Q: October 25th marks the 30th anniversary
of the restoration of China’s legitimate seat in the
United Nations. Could you please comment on the role China
played in the UN and international affairs in recent years
in particular?
A: Thanks to the
strong support of the vast numbers of developing countries
and other friendly nations, the 26th session of the UN
General Assembly held 30 years ago adopted the historic
Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority, restoring all
legitimate rights of the People’s Republic of China in
the UN. As a founding member of the UN and a
permanent member to its Security Council, China has since
then made unremitting efforts and due contribution to
strengthening the role of the UN, safeguarding world peace
and promoting world development. China will, in
the future, adopt a more active and open attitude in
participating in the UN affairs and promoting global
cooperation so as to work together with all peace loving
nations and people to create a world with lasting peace and
common prosperity.
Q: President
Jiang met with President Putin last Saturday in Shanghai.
What is your comment? Besides, what kind of role could
Russia play in the APEC?
A: The media
has already given full coverage to the meetings with leaders
of various countries during the APEC meeting. The leaders of
China and Russia have met on a regular basis. It is of vital
importance to the development of bilateral ties. China has
established a strategic partnership of coordination with
Russia. There is great development in the bilateral
cooperation. The meeting this time, like previous meetings,
will further promote the development of bilateral ties.
Since becoming a member of APEC, Russia has made positive
contribution to the development of APEC. It has contributed
to regional peace, security and cooperation. We hope to see
an even more active role of Russia in APEC.
Q: APEC is an economic
organization. Why has it touched upon political questions
this time and issued an anti-terrorist statement? How does
China see as the differences between engaging in terrorist
activities and protecting one’s occupied
homeland?
A: The APEC meeting has
been a crowning success, with many fruitful results. The
September 11th Incident has not only brought disasters to
the American people, but also adversely affected the stable
development of the world economy and that in the Asia
Pacific. The APEC economic leaders held discussions upon the
question during the current APEC meeting and issued a
statement, indicating their common determination to jointly
take effective measures to do away with the negative impact
of the incident. The APEC foreign ministers held extensive
consultations and exchanged views outside the meeting. The
agreement that they reached on the common stand of the
leaders paved the way for the discussion on this issue by
the leaders meeting. APEC is an important economic forum in
the Asia Pacific. It will remain to be APEC’s theme to
promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation
and enhance economic and technical cooperation. This point
has not changed.
On the second question, China
always stands for the handling of state-to-state relations
in accordance with the Five Principles of Peaceful
Coexistence, including the principles of respecting
sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference
in each other’s internal affairs. We hold that the
Five Principles serve as the basis for normal international
relations. They should be abided by. China’s
opposition to terrorism is consistent. We resolutely oppose
all sorts of terrorism and support actions against
terrorism. These are two different issues. There are not any
contradictions.
Q: The APEC
issued an anti-terrorist statement. There should be a strict
definition on terrorist. What do you see as a
terrorist?
A: As the foreign
spokesman, I mainly explain the basic position of the
Chinese Government. At the moment, there are extensive
discussions on the definition of terrorism among the
academics. I will not go into the details.
Q: A few days ago, there was a
report out of Britain that a Chinese businessman had paid
bin Laden several million US dollars for access to
unexploded US cruise missiles. I wonder if you
could confirm whether this report is
true?
A: The so-called report that
China obtained US cruise missiles from Afghanistan is
totally groundless. Since the September 11th
incident, some people with ulterior motives have been
spreading various rumours in an attempt to tarnish
China’s image. Their political attempt will
not succeed.
Q: We learned that
American citizen Fang Fuming went to court yesterday. Could
you please tell us the latest development? Has the trial
ended? What are the evidences?
Last week you told us that China had found two
letters that it suspected were contaminated with anthrax.
Can you tell us the results of the investigation
and whether it was anthrax?
A: On the
Fang Fuming case, I have given you a briefing. The case is
being dealt with in court in accordance with law. I have no
more to offer you at the moment. If there are further
information after the end of the trial, I will tell you the
new development.
On the suspected letters, it
was found then that the suspected letters contained white
powder. It was suspected to have anthrax virus. After strict
examination, it is now found that there is no anthrax virus
in the letters. The relevant companies asked us not to
disclose more details. We respect their wishes. I can
responsibly tell you that, anthrax virus has not been found
in China.
Q: It is reported
that a student from the Zhongshan University of Guangdong
received a letter from the United States that contained some
white powder. Could you please
confirm?
A: At the moment, there are
all sorts of rumors, especially on the internet. I can tell
you in a responsible manner that, after investigation
nationwide by the public security, health and local
departments, China has so far not found any people infected
by the anthrax virus. On the specific case, I could not go
into each and every one, since there are numerous reports of
all kinds on the unofficial newspapers and the internet.
Q: During the APEC meeting,
the ban on websites, such as the Washington Post and the New
York Times, were lifted. I wish to know if these websites
will remain available after the APEC
meeting?
A: The Chinese Government
attaches great importance to the development of the
internet, believing that the internet will promote national
economic development and social progress. We have
actively used the internet to help China’s efforts of
reform, opening up and modernization. Governments at all
levels have worked to create sound conditions for the
development of internet. However, we have also noticed that
internet is used by some to advocate for evil cults,
violence or pornography. It is not in the interest in the
healthy development of the society. In light of this, we
adopt a selective approach on the internet. We hope to
create a healthy environment for China’s internet
development. Other countries have also taken note of the
negative impact of unlimited spread of information over the
internet. Some Western countries have adopted measures to
look into the issue.
Q: You
just mentioned that some countries, including some Western
countries, have restriction upon the internet. Why has China
re-imposed its bans after lifting them during the
APEC?
A: It is not something for the
Foreign Ministry to comment on the specific measures to
manage the internet. I am not aware of the specific
measures. The management is aimed at giving play to the
positive role of the internet and reducing its negative
impact.
Q: It is reported
that, in the fight against terrorism, apart from providing
intelligence to the United States, China also plans to
provide some humanitarian assistance to US ground troops.
What is your comment?
A: Both China
and the United States come under the threat of terrorism.
Cooperation between the two in this field is in our mutual
interest. China is ready to step up its consultation and
cooperation with the United States in this area. We have
already briefed you on some information regarding the
exchange of intelligence. If there is further cooperation, I
will brief you in due course.
Q: Some Taliban leaders
claimed that China is helping the Taliban to fight the USA.
What is your comment?
A:
China’s opposition against terrorism is steadfast and
clear-cut. The above report is totally groundless. China has
no relations of any kind with the Taliban.
Q: Does China have any
concrete proposals on the future government in Afghanistan?
Does China hold that the future Afghan Government should
include members of the Taliban?
A: We
already stand for the establishment of a widely based
government in Afghanistan that is acceptable to the various
parties and that could live in harmony with other countries,
especially its neighbours. The early peaceful settlement of
the Afghan issue not only serves the fundamental interest of
the Afghans, but also contributes to regional peace and
stability.
Q: It is reported
that US President Bush has reached an agreement with
President Putin on the amendments to the ABM Treaty. What is
China’s position?
A: Most
countries hold that the ABM Treaty remains to be the basis
for global strategic stability. It should be safeguarded and
abided by. China is in favour of this view.
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