Q: Could you brief us on the latest information about the working team of the Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan? When will China resume the function of its embassy? What about the premises at present?

A: Firstly, I would like to brief you on the information about the our working team in Afghanistan. This team arrived at Kabul on December 19th, and attended the inauguration ceremony of the interim government of Afghanistan on December 22nd on behalf of the Chinese government. Mr. Zhang Min also met with some officials including President Karzai of the interim government and had wide contacts with other diplomats in Afghanistan. Besides, they also inspected the premises of the Chinese embassy in Afghanistan.

China will resume the work of its embassy as soon as possible. A major task for the working team is to make preparations for this. The premises have not been used for many years and were seriously damaged during the protracted war in Afghanistan. Many facilities can not be put in to use. The working team will also put forward their views in repairing the premises. After that, we will repair the premises of the embassy within the shortest period of time.


Q: The Ad Hoc Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is due to be held in Beijing on January 7th. What role will it play in the efforts for peace in Afghanistan? What role will the Shanghai Cooperation Organization play on the international anti-terrorism issue?

A: Shanghai Cooperation Organization was formally established in Shanghai this year. One of its purposes is to enhance the cooperation and friendship of good-neighborliness among the six countries of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and promote the stability and prosperity of this region. Another important purpose is to strengthen cooperation and jointly fight against the “three forces” within this region. This year the Shanghai Organization Corporation Summit signed the Shanghai convention on the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, which laid a solid legal basis for the six countries in jointly combating against the “three forces” and safeguarding regional security. On the Foreign Ministerial Meeting next January, the various parties will have an in-depth exchange of views on the current situation of Afghanistan and international anti-terrorist campaign, which will make positive contribution to the whole international anti-terrorist efforts.


Q: What influence will President Musharraf’s visit to China have on China-Pakistan relations and the restoration of peace and security of this region?

A: The state visit to China paid by President Musharraf is a crowning success. During his stay in China, President Musharraf and China’s state leaders exchanged views on China-Pakistan relations, the Afghan issue and other international and regional issues of common interest, and reached wide consensus. The Chinese government decided to render free assistance of 100 million RMB to the Pakistani government. The two sides also signed seven trade and economic agreements and memorandums including the economic and technological cooperation agreement. The result of the visit has proven it to be a crowning success. We believe that this visit had greatly pushed forward the overall development of China-Pakistan relations in the new century.


Q: On the sinking of a suspicious ship in the East China Sea, Prime Minister Koizumi this morning indicated that the Japanese side planned to salvage the sunken ship and investigated on it. What is your comment?

A: As for you question, I have already made remarks on December 23rd that the Chinese side was closely following this event. The boundary line between the exclusive economic zones in the East China Sea waters and the continental shelf has not been delimited. However, the location where the crossfire and sinking of the boat occurred on December 22nd is on the Chinese side beyond the overlapping sea waters claimed by both sides.

The Chinese side has expressed its serious concern over the use of force of the Japanese side in chasing the unidentified ship as well as the sinking of the ship within the exclusive economic zone of China. We ask the Japanese side for further briefing on the relevant situation. The Japanese side should fully respect the rights and interests and concern of the Chinese side in handling this case.


Q: You have briefed on the bombing case of the McDonald in Xi’an. How is the investigation going on? Another bombing took place in a French super market in Qingdao this weekend. Any latest development of the investigation? And could you confirm a bombing case in the Careefour supermarket in Shenzhen last month? What is your general comment on these?

A: It is quite understandable that the foreign ministry is not responsible for handling these incidents and the relevant investigations. According to my knowledge, the relevant departments are still conducting investigations. I would like to stress that China’s general social security order is good, even if some incidents recently occurred.


Q: Foreign Minister Tang has visited three countries in Middle East and will soon start his visit to Egypt. Could you brief us the outcome of his visit with his latest first-hand information? Next month President Musharraf will visit China. Will Israeli officials visit China as well?

A: Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan is on his visit to the Middle East. He has visited Lebanon and Syria. Now he is still in Jordan. After that he will visit Egypt. At the invitation of his counterparts, Foreign Minister Tang would exchange views with them mainly on bilateral relations and the Middle East situation.

During his visit to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, Foreign Minister Tang had an in-depth exchange of views on the relevant issues and reached wide consensus. The various parties stressed their willingness to further enhance their friendly relations and promote the bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit in all areas. The various parties expressed their concern over the current Middle East situation and called on the international community to further contribute to the efforts for peace in the Middle East and to bring about an early solution of the Middle East issue. Besides, Foreign Minister Tang also exchanged views with the relevant leaders on the Afghan issue and the international anti-terrorism campaign.

