On the afternoon of February 22, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Kong: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Before answering your questions, I wish to begin with two announcements of visits:

 At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, His Majesty Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia will pay a state visit to China from February 28 to March 6, 2005.

At the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand Phil Golf  will pay an official visit to China from February 27 to 28,2005.

Now, the floor is open.

Q: During his visit to the DPRK, did Minister Wang Jiarui find that the DPRK show any flexibility and willingness to return to the track of the Six-Party Talks?

A: The Chinese media have given a full coverage of Minister Wang Jiarui's visit to the DPRK. Minister Wang Jiarui conveyed to Kim Jong IL, General Secretary of Korean Workers' Party and Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, the oral message of Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China, expressing our hope to push forward the Sino-DPRK relations and our position on and concern about the solution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. The DPRK side indicated that they would stick to the goal of denuclearization of the Peninsula and they were not opposed to the Six-Party Talks. They also said that if conditions were mature, the DPRK would be willing to return to the Six-Party Talks. We believe that it's necessary for all the parties of the Six-Party Talks to be sincere and make vigorous efforts to ensure the earliest resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: How long can China tolerate the nuclear situation on the Korean Peninsula?

A: I have the impression that you have been closely following the process of the Six-Party Talks and making active reports. You must know the reason why the Six-Party Talks can develop from three-party talks to six-party talks is that all the parties have reached a consensus to ensure the denuclearization of the Peninsula and maintain the peace and stability of the Peninsula. Therefore, all parties believe that the nuclear issue on the Peninsula should be solved through peaceful dialogue and diplomatic channels, and the DPRK's reasonable concern should be properly addressed.

Q: The DPRK said that it would return to the Six-Party Talks when the conditions were right. What are the right time and right conditions? Did the DPRK mention a date for returning to the Six-Party Talks?

A: The DPRK proposed some suggestions and requests during the Six-Party Talks, including the working group meeting, as well as in its declaration by the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 10. We hope that all parties, the parties directly involved in particular, can take these problems and suggestions into serious consideration and make active and constructive efforts to resume the Six-Party Talks through their sincerity and flexibility.4

I think the time limit in your question should not be specially emphasized at present. Under the current situation, all parties should show sincerity, flexibility and patience, and make concerted efforts to solve the unclear issues on the Korean Peninsula.

Q: When meeting with Wang Jiarui yesterday, Kim Jong IL said the DPRK could conditionally return to the Six-Party Talks. However, the other parties indicated that the DPRK should join in the Talks without any condition. What's China's comment?

A: The Six-Party Talks is a very complicated process. In retrospect, all parties have made efforts in every step during the last two years. All the parties of the Six-Party Talks should stick to the committed goal and jointly make active efforts to achieve it.

Q: What suggestions have been put forward by the DPRK? Which one does China regard the most important?

A: I have no information available on other details about Minister Wang Jiarui's meeting with the DPRK leaders. China is staying in close contact with all the other parities of the Six-Party Talks. I reiterate here that we hope all parties can make vigorous efforts for the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: Kim Jong IL didn't mention when was the earliest time to resume the Six-Party Talks and set conditions for the resumption of the Talks. What's China's comment?

A: Just now I have told you that General Secretary Kim Jong IL has made clear the DPRK's viewpoint on the current situation and its basic position and propositions. Next, the key is all parties can display sincerity, goodwill and flexibility according to the present situation, and make vigorous efforts for the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: Did Minister Wang Jiarui discuss with the DPRK whether the DPRK had nuclear weapons? Did he mention how many weapons the DPRK had?

A: Minister Wang Jiarui explicitly stated China's position that we stick to the goal of a nuclear-free Peninsula. General Secretary Kim Jong IL also expressed his adherence to the goal of denuclearization.

Q: In your mind, which side, the US or the DPRK, should be more sincere and flexible? Does China believe the DPRK has nuclear weapons? Have or not have?

A: The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is very complex and protracted for a rather long time. We believe that all parties should make active efforts and show goodwill, flexibility and sincerity. The key is that the major parties, the DPRK and the US, should make greater efforts on this issue.

