Q:  It's known that the Afghanistan Donators' Conference will be held from December 20 to 21 in Belgium, what's China's position on this?
 
A: The Donators' Guiding Group Conference for the Reconstruction of Afghanistan will be held from December 20 to 21 in Belgium. The Chinese Government attaches importance to the Conference and will send  ambassador Wang Xuexian for Afghanistan affairs to lead a delegation to attend the conference.

With concerted efforts by all parties of Afghanistan, the interim government of Afghanistan will be established that marks a very important step for the realization of peace in Afghanistan. We think that the post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan is the strong guarantee for the peace process in Afghanistan. The international community should actively create conditions for this.
 
China has all along had friendly feelings towards the Afghanistan people. We have, for a long period of time, provided all means of assistance and help to Afghanistan people. Within our capacity, the Chinese Government will, as it always did in the past, continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in the future, meanwhile, it will also actively participate in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.


Q: President Mussharaf of Pakistan is to arrive in Beijing today. Could you brief us his major activities in China? Will he have an in-depth discussion on the question of Afghanistan with the Chinese side? What specific information will the Chinese side convey to him on the future reconstruction of Afghanistan?

A: At the invitation of President jiang Zemin, President Mussharaf of Pakistan will pay a state visit to China starting from this afternoon. During his stay in Beijing, state leaders include President Jiang, Chairman Li Peng, Premier Zhu and Vice President Hu Jingtao will meet with him and have profound and in-depth exchange of views with him on Sino-Pakistani relations, the question of Afghanistan and other international and regional issues of mutual interest.

It's known to all that China and Pakistan are close and friendly neighbors sharing long traditional friendship. The relations between China and Pakistan have developed quite well in all aspects for 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. President Mussharaf's visit to China will definitely push the commemorative activities for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan to its climax and draw a sound period mark to this year's commemorative activities. It will also bring the comprehensive partnership between China and Pakistan to a successful conclusion in the new century. As for what details both sides will discuss on the question of Afghanistan, I think it can only be known after the meetings and talks.


Q: The US House of Representatives and the Senate recently  passed the joint text of the Defense Authorization Act for the 2002 Fiscal Year in which there are some China-related substance such as selling the Kidder Class destroyers to Taiwan. What's China's comments on that? Did China make any representations?

A: The Chinese side has all along been opposed to US arms sales  to Taiwan, including the sales of the Kidder class destroyers. The US Congress, in disregard of the repeatedly solemn representations from the Chinese side, passed the joint text of Defense Authorization Act for the 2002 Fiscal Year with anti-China substance. It contravenes the one China policy and the principles of three Sino-US Communiques. It is the gross interference into China's internal affairs. The Chinese side thus expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition. We urge the US side to correct its mistakes and stop the arms sales to Taiwan and words and acts that interfere China's internal affairs, so as to prevent the Sino-US relations from further damage.


Q: It's learned that the first Annual Conference of the Bo'ao Asia Forum will be convened next April in Bo'ao, Hainan. Will the Chinese leaders attend the meeting?

A: The first Annual Conference of the Bo'ao Asia Forum will be held in Bo'ao, Hainan next April. Premier Zhu Rongji will attend the meeting at invitation.

The purpose of the Bo'ao Asia Forum is to provide to all the parties a dialogue venue for discussion on Asian regional development, population and environmental issues and promote dialogue between the business and the unofficial circles. The Chinese Government attaches importance to and supports the multi-leveled, multi-faceted and multi-channeled dialogue and cooperation and it will continue to render assistance to the Forum within its capacity. The theme for next year's first Annual Conference of the Bo'ao Forum is: New Century, New Situation and New Tasks--Cooperation and Development of the Asian Economy. The delegates will discuss the following sub-themes: the impact on the Asian economy by world economic trends, measures to bring about Asian economic recovery and Asian economic cooperation, as well as China's accession into the WTO and the Asian economic development. The Conference will also hold some seminars and dialogues that are of interest to the business circle mainly concerning topics on finance, telecom, information industry, energy, agriculture and environmental protection. As host of the Forum, China welcomes active participation by all countries and people of all walks of life in the region.


Q: What's your comment on the current turbulence in Argentina? Are the local Chinese attacked?

A: Recently, there have been some serious turbulence such as traffic blockades and shop robberies taking place in some areas in Argentina. Some local Chinese supermarkets were looted. On December 19, the Argentina Government declared a curfew of 30 days nationwide. The Chinese side expresses its concern over it and the Chinese embassy to Argentina has called on the Argentina Government to protect the life and property safety of the local Chinese people.

We are convinced that the Argentina Government and people will overcome difficulties, re-vitalize its economy and maintain social stability.

   
Q: Yesterday the Chinese Working Group on Afghanistan arrived in the Chinese embassy in Kabul. I would like to know when will the embassy be officially reopened? What specific activities will the Chinese diplomats conduct there? Will China consider to contribute peacekeepers to the peacekeeping force in Afghanistan?
   
A: The Chinese Foreign Ministry Working Group on Afghanistan arrived in Kabul on December 19. During their stay in Afghanistan, they will inspect the Chinese embassy premises there. In addition, they will also have contacts with the officials of the interim government in Afghanistan. The arrangements are underway.
   
As for the reopening of the embassy, as a matter of fact, China has been all along maintaining diplomatic relations with Afghanistan. We temporarily withdrew our diplomatic personnel in Kabul in 1993 due to the security situation in then Afghanistan. As for when the embassy will be officially reopened, we are actively making preparations.
   
As for the peacekeeping operation, the UN Security Council is presently conducting intensified consultations on the draft resolution on sending the multi-national force to Afghanistan. China's position on the issue is as follows: we are supportive of sending the multinational stabilization force to Afghanistan to help the interim government to maintain security in Afghanistan. At the same time, we think that the deployment of the multinational force has to obtain prior authorization from the Security Council. China is, together with other Security Council members, making efforts for the passage of the resolution.
   
As for whether China will participate in the multinational force, I would say that China has no precedent or practice of sending its military personnel to the multinational force. China will contribute to maintaining peace in Afghanistan through its own way.

   
Q: What's your comment on the current tensions between India and Pakistan?
   
A: We have taken note of the relevant reports. As neighbor and friend of both India and Pakistan, China has closely followed the developments. We strongly hope that both India and Pakistan will exercise restraint to avoid further escalation and deterioration of the tension and properly settle the question confronting them via dialogue and consultation so as to maintain regional peace and stability.