Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Press Conference on September 10, 2002
2002-09-12 13:42
On 10 September, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan held the regular press conference.
Kong Quan said, good afternoon ladies and gentleman. I am very glad to meet you here. Today I want to announce that Premier Zhu Rongji will attend the 4th ASEM Summit and the 5th EU-China Summit held in Denmark and pay official visits to Austria, Denmark and France at the invitation of Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin
Q: Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the September 11 incident. The war on terrorism has been going on for a year. Do you think the war on terror has achieved the expected goal? How long will it last? In the Muslim world, it is generally believed that this war is targeted at Muslim. What is your comment?
A: Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the September 11 incident, which is a somber day. I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that the Chinese Government strongly condemns terrorism, and also to express condolences and the most sincere comfort to the victims and their relatives. The first anniversary is also a day of alarm and vigilance. It shows again that terrorism is a common enemy of the mankind, and a serious threat to the world peace and stability, which should be strongly condemned and fight against no matter when and where it happens, who commits it and who is targeted at.
During the past year, various countries in the world have conducted shoulder-to-shoulder cooperation on counter terrorism, and the international anti-terrorism campaign has made remarkable results. Yet there is still a long way to go. The international community should further intensify cooperation and thrash out a comprehensive strategy on the basis of purposes and principles of the UN Charter to treat both the symptoms and the root cause of terrorism.
You have just mentioned the question of linking terrorism to specific religion and we have a clear-cut attitude towards this. Efforts should be made to avoid linking terrorism to specific countries, ethnic groups or religions.
Q: What is China's stance on the possible US attack on Iraq? Will China abstain in the UN Security Council instead of voting against it?
A: We believe that the core of the Iraqi issue is the comprehensive and effective implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions. In fact, the UNSC has adopted several resolutions on the Iraqi issue, which should constitute the basis for the settlement of the issue. Therefore, Iraq should comprehensively implement the relevant resolutions to allow the UN weapons inspectors back to Iraq. On the other hand, Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and security concern should be fully respected. This is the core for the solution of the Iraqi issue at present. On 6 September, President Bush had a phone conversation with President Jiang Zemin on relevant issues, during which President Jiang repeated the principled position of the Chinese side. He especially mentioned that the Iraqi issue has lasted a long time, and China has always required Iraq to strictly implement the relevant UNSC resolutions and readmit UN weapons inspectors back to Iraq as soon as possible. At the same time, China holds that Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected.
Q: On 12 September, the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Congress discussed the bill about sanction on Syria. The Syrian Government thinks that it is an interference into its internal affairs and a violation of the international laws. What is China's view on it? The second question is that Israel continues to crack down on the Palestinians and Israeli Prime Minister Sharon said that all the agreements reached before no longer existed. What is the comment of the Chinese side?
A: As for the bill on Syria of the US Congress, I have not seen the report of the discussion and I do not know the content about it either. Therefore it is impossible for me comment on it. In principle, the Chinese side holds that the state-to-state relations should be handled in accordance with purposes and principles of the UN Charter instead of other approaches.
The Chinese Government has always been very concerned about the Middle East situation. We have for many times condemned and opposed the violence against civilians and called on the two sides to proceed from their fundamental interests and the long-term peace of the region, face the reality and exercise restraint to break the violence circle and seek the political solution through dialogues and peaceful negotiations.
Q: Chen Shui-bian's wife Wu Shu-chen will pay a private visit to New York, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. on 19 September. How do you think it will affect China-US relations? The Second question is Chen Shui-bian said on 8 September in the Sanchih meeting that the "unrestricted warfare" of the mainland is similar to terrorism. What is your comment?
A: The US side is very clear about the position of the Chinese side on the Taiwan question, because we have three Sino-US Jiont Communiqués and the commitments made by the US leaders to the Chinese side. We have always required the US side to strictly abide by the One China principle and honor the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués and its commitments to the Chinese side, and prudently handle Taiwan-related issues.
As for your second question, my answer is very simple. Just now you have quoted his remarks. I think everyone present here understand that his remarks, at least the part you have cited are totally nonsense and are not worth commenting.
Q: Last time you said China and Germany had reached consensus on the settlement of the North Koreans who entered the German school, but so far we have not seen the final solution. Can you tell us the progress of the situation? Have their identities been verified? Were they questioned and how long will it last?
A: To my knowledge, the verification of their identities is coming to an end. And the problem will soon be solved according to the consensus by China and Germany. Last week you asked me whether your child could go to school on Monday, I believe he has gone to school today, and this also proves that the matter will soon be settled.
Q: Will Premier Zhu Rongji meet with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during his visit to Denmark?
A: As for whether Premier Zhu will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi on the sideline of the ASEM summit, the two sides have not decided yet.
Q: It seems that China is very concerned about the Tibetan question recently. Not long ago, two groups of foreign journalists took part in a interview tour to Tibet, and some other formal or informal visits were organized. Dose it show that the Chinese Government is considering to push forward the dialogue with exiled Tibetans?
