问答题 Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu's Regular Press Conference on January 22, 2009
On January 22, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on China-US relations, China-France relations, the situation in the Middle East and etc.
Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I don't have any announcement to start with today. Now the floor is open.
Q: Wang Jiarui, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), left for a visit to the DPRK yesterday. Can you brief us on his itineraries of today and tomorrow? Is he going to meet with Kim Jong-II?
A: At the invitation of the International Department of the Central Committee of the DPRK Worker's Party, the IDCPC delegation headed by Minister Wang Jiarui is paying a friendly visit to the DPRK. I am not aware of Minister Wang's itineraries in the DPRK. I would suggest you ask competent authorities for relevant information, which I believe will be released in due time. The parties of China and the DPRK have a tradition of exchanging visits. This visit is also normal communication between the two parties.
Q: Media reports say representatives from China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States are to meet in Berlin next month to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue. Could you confirm this and provide us some details, such as when the meeting is and what will be discussed?
A: I have not received information on the meeting. The Chinese Government's position on the Iranian nuclear issue is consistent. We stand for a proper settlement of the issue through dialogue and negotiation to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East, which echoes with the common interests of the international community. China hopes under the current situation, relevant parties will intensify diplomatic efforts, maintain the process of dialogue and negotiation, and display necessary flexibility to seek long-term, comprehensive and proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
Q: Israel announced it had withdrawn all its troops from Gaza yesterday. How do you comment on the current situation between Palestine and Israel?
A: Israel's withdrawal of troops from Gaza will help to further ease tension. We hope relevant parties can continue their efforts to maintain the cease-fire, fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1860, and help to restore stability and reconstruction in the Gaza strip.
Q: Two questions. Firstly, how does China respond to Obama's inauguration speech, especially communism he mentioned? Secondly, the Obama administration is going to close the Guantanamo prison. If the U.S. refuses to repatriate the detainees of Chinese nationality to China, will it affect China's relations with the new U.S. administration?
A: On your first question, we always believe that all countries should handle state-to-state relations on the basis of mutual respect on an equal footing, follow universally-recognized principles of international relations, and make joint efforts to foster democratization of international relations and build a harmonious world featuring lasting peace and common prosperity. We are happy to see the U.S. strengthening its relations with other countries. We also hope that the foreign policy of the Obama Administration will help to promote peace, stability and development in the world.
On your second question, we hope relevant parties can handle properly relevant issues in light of the international law. On the terrorist suspects of Chinese nationality, we have reiterated China's stance time and again. They are members of the terrorist group, "the East Turkistan Islamic Movement", which is on the sanction list of the UN Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1267. They must be handed over to China and brought to justice. We oppose any countries accepting these people, who should be repatriated to China as soon as possible.
Q: I have a very specific question regarding U.S. President Barack Obama. He has talked about the need to improve human rights and civil liberties around the world, and in light of the fact that China has been criticized for its record on human fights. What is your response to his message?
A: President Obama was not referring to any specific country in his inaugural address, and I will not respond to his specific remarks. But I can tell you in principle that respecting and safeguarding human fights, which is already written into our Constitution, is the unswerving and consistent goal of the Chinese Government. In the past decades, China has achieved rapid social and economic development, and made progress in democratic and legal systems. The remarkable achievements of China's cause of human rights have been witnessed by the international community. But since China is still in the primary stage of socialism, there is still much room for improvement. In fact, no country is perfect on human rights. Further efforts are needed to constantly improve human rights conditions. It is also normal that countries differ on human rights issues. We always advocate that mutual understanding, dialogue and cooperation should be strengthened on the basis of equality and mutual respect so that joint efforts can be made to promote the international cause of human fights.
The Chinese Government has always adopted a positive attitude on the international cooperation in the field of human rights. China has joined 25 international conventions on human rights, conducted human rights dialogue and exchanges with nearly 20 countries and regions, and hosted international human rights forums many times. The Chinese Government has had sound cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with human rights special mechanisms, and received many visits by the Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education. On the issue of human rights, the efforts of the Chinese Government and its goals are very clear.
Q: Will China hold activities to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France?
A: Just as you mentioned, this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. 45 years ago, Chairman Mao Zedong and General de Gaulle jointly made the strategic decision of great vision. History has proved that their decision not only opened a new chapter in China-France relations, but also influenced the development of the world pattern. A stable and healthy China-France relationship is not only in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, but also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world. In order to commemorate the establishment of bilateral relations initiated by the old generation of leaders from both countries, China wilt hold some activities on the occasion of the 45th anniversary, including a photo exhibition, workshop, reception, etc.
The current setback in China-France relations is not caused by China. Nor does China would like to see this happen. It is up to the doer to undo what he has done. We hope France can pay great attention to and fully respect China's core interest and concerns, take concrete actions to eliminate negative impact, and make active efforts to bring bilateral relations back to the track of healthy development.
If there are no more questions, I have an announcement. Due to Spring Festival holidays, the press conferences originally scheduled for January 27th and 29th are cancelled. The first press conference after the holidays will be held on February 3rd, Tuesday. During the break, the spokesperson's office will take phone inquiries as usual. Here I wish you a happy Spring Festival. See you.