Q: The US State Department has accused China of worsening trend in human rights situation. What is the comment from the Chinese side?

A: China has registered great achievements in human rights and won wide international praise. This is a fact that cannot be changed by a few irresponsible comments.

Q: The new Indian ambassador will soon arrive and what is your comment?

A: We welcome Ambassador Surie to China. During Prime Minister Vajpayee’s visit to China not long ago, the two sides have reached consensus on the development of the long-term constructive partnership of cooperation. China is willing to work with the Indian side to seize the current favorable opportunity to further promote the good-neighborly and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and China. We believe that Mr. Surie will also make his own efforts.  

Q: What is your comment on the military cooperation between Australia and the US?

A: We hope that the development of relations between the two countries can benefit peace and stability in the Asian and Pacific region.

Q: What is your comment on the oil pipeline to be built between China and Russia?

A: The oil pipeline between China and Russia is a cooperation project openly committed by the governments of the two countries and is one of the key projects between the two sides in energy, economic and technical cooperation.

It is mutually beneficial and conducted in accordance with international practice, without undermining the interest of a third country.

Q: What is the prospect of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Panama?

A: The Chinese government is willing to establish and develop normal state-to-state relations with Panama on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence and we have made unremitting efforts to this end over the years. Since China and Panama established trade offices in each other’s countries in 1996, exchanges in all fields have increased and mutual understanding constantly enhanced. More people with insights in Panama have called for the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Panama. We believe that so long as Panama can approach the question of Taiwan correctly, relations between the two countries are surely to be normalized.