On 9 October Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held a regular press conference.

Zhang Qiyue: Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon. First, I have a piece of announcement to make: President Hu Jintao will pay state visits to Thailand, Australia and New Zealand from Oct. 17 to 27 at the invitation of Thai King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery and New Zealand Governor-General Silvia Cartwright. Meanwhile, President Hu Jintao will also participate in the 11th APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting to be held in the Thai capital of Bangkok on Oct. 20-21.

Prior to that, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Vice-Minister of Commerce Yu Guangzhou would leave Beijing on Oct. 16 for Thailand to take part in the 15th APEC Ministerial Meeting on Oct. 17 and 18 in Bangkok.
Now the floor is open.

Q: It is reported that the Shengzhou 5 will be launched at 9 am in the morning of 20 October. Is the news confirmed? Can foreign correspondents go to the site to interview?

A: I don't know where your source is. Sorry that I don't have the specific information concerning its launching. The International Press Center is now contacting for you to see if you can interview but I can't guarantee. You may also contact the Information Office of the State Council for it.

Q: The DPRK said that it did not want Japan to participate the next round of six-party talks. What is your comment? Has China contacted Russia, the US and other countries on outer space cooperation on the occasion of the launching of the Shengzhou 5?

A: We maintain that the six-party talks are an important step towards the peaceful settlement of the Korean nuclear question through dialog. In the talks, various parties have reached some principled consensus on solving the Korean nuclear question through further dialog and peaceful means. After the meeting Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi summarized it into six points, one of which was to continue the six-party dialog process. The Korean nuclear question is complicated and in solving it, various parties have some disputes. We maintain that the best way to solve the disputes is to have dialog. In short, the six-party talks should continue. 

As to your second question, China is willing to conduct cooperation with all countries on the peaceful use of outer space.

Q: I have three questions in three different aspects: 1. It is recently reported that China has already admitted that Sikkim is a part of India. Can you tell us how you define the status of Sikkim? 2. Japanese businessmen had a group sex party in Zhuhai on 18 September, a sensitive day for China. Do you have any plan to extradite those who conducted it? Do you think that certain organizations should be responsible for the incident on 18 September? 3. China thinks that it is a developing country, while it will be the third country in the world to have manned spaceflight. How does a developing country have the ability to conduct research on the space project since it needs great cost? China claims that it develops space project for peaceful purpose but it is conducted by the military. Can you explain the contradiction?

A: On the question of Sikkim, it is a question left over from history. We think that one should respect history and take into consideration practical factors on this question. We hope that it will be gradually solved with the development of the relations between China and India.

An incident took place in Zhuhai involving some Japanese taking part in group sex party. I want to point it out that the incident has aroused great indignation from the Chinese people. If you read reports by the Chinese media and reaction from the internet, you will be able to feel the strong resentment and indignation of the Chinese people. We hope that the Japanese side can educate its citizens to be more law-abiding abroad so as to safeguard the image of Japan. I think that you have also read from reports that the local government in China has already taken measures against the relevant organizations.

As to questions concerning the Shengzhou 5, the great efforts that China has made in the peaceful use of outer space is not contradicted with its status as a developing country. Any developing country needs to develop its own scientific and technological level. To enhance China's technological capability in outer space is not only conducive to China but also to the world and whole mankind in peaceful use of outer space.

You also mentioned whether China will use the technology for military purpose, I want to point it out clearly that China explores and develops technology in outer space for peaceful purpose only. China always  maintains that the outer space should be free of any weapon and that to prevent arms race in outer space confirms with interests of all countries. China is willing to have cooperation with other countries in this regard. China has never and it will not participate in arms race in outer space in any form.

Q: Over a hundred "refugees" from the DPRK have stayed in the consular department of the ROK embassy in China for a long time. Does the Foreign Ministry agree with the request of the ROK side, i.e. allowing them to leave earlier? In light of a large number of DPRK "refugees" in China, will you change the practice of allowing them leaving the ROK embassy quietly?

