On March 10, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu held a regular press conference and answered questions on DPRK Cabinet Premier’s visit to China, Zimbabwe Prime Minister and his wife suffering a car accident, US navy surveillance ship engaging in activities in China’s exclusive economic zone, and etc.
Ma Zhaoxu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have an announcement to start with.
At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council, Cabinet Premier Kim Yong Il of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will pay an official goodwill visit to China from March 17 to 21.
Now the floor is open.
Q: Can you comment on accusations from the US that Chinese ships surrounded and harassed a US navy vessel in international waters? The US says the Chinese ships sailed dangerously close and threw debris in the path of the navy ship.
A: The claims by the US are flatly inaccurate and unacceptable to China. On the issue of foreign ships engaging in activities in China’s exclusive economic zone, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf, and Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Management of Foreign-Related Marine Scientific Research all have clear stipulations. The Chinese Government has always handled such activities in strict accordance with the above regulations. Engaging in activities in China’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea without China’s permission, US navy surveillance ship Impeccable broke relevant international law as well as Chinese laws and regulations. China has lodged solemn representations to the US. We urge the US to take effective measures to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future.
Q: The US claims that this happened in international waters. Would you say that those were international waters or Chinese territory?
A: I’ve clearly stated that the US ship engaged in activities in China’s exclusive economic zone without China’s permission, and broke the international law as well as Chinese laws and regulations. We have requested the US to take effective measures to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future.
Q: On DPRK Premier’s visit to China, can you brief us on the purpose of the visit and detailed meeting arrangements? Are there any plans that Chinese leaders will visit the DPRK?
A: Cabinet Premier Kim Yong Il of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will pay an official goodwill visit to China from March 17 to 21. During his visit, Chinese leaders will hold meetings and talks with him. Apart from China-DPRK relations, the two sides will exchange views on international and regional issues of common concern. Arrangements about the visit are under consultation.
Q: Can I go back to the naval question again? If this was an illegal act, why was it that vessels which weren’t part of the Chinese navy were used in the response to the US ship? Is it Chinese Government policy to send patrollers to deal with this kind of incursions?
A: The US assertion is flatly inaccurate and unacceptable to China. China handles such activities in strict accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf, and Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Management of Foreign-Related Marine Scientific Research.
Q: The DPRK said recently that it will retaliate if countries try to intercept its attempt to put a satellite into orbit. Does China have any comments on that?
A: We believe that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is in the interests of all parties. We hope relevant parties will do more to contribute to peace and stability on the Peninsula and in the region.
Q: Can you clearly explain which article of the international law that the US ship broke and which specific act of the US ship broke the international law?
A: It seems that you are very interested in this issue. I think China’s position is already very clear, and I responded to the US stories. I can also tell you that China handles such issues in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. I have nothing more to add.
Q：It’s reported that Prime Minister Tsvangirai of the coalition government of Zimbabwe was injured in a car accident. His wife was killed. Do you have any comment on this?
A: We express deep condolences and sincere sympathy to Prime Minister Tsvangirai for the death of his wife and his injury in the car accident, and wish him an early recovery. We hope this will not affect the political reconciliation process in Zimbabwe and the coalition government of Zimbabwe will continue to run smoothly.
Q: I want to go back to the question of the US surveillance ship. You did mention a number of laws. Could you clarify what specific parts of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and Chinese laws of the sea are concerned so that we can refer to it and see on paper to know what you are talking about？
A：While answering the questions, I mentioned three laws: UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf, and Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Management of Foreign-related Marine Scientific Research. I suggest you go back to do some homework, reading these laws carefully, and you will thereby find the answer you want.
Q: Can you characterize the nature of this dispute? It took years to overcome the fictions between the two countries after the EP-3 incident last time. Is it something that will remain in the military sphere or will endanger the overall relationship?
A: The facts of the EP-3 incident were clear. I do not want to make more comments here again. On the incident of Impeccable, the US Navy surveillance ship, this time, I have already made China’s view and position clearly. I have nothing more to add.
Q: Two questions. The first one is about the ship conflict in the South China Sea. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is currently visiting the United States. Will his trip be affected by the incident? Will this question be raised during his talks with the US side? What else will they discuss? Second, Sudan has begun expelling some of the international aid organizations after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Bashir. Can you comment on this?
A: At the invitation of US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has set out on a journey to the United States. The purpose of the trip is to prepare for the meeting between President Hu Jintao and President Obama during the London G20 Financial Summit in early April. During his visit, Minister Yang will have an in-depth exchange of views with the US side on China-US relations and international and regional issues of common interest.
On your second question, China has taken note of the decision made by the Sudanese Government and the concerns of the United Nations. It is our hope that the UN can have thorough consultations with the Sudanese Government, so as to ensure the humanitarian situation in the Darfur region will not be affected.
Q: Also on the naval vessel issue. If the US side were to stop its activities in the South China Sea, will China consider that the incident is over? Or does it have anything to do with recent reports saying that the US Congress may approve more arms sales to Taiwan?
A: Regarding this incident, China has lodged a solemn representation to the United States. We urge the US side to take effective measures to prevent such incident from happening again.
On the issue of arms sales to Taiwan, our position is clear and consistent. We are resolutely opposed to the US arms sales to Taiwan. The position remains unchanged.
Q: China and the United States have earlier resumed military dialogues. Will this incident have any impact on China-US military cooperation or dialogues?
A: You have asked many questions from different angles on this incident, and I have answered all of them. I have no more additions to make.
If there are no more questions, thank you. See you!