On the afternoon of November 23, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue presided over a regular press conference.

 

Zhang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I'd like to make a statement.

 

At the invitation of Vice Premier Huang Ju, Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State John Prescott of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will pay an official visit to China from November 30 to December 4.

 

Now, I'm glad to take up your question.

 

Q: Can China identify the countries in the European Union that support or oppose the lifting of the arms embargo against China since 1989? If the embargo is lifted, what weapons will China buy?

 

A: Currently EU members are holding discussions on this issue. The EU Summit and the China-EU Leadership Meeting will be held this December. China's stance for the EU's early lifting of the arms embargo against China is clear. We hope the EU will proceed from the overall interest of China-EU relations and do more to benefit the all-round development of our relations instead of setting up any obstacles. In fact, the lifting of arms embargo is a matter of political principles. The decision to lift the embargo will not result in the increase of China's arms import from the EU. We hope that the EU will make a right decision at an early date.

 

Q: After meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi said that he understood China's stance on his paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine, and he believed that the Chinese side also understood Japan's stance. As for the question raised by Japanese correspondents if he will continue to pay homage the Yasukuni Shrine, he said that he won't talk about that question any more. What's your comment on it?

 

A: Yesterday, leaders of China and Japan met on the sideline of the APEC. We think that the meeting bears great importance for the improvement and the healthy, stable development of China-Japan relations. During the meeting, President Hu Jintao gave elaborated and clear account of China's stance on how to further the development of China-Japan relations. He said that in the development of China-Japan relations the issue of history should not and cannot be evaded. Currently the crux of the difficulties facing the China-Japan political relations is that Japanese leaders pay homage to the Yasukuni Shrine. We hope that the Japanese side proceed from the overall interest of China-Japan relations and properly handle the issue. This meeting has proven again that the Chinese Government and leaders attach great importance to the China-Japan relations. The 32 years since the normalization of the bilateral ties have seen great development in our relations. We hope that both sides will cherish the advancement of the bilateral relations and exert positive efforts to promote the stable and healthy development of the China-Japan relations.

 

Q: Is there any progress for the fourth round of the Six Party Talks? President Bush said last week that China, Russia and other countries share the same point of view with the United States on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Does China agree with him?

 

A: I understand that you are very concerned about the date of the next round of the Six Party Talks. The Chinese side has been making positive efforts in various forms for the early opening of the next round of the Six Party Talks and has maintained close contacts and diplomatic consultations with all parties concerned. You can see from the news that President Hu Jintao also made in-depth exchange of views on this issue with the leaders who attended the meeting during the APEC. We will continue to keep in touch with other parties and strive to hold the next round of the Talks as early as possible.

 

Generally speaking, all parties share the same point of view on forging ahead the course of the Six Party Talks. All Parties, including the DPRK, said that they would continue to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue. However, since the issue is very complicated, whether to open a new round of the Six Party Talks or a Working Group meeting in the first place, and when to hold the meetings have yet to be decided through further consultation and coordination among the six parties.

 

Q: What's China's comment on the international meeting on the Iraqi issue being held in Egypt and the current situation in Iraq?

 

A: Time differences between Egypt and Beijing discounted, the international meeting on the Iraqi issue is expected to start today in Egypt. China attaches great importance to this meeting and has dispatched Ambassador Wang Guangya, China's Permanent Representative to the UN, to attend the meeting on behalf of the Chinese Government. To my knowledge, Ambassador Wang Guangya will deliver an important speech at the meeting to further elaborate on China's overall position on the Iraqi issue and the situation in Iraq.

 

We express deep concern and anxiety over the current situation in Iraq. We hope Iraq can restore peace and stability as soon as possible, hold election as scheduled and carry out their reconstruction at an early date, so as to enable the Iraqi people to live a peaceful and stable life at an early date. We are ready to join hands with the international community in the efforts to this end.

 

Q: Today Iran has announced moratorium on its uranium enriching. What's China's comment on this?

 

A: China expresses its appreciation of Iran's fulfillment of its commitment by suspending its uranium enriching and reprocessing. This creates favorable conditions for the early settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue within the framework of IAEA. Therefore, we welcome this decision.

