On December 2, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference and answered questions on China-France relations, the Six-Party Talks, situation in Thailand, Chinese Government dispatching planes to pick up Chinese citizens stranded in Thailand and etc.
Liu Jianchao: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It's been quite a while since we last met. Good to see you all.
First, I have an announcement on the high-level strategic dialogue between Chinese and ROK foreign ministries.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya and Mr. Kwon Jong-rak, ROK's First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade will jointly hold the first high-level strategic dialogue between the two foreign ministries in Beijing on December 11.
Started upon consultation between China and the ROK according to consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, this mechanism of dialogue is of significance to strengthening strategic communication and coordination between the two countries. Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya and Vice Foreign Minister Kwon Jong-rak will have in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common interest. We believe this dialogue will play a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding and trust as well as promoting communication and cooperation between the two countries.
Now the floor is open.
Q: The Dalai Lama announced his plan to visit Taiwan next year. Do you have any comment?
A: I'd like to underscore that both Taiwan and Tibet are inalienable part of China's territory. We oppose the Dalai Lama engaging in separatist activities in any form.
Q: The French leader is still bent on meeting with the Dalai Lama. What are you going to do? Secondly, some Chinese people are once again appealing online for boycotting French-made products. What's your view?
A: China has already made clear its position on the decision of the French leader, the rotating President of the EU, to meet with the Dalai Lama. We expect France to take concrete measures to create sound atmosphere and conditions for the China-EU Leaders' Meeting. France is aware of our principled position and major concern. Now it's time for France to make its choice.
China attaches great importance to its relations with the EU and France as well as our cooperation of mutual benefit in a wide range of fields. We believe the two countries should continue to adopt the right approach to the bilateral relations so as to promote sound and stable development of our cooperation in extensive fields. Countries involved should create sound conditions to this end. We also hope the domestic public will remain calm in viewing China-EU and China-France relations.
Q: There are still more than 200 Chinese tourists stuck in Thailand. What's your next step? Also, rumor has it that some tourists are denied access to planes because they don't have money to pay for the tickets. Is that true?
A: By December 1, the Chinese Government has dispatched 11 planes to pick up over 3100 Chinese citizens stranded in Thailand. At 11:30 pm tonight, another plane will be sent to bring back the rest. It is arranged that Chinese citizens there need to pay for their tickets at the set price. However, money is not the issue here. There is no such case that our fellow citizens will be left there just because they happen to have no money with them.
Q: Given the situation in Thailand, will the Chinese Government release travel warning to ban outbound visits to Thailand, including official visits?
A: Thailand is a friendly neighbor of China. We are concerned about the situation in Thailand, and sincerely hope that the country will restore social stability and realize economic development shortly, which is not only in the interest of the people there and but also conducive to regional stability and development.
Q: About the Six-Party Talks. To my understanding, the next round of the talks is scheduled to be held on December 8. What exactly are the factors that keep delaying the meeting?
A: China has proposed to hold the heads of delegations meeting on December 8. We are waiting for confirmation from other parties. We hope the meeting will be held with no further delay.
Q: US President-elect Obama has named Hilary Clinton as Secretary of State of the new administration. Hilary once appealed to President Bush not to attend the Beijing Olympics, and criticized China's human rights record. What impact do you think will her nomination have on China-US relations? Secondly, US Treasury Secretary Paulson is leaving office shortly, what's your expectation for the future China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED)? Do you expect it to remain as it is, or would you prefer to bring it to a higher level?
A: As you may have noticed, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has sent telegraphs to Senator Hilary Clinton and Mr. James Jones, extending congratulations to their nomination as US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor. Foreign Minister Yang spoke highly of the major progress made in the bilateral relations in recent years, and expressed aspiration to work together with the two to further promote the two countries' constructive relations of cooperation.
US President Bush attended the opening ceremony and some events of the Beijing Olympic Games that China successfully held in August. Facts have proven that this decision made by the US President and his administration is conducive to deepening mutual understanding, enhancing friendship and promoting bilateral relations. As for some differences the two countries have, including those in the area of human rights, I believe the two countries could properly handle them by keeping communication and dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual trust so as to sustain the stable development of China-US constructive relations of cooperation.