A: Tibet is located in the remote border area and the transportation is rather inconvenient. Despite this, about 790 thousand people go to Tibet annually. Many foreign journalists have expressed their regret to the International Press Center of the Foreign Ministry for not having the chance after they came to China to see Tibet with their own eyes. Last month, we organized the first journalist visiting group to Tibet to interview and have wide contacts with local people so that they can see with their own eyes the true picture of today's Tibet from an all-round and multi-level perspective instead of being misguided by foreign fabrications. The second group will set out tomorrow morning, and some of you will also participate. Tibet is an autonomous region of China, in recent years it has been developing rapidly economically and socially. We hope that more of our friends, if their physical condition permits, will visit Tibet to see the life of the Tibetans, the freedom of religious belief and the conditions of temples there. If you have not joined these two groups, I hope you will have the chance in the future.
Q: The 57th Session of the UN General Assembly will open today. As a permanent member of the UNSC, will China express its views on the new UNGA Session concerning some issues of regional conflicts?
A: The 56th Session of the UNGA closed yesterday and the 57th Session will open day. The Chinese delegation, with Foreign Minster Tang Jiaxuan at the head, left for New York to attend the UNGA Session yesterday afternoon. In the position document, the Chinese delegation will elaborate on China's position on seven issues during this UNGA Session. First is the development of the UN mechanism. Efforts should be made to strengthen the role of the UN and promote the reform, finance and the peacekeeping operation of the UN. The Chinese side believes that a solid and stable financial basis is the precondition for the strengthening of the UN role. Second, the issue of development includes how to cope with the economic globalization, especially its negative impact on developing countries, and the implementation of the Millennium Declaration and the follow-up work of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Third is the strike against terrorism. China holds that the UNSC should play a leading role in the international campaign against terrorism. All counter terrorism operation should comply with purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other universally recognized norms of international laws. Fourth, we should pay more attention to regional hotspots, including the issues of Afghanistan, Africa, Iraq and Middle East. Fifth, we should strengthen arms control and disarmament. Outer space non-weaponization and the prevention of arms race in outer space should be the priorities in the current multilateral arms control and disarmament area. Sixth, we should pay more attention to social problems, including drug, illegal immigration and human rights. Seventh, as for the Taiwan question, China stresses that the UN is an inter-governmental organization composed of sovereign states. The Resolution 2758 adopted at the 26th Session of the UNGA in 1971 has completely solved the question of China's representation.
Q: It is reported that, China is invited to become the member of the Middle East Four-Party Committee. Can you confirm it?
A: China always actively participates in the Middle East peace process and supports any efforts, which are conducive to the peace process. At the same time, we have always actively expounded our position and view for the peaceful settlement of the Middle East issue within the scope of the UN and its Security Council.
Thank you for attending today's press conference.
Kong Quan said, good afternoon ladies and gentleman. I am very glad to meet you here. Today I want to announce that Premier Zhu Rongji will attend the 4th ASEM Summit and the 5th EU-China Summit held in Denmark and pay official visits to Austria, Denmark and France at the invitation of Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin
Q: Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the September 11 incident. The war on terrorism has been going on for a year. Do you think the war on terror has achieved the expected goal? How long will it last? In the Muslim world, it is generally believed that this war is targeted at Muslim. What is your comment?
A: Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the September 11 incident, which is a somber day. I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that the Chinese Government strongly condemns terrorism, and also to express condolences and the most sincere comfort to the victims and their relatives. The first anniversary is also a day of alarm and vigilance. It shows again that terrorism is a common enemy of the mankind, and a serious threat to the world peace and stability, which should be strongly condemned and fight against no matter when and where it happens, who commits it and who is targeted at.
During the past year, various countries in the world have conducted shoulder-to-shoulder cooperation on counter terrorism, and the international anti-terrorism campaign has made remarkable results. Yet there is still a long way to go. The international community should further intensify cooperation and thrash out a comprehensive strategy on the basis of purposes and principles of the UN Charter to treat both the symptoms and the root cause of terrorism.
You have just mentioned the question of linking terrorism to specific religion and we have a clear-cut attitude towards this. Efforts should be made to avoid linking terrorism to specific countries, ethnic groups or religions.
Q: What is China's stance on the possible US attack on Iraq? Will China abstain in the UN Security Council instead of voting against it?
A: We believe that the core of the Iraqi issue is the comprehensive and effective implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions. In fact, the UNSC has adopted several resolutions on the Iraqi issue, which should constitute the basis for the settlement of the issue. Therefore, Iraq should comprehensively implement the relevant resolutions to allow the UN weapons inspectors back to Iraq. On the other hand, Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and security concern should be fully respected. This is the core for the solution of the Iraqi issue at present. On 6 September, President Bush had a phone conversation with President Jiang Zemin on relevant issues, during which President Jiang repeated the principled position of the Chinese side. He especially mentioned that the Iraqi issue has lasted a long time, and China has always required Iraq to strictly implement the relevant UNSC resolutions and readmit UN weapons inspectors back to Iraq as soon as possible. At the same time, China holds that Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected.
Q: On 12 September, the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Congress discussed the bill about sanction on Syria. The Syrian Government thinks that it is an interference into its internal affairs and a violation of the international laws. What is China's view on it? The second question is that Israel continues to crack down on the Palestinians and Israeli Prime Minister Sharon said that all the agreements reached before no longer existed. What is the comment of the Chinese side?
