Q: It is reported that President Jiang had a phone conversation with President Putin. Could you please tell us what they talked about? Did they touch upon the tension in the Middle East and the failure of U.S. Secretary of State Powell’s visit? In addition, will the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization discuss the Middle East situation and issue a statement on it?

A: Yesterday, President Jiang Zemin, who is paying a state visit to Tunisia at the moment, answered a phone call from President Putin. They exchanged views with each other on such questions as world peace and security, the role of the UN and issues relating to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in particular. China enjoys good relations with Russia. The two sides have maintained close contact with each other on major international issues and questions of common concern.

On the second question, members of the SCO have closely followed the current situation in the Middle East. During the forthcoming SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 26 April, the foreign ministers will exchange views with each other on questions of common concern. The main task of the meeting is to prepare for the June Summit in St. Petersburg, examine the documents, including the draft Charter of the SCO, and discuss other matters relating to the Summit.


Q: It is reported that Xanana Gusmao has been elected the first President of East Timor. What is your comment?

A: On 17 April, the leader of the independent movement of East Timor Xanana Gusmao was elected the President of East Timor by a vast majority. This marks an important step in the independent movement of the East Timor. President Jiang has sent a telegram of congratulation to Xanana Gusmao on his election. We believe that, with the efforts of the people of East Timor and the help of the international community, East Timor will achieve its goal of nationhood as schedule.


Q: We have heard that the border between China and Pakistan will be re-opened soon. What is your comment?

A: According to the relevant agreement between China and Pakistan on the opening of land border ports, the normal time for the opening of the Khunjerab Pass between China and Pakistan is 1 May every year.


Q: After the opening of the border between China and Pakistan, what kind of measures will China adopt to ensure the security of the border and prevent the al Qaida members and Bin Laden to enter China?

A: We have always exercised strict and effective control over China’s border ports. After the 11 September incident, and particularly after the U.S. military strike over Afghanistan, we have stepped up our control of the border ports between China and Pakistan. After the opening of the port, we will carry on our control and management there.


Q: Whom does China hold more responsible for the current tension in the Middle East, Palestine or Israel? China accused Israel of its barbaric invasion of Palestine. Does it mean that China believes that Israel should bear the main responsibility?

A: On the situation in the Middle East, we have noticed that U.S. Secretary of State Powell had concluded his shuttle diplomacy to the Middle East, announcing that he had failed to persuade Palestine and Israel to reach agreement or understanding on the questions of troops withdrawal, cease-fire or the restoration of talks. However, Powell indicated that some progress had been made through the mediation efforts. China supports enhanced efforts of the international community to mediate the conflict in the Middle East.

On your question, we have made clear our position on many occasions. Under the current situation, we strongly urge the Israeli side to actively respond to the mediation efforts of the international community, immediately and unconditionally implement the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, completely withdraw from the Palestinian controlled areas, end the siege of President Arafat and avoid the further deterioration of the situation. It is proven already that trading violence with violence can not contribute to the solution of questions. Peaceful talks are the only way to peace and stability in the Middle East.


Q: As a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, will China mediate between Palestine and Israel? Besides, Prime Minister Zhu will visit Egypt. Will he discuss the Middle East issue with the Egyptian President Mubarak?

A: As a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, China has made many efforts for the easing of the current tensions in the Middle East. President Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji and other Chinese leaders have, on many occasions, called on the Israeli side to unconditionally implement the relevant UN resolutions, immediately and completely withdraw its troops from the occupied Palestinian territories and end its siege of President Arafat. At the UN Security Council, China’s representative to the United Nations has had frequent consultations with other UN members, especially the permanent members of the UN Security Council, for the drafting of relevant resolutions. China has also elaborated on its position to the Israeli side on many occasions. It has had close consultations with the Arab countries to seek a solution to the current problem in the Middle East.

On the second question, Premier Zhu Rongji will pay an official goodwill visit to Egypt. During the visit, the Middle East issue will be an important question on the agenda.


Q: The U.S. Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet Admiral Dennis Blair recently indicated that China has not done enough in providing intelligence on terrorism. What is your comment? What steps has China taken to share intelligence ? Has China forwarded list of arrested terrorists?

A: I have not read the remarks by Admiral Blair. I wish to point out that China’s position against terrorism is clear-cut. We resolutely oppose all sorts of terrorism. We stand for international cooperation for joint efforts against terrorism. On the anti-terrorism question, China is having good cooperation with the relevant countries. We have established consultative mechanisms on anti-terrorism with a number of countries for regular in-depth exchange of views. Such consultations have yielded positive results.


Q: It is reported that the Japanese Government has tabled the three “emergency legislations” to the Diet for examination. What is China’s comment?

A: We are concerned over the development, so are other Asian countries. What is important is that, due to historical reasons, Japan should earnestly fulfill its commitment of limiting its defense to its own territory and coastal waters and not becoming a military power by going along the road of peaceful development. This serves the interest of Japan itself. It is also of vital importance to regional peace and stability.


Q: Afghanistan’s Former King Zahir Shah has returned to Afghanistan. Will it contribute to the stability in Afghanistan? What is your comment on the current situation there?

A: We have noted that Afghanistan’s Former King Zahir Shah has returned to Afghanistan. Thanks to the efforts of the various parties of Afghanistan and the international community, Afghanistan has achieved a hard-won peace. We sincerely wish the parties in Afghanistan, by proceeding from the general interest of the country and its people, support the work of the Interim Government and jointly discuss ways to achieve Afghanistan’s peace and reconstruction, so that the Afghans could lead a peaceful and tranquil life as soon as possible.


Q: According to my knowledge, during their visits to the United States, Deng Xiaoping and President Jiang wore American-style cowboy hats, which left people a deep impression. How will Vice President Hu appear before the American people to win their hearts?

A: I understand that you show a great interest in Vice President Hu’s forthcoming official visit to the United States. In our view, maintaining high-level dialogue and exchange between China and the United States contributes to mutual understanding and cooperation. We believe that, through our joint efforts, the visit will play a positive role in push forth Sino-U.S. relations. The visit has not started yet. I am not in a position to make detailed comment. If you have any good suggestion, you could raise it to the U.S. government.


Q: China has repeatedly accused the Israeli side on the Middle East question. Does China also condemn the series of suicide bombings by the Palestinians?

A: We strongly call upon Israel to immediately and unconditionally implement the relevant resolutions by the UN Security Council, immediately withdraw from the Palestinian controlled areas and end the siege of President Arafat. At the same time, China also strongly condemns all bombings against innocent civilians. We hold that, under the current situation in the Middle East, trading violence with violence could not solve the problem. It could only further complicate the issue. Peaceful talks are the only correct way to ease the tension in the Middle East.