A: I understand that your question has something to do with the decision to suspend some consular business made by the consular department  of the ROK embassy in China. we are concerned with the decision of the ROK side and don't think that it would be conducive to the consular cooperation between the two countries. Now the relations between the two have developed quickly with frequent personnel exchange. We hope that the decision will not affect the normal personnel exchange between the two countries.

As to the handling of those people coming to China illegally, China has always handled it according to domestic law, international law and humanitarian principle. We have properly done so in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

Q: Some people from the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong went to the Diaoyu Islands by boat to claim sovereignty. What is your comment?

A: The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson has expounded China's position on the question of Diaoyu Islands here on many occasions. I want to reaffirm that the Diaoyu Islands and their adjacent islands are China's integral territory and the determination of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to safeguard the territorial sovereignty is unshakable. China has maintained that the dispute should be solved through consultation and this position remains unchanged.

Q: What is your expectation towards the APEC meeting in Bangkok? If China is under pressure to appreciate its RMB, what is your comment?

A: I have already announced news that President Hu will head a delegation to the APEC meeting in Bangkok at the beginning of the press conference. Since its founding in 1989, APEC has made much progress in promoting the economic development in Asia. You know that APEC has two wheels, trade and investment liberalization, and economic and technological cooperation. China has proposed many concrete suggestions in the two areas.

China attaches great importance to the meeting and hopes that it can reach consensus on the important questions that affect global and regional economic development and achieve concrete results in supporting multi-lateral trading regime, promoting trade and investment liberalization, economic and technological cooperation, coordinated economic and social development and deepening counter-terrorist cooperation. During the meeting, President Hu will comprehensively expound on China's stand and put forward relevant suggestions so as to push for concrete results of APEC in these fields. He will also have bilateral meetings with leaders of relevant members.

As to discussion of the RMB exchange rate, the Chinese leaders and officials of relevant departments have made clear China's attitude on this question. To keep RMB stable, it is not only conducive to the economic development of China at the current stage but will contribute to the whole region and the whole world. We hold that one should treat the question according to facts and should not politicize it.

Q: It is reported that the DPRK has welcomed Chairman Wu Bangguo to visit the DPRK after 20 October. Please confirm.

A: I have no news in this regard. China and the DPRK have the tradition of exchange of visits between their leaders. If I have news in this regard, I will inform you at an early date.

Q: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told the press recently that he would pay tribute to the Yasukuni Shrine again next year. What is your comment?

A: As to how  the Japanese side should treat history, I would like to introduce here the meeting between Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Koizumi in Bali. Premier Wen said that Japan is China's close neighbor connected by the same waters and to develop its relations with Japan is an important aspect for China to develop relations with its neighboring countries. China is willing to develop long-term stable and good-neighborly relations with Japan. Premier Wen stressed that to understand and treat history correctly is the key to the smooth development of bilateral relations. We hope that Japan will, on the basis of  the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration and other documents to decide the framework of the Sino-Japanese relations, adhere to the principle of "taking history as a mirror and orienting towards the future". We hope that the Japanese side will treat the question of Yasukuni Shrine in such a spirit.

Q: Taiwan's "Economic Minister" Lin Yifu when answering questions of the legislators, said that Taiwan will use title with more sovereign content when discussing free trade areas with countries without diplomatic relations, e.g. Taiwan economic entity. What is your comment? Tang Yaoming said that it would not rule out possibility of attacking the Mainland if it found any obvious intentions from the Mainland to attack Taiwan. What is your comment?

A: I want to make clear that as spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, I don't want to comment any remarks made by personnel from Taiwan on cross-straits relations. I only want to stress that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is a part of China, a principle that has been acknowledged and supported by most countries in the world. The free trade area you mentioned touches upon agreements signed between sovereign states. You should have known the attitude of the Central government on this question. We are strongly opposed to the attempt of the Taiwan authorities to create two Chinas and one China, one Taiwan in the world under any pretext to undermine friendly relations between China and countries with diplomatic relations with it.

Q: How do you see Dalai's visit to Spain. Has China made representations concerning it?  Has China urged Madrid to refuse Dalai's visit?

