, namely , adhering to the one China policy, observing the three Sino-US joint communiqués and opposing "Taiwan independence". As long as the US matches its deeds with its commitments, China-US relations can move forward smoothly.
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