Liu Jianchao: Good afternoon. Let me start with a piece of announcement. At the invitation of Premier Zhu Rongji, Chancellor Schroeder of Germany will visit China from 29 to 31 December. Now the floor is open.

Q: U.S. President Bush announced on 17 Dec. that the U.S. would deploy the missile defence system in 2004. What is China’s comment?

A: We have always held that sound cooperation of the international community is essential to the effective prevention of the threat to the national security by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The development of the missile defence system should not undermine global strategic stability, nor should it undermine international and regional security.

Q: It is reported that, in a Joint Statement after the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee Meeting, Japan and the United States claimed that they would intensify their cooperative research on ballistic missile defence. What is China’s comment?

A: The development of a theatre missile defence system in the Asia-Pacific region by some countries should not undermine the security interests of other countries. Like many countries of the region, we are worried about the possible negative impact upon regional stability and security by the intensified cooperation between the United States and Japan in missile defence. We hope that the relevant sides would proceed in a prudent manner.

Q: The United States has announced that it will develop the missile defence system in disregard of the opposition by other countries. What is your response? Will China increase its own missiles or accelerate the modernization of the missile-deployment forces?

A: I have just commented on the U.S. announcement to deploy the missile defence system. China has always made its military deployment according to its own needs for defence.  

Q: The U.S. has announced mass deployment of troops to the Persian Gulf, which signals U.S. preparations for an attack upon Iraq. As one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, what is China’s comment? Besides, the opposition parties of Iraq held a meeting in London recently to discuss about the future of Iraq. What is China’s comment?

A: On the first question, at the moment, the UN weapons inspectors are carrying out their duties in Iraq. Iraq has also presented the relevant dossier to the UN, which is being studied by the relevant parties and countries. China holds that weapons inspections in Iraq should be conducted in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council so as to clear up the situation. It is up to the UN weapons inspectors to decide whether the Iraqi dossier is comprehensive, authentic or complete and it is ultimately up to the Security Council to deliberate upon it and make a decision. In China’s view, the Iraqi issue should be resolved politically within the UN framework. We are ready to keep close consultations and cooperation and step up communication and coordination with other countries, so as to jointly push ahead the Iraqi situation in a good direction.

On the second question, I believe that the domestic affairs of a sovereign nation should be decided by the people of the country.

Q: What is China’s comment on the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in South Asia?

A: China respects and supports the initiatives and plans by the relevant countries and regions to set up nuclear-free zones.

Q: Could you please brief me on the visit to China by General Yury Baluyevsky, Russia’s deputy chief of the general staff? Have the two sides discussed about the missile defence issue? 

A: Let me give you a briefing. From 16 to 17 December, General Xiong Guangkai, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the PLA, held the 6th round of consultations between the two headquarters of the general staff in Beijing with General Baluyevsky, the first deputy chief of the general staff of the Russian army. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the international and regional security situation, international hotspots, anti-terrorism, military-to-military exchanges and other issues of common interest. Agreements were reached in a wide range of areas. General Chi Haotian, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, State Councillor and Defence Minister, and General Liang Guanglie, Member of the Central Military Commission and Chief of the General Staff, met respectively with the Russian visitors.

The two sides believe that the consultative mechanism between the two headquarters of the general staff has been going on well. It is an important component of the strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries. The consultations have played a positive role in enhancing mutual communications, understanding and support in major international and regional issues. It has also helped consolidate the military-to-military friendly cooperation and the strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries. It is agreed by the two sides that the next round of consultations will be held in Russia in 2003.

Q: Thank you for the briefing. Have the two sides discussed about the missile defence system?

A: The Russian deputy chief of the general staff General Yury Baluyevsky visited China before the U.S. announcement to deploy the missile defence system. I myself am not quite clear whether the issue was discussed during the visit.

Q: The presidential election will be held in ROK today. What is China’s comment?

A: The general election of the ROK is the domestic affair of the people of ROK.  We believe that whoever gets elected, as the president, the existing good-neighbourly relations and friendly cooperation between China and ROK will enjoy further development.

Q: A report by the Washington Times last Tuesday claimed that a Chinese company provided to North Korea 20,000 tons of TBP, a chemical that could be used to produce nuclear weapons. What is China’s comment?

A: I have also read the report by the Washington Times. Form time to time, the Washington Times publishes some irresponsible and groundless reports out of ulterior motives. In our view, the story does not worth a comment.

Q: What is China’s comment on the Iraqi dossier on the weapons of mass destruction?

A: It is a colossal report. China is losing no time in studying it. At the moment, I have no comment.

Q: The neighbours of Afghanistan will hold an international conference on Afghanistan in Kubal on 22nd December. Will China participate in the meeting?

A: China’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Sun Yuxi will attend the meeting as the representative of Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.    

Due to the Christmas and New Year holidays, the press conferences for 24, 26, 31 December 2002 and 2 January 2003 will be suspended. It will be resumed on Tuesday, 7 January 2003. During the break, the Spokesman’s Office will still be available for phone calls.