President Mubarak of Egypt is due to visit China next January. This will be a very important visit. We hope that his visit will turn out to be a fruitful one.

China and Israel have normal diplomatic exchanges. But up to now I have not heard of any recent plan of Israeli state leaders to visit China.


Q: It is reported that the US Joint Chiefs of Staff is drafting a plan of sending troops to Iraq? What is the comment of the Chinese side?

A: China expresses its concern over the relevant report. We support the fight against terrorism in any form. In the mean time, we maintain that the acts should conform with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as the universally-recognized norms governing international relations. The fight against terrorism should have concrete evidence. We have noted that various countries and the UN Secretary General indicated that willful expansion of the scope of attack will undermine the international anti-terrorist campaign. The Chinese side shared the same views on that.


Q: What is your comment on China’s diplomatic work this year? How do you see the prospect for China’s diplomacy next year?

A: China has made fruitful achievement in the year 2001. It has played a constructive role in the international fight against terrorism. China resolutely opposes all sorts of terrorism and has actively participated in the international cooperation against terrorism. China’s efforts have won extensive international acclaim.

During the year, China has successfully hosted the 9th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. China becomes a member of the WTO. China’s capital city Beijing also won the bidding for the 2008 Olympics. These three major events are of positive and far-reaching significance.

Progress has been made in China’s cooperation with the vast number of developing countries. We have maintained exchange of high-level visits, stepped up political consultation and expanded economic and trade cooperation. A new chapter is turned in China’s friendly relations and cooperation with the developing countries.

China’s friendly relations and cooperation with its neighbors have entered a new stage of comprehensive development. China, together with Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, formed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China and the ASEAN countries have agreed to establish a free trade zone in the next decade. These events are of major importance to the safeguarding of regional peace, stability and prosperity.

New progress has been made in China’s relations with the United States, Russia, EU countries and Japan. Sino-US relations have gradually improved. China’s strategic coordination and partnership with Russia have been further stepped up. China’s ties with the European countries enjoy a good momentum of all-round development. Thanks to joint efforts, Sino-Japanese relations have returned to a normal track of development.

Next year, China faces both opportunities and challenges in its diplomatic work. However, we believe that the opportunities outweigh the challenges. The Chinese Government will unswervingly adhere to its independent foreign policy of peace and resolutely safeguard its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity. We are ready to actively develop our friendly relations and cooperation with the other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. We stand ready to contribute to world peace and common development.


Q: China has been providing assistance to the United States in fight against terrorism. However, the United States is now accusing China of providing weapons to al-Qaeda even after the September 11 Incident. How would you comment on the current Sino-US relations?

A: China has rebuffed the allegation by some US media of China's supply of weapons to the al-Qaeda after the September 11 Incident. The Chinese Government opposes all sorts of terrorism. Our position is very clear. Since the September 11 Incident, China has actively participated in international cooperation against terrorism. However, a US newspaper carried groundless reports in an attempt to defame China and undermine the improvement of Sino-US relations. We believe that, it is of vital importance to develop the ties between China and the United States, two major countries in the world. During this year’s APEC meeting in Shanghai, leaders of the two countries reached consensus on the development of constructive cooperative relations between China and the United States. It is our hope that the two sides will work for the smooth development of such constructive cooperative relations in the new century.


Q: What kind of specific diplomatic actions have the Japanese Government taken to explain to China over the recent ship-sinking incident? What is China’s response to Japan’s message or diplomatic actions?

A: On the ship-sinking incident, China and Japan have been in contact with each other. We hope that the Japanese side will give China further briefing of the incident. In dealing with this event, Japan should fully respect China’s relevant rights, interests and concern.


Q: What is your comment on Israel’s refusal to allow Arafat to participate in the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem?

A: We wish to express our regret over the Israeli denial of President Arafat’s travel to Bethlehem. At the moment, the situation in the Middle East remains to be acute. The Israeli action will not serve to ease the current tension between Israel and Palestine. We call on the relevant parities to adopt concrete measures to calm down the tension down there and create good atmosphere and conditions for a political settlement of the issue.


Q: Are there any Chinese killed in the recent riot in Argentina?

A: In the past few days, there were some riots in Argentina, during which some Chinese-run shops were damaged. Some overseas Chinese and people of Chinese origin were hurt. We have learnt that no Chinese were killed in the event. The Chinese Embassy in Argentine is very concerned over the incident. It immediately sent diplomats to visit the injured Chinese and expressed their sympathy. The Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Foreign Ministry have called upon the government of Argentine to protect the rights and interests of the overseas Chinese and people of Chinese origin.