Q: On April 2, Washington Times published an article written by Bill Gertz, claiming that China has deployed CSS-7 missiles in areas on its side of the Taiwan Straits, which might lead to the US sales of the Aegis warships to Taiwan according to a US official. What's your comment?

A: The report of this kind is out of ulterior motives and misleading.

I'd like to highlight that any arms sales of the US to Taiwan under whatever pretext violate the three Joint Communiqués and interfere in China’s internal affaires, to which the Chinese Government and the Chinese people are strongly opposed.


Q: Is China going to press forward its spaceship plan on its own or cooperate with research institutes of the US, Russia, the EU and Japan?

A: Recently China has successfully launched, run and retrieved the spaceship “Shenzhou-III”. China will develop the aerospace technology on its own in the spirit of self-reliance. China stands ready to strengthen the international cooperation with other countries in developing its aerospace undertaking.


Q: Does China have any agreement of aerospace cooperation with the US, Russia, EU, and Japan? When will China launch its next spaceship? How many Chinese astronauts are trained at present?

A: China develops aerospace technology in the spirit of self-reliance and improves it through innovation. China is training its astronauts. The successful retrieval of the “Shenzhou-III” has laid a sound basis for sending Chinese astronauts to the space. I have no information on the next launching.


Q: What’s the goal and how significant is Premier Zhu’s visit to Egypt and two other countries?

A: At last time’s conference, I announced that Premier Zhu was invited to pay official visits to Turkey, Egypt and Kenya from April 15 to 26. During his visit, Premier Zhu will have chance to exchange views with leaders of the three countries on bilateral ties and regional and international issues of common interest as well as explore new ways and channels to further deepen the friendly relations and cooperation in various fields with other countries in the new century. It’s an important visit by our state leaders to Asian and African countries when major changes took place in regional and international situation. It will vigorously promote the constant development of China’s friendly relations with the three nations.

The Turkish Government attaches importance to the development of bilateral ties. In recent years the two sides have supported each other politically and deepened their economic and trade cooperation. Premier Zhu’s visit is to explore possibilities of expanding cooperation with Turkey in various fields under the principle of mutual benefit. Egypt is among the first Arabian and African countries that established diplomatic relations with China. Bilateral ties are developing smoothly with frequent exchanges of high-level visits. Exchanges between the two sides in various fields have become even closer and cooperation more fruitful since the two countries established strategic partnership oriented to the 21 century in 1999. This January President Mubarak paid a successful visit to China, vigorously promoting the development of bilateral ties. Premier Zhu will explore with President Mubarak and other Egyptian leaders on further deepening bilateral ties, ways and means of economic and trade cooperation in particular. Kenya and China have been friendly to each other for a long time. At present, the cooperation between the two sides in various fields is going on smoothly. The Chinese Government attaches importance to and stands ready to intensify the cooperation in trade and investment.


Q: The spokesperson of the US Department of Defense claimed that the deployment of missiles by China in the Eastern and Southern coastal areas would threat regional security, over which the US expresses its concern. What’s your comment?

A: China is a peace-loving country that adopts a defensive national security policy. If the report is correct, it’s inappropriate for the US officials to make irresponsible remarks over China’s defense building.


Q: What’s your comment on the resumption of dialogue between the US and North Korea?

A: China hopes that the US can play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. At the same time it’s our consistent view that the North and South are the major parties of the Peninsula affairs. The settlement to the question of the Peninsula ultimately relies on the two sides through dialogue and cooperation.


Q: Has the Chinese Government made any new efforts in resolving the conflicts between Palestine and Israel? Will the Middle East situation be discussed during Premier Zhu’s visit to the three nations in Asia and Africa?

A: China expresses deep concern and worries over the abrupt deterioration in the Middle East situation. China has reiterated its position on various occasions. Foreign Minister Tang had phone conversation with his counterpart Hamad of Quarter, chair of the OIC and the Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Peres of Israel, expounding on China’s principled position on and views towards the current Middle East situation. China opposes to and condemns Israeli’s invasion into the Palestine, calling upon Israel for an immediate and unconditional implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1402, withdrawing completely from the Palestinian territories and assure the personal safety of President Arafat.

At the same time, China has maintained contact and consultation with UN SG and other permanent members of the Security Council. In the past few days, members of the UN Security Council’s were having close consultations on the tensions between Palestine and Israel and a series of meetings were held. The Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN and his team are working with their colleagues from other nations, making unremitting efforts for relaxation of the Middle East tensions around the clock.

In recent meetings with foreign guests, the Chinese leaders expounded on China’s position, calling especially the Israeli side for an immediate withdrawal from the Palestine and assure the personal safety of President Arafat. Yesterday, Wu Jiuhong, Director of China’s Office to the PNA conveyed to the Palestinian side the sincere solicitude and care of the Chinese Government and leaders to the personal safety of President Arafat. Besides, President Jiang and Premier Zhu will visit relevant countries in the Middle East, they will exchange views with leaders of these countries on the Middle East situation.


Q: We all know that the US has sent a special envoy to the Middle East, France is calling for sending an international peace-keeping force there and the EU is also going to send a special envoy. Is China planning to follow suit?

A: I’ve just said that the Chinese Government expresses serious concern and worries over the abrupt escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. We call upon relevant parties to implement UN Security Council’s Resolution 1402 in good faith. China supports any proposal or actions that are in the interest of relaxing the tensions and curbing conflicts. China has made its own efforts and will stand ready to join the international community to play its constructive role in relaxing the current tensions.


Q: What’s your comment on Israeli Prime Minister Sharon’s remarks on sending Arafat on exile?

A: President Arafat himself has made a very clear response to the proposal you mentioned.


Q: What kind of role China intends to play in promoting the resumption of dialogue between the DPRK and the US?

A: China’s position on the question of the Korean Peninsula is quite clear. China supports any measure conducive to peace and stability of the Peninsula and China will make efforts in its own way to promote measures and actions of this kind.


Q: It’s reported that the Japanese Prime Minister will attend the Bo’ao Asia Forum, please confirm and make your comment?

A: At the invitation of the Asia Forum, the Japanese Prime Minister will be in China from April 11 to 13 to attend the First Annual Session and deliver a speech. The Forum welcomes his presence and support.

The Chinese Government welcomes his presence and hopes that both China and Japan can work with the rest of the Asian countries for development and prosperity of Asia.