 

Q: The Vietnamese Press recently reported that the Vietnamese side urged China to cancel its oil exploration program in the South China Sea. Has the Chinese side made any explanation to the Vietnamese side over this issue? Now President Hu Jintao is visiting Cuba. Does China have any plans to invest in nickel production in Cuba?

 

A: As for your first question, I'd like to make a clarification. The platform of "Kantan 3", China's oil rig, operates on the Chinese side of waters in the mouth of the Beibu Gulf. This is a normal exploration activity. To ensure the security of vessels' passage, China's maritime authorities sent out voyage warning in advance in accordance with international norms. Vietnam's accusation based on its unilateral claim is groundless, unacceptable to China. We are ready to keep dialogues and communication with the Vietnamese side over this issue.

 

Regarding your second question, President Hu Jintao is visiting Cuba. As I know, he has just concluded his talks with President Castro. During the talk, both sides expressed satisfaction over the sound development of bilateral relations and willingness to further promote all-round development of bilateral relations in all fields. President Hu Jintao put forward specific suggestions in this regard. After the meeting, the two sides signed some agreements covering various fields, including economy, technology, plant quarantine, biological technology and education cooperation. China is ready to expand cooperation with Cuba in various fields, including trade and economy, which is also an important form of South-South cooperation. It is beneficial to both China and Cuba. Through this visit, China hopes to further deepen and push our bilateral relations to a higher level.

 

Q: Has China promised any aids to Cuba? Have the two sides signed any aids agreements?

 

A: As I have mentioned just now, after the meeting between President Hu Jintao and President Castro, the two sides signed some agreements covering many fields, mainly including cooperation on economy, technology, plant quarantine, biological technology and education cooperation. China and Cuba are very friendly countries. This year Cuba suffered from some natural disasters. The Chinese side is ready to provide aids to Cuba within its own capacity.

 

Q: How many bilateral meetings has been held between President Hu Jintao and other state leaders on the sideline of APEC? How do you describe the meeting between President Hu Jintao and Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi?  Did the two sides touch on the recent "submarine incident" during their meeting? During his meeting with the US President Bush, it seems that the main topic of the two sides was about Six-Party Talks on nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula? What did President Hu talk with President Bush on Taiwan question?

 

A: During President Hu Jintao's meeting with the Japanese leader Koizumi, the two sides did touch upon some problems in bilateral relations between China and Japan. But the most important thing was they exchanged views over how to promote the sound and steady development of China-Japan relations. President Hu Jintao stressed that China and Japan are two Asian countries of major influence. Thus the development of their bilateral relations bears great significance to the two countries and Asia at large. Meanwhile, the two sides share increasingly common responsibilities in regional and international affairs. Leaders of the two countries should view bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and actively push forward the sound and steady development of this relationship. As for historical issue, I have just elaborated on China's position. As for Taiwan question, the Chinese side expresses appreciation of Japan's reiteration of adhering to the One China policy and refraining from supporting "Taiwan Independence". We hope the Japanese side to handle the relevant issues properly.

 

Regarding the meeting between the Chinese and American top leaders, it is a very important meeting. In fact, the heads of the two countries have been maintaining close contacts in recent years. Before this meeting, the two leaders had made a phone conversation. During this meeting, the two sides touched upon bilateral relations and Taiwan question as well. President Hu Jintao specially stressed that "Taiwan Independence" will destroy the peace across the Taiwan straits and severely undermine peace, stability and prosperity in the whole Asia-Pacific region. The two sides should bear this picture in mind and realize the danger of "Taiwan Independence". We should fully understand the sensitivity and importance of the Taiwan question to the China-US relations.

 

Q: The Prime Minister of Pakistan will visit India to promote the peace process. What's China's comment on this progress and Pakistan's initiative to solve its disputes with India?