Q: The two parties should make the same efforts?

A: In my opinion, as the most important parties, they are the same.

Your second question on whether the DPRK has nuclear weapons is too demanding, for that is the very problem that the Six-Party Talks seek to solve over the last two years. If you insist on knowing the answer, please use your pen to tell the international community that we hope the six parties can make concerted efforts and the international community can make active efforts to support the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: Did Minister Wang Jiarui mention any economic assistance during his visit to the DPRK?

A: According to my knowledge, he visited a glasswork in the DPRK aided and built by China. Except that, I didn't know any other economic assistance or items of economic cooperation.

Q: You just said that both the US and the SPRK should be sincere. Will China ask the US to change its attitude?

A: It means both sides can be sincere and flexible, can take into consideration the concern of the other party, especially the problems the other party urges to be solved.

Q: The US and Japan recently issued a Joint Declaration on Security which touched upon the Taiwan Question. Bush warns Europe not to lift arms embargo against China during his visit to Europe. Will that have any impact on DPRK's returning to the Six-Party Talks? Will that cause the tension between China and other parties of the Six-Party Talks?

A: First, let's focus on questions on the Six-Party Talks. Later, I'll answer your question on the US attitude to EU's plan to lift its arms embargo against China.

As to the impact mentioned by you, I want to reiterate again that the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is at a critical stage. Under the current situation, we hope all parties of the Six-Party Talks to make vigorous efforts to resume the Six-Party Talks. At the same time, we also hope that the international community can make active efforts to promote the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: Did China reach some consensus with the DPRK through bilateral Channels? Or the two parties can only reach consensus when the DPRK return to the Six-Party Talks?

A: We hope to continuously develop the traditional friendly cooperation between China and the DPRK. At the same time, we believe the resumption of the Six-Party Talks is in the interests of all parties, including the interests of the DPRK. We have indicated our position to the DPRK side, elaborated on our viewpoints propositions.

Q: The US-Japanese Joint Declaration touched upon China and the DPRK. How will such a declaration impact on the Six-Party Talks and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula?

A: As to the part concerning China, I have expressed firm opposition the day before yesterday. The core is that we are firmly opposed to such a practice of listing in a bilateral category the Taiwan question concerning China's sovereignty and core interest. By no means can it be accepted. As to questions concerning the Korean Peninsula, we hope all parties of the Six-Party Talks and the countries in this region can enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust, instead of the opposite.

Q: You have said for many times that you hope all parties of the Talks can show sincerity and goodwill. Can you give us some examples?

A: All parties had specific propositions and suggestions at both the working group meeting and the official meeting of the Six-Party Talks. I am not responsible to disclose the details of the Six-Party Talks. But all parties, the major parties in particular, know fairly about that. Some message covered in the announcement on February 10 is also well-known to all of us. So all parties are expected to be flexible and take the other's concern into consideration.

Follow-up: Now that the DPRK expressed its willingness to come back to the Six-Party Talks, does it mean the ball is thrown to the US again?

A: I cannot discuss the ball with you but only to state China's position, namely, the fruits of the Six-Party Talks don't come easy and we hope that all parties continue to make efforts to create conditions for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and carry on the Talks so as to maintain the peace and stability on the Peninsula.

Q: During Wang's visit to the DPRK, what is Kim Jong IL's explanation on DPRK's announcement claiming having nuclear weapons?

A: Just now I have introduced rather completely what I know. I have no more details to offer.

Q: When there is successful direct flight across the Taiwan Straits, should the US and Japan encourage further improvement of the relations across the Straits, instead of regarding Taiwan as a 'common strategic goal'? Will the announcement increase the tensions across the Straits?

A: With regard to the Taiwan question, you know that it does not belong to China''s foreign policy, but belong to the relations across the Straits. There will be a press conference held by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Friday. If you have any question on that aspect, you can put forward at the conference.

