On 10 October, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held a regular press conference.  She made the announcements of the coming visits to China by President of Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Speaker of the Republic of Uganda, Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, UN Secretary General and Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, as well as Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan’s upcoming visit to Argentina and Columbia.

Q: Israeli forces entered the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on 7 October, and fired missiles at crowds, which caused 10 deaths and heavy injuries.  What is China’s comment?

A: China condemns the large-scale military attack by Israeli forces on Gaza Strip, which caused great innocent casualties.  The Israeli army’s action runs counter to the peace effort by the international community and relevant parties.  We call on the Israeli side to earnestly implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and immediately stop military action in Palestine-controlled areas.

Q: US President Bush made a speech on the Iraqi issue this morning, and how does China comment on this?  Will it change China’s view on the issue?

A: We have noticed the national address by President Bush on the Iraqi issue.  The position of the Chinese side on the Iraqi issue is consistent and clear, which can be summarized as follows.  Firstly, we demand that Iraq comprehensively and strictly implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.  Secondly, efforts should be made to sort out and wipe out Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction in line with the relevant UNSC resolutions.  For this, the imperative is to readmit UN weapons inspectors to Iraq as soon as possible and carry out their work smoothly.  Thirdly, the Iraqi issue should be solved politically within the UN framework.

Q: Will China support a new UN resolution on the Iraqi issue, especially one advocated by the US?

A: I have just elaborated on the principled position of the Chinese side in this regard.  In the past few days, all members of the UN Security Council, including China, have maintained close contacts and consultations on the Iraqi issue.  But so far, we haven’t seen a new draft resolution at the Security Council.

Q: Can you tell us the detailed agenda of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s visit to China?  Will the two sides touch upon the South Asia issue?

A: I have made the announcement at the beginning that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will visit China from 13 to 16 October, and the Chinese side attaches great importance to this visit.  Chinese leaders will meet and have talks with him and the two sides will have wide exchange of views on the international situation and hotspot issues of common concern.  Since his assumption of office, General Secretary Kofi Annan has visited China every year and to my knowledge, this is his fifth visit to China.  The Chinese side attaches great importance to the significant role of the UN in the international affairs.  We believe that against the backdrop of complicated and volatile international situation, the UN shoulders unique and important responsibilities in maintaining peace and promoting development in the globe, and the Secretary General has done a lot of work since he took office.  We expect to have positive achievements from the meetings and talks with Secretary General in Beijing.  

Q: US President Bush recently signed an act and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.  It is the first time in history that a country makes laws to recognize another country’s capital.  What is China’s comment?

A: The Chinese side always believes that Jerusalem is a sacred site for Islam, Judaism and Christianity.  Its belonging is a sensitive major issue and should be settled through negotiations in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.  Any unilateral action that aims to change the current status of Jerusalem is not conducive to the proper settlement of the issue.  

Q: The agreement between Iraq and UN weapons inspectors has satisfied some countries, and they adopt a wait-and-see attitude to wait for the investigation result.  But the US and Britain adopt a hard line approach, demanding the UN to come up with a tough resolution on Iraq to keep pressure on Saddam.  Does China believe that it is enough for UN weapons inspectors to return to Iraq soon or will China support the US in taking tougher action toward Iraq?

A: I have just expressed China’s principled position on the Iraqi issue. We believe that Iraq should comprehensively and strictly implement the relevant UNSC resolutions.  The UN has for years been reviewing and handling the Iraqi issue and so far, 59 resolutions have been adopted which touch upon the various aspects of this issue.  So we believe that Iraq should strictly implement the relevant resolutions and the imperative is to readmit UN weapons inspectors to Iraq as soon as possible to work out an objective report on the situation in Iraq.  On this basis, Security Council will have just and objective review on the issue.  We have noticed that the US has expressed on many occasions that they hope to see early return of UN weapons inspectors, and we believe at present this is the proper way to solve the issue.

Q: What is China’s comment on the upcoming Pakistani general election?  And Nepal’s King made the announcement to dissolve government, how does China comment on this?

A: We view the upcoming Pakistani general election as its internal affair.  As a friendly neighbor of Pakistan, we hope and believe that the election will proceed smoothly.

We have noticed the recent development in Nepal, which is also its internal affair.  As a friendly neighbor of Nepal, we are convinced that it will maintain peace and stability and enjoy economic growth.  This serves the fundamental interests of Nepal and its people.    

