Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan's Press Conference
(4 September 2003)
Kong Quan: Good afternoon. First, a piece of announcement: At the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Foreign Minister Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka of the Republic of Kenya will pay an official visit to China from 8 to 13 September.
Now the floor is open.
Q: Could you please tell me the relationship between the environmental policy and China's foreign policy? How do the two meet and where?
A: You have raised another question that calls for a full seminar to discuss upon.
Before answering your question, let me mention another thing first. I could recall that, on 17 July at the last press conference before the summer break, you expressed your doubt whether questions could be answered as soon as possible during the summer. I promised you that we were ready for your calls at any time. According to our figures, during the one-month and half summer holidays, we answered 240 questions raised through calls by foreign correspondents. Some questions were answered promptly. Usually, it took 20 minutes to get an answer. The longest one took us 6 hours, because we had to check the facts with the other departments. I am convinced that the reply you got was not the most time-consuming one, since you had not complained to me. Hope that your questions were answered promptly.
On the question of environment and foreign policy, in short, I believe that the two are inter-related. China is a member of the international community. We attach great importance to environmental protection. We have all along actively participated in international cooperation in the field. We often say that the world has become a village and the world belongs to the whole mankind. It is the common responsibility of the whole mankind to protect the environment and the globe that we are living in. China will continue to actively participate in major international undertakings in this field.
Q: The United States has invited the UN Security Council to participate in the reconstruction of Iraq. What is China's response and plan?
A: The UN is preparing for deliberations on the resolution, which has been put forward by some country on this question. China has actively participated in the work. We have stood for the early restoration of stability and order in Iraq. During the process, we have actively worked for a more important role for the UN.
Q: It is reported that China has deployed 100,000 troops along the border with the DPRK. Please confirm.
A: Let me once again congratulate you on your rapid progress in speaking Chinese. You have been in China for a year. I could still remember your first question to me. Now, you can speak Chinese very fluently.
I have not heard any information on the deployment of troops along the border with the DPRK by China as you mentioned.
Q: UN Secretary-General Annan urged countries to ratify the CTBT. Could you please tell us what is the progress of the ratification process by the NPC? Is there a timetable? Secondly, it is reported that Premier Wen Jiabao will visit the United States in December. Could you please confirm? Lastly, yesterday the Human Rights Watch urged China to publicly conduct a full investigation of the Aids situation in the Henan Province. Do you have any comment?
A: China attaches importance to the CTBT. We believe that such a treaty is important to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the nuclear disarmament process in particular. The Chinese Government has signed the treaty and submitted to the NPC for examination. We hope to see the early coming into force of the treaty. The NPC will go through the necessary procedures for the ratification of the treaty according to the relevant legal requirements.
On the visit to the United States by Premier Wen Jiabao, China and the United States have maintained exchanges of high level visits. Such visits are very important for the enhancement of understanding, trust and cooperation among the leaders. The visits are being discussed. We will brief you in due course.
On the Aids situation in Henan, probably you still remember that, at the end of last year, we invited officials from the Ministry of Health for a special briefing. It is true that there were some problems with some blood collection stations in some parts of Henan, which led to serious spread of Aids. The Central Government attaches great importance to the issue and ordered the local governments to thoroughly clean up their blood collection stations. The rapid spread of Aids in certain parts of Henan has been somewhat contained. However, the consequence of the question is serious. The Central Government
has allocated special funds annually for the timely treatment of the Aids patients. All preventative measures are taken to avoid the spread of the disease.
Q: On 10 September, the United States and other nations will participate in the exercises according to the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Under the backdrop of the Six Party Talks, does China view these exercises as provocative actions?
A: We can understand the worries by some countries over the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Quite some countries of the world have doubts over the legality and effectiveness of the measure. China believes that the best way to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is to safeguard and promote international security through consultations and dialogue.
After the end of the Six Party Talks, Wang Yi, Head of the Chinese Delegation, summarized six points. One of them is that the parties undertake not to issue or adopt any statements or measures that may lead to the escalation of the situation. We hope that the relevant parties could be prudent on the matter.
Q: Does China believe that the PSI will further complicate the matter?
A: I have answered very clearly. Quite some countries have doubts over the legality and effectiveness of the PSI. Under such circumstances, one should act in a prudent manner.
Of course, I also stressed in my earlier answer that we could understand the concern by some countries over the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We believe that a proper solution to the issue should be found through dialogue and consultations.
Q: Does the NPC have a timetable for the ratification of the CTBT? One year or longer? Do you have any information? Does China believe that the statement or action by the Human Rights Watch is an interference in China's internal affairs?
A: On the first question, I have stated that the NPC will go through the necessary ratification procedures according to law.
On the second question, Aids is a major issue facing the whole mankind. We have carried out effective cooperation with the international community on the issue. We will continue to do so. The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the prevention and treatment of Aids. The State Council issued the Action Plan for the Prevention, Control and Treatment of Aids (2001-2005), which comprehensively summarized the position of the Chinese Government on this issue. The Chinese Government has taken measures and invested manpower and capital. All these have shown our determination and will to safeguard the health of the people. If some organizations made irresponsible accusations against China based upon some false materials, I believe that it is not something proper.
Q: It is reported that Dalai will visit the U.S. from 4 to 24 September and meet with President Bush and Colin Powell. What is your comment?
