Foreign Ministry Spokesman's Press Conference
13 November 2003

Liu Jianchao: Good afternoon everybody. I have no announcement to make. The floor is now open.

Q: There has been report that the second round of six-party talks will be held on the 10th of next month. Would you confirm that and brief us on the preparation of the second round of six-party talks?

A: The time for the second round of six-party talks has yet to be determined by parties concerned. The focus at present is to make relevant preparations for it. Parties concerned are preparing actively for that. The Chinese side is expecting that the next round of six-party talks can be held as early as possible.

Q: The UN Asia Meeting on the Question of Palestine  will be held in China in December. Please brief us on the detailed information about the meeting.

A: China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and has been commited to Middle East peace process for a long period of time. We are willing to continue our effort together with the international community. In accordance with the requirements of the United Nations, the Chinese government will hold the meeting in cooperation with the United Nations through December 16th to 18th. The theme for the meeting is "Mobilizing international support for a peaceful solution of the question of Palestine". There will be about 200 participants from countries all around the world, officials from the United Nations, and Middle East experts and famous scholars. During the meeting, the United Nations will hold a NGO meeting on Middle East issue in cooperation with the Peking University.

Q: You participated in the first round of six-party talks. Can you give us some insights of the first round of six-party talks and some information about the preparation for the second round of six-party talks? Second question: Recently the media has been reporting about the Mainland's resolution to unify the two sides of the straits. I know that it is the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council that is handling the cross-straits affairs, but I'd like to know the comment of the Foreign Ministry.

A: About your first question, I participated in the first round of six-party talks as a member of the Chinese delegation in Beijing. China's Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi has expounded on the six-party talks at the press conference after the meeting. I myself have nothing more to add.
   About the next round of talks, we are hoping the parties concerned can narrow the differences and broaden the  consensus through exchanges during the preparation, so as to enable the next round of talks to achieve more and to let the six-party talks process go on.
   About your second question, as you have said, we have the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. Affairs concerning Taiwan are internal affairs of China, so please refer the questions to the Office.

Q: The China-India joint naval search and rescue operation will be held this Friday. What's your comment on this? What is the aim of the operation and how will it influence the relations between China and Pakistan?

A: On Tuesday's press conference, I briefed you on the operation between China and India. It will be held on sea near Shanghai tomorrow. I believe the cooperation between China and India in this field will further enrich the friendly cooperation relations between the two countries, enhance mutual understanding between the two armies, and promote the long term constructive and cooperative partnership relations between China and India.
    China has normal state-to-state relations with both India and Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan are friendly neighbours of China. The development of China-India relations will not affect the development of the traditional relations between China and Pakistan.

Q: When  answering my question about the second round of six-party talks just now, you mentioned that parties concerned are narrowing the differences. Can you go in details as to what kind of differences are there? Second question: The Pacific islands of Kiribati established diplomatic ties with Taiwan not long ago. Can you tell us what impact this will have on the space tracking station China has on one of those islands?

A: On the Korea Peninsular nuclear question, the parties concerned have both common or similar  and different views. This is especially true among the parties directly involved. We can not deny that. We hope the parties concerned, especially those directly involved, can narrow their differences and expand consensus, so as to make achievements at the next round of six-party talks and let it continue.

   About the so-called establishment of diplomatic ties between the Republic of Kiribati and Taiwan, the Chinese government has made responses. The Chinese government's stance on Taiwan question is consistent and clear. We are resolutely opposed to any form of official relations between Taiwan and countries which have diplomatic ties with China. We have  lodged protest and solemn representations to the Republic of Kiribati. We have urged the Kiribati side to abide by the principles in the communique signed at the time of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of Kiribati, and to correct its wrong decisions, in order to enable the China-Kiribati relations to move on on the basis of non-intervention into each other's internal affairs.
    The Taiwan authority has been practicing an unscrupulous policy of "bribery diplomacy" in the international community, attempting to create "two Chinas" and "one China, one Taiwan" so as to realize its political goal of "Taiwan Independence". Such separatist activities have damaged  the fundamental interests of all Chinese people including the Taiwan compatriots.
    About the space tracking station in Kiribati, I think, no matter what happens, the Aero-space endeavor of China will continue to develop and the space exploration will also continue.

Q: China has sent its vice foreign minister to the US, Japan and the Republic of Korea for consultations on the second round of six-party talks. Has China exchanged views with Russia, and how will China exchange its views with Russia?

A: As far as I know, during Chairman Wu Bangguo's visit of DPRK,  both China and DPRK agreed in principle on the holding of the next round of six-party talks. China and Russia haven't started consultations yet. We are willing to carry out consultations with the Russian side on the next round of six-party talks at an early date. I will provide the specific information as soon as I have it.

Q: There has been report that Italian soldiers stationed in Iraq were attacked, resulting in several deaths and injuries. What's China's comment on this?

A:  We noticed that piece of news. In recent days there are continuous bombings and attacks in Iraq, causing deaths and injuries including the accident yesterday. It is reported that there were 48 people either killed or wounded. We express deep concern to it. We hope the situation in Iraq can settle down at an early date and the post-war reconstruction can move on smoothly.

Q: Sources have it that Premier Wen Jiabao will also pay a visit to Canada next month after his visits to the United States, and he will go to Africa to attend the China-Africa Cooperation meeting. Can you confirm that?

A: I can confirm it. I will release the specifics by then. At present, all sides are actively preparing for Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the United States and his presence at the second ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Forum.

Thank you for your presence!

    After the press conference, some reporters ask for the spokesman's confirmation of the information that Chinese submarines have entered waters near Japan. The spokesman said it is a routine maritime training.