A: We have expounded China's position many times concerning Dalai's trip to foreign countries. Dalai is not an ordinary religious figure but rather a political exile engaged in activities of splitting the motherland and undermining ethnic unity. We hope that countries friendly to China can adhere to the principle that Tibet is a part of China without conniving any activities to split China.

Q: The Turkish Parliament has adopted a resolution to send troops to Iraq . What is your comment? What is your comment on other countries' sending troops to Iraq without the UN resolution? Secondly, Israel was condemned by the international community for bombing Syria but its Prime Minister stressed that it had the right to fight against terrorist organizations, no matter where. What is your comment?

 

A: We have taken note of the decision made by the Turkish Parliament. On the question of Iraq, the basic positions of the Chinese side includes: we hope that Iraq will regain security and stability as soon as possible for this confirms with the interest of the Iraqi people; we hope that the Iraqi people will soon resume the exercise of their sovereignty; the UN Security Council is now deliberating the Iraqi question and we are in favor of adopting a viable resolution acceptable to all sides. The new resolution should also make clear the role of the UN in Iraq. 

The Chinese side has made remarks concerning the strike by Israel against targets in Syria. Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng in charge of the Middle East affairs met with ambassadors of the Arab countries at an emergency call this morning and I would like to introduce it to you. He met with ambassadors of Jordan, Syria, Bahrain and etc as well as director of the office of Arab League in China. They informed him of the escalation of tension in the region caused by Israel's attack against Syria. Assistant Foreign Minister Lu reaffirmed that the Chinese government strongly condemned Israel's act of attacking targets in Syria, appreciated Syria for exercising restraint on the question, and pointed out that the Middle East question should be solved according to relevant UN resolutions and the principle of "Land for Peace". We hope that relevant parties will actively coordinate the efforts of international community to promote peace and continue to adhere to peaceful negotiation to solve the relevant questions in Middle East.

 

Q: As to temporary suspension of the consular department of the ROK embassy in China. Has the Chinese side talked with the ROK side on this? What measures will you take?

 

A: As to the adverse impact that might be brought about by the action of the consular department of the ROK embassy in China to the consular cooperation between the two countries and the normal personnel exchange between the two countries, the Chinese side expresses its concern. We have already expressed our views and hope that it will not affect the normal consular cooperation between the two countries. The Chinese side is willing to work with the ROK side to properly solve this question as soon as possible.

 

Q: Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Vajpayee have just held a meeting. Can you introduce the atmosphere and relevant information of their meeting ?

 

A: Premier Wen Jiabao has just held a cordial and friendly meeting with Prime Minister Vajpayee in Bali. The atmosphere was good. Leaders of the two countries just met with each other in June in Beijing. The bilateral relations have witnessed further development since their last meeting and the two sides expressed their satisfaction. Prime Minister Vajpayee thanked in particular the Chinese government and people for the hospitality accorded him during his visit in China. He maintained that his visit was very successful. The Chinese side also held highly the visit. We maintain that the Principles for Sino-Indian Relations and Declaration for Comprehensive Cooperation signed by the two sides shows that the bilateral relations have entered into a new phase. We hope that the bilateral relations can see greater progress. Both sides expressed that the development of the Sino-Indian relations not only confirms with the interest of the two countries, but also the interest of Asia and the world at large. The two sides are willing to solve the questions existing in the bilateral relations through friendly dialog.

 

Q: As you have said, the Korean nuclear question is a complicated one and it also causes many DPRK "refugees" to China. Do you think that priority should be given to the settlement of the question of the DPRK "refugees" so as to create a stable and secure DPRK, reduce the exodus of DPRK "refugees" and create conditions for the settlement of the Korean nuclear question?

 

A: I don't see any direct links between the two questions you mentioned. The Korean nuclear question has propped up because of nuclear issues and it is indeed complicated and needs some time and wisdom of various sides for settlement. We hope that the process of six-party talks will be adhered to promote the peaceful settlement of the question through dialog and negotiation.