I have expressed our attitude toward the Japan-US '2 plus 2' meeting. Either in the Asian Pacific region or in other regions of the world now, seeking peace and development and advocating cooperation are the general trends and current on the whole. All countries hope to take the opportunity to develop national economy, raise the living standard and strengthen the cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, so the Chinese side also proposed a new security conception based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation. We should notice and follow this general trend of the world, rather than cling to the bilateral arrangement in the Cold War period and do things harmful to the deeper trust and understanding among all parties.

You mentioned the British Chancellor of the Exchanquer Brown's visit to China.Do you still need related information?

Journalist: Yes.

A: At the invitation of Chinese Minister of Finance Jin Renqing, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer Brown paid an official visit to China from Feb 21 to 23. This is his first visit to China since he became the British Chancellor of the Exchequer in May, 1997. Premier Wen met with him and made extensive discussions, including the global economic situation, the UN Millennium Development Goals and some financial and fiscal cooperation within the bilateral category and so on. The Chinese Financial Minister Jin Renqing held a working dialogue with him with rich content. In particular, they talked about the China-UK financial dialogue mechanism, under which four meetings have been held, and play a constructive role in further strengthening communication on financial and fiscal information, cooperation and personnel exchanges. Mr. Brown also held a talk with Ma Kai, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission. Besides Beijing, he will visit Shanghai and Shenzhen as well.

Q: China is suggested to attend the 'G-7' meeting this year. During his visit, Brown also advocated more close cooperation with China, especially because china will take the chair of the G20 this year. Has China decided to attend the meeting in this July?

A: We attach great importance to the important role of G20 in international affairs, and hope to expand dialogue and cooperation with the G8 on some issues. We are still studying whether to attend the summit meeting held this year at the invitation of the G8.

Q: President Bush is visiting Europe now. What's your comment on his remarks about EU's attitude on its Arms Embargo against China? Should the world concern about China's military build up, if the arms embargo were lifted?

A: The arms embargo against China is essentially an outdated policy. China and EU have reached a common consensus that the Embargo should be lifted, which is conducive to the all-round, smooth and healthy development of China-EU relations on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Undoubtedly, this process will not do any harm to the third party, and is irrelevant to the situation in the Asian-Pacific region. We hope the U.S. can follow the tide of history instead of standing in the way at a time when the China-EU relations are developing smoothly, and the two sides are make unremitting efforts to resolve problems left by history.

As for the second part of your question, Premier Wen Jiabao has explicitly expressed China's stance, when attending the 7th China-EU Leaders' Meeting last December. Lifting the Arms Embargo is to remove EU's political discrimination against China, which will not cause China to import a large amount of weapons. China has reiterated on many occasions that China seeks peaceful development, and adopts a defensive defense policy. China is by no means an obstacle of the world peace and stability, but to the contrary, it's a positive force to maintain the world peace, stability and development.

Q: U.S. and Japan have announced a joint declaration, in which Taiwan issue is involved. According to some Chinese scholars, U.S. and Japan are trying to contain China by enhancing their cooperation. Does the Chinese Government also think in that way? What's China's opinion on this? What does China think is the reason of their action? Does China think their deed is incorrect?

A: Of course their action is not right. We have said for many times that in today's world, it is the general trend and people's common expectation to seek peace and development, and promote cooperation. Under such conditions, it's obviously quite improper to put in the whole region a bilateral arrangement in the Cold War era to enlarge its meaning. We hope the U.S. and Japan could take into consideration the benefits and concerns every country in the Asian-Pacific region, and do more things conducive to maintaining peace and stability. And we hope the two countries to scrupulously faithfully keep their promise made to China on Taiwan issue.

Follow-up: Since those two countries are cooperating, is their cooperation the evidence of containing China?

A: It's not my responsibility to answer whether they have such thoughts. I just want to reiterate, that China is a positive force to maintain the world peace and stability. The Chinese Government and leaders have reiterated on many occasions that China insists on peaceful development, and will not pose any threat or harm to any country or any individual.

Thank you for your attendance!