Q：In his remarks to the leaders in the US Congress yesterday, Mr. Bush indicated that the US is to retreat from the ABM Treaty. What is China’s reaction to that?

A: We have taken note of the relevant report and express our concern over this issue.

It is of crucial importance to maintain the international regime of arms control and disarmament and global strategic balance and stability. China is opposed to the missile defense system and worried about the negative impact of the US retreating from the ABM treaty. We hope the US side will earnestly adopt the opinions of other countries and exercise prudence on the issue of missile defense.

It is our belief that the relevant parties should seek the solution to safeguard global strategic stability and not to harm the international efforts of arms control and disarmament through constructive dialogue.


Q: What has the Chinese government done in providing assistance to Afghanistan? What role will China play on the issue of its reconstruction? When will the working team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs leave for Afghanistan? Whom will it contact?

A: With the traditional friendly feelings towards the Afghan people, we have provided assistance to the Afghan people within our capacity over a long period of time. We helped the Afghan side in dozens of projects including some irrigation projects and the Kandahar hospital. These projects yielded good economic benefits and are still highly appraised by the Afghan people nowadays.

Since 1980, to ease the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the Chinese government has provided material assistance to the Afghan refugees annually through the UNHCR, the International Red Cross Society and other channels. In the wake of the September 11th incident, the Chinese government resorted to the emergency assistance mechanism and promptly provided commodity assistance to the Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran. The Chinese delegates attended the senior officials’ meeting on the reconstruction of Afghanistan in Washington and conference on its postwar reconstruction in Islamabad.

With the joint efforts of the various parties in Afghanistan, the interim government will soon be set up, which is a major step for Afghanistan to move towards peace. The Chinese government will as always provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and take an active part in its reconstruction as well.

As for your second question, the working team from the Ministry of Affairs will leave for Afghanistan on December 14th. During their stay in Afghanistan, the team will inspect the premises of the Chinese embassy in Kabul and contact the officials of the interim government of Afghanistan.


Q: December 16th marks the 10th anniversary of the independence of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan established its diplomatic ties with China two weeks after its independence. What is your comment on that?

A: December 16th marks the 10th anniversary of the independence of Kazakhstan. In the past decade, under the leadership of President Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan has scored remarkable achievement drawing world attention in such fields as safeguarding state sovereignty and independence, boosting national economy and lifting people’s living standards. It plays an increasingly important role in the international community. China and Kazakhstan will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next January. Our bilateral relations have made steady progress in the past decade. As a friendly neighbor, China takes heartfelt delight in its achievements. It is our sincere wish that Kazakhstan will score greater achievements on its road of development.


Q: On December 12, a violent attack occurred near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank of the Jordan River, causing many people's injuries and deaths. After that, the Israeli army launched a large scale retaliatory attack on the Palestinian-controlled area. What's your comment on it?

A: China condemns the violent attack on December 12. The reoccurrence of such events between Israel and Palestine fully shows that there is no way out by checking one violence by another. We urge both Israel and Palestine to keep their heads cool in dealing with the present serious situation, stop immediately acts of retaliation and counter-retaliation and solve the conflicts through negotiations. The international community should also take urgent action to stop the Middle East situation from further deterioration.


Q: What impact will the disagreement between China and the US on the ABM Treaty on the bilateral relations?

A: China has always attached great importance to its relations with the US. Being both countries of influence in the world, China and the US share interests and responsibilities on major issues of safeguarding world peace and security. On the issue of ABM Treaty which is of key influence to world peace and security, we hope that the US side will earnestly listen to the reflections and concerns of the international community and exercise prudence in this regard.


Q: How do you evaluate the performance of Euro since it was launched as well as its perspective?

A: The birth of Euro constitutes a major event in the international financial sector. Generally, it works fairly well ever since it was launched with an increasingly important role and influence in the international economy. The formal circulation of bank notes and the coins on January 1st next year will be conducive to the integration process of the EU and add a fresh impetus to the European and the international economy at large. We remain convinced that the successful launch of Euro will play a positive role in stabilizing the international monetary system and promoting the diversification of the world monetary reserve.