 

A: Since this year, Pakistan and India have made active efforts to ease  their tensions. The two sides have stayed on the track of all-round dialogue and maintained high-level contacts. Important progress has also been made in the regional cooperation process of South Asia. The Chinese side is pleased to see and support the development. Pakistan and India can resolve disputes through peaceful means, enhance mutual trust and further ease tensions. This will help raise the level of regional cooperation in the South Asia and also serve the interests of peace, stability and development in this region.

 

Q: After the China-US summit meeting in Chile, the press speculates that the Working Group meeting of the next round of the Six-Party Talks might be held by the end of the year. What's your comment on this?

 

A: On the sideline of the APEC meeting, leaders further exchanged their views on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. All parties confirmed that the Six-Party Talks is an effective way to resolve the issue. China hopes to actively promote the process of the Talks. We expect to implement consensus reached among all the parties at the end of last round of the Talks and to maintain contacts and consultation with other parties. As to when to hold the next round of the Talks or the Working Group meeting, we have got no detailed plan yet. But China will continue its effort to launch the next round of the Talks or the Working Group meeting at an early date.

 

Q: Recently, India and China engaged in a talk on the border issue. What comment do you have on the latest talk?

 

A: From 18 to 19 November, Chinese and Indian Special Representatives on the Border Issue held their fourth meeting in Beijing. Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, Chinese Special Representative and National Security Advisor Dixit, Indian Special Representative, met in a frank, friendly and constructive atmosphere. The two sides agreed that the next meeting of the Special Representatives would be held in New Dheli and the time fixed through diplomatic channels.

 

The Special Representatives of the two sides proceeded from the overall interest of our bilateral relations and discussed the guiding principles for resolving the border issue on the basis of the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries. Their meeting was constructive, and the two sides will stay in contact to fix the time of the next meeting.

 

Q: Nine Chinese fishing vessels were detained by Peru, charged with illegal fishing in the Peruvian waters. Did China contact the Peruvian side on the matter? Did you receive the result of investigation?

 

A: China has received report on the matter. On November 19, the relevant authorities of Peru detained nine Chinese fishing vessels. Now, the causes of the incident are under investigation. The Chinese Government has emphasized on many occasions that operations on the high sea must abide by international conventions and agreements. No conclusion can be made on the operation of the fishing vessels before the investigation is done.

 

China hopes the Peruvian side to handle the incident properly as soon as possible, give humanitarian treatment to the detained Chinese fishermen, ensure their safety and protect their fishing vessels and other properties.

 

Q: Just now, you said progress was made on China-Japan relations at this China-Japan summit meeting. Then what position does China hold on the issue of exchange of leaders' visits between the two countries?

 

A: When meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi, President Hu Jintao explicitly uttered that the Chinese Government highly values China-Japan relations. Our relations have made great progress over the past 32 years. To develop China-Japan good-neighborly and friendly relations that are long-term and stable bears greater significance in today's reality ever than before. China attaches importance to the summit meeting between the two countries. But it requires the two sides to strictly observe the principles of the documents between our two countries and follow the guideline of "taking history as a mirror and looking forward into the future" to move forward China-Japan relations. We hope that Japan could perceive our relations with a strategic and long-term view and properly handle the relevant issues, so as to actively promote the healthy and stable development of China-Japan relations.

 

Q: China will preside over next year's G20 Financial Ministers' Meeting. Why the meeting is set to be held in Xianghe in the neighborhood of Beijing? Is it out of security concerns or worries for anti-globalization protests?

 

A: Next year, China will chair the G20 and its Financial Ministers' Meeting will be held in Beijing. I will inquire about the time and venue. Probably the Ministry of Finance and the People's Bank of China are making preparations.

 

Recently, the G20 concluded its Financial Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' Meeting in Berlin. On the whole, this organization played an important role and exerted extensive impacts on the coordination of international economic policies, formulation of international standards and rules , the reform of international financial system and other respects. The Chinese sides hopes the G20 can continue to conduct deeper discussion on fiscal, financial and other important issues and make active contribution to further global cooperation. China, as the chair of G20 next year, will make active efforts in this regard. Meanwhile, relevant departments of China will make sound and careful preparation for the meeting to be held in Beijing.

 

Thank you!