A: We have already made representations with the U.S. side. It is known to all that the Dalai Lama is not purely a religious figure. He is rather a political exile who has long engaged in splittist activities of the motherland. The U.S. side has on many occasions recognized Tibet as a part of China. It does not support the independence of Tibet. It does not allow the Dalai Lama to engage in splittist activities against China in the United States. We call on the U.S. side to honour its commitments.
Q: How is the programme of the visit to China by Vice President Cheney and the related preparation work?
A: China has been in contact with the U.S. side on the visit by Mr. Cheney. I will brief you in due course.
Q:US Treasury Secretary John Snow met with Premier Wen yesterday. Can you introduce once again China's position on the RMB exchange rate?
A: When answering the same question last time I quoted Premier Wen's remarks when he met with Former US Treasury Secretary Rubin and IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler. Premier Wen further expounded the attitude of the Chinese Government while meeting with US Treasury Secretary John Snow yesterday. He stressed that what China adopts is a single and administrated floating foreign exchange system based on the demand and supply of the market. This has considered the actual situation in China and shown China's highly responsible attitude towards the international community. China will further explore and improve the forming mechanism of the RMB exchange rate according to its economic development level, economic operation situation, international balance of payment and deepened financial reform. He also stressed that to keep the basic stability of the RMB exchange rate on a reasonable and balanced level conforms with the interest of China, the US and the world at large.
Q: The US has tabled a draft resolution to the UN urging for a multi-lateral force led by the US to be sent to Iraq. What is your comment? Do you think that it will legalize the occupation? The interim government has been established in Iraq and how do you view it? A last question, Israel again bombed the southern Lebanon now that the situation in the occupying land was aggravating even further. What is your comment?
A: The UN is now preparing to discuss the new resolution proposed by some countries. China's fundamental goal on the Iraqi question is that the country can regain normal order as soon as possible and that the people of Iraq can realize earlier their sovereign rights independently. And in this process, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq should be maintained.
We are glad to see the establishment of the interim government in Iraq and we hope that it will help Iraq to regain normal order and help the Iraqi people realize at an early date the process of independently exercising their sovereign rights.
As to the conflicts between Israel and Arabic countries, the situation in Iraq now is, on the whole, in a state of sailing against the current. The international community and the various parties have made positive efforts previously to bring about some progress in the peace process. The Chinese side is deeply concerned with the current escalation of violent acts. We hope that the parties concerned can coordinate the efforts of the international community, take effective measures and return to the track of peaceful settlement of the Middle East question.
Q: It is reported that the DPRK has reaffirmed once again their position that the six-party talks were useless and that they had no choice but to strengthen nuclear deterrence for security and defense. Can you comment on that? Secondly has China started contact with other countries including the DPRK on the second round of talks?
A: In fact it was the proposal of the DPRK to hold direct six-party talks. The DPRK side has held highly the tremendous work that China has done for the promoting of the six-party talks and ensuring the convocation of the talks in Beijing. The DPRK side has also expressed that there are some positive factors in the talks and that it hopes to solve relevant question through dialog peacefully.
Of course you can see from the remarks made by various parties in the talks that there is consensus but much difference as well. Some difference is rather serious. However we think that through the six-party talks, the goal of denuclearization on the peninsula has been established and the process of solving the question peacefully has been launched. We hope and believe that with the continuation of the dialog process, enhancement of mutual understanding and mitigation of mutual doubt, consensus among the six parties and especially between the US and the DPRK can be further expanded and developed.
You asked about the question of nuclear deterrence, the DPRK side has in fact clearly stated in the six-party talks that it is not its goal to possess nuclear weapons and denuclearization is the goal it seeks. We support the position of the DPRK and we of course think that some security concern of the DPRK should be attached importance to and solved properly. In short, we have reaffirmed our position on many occasions and it confirms with the interest of all sides to ensure denuclearization, peace and stability on the peninsula.
As to the time of the next round of talks, the six parties have all rather completely expounded their positions and all need some time to study in real earnest, analyze and consider the positions of the others. Undoubtedly the Chinese side will keep contact and consultation and make its own efforts to continue the dialog process.
Q: China said that the biggest result of the six-party talks was to continue the talks but some said that it was to give the DPRK time to develop nuclear weapons. Do you have such worry? Second question, it is reported that the 8 persons who tried to break the Japanese school in Shanghai were released in Jilin Province. Can you confirm it? If so why don't you send them to the DPRK or a third country?
A: I cannot agree with what you said in your first question. You should remember that Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, head of the Chinese delegation summarized the consensus reached during his press conference after the talks. I would like to repeat here the second of the six-point consensus: all parties maintain that the denuclearization on the Korean peninsula should be ensured and the security concerns of the DPRK should be solved properly at the same time.
You can tell your readers that China has always handled properly the questions concerning the DPRK citizens coming to China illegally and it does so according to domestic laws, international laws and in humanitarian spirit.
Q: How do you interpret the remarks made by the DPRK that the six-party talks are useless?
A: It shows once again that the DPRK nuclear question is very complicated. There are factors of the question itself and the abnormal situation on the peninsula over the past fifty years. Therefore there are many questions that need to be further expounded and clarified through further dialog and joint efforts to find a proper and peaceful solution.
If you have no further questions, thanks for coming.
