PRESS CONFERENCE WITH LIU JIANCHAO
FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON

CHINA FOREIGN MINISTRY

April 15, 2003

Excerpts

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Q: At the end of this month, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will visit Kazakhstan. Could you brief us on the objective and agenda of this visit?

A: As you mentioned, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will visit Kazakhstan later this month, and will also attend the foreign ministerial conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This is a very important meeting in preparation for the upcoming leadership meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Moscow. During the Foreign Ministerial meeting, the various parties will discuss the international issues of common concern including the Iraqi issue. Such discussion will be conducive. As for what specific issues will be discussed at the meeting, I will brief you in the course of this meeting. During his visit, Foreign Minister Li will also exchange views with his counterpart in Kazakhstan on the bilateral friendly relations and cooperation.

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Q: After defeating Saddam, the US begins to threaten other countries including Syria. It has declared recently that Syria possesses weapons of mass destruction. What’s your comment on that? Secondly, before entering Iraq, the US had vowed to free the Iraqi people. Do you believe that the people of Iraq can have real freedom, peace and stability after its occupation?

A: On your first question, we have taken note that Syria has already denied the relevant accusation of the US. China has always maintained that international disputes should be solved through political means. We are opposed to the use or threat of force in international affairs.

With respect to our position on the military actions of US-British coalition forces, we have made a clear statement at the very beginning of the war. Our position remains unchanged. In the meantime we believe that we should return to the framework of the UN Security Council for the final settlement of the Iraqi issue so as to realize the lasting peace and stability in Iraq and the region. It is a commonly held position by the majority of the international community.

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Q: China was scheduled to host the WIPO Leaders’ Meeting at the end of this month. What’s the status of this meeting now? Secondly, has China contacted the Iraqi opposition forces? What’s the attitude of China in writing off the debts of Iraq to China?

A: The WIPO Leaders’ Meeting was scheduled to be held in Beijing from April 24th to 26th this year. This meeting is hosted by China as required by WIPO. China has attached great importance to the meeting and has made a lot of preparation work. Couple of days ago, WIPO declared that the meeting couldn’t be held as scheduled. The Chinese Government regrets the decision and expresses its thanks to the active participation of various parties in the preparation work. China stands ready to work with them to promote the development of the cause of intellectual property rights.

With respect to your second question, the contact between China and Iraq has been multi-facet. We have both official and non-governmental links, which is decided by traditional friendship between the two countries.

With respect to debt, Iraq owes billions of dollars to China. We are going to deal with the matter in accordance with international law and practice as well as through friendly consultations.

Q: Will China recognize the Iraqi government formed by the occupation forces? Secondly, with respect to China’s condemnation of the looting of its embassy in Baghdad, has China expressed its attitude to the relevant parties through diplomatic channels?

A: With respect to your first question, our basic norm in handling international relations is to respect other peoples’ choice of their social system, way of development and their leaders. We hope that war can be ended at an early date so that people in Iraq can live a peaceful and stable life as soon as possible.

With respect to your second question, international law requires that the warring parties have the obligation to protect the safety of the personnel and property of diplomatic missions. China has made an emergent representation to the US on the looting of its Embassy in Iraq. The US has promised to take measures to ensure the safety of the premise and property of China’s Embassy and to investigate into and deal with the looting. China will follow closely this matter.

Q: Is China going to recognize the new Iraqi government formed by the coalition forces?

A: China holds that Iraqi post-war issues should be handled within the UN framework, which is the common understanding of the international community.

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Q: If various parties agree to hold multi-lateral talks on the Korean nuclear issue, is China going to host such talks?

A: As I said before, China has adopted a positive and open attitude towards any proposal conducive to the peaceful settlement of the issue. It’s hard for me to answer the presumptive question you’ve raised but one thing I’m quite sure is that China stands ready to make its own efforts for the peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue.

Q: You just said that China supports the position of the DPRK. Is China supportive of direct dialogue? If multi-lateral talks are realized, who should be included? What’s your expectation to the nuclear issue?

A: I’ve briefed you on the relevant position of China. We appreciate the DPRK’s position to address the issue through dialogue. China has adopted a positive and open attitude towards proposals that help to seek a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue. Up to the moment, no party has tabled any specific proposal therefore I am not in the position to make any comment. With respect to the prospect of the settlement of the issue, we believe that there is the possibility for a peaceful solution through dialogue and hope that the relevant parties can make efforts to realize it.

Q: I’d like to confirm once again the North Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s visit to China this March. Can you give me a straightforward answer, yes or no?

A: My answer is no.

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