A: As for the bill on Syria of the US Congress, I have not seen the report of the discussion and I do not know the content about it either. Therefore it is impossible for me comment on it. In principle, the Chinese side holds that the state-to-state relations should be handled in accordance with purposes and principles of the UN Charter instead of other approaches.
The Chinese Government has always been very concerned about the Middle East situation. We have for many times condemned and opposed the violence against civilians and called on the two sides to proceed from their fundamental interests and the long-term peace of the region, face the reality and exercise restraint to break the violence circle and seek the political solution through dialogues and peaceful negotiations.
Q: Chen Shui-bian's wife Wu Shu-chen will pay a private visit to New York, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. on 19 September. How do you think it will affect China-US relations? The Second question is Chen Shui-bian said on 8 September in the Sanchih meeting that the "unrestricted warfare" of the mainland is similar to terrorism. What is your comment?
A: The US side is very clear about the position of the Chinese side on the Taiwan question, because we have three Sino-US Jiont Communiqués and the commitments made by the US leaders to the Chinese side. We have always required the US side to strictly abide by the One China principle and honor the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués and its commitments to the Chinese side, and prudently handle Taiwan-related issues.
As for your second question, my answer is very simple. Just now you have quoted his remarks. I think everyone present here understand that his remarks, at least the part you have cited are totally nonsense and are not worth commenting.
Q: Last time you said China and Germany had reached consensus on the settlement of the North Koreans who entered the German school, but so far we have not seen the final solution. Can you tell us the progress of the situation? Have their identities been verified? Were they questioned and how long will it last?
A: To my knowledge, the verification of their identities is coming to an end. And the problem will soon be solved according to the consensus by China and Germany. Last week you asked me whether your child could go to school on Monday, I believe he has gone to school today, and this also proves that the matter will soon be settled.
Q: Will Premier Zhu Rongji meet with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during his visit to Denmark?
A: As for whether Premier Zhu will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi on the sideline of the ASEM summit, the two sides have not decided yet.
Q: It seems that China is very concerned about the Tibetan question recently. Not long ago, two groups of foreign journalists took part in a interview tour to Tibet, and some other formal or informal visits were organized. Dose it show that the Chinese Government is considering to push forward the dialogue with exiled Tibetans?
A: Tibet is located in the remote border area and the transportation is rather inconvenient. Despite this, about 790 thousand people go to Tibet annually. Many foreign journalists have expressed their regret to the International Press Center of the Foreign Ministry for not having the chance after they came to China to see Tibet with their own eyes. Last month, we organized the first journalist visiting group to Tibet to interview and have wide contacts with local people so that they can see with their own eyes the true picture of today's Tibet from an all-round and multi-level perspective instead of being misguided by foreign fabrications. The second group will set out tomorrow morning, and some of you will also participate. Tibet is an autonomous region of China, in recent years it has been developing rapidly economically and socially. We hope that more of our friends, if their physical condition permits, will visit Tibet to see the life of the Tibetans, the freedom of religious belief and the conditions of temples there. If you have not joined these two groups, I hope you will have the chance in the future.
Q: The 57th Session of the UN General Assembly will open today. As a permanent member of the UNSC, will China express its views on the new UNGA Session concerning some issues of regional conflicts?
A: The 56th Session of the UNGA closed yesterday and the 57th Session will open day. The Chinese delegation, with Foreign Minster Tang Jiaxuan at the head, left for New York to attend the UNGA Session yesterday afternoon. In the position document, the Chinese delegation will elaborate on China's position on seven issues during this UNGA Session. First is the development of the UN mechanism. Efforts should be made to strengthen the role of the UN and promote the reform, finance and the peacekeeping operation of the UN. The Chinese side believes that a solid and stable financial basis is the precondition for the strengthening of the UN role. Second, the issue of development includes how to cope with the economic globalization, especially its negative impact on developing countries, and the implementation of the Millennium Declaration and the follow-up work of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Third is the strike against terrorism. China holds that the UNSC should play a leading role in the international campaign against terrorism. All counter terrorism operation should comply with purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other universally recognized norms of international laws. Fourth, we should pay more attention to regional hotspots, including the issues of Afghanistan, Africa, Iraq and Middle East. Fifth, we should strengthen arms control and disarmament. Outer space non-weaponization and the prevention of arms race in outer space should be the priorities in the current multilateral arms control and disarmament area. Sixth, we should pay more attention to social problems, including drug, illegal immigration and human rights. Seventh, as for the Taiwan question, China stresses that the UN is an inter-governmental organization composed of sovereign states. The Resolution 2758 adopted at the 26th Session of the UNGA in 1971 has completely solved the question of China's representation.
Q: It is reported that, China is invited to become the member of the Middle East Four-Party Committee. Can you confirm it?
A: China always actively participates in the Middle East peace process and supports any efforts, which are conducive to the peace process. At the same time, we have always actively expounded our position and view for the peaceful settlement of the Middle East issue within the scope of the UN and its Security Council.
Thank you for attending today's press conference.