问答题 Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu's Regular Press Conference on February 3, 2009
On February 3, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on China-US relations, China-EU relations, the situation in the Korean Peninsula and etc.
Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have a few announcements to start with today.
At the invitation of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, President Toure of Mali, President Wade of Senegal, President Kikwete of Tanzania, President Jugnauth and Prime Minister Ramgoolam of Mauritius, President Hu Jintao will pay state visits to the above five countries from February 10 to 17.
President Hu's visit to Saudi Arabia and the four African countries is aimed at further consolidating and strengthening China's friendly relations with the countries, promoting China's collective cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council, translating into reality the achievements of the Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, expanding the pragmatic cooperation between China and the five countries and promoting common development. During the visit, President Hu will hold talks and meetings with leaders of the countries, and exchange views on further strengthening China's friendly relations of cooperation with the five countries and international and regional issues of common concern. It is believed that the visit will promote the in-depth development of China-Saudi Arabia strategic friendly relations and China-Africa new strategic partnership and further consolidate China-Africa traditional friendship.
Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun will hold a briefing here on President Hu's visit at 10:00 am February 6 (Friday). The briefing will be presided over by Mr. Ma Zhaoxu, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson and Director-General of the Information Department. You are welcome to attend.
At the invitation of the government of the Argentine Republic, Vice President Moreno of the Republic of Ecuador, Prime Minister Thompson of Barbados and the government of the Bahamas, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu will pay official visits to the above four countries from February 7 to 19.
Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi will attend the meeting of political director-generals from the foreign ministries of the six countries on the Iranian nuclear issue to he held in Wiesbaden, Germany, on February 4, and the ministerial meeting on the Security Council reform to be held in Rome, Italy, on February 5.
Now the floor is open.
Q: Premier Wen Jiabao was disrupted when he delivered a speech at the University of Cambridge. Is the Chinese side aware of the perpetrator's personal information and his motive? Chinese students studying at the University of Cambridge put up a slogan "I love Baobao" to welcome Premier Wen. How do you comment on this?
A: We have already responded to your first question. We believe the perpetrator's disruptive behavior is despicable and the UK police will handle the case according to law. The behavior is extremely unpopular and can in no way stem the tide of the growing China-UK relations.
On your second question, Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Europe was widely reported by the media. He was warmly welcomed by people from various circles of the visiting countries and the overseas Chinese students. Premier Wen's trip to Europe was a great success. At present China-EU relations are at a new standpoint. The visit has consolidated the confidence in developing China-EU relations, enhanced mutual trust, expanded cooperation, and provided new momentum for the further development of China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.
Q: According to reports, the Philippine Senate passed a bill on third reading that claimed certain islands and reefs of Nansha Islands and Huangyan Island as its regime of islands, and the House of Representatives approved a bill that included the above islands and reefs within the Philippines' territorial baselines. How do you comment on this?
A: China has undisputable sovereign rights over the Huangyan Island, Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the relevant parties, the current situation in the South China Sea has been stable in general. We hope that the relevant country can earnestly abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, refrain from taking actions that may complicate and increase disputes, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Q: The DPRK has publicly nullified all agreements between the DPRK and ROK concerning the issue of putting an end to political and military confrontation in recent days. Do you have any comment? And according to ROK media, the DPRK is preparing for new missile tests. How do you comment on this? Will the above measures by the DPRK undermine the Six-Party Talks?
A: Maintaining peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula is in the common interests of the South and North. As a close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China always hopes that the South and North of the Korean Peninsula will improve relations through dialogue and promote reconciliation and cooperation, which serves the interests of the entire people of the Korean Peninsula, and contributes to regional peace and stability.
On your second question, I have noted relevant reports. I am not aware of relevant information.
With regard to the Six-Party Talks, with the concerted efforts of the relevant parties, the six-party talks process has scored important progress. We expect that under the current situation, the relevant parties will continue to work to meet each other halfway, and make constructive efforts to realize denuclearization of the Peninsula and ensure peace and stability in Northeast Asia. We hope to continue to maintain communication and coordination with the relevant parties to push the Six-Party Talks into a new stage.