As a major consensus between President Hu Jintao and President Bush, who then advocated the establishment of the important mechanism, SED is set up to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral trade. There have been four rounds of SED, and we are embracing the fifth. The mechanism promotes sound and stable development of bilateral trade by helping the two countries to enhance mutual understanding on trade issues, better handle each other's concerns and conduct adequate discussions on issues that bear on long-term, strategic and overall interest. We expect the fifth SED to be a success, and both countries are working on it. In their phone conversation this morning, Vice Premier Wang Qishan and Mr. Paulson agreed to step up preparation to make the meeting a success. We stand ready to further strengthen China-US trade cooperation with the new US Administration so as to bring benefit to people in the two countries.
Q: This week, about 100 countries will sign a convention to ban the production and the use of the cluster bombs. Will China be onboard? If the U.S. and Russia accede to it, will China consider doing so too?
A: China takes seriously the humanitarian problems caused by the abuse of the cluster munitions. We commend and support the efforts of the international community to seek for solution to this problem. The CCW Group of Governmental Experts on the Cluster Munitions has already had in-depth discussions about relevant issues.
China has been actively participating in relevant work in a constructive manner. We are ready to continue to work with other parties concerned and make our contributions to addressing the humanitarian concerns of the cluster munitions at an early date.
Q: According to the schedule of China-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue, the two countries will sign an Economic Partner Agreement. Could you give more details about it?
A: As for what will be discussed and what kind of consensus will be reached by both sides, the tentative programs had already been released by competent authorities. However, we will update you on the specifics of the meeting in due course during the meeting.
Q: India and China have major agreement on exchanging anti-terrorism expertise. After the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the Indian Government said that these terrorists had 'external linkages'. As the terrorist forces might threat China's border area, will China study the terror attack in Mumbai? Is China concerned about its adverse impact on this region as a whole?
A: The terrorist attack in Mumbai is shocking. The Chinese Government has expressed its sympathy and solicitude to the victims and the Indian Government. The Chinese Government firmly opposes terrorism of all forms. We would like to strengthen cooperation with the international community including India in a joint effort to fight against terrorism. Our position is clear and consistent. We also notice that relevant parties are investigating the attack in Mumbai. We are ready to step up anti-terrorism cooperation with the relevant countries.
Q: Europe believes that its relations with China have strained because the China-EU Summit got postponed. Does China have any comment? What sort of measures will China take to heal the rift?
A: Due to the reason known to all, China-EU Leaders' Meeting was postponed. The fact that China-EU relations are affected is entirely a result of the erroneous practice of the leader of France, who now assumes the rotating EU Presidency, in insisting on meeting with the Dalai Lama regardless of China's concern and core interest. It is up to France to consider how to take concrete measures to create sound atmosphere and conditions for its and EU's relations with China as well as for the meeting. China is committed to developing comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU, viewing and handling the relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective. In its relations with the EU, China has never done anything that undermines the interest of Europe. We hope that Europe and France respect China's major concern on issues involving China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Q: If President Sarkozy meets with the Dalai Lama, will it affect French companies' investment opportunities in China?
A: China values the strategic partnership with France. We are committed to promoting bilateral communication and cooperation in extensive fields, including economic exchanges and trade, making active and unremitting efforts to the development of China-French relations. It is evident that when major concerns of both sides are respected, the China-French relations will be able to enjoy rapid, steady and healthy development; otherwise, major problems may arise. We hope France could proceed from the overall interest, abide by its commitment, respect and properly handle China's major concern over sovereignty and territorial integrity so as to create conditions for the maintenance and development of China-French and China-EU relations.
Q: Reports said yesterday that there were 290,000 children affected by having powdered milk containing melamine. Could you comment?
A: Competent authorities are in a better position to answer this question.
But I would like to say, after the incident of melamine-tainted milk powder, China's authorities of health, quality inspection, industry and trade, as well as commerce took actions immediately. The problem has been preliminarily addressed, and the affected children have received timely treatment.
The issue has sent an important message to the Chinese Government. We should further strengthen food and drug safety supervision, improve the mechanism and make intensive efforts to safeguard public health and safety. We will continue to make determined efforts in this direction.
If there are no more questions, thank you for your attendance.