Q: Why has China closed the Guanghua Road
near the US Embassy in Beijing in recent days? Has
the Chinese Government arrested, detained or investigated
any terrorist suspects?
A: China has
always adhered to the relevant provisions of the Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Chinese police has
taken necessary measures to ensure the safety of foreign
embassies, consulate generals and their staff in China. We
also wish that the embassies and consulate generals
strengthen their own safety measures. In case of any
contingencies, please timely inform the relevant
departments.
Our opposition against terrorism
is consistent. China's public security departments have
taken various measures to prevent and combat terrorist
activities. The terrorists will be severely punished
according to law.
Q: This is
the second week of US attack on Afghanistan. In China's
opinion, how long should it last? What kind of impact will
it have on the economy?
A: On US
military action against Afghanistan, we have stressed again
and again that we are opposed to all sorts of terrorism. The
relevant military actions should have specific targets. We
hope to see an early restoration of peace. We also support
acts against terrorism in accordance with the relevant
resolutions of the UN and its Security
Council.
On the economic impact of the military
strike, we hope that maximum efforts should be made to avoid
property damage of civilians, so as to minimize as far as
possible the adverse impact on economy. We hold that, under
the current situation, we should strive for a balanced
development of the world economy in the globalization
process and work to narrow the north-south gap. This is a
measure to eradicate the social-economic cause of terrorism.
The international community should actively consider this
question.
Q: Given the
international anxiety of the threat of anthrax, has the
Chinese Government taken any measures to investigate,
control and handle this issue and the attacks by chemical
weapons? Could you please rate the danger level of such an
attack on China? Is it all likely? Is the Chinese Government
prepared?
A: We have taken notice of
the relevant reports. We are deeply concerned over the
development. The Chinese Government opposes all sorts of
terrorism, including biological terrorism. We are always
against the use of biological weapons and stand for its
complete prohibition and thorough destruction. Terrorism
constitutes a serious threat to the international community.
The world should enhance their cooperation in the common
fight to stop terrorist activities.
China has
not discovered any similar incidents. However, our relevant
departments have stepped up their preventive measures.
According to China's Law on the Quarantine of Animals and
Plants, the anthrax virus is strictly prohibited from
entering China. Our entrance and exit inspection and
quarantine departments will, in accordance with relevant
legal provisions, conduct strict examination on imported
goods, mails, EMS and luggage. Once infected goods are
discovered, they will be denied from entrance according to
our legal provisions. Domestically, we have also taken some
preventive measures against possible
incidents.
Q: What is the
purpose of Hu Jintao's forthcoming visit? What will he touch
upon in his talks with the leaders of the various
countries?
A: Vice President Hu
Jintao's forthcoming visit to Russia is a working visit. His
visit to Britain, France, Spain and Germany is an official
visit. The visit aims to enhance our friendship and
cooperation with the above countries. During the visit and
the talks, the two sides will exchange views with each other
on terrorism and other regional and international issues of
mutual interest.
Q: Who will
Vice President Hu Jintao meet in Russia? What is your
comment on the current Sino-Russian
relations?
A: The program of Vice
President Hu Jintao's visit to Russia has just been fixed.
The meetings with the Russian leaders will be further
arranged between the two sides through diplomatic channels.
On Sino-Russian relations, I wish to stress that China and
Russia have established strategic partnership of
coordination. During his visit to Russia last July,
President Jiang signed with President Putin the Sino-Russian
Treaty of Friendship and Good-neighbourliness. The Treaty
consolidated the various aspects of the bilateral friendship
and cooperation through legal means. Last September, Prime
Minister Zhu Rongji paid another visit to Russia and held
the 6th bilateral prime ministerial meeting. The visit was a
further implementation in concrete terms of the strategic
partnership of coordination and the consensus reached by the
two presidents. It pushed the bilateral relations forward to
yet another stage. We believe that the forthcoming
visit to Russia by Vice President Hu will further
consolidate our friendly relations of cooperation with
Russia.
Q: China has given the
United States intelligence help in the fight against
terrorism. It has also given the United States political
help. What does China expect the United States to give in
return?
A: I wish to stress that
terrorism is a common scourge to the international
community. All countries of the world bear the common
obligation and responsibility to avoid their people from the
hurt of terrorism. On the fight against terrorism. All
countries share common interests and aspirations. There is
no need to bargain for it diplomatically. There are
differences between China and the United States. However,
what is more important is that we share wide-ranging common
interests. We should proceed from the fundamental interests
of the two peoples to handle some problems between the two.
Q: The US war against
terrorism is longer than what President Bush has promised.
What will be China's position if this war expands to an Arab
countries?
A: On this point, we have
indicated explicitly that we hope to see an early
restoration of peace in Afghanistan, so as to start the
rebuilding of the nation. We have also make it clear that
the relevant military actions should not spread to other
regions and countries.
Q:Coalition government in
Afghanistan is being discussed. It is reported that China
supports such a government. Does it conflict with China's
policy of non-interference? What will China's role
be?
A: On the future government in
Afghanistan, we hold that the war bears upon international
peace and security. Thus the UN can have a role to play in
the settlement of the question. As a permanent member of the
UN Security Council and a neighbouring country of
Afghanistan, China has all along closely followed the
development of the situation in Afghanistan. We have been in
touch with the various parties in Afghanistan with the aim
of urging for peace in Afghanistan. We always stand for the
establishment of a widely based and acceptable coalition
government that can live in friendship with other countries,
especially its neighbours. The early settlement of the
Afghan issue not only serves the fundamental interest of the
Afghans, but also serves regional peace and stability.
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