Q: I have two questions. The first one is about the U.S.-based Asia Foundation last week in New Delhi unveiled its policy proposals to the new Obama administration, saying that the U.S. should work more closely to try to develop the triangle cooperation between India, China and the U.S.. I just want to ask if China had opinion on that, and if China was concerned about Indian diplomats raising concerns that China tries to contain India by developing friendship with countries like Pakistan and Myanmar. The second question is about the DPRK. Last week, Minister Wang Jiarui of the International Department of the CPC went to the DPRK apparently with an invitation from President Hu Jintao for Kim Jong-I1 to come to China. I just want to know if you have any details on that and when is the visit going to happen?
A: Since the inauguration of the new U.S. administration, China and the U.S. have maintained close contact. On January 30, President Hu Jintao held a telephone conversation with President Obama. Before that, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well. We value and appreciate the U.S. position that it is committed to developing a more positive and constructive bilateral relationship. We are willing to work with the U.S. to firmly grasp the general direction of bilateral constructive and cooperative relations, strengthen dialogue, promote mutual trust, expand cooperation, and respect and accommodate core interest of each other in a bid to address various global challenges together and push forward sustained and stable development of bilateral relations. I would like to emphasize at the same time that China adheres to the road of peaceful development unswervingly and will not pose a threat to any country. China upholds an independent foreign policy of peace and a good-neighbourly and friendly foreign policy with neighbouring countries. China always plays an active and constructive role in international affairs and committed to regional peace, stability and development.
China and India are important neighbours to each other and both are major emerging developing countries. Both agree that China and India are partners instead of competitors. The development of peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation between China and India is in line with the common interests of the two countries, and conducive to regional and global peace and stability.
China is a friend of both India and Pakistan. We sincerely hope that India and Pakistan can proceed from regional peace and stability and the fundamental interests of the two peoples, address their mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation, improve relations and push forward the South Asia peace process continuously.
With regard to Minister Wang Jiarui's recent visit to the DPRK, the relevant authorities have released information. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the DPRK. It is the China-DPRK Year of Friendship as well. China and the DPRK have the tradition of exchanging high-level visits, the momentum of which will be maintained. With regard to DPRK leaders' visit to China, I don't have any specific information right now.
Q: Is US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visiting China soon?
A: Exchange of high-level visits is very important for China-US relations. The two sides are in close contact regarding Secretary Clinton's visit to China.
Q: In the stimulus package which was passed by the House of Representative, there is a "buy America" provision. May I get your comment on that? Firstly, do you believe this is protectionism by the US? Do you hope for any changes? And there is a follow-up to that. Souvenirs made in China have been barred from being sold at the new Capitol gift shop in Washington DC purely because they were made in China. The head of the Committee which runs the gift shop has informed us that they are not selling anything that is not made in the US. I would like you to address both issues.
A: Please refer questions concerning China-US economic relations and trade to the competent authorities. Healthy bilateral economic relations and trade, the mainstream of which is positive, are in the interests of both China and the US. In their recent phone conversation, both President Hu and President Obama stressed that the two countries should stay in closer consultation and coordination in macro-economic policies so as to jointly combat global financial crisis. They also stressed that they were against any trade or investment protectionism. We hope to strengthen the dialogue and consultation with the US to handle economic and trade issues properly, and promote sustained and healthy development of cooperation in all fields.
Q: When will the 11th China-Europe Leaders' Meeting be resumed?
A: During Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the EU headquarters, both sides agreed to hold the 11th China-Europe Leaders' Meeting as soon as possible. The two sides will continue to stay in communication and coordination.
Q: How do you comment on the U.S. announcement of sanctions on Chinese companies over violation of its non-proliferation law?
A: China's position on the non-proliferation issue is clear. In the meantime, we resolutely oppose the U.S. imposing sanctions on the Chinese companies under the excuse of the so-called violation of its domestic laws. The practice of the U.S. does no good to the healthy cooperation between the two sides in the non-proliferation field.
Q: President Gareia of Peru is going to visit Asia. Will he visit China?
A: I have not heard of this information. If I have specific news, I will tell you.
If there are no more questions, thank you for coming. See you!