Q: German Foreign Minister said he hoped to see a speedy resolution of the three North Koreans, who entered German school yesterday.  Have the two sides maintained contact in this regard?  And can you tell something about the detailed agenda of President Jiang’s visit to the US? Besides, the US Department of State yesterday released the 2002 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, and the report accuses China of exercising strict restriction on religious activities.  What is China’s comment?

A: On your first question, to my knowledge, three unidentified people entered the German school yesterday, and the case is being dealt with.

President Jiang’s upcoming visit to the US is a very important one, China and the US are actively preparing for it.  We will announce the agenda of this visit soon.

As for your third question, the US Department of State has just released a report on international religious freedom, which touches upon the religious situation in China and some other countries.  We think that the accusation by the US side that China lacks religious freedom does not hold water.  The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied with and resolutely opposed to such words and deeds that interfere in China’s internal affairs.  The Chinese side, as always, protects its people’s freedom of religious belief and the Chinese people enjoy such freedom according to law.  This is recognized by all, and there is no need for me to give the details here.  The US side points finger at some countries’ religious situation and this is an interference in their internal affairs.

Q: Pakistan test-fired another missile today, and what is China’s comment?  Yesterday President Jiang Zemin had a phone conversation with Russian President Putin.  Can you tell us some details and did they talk about the Iraqi issue?

A: As for you first question, we have taken note of the relevant report, and hope that South Asia can maintain peace and stability.

For your second question, Chinese President Jiang Zemin had a phone conversation with Russian President Putin yesterday evening, and they exchanged views on bilateral relations.  The two sides agreed that China and Russia should further strengthen coordination, contact and cooperation. In recent years, China-Russia relations have been developing smoothly, and the exchange of high level visits has been frequent.  The cooperation between the two sides is expanding and President Putin will visit China within the year.  During the phone conversation they have exchanged views on bilateral relations.

Q: Does yesterday’s phone conversation between President Jiang and President Putin mean that China and Russia see eye to eye on the Iraqi issue?

A: I have said that during the conversation, President Jiang and President Putin exchanged views on bilateral relations.

Q: This year there have been several cases of North Korean refugees entering foreign embassies and recently they have chosen the German school as their target.  The attempt was the third by North Koreans in five weeks to climb into the school.  Will China handle them case by case or find a general solution?

A: Recently, there were quite a few cases that some North Koreans, who entered China illegally, intruded into foreign diplomatic missions and sites in China.  We don’t think they are refugees, but rather illegal trespassers.  We have for many times expressed here our principles on how to handle them. We usually deal with them according to international laws and domestic laws and regulations, and in a humanitarian spirit.  You have also mentioned that they have chosen the German school as their destination, and I think it is necessary to take some security measures in the school.

Q: When will President Putin visit China?  Would you please introduce the detailed agenda?

A: President Putin will visit China within this year, and we will announce the details at an appropriate time.

Q: Just now you said it is necessary to take security measures in the German school.  Is it the responsibility of the Chinese side or the German side to protect the school?  Should they hire private guards?

A: On this question, the reason I said so is to protect the safety of teachers and students in the school and prevent such incidents from affecting school’s normal work.  The relevant parties are discussing on who should be in charge.  But the important thing is that measures should be taken to guarantee the smooth running of the German school and its classes.

Q: Some foreign media reported that President Jiang Zemin would visit the US from 22 to 25 October.  Can you confirm it?  And is it a working visit or state visit?  Besides, on the Iraqi issue, France put forward a “two-step” proposal.  China seems to be in favor of the France proposal.  And if the UN Security Council discussed the France proposal, will China vote for it?

A: As for President Jiang’s visit to the US, I have said that we will announce the details of the visit in due course and at present I have nothing to offer.  What I want to point out is that this visit is an important event in China-US relations and the third meeting between the two heads of state within one year.  They will have wide and in-depth exchange of views on issues of common concern and various aspects of China-US relations.  The strengthening of cooperation between China and the US, two major countries, is of great significance for peace and development of Asia-Pacific and world at large.  The two sides are actively preparing for it.

As for your second question, in the past few days, the member states of the Security Council, including China have maintained close contacts and consultations on the Iraqi issue.  But so far, no member state in the Security Council has submitted a new draft proposal.  So at present it is too early to comment on any possible draft resolution.

Thank you.