On March 17, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on DPRK Premier's visit to China, the Six-Party Talks, the situation in Pakistan, and etc.
Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have two announcements to start with.
At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Mr. Ivailo Kalfin, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, will pay an official visit to China from March 21 to 25.
At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith of the Commonwealth of Australia will pay an official visit to China from March 24 to 27.
Now the floor is open.
Q: What will DPRK Premier Kim Yong Il discuss with Premier Wen Jiabao tomorrow? Will they sign any cooperation documents? Will the issue of DPRK missile test be brought up in their meeting?
A: At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao, DPRK Premier Kim Yong Il arrived in China today for an official goodwill visit. During his visit, Premier Wen Jiabao will have talks with him, and exchange views on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest. We will release information on the talks in due course.
Q: During DPRK Premier's visit to China, aside from talks with Chinese leaders, what else will be on his agenda?
A: Aside from his talks with Premier Wen Jiabao, President Hu Jintao and Chairman Wu Bangguo will meet him as well. Premier Kim will attend along with Chinese leaders the opening ceremony for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the DPRK and China-DPRK Year of Friendship. Moreover, Premier Kim will visit some projects. We will release information on his activities in due course.
Q: China sent a ship to Nansha islands, and there've been accusations that it is flexing its military might by doing so. What is your reaction to that?
A: China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters. The Chinese Government has always attached importance to fishery administration in the South China Sea, and the Chinese fishery patrol boat is in the South China Sea on a routine fishery administration mission.
Q: Mr. Mauricio Funes has been elected new president of El Salvador. Is China going to send any official message to the new government? Is China prepared for some kind of talks with the new leftist government in El Salvador to establish diplomatic relations?
A: We have noted that El Salvador has held a smooth general election. The Chinese people have always embraced friendly feelings toward the people of El Salvador. We attach importance to relations with El Salvador, and stand ready to develop friendly relations and cooperation with all countries in the world including El Salvador on the basis of the UN Charter, relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence.
Q: First, there are reports from Japan that Aso has canceled his visit to China, or postponed it rather. I was wondering which side initiated that postponement, and for what reason. Second, I was wondering if you had any comment on the Taiwan Quadrennial Military Review of its hope to buy more F-16s from the US.
A: On your first question, China and Japan stay in communication on the agenda for Prime Minister Aso's visit to China through diplomatic channels. There is no postponement or cancellation at all.
Second, as you know, China has always been resolutely opposed to the US arms sales to Taiwan. We hope the US can strictly abide by the principles enshrined in the three China-US Joint Communiqués, the August 17th Communiqué in particular, and stop selling weapons to Taiwan so as to avoid undermining China-US relations as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Q: The Pakistani Government announced reinstating the Supreme Court chief justice fired by the former president on March 16. How do you comment on that?
A: We have noted the situation you mentioned. As a friendly neighbor of Pakistan, China sincerely wishes Pakistan could maintain political stability and economic development, which is in the fundamental interest of Pakistan, hence conducive to peace and stability of South Asia and the world.
Q: During DPRK Premier Kim Yong Il's visit to China, will the Chinese side urge the DPRK to postpone or cancel its plan to launch missiles or a satellite? How do you view the prospect of the Six-party Talks?
A: I have said that during Premier Kim Yong II's visit to China, the two sides will exchange views on issues of mutual interests, including regional situation.
The current situation on the Korean peninsula is relatively complicated with increasing uncertain factors. We express concern over this. We hope all parties could make efforts to settle relevant issues through dialogue and exert calmness and restraint so as to maintain peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, which is in the common interests of all parties.
Q: How do you comment on China-DPRK relations? China always said that relevant parties should do more that is helpful for regional peace and stability. Will China see a satellite launch by the DPRK as contributing to regional peace and stability?
A: China has normal relations with the DPRK, its neighbor.
As for your second question, we have noted the DPRK's announcement to launch a communications satellite as well as the reaction of relevant parties and the international community. We believe that maintaining peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia serves the interests of all parties concerned. We hope all parties concerned can proceed from the overall interest and do more to contribute to peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. China is willing to keep close communications with all parties concerned.
Q:When does China hope to hold the next round of the Six-party Talks? Will the topic come up in talks with the visiting DPRK Cabinet Premier Kim Yong Il?
A: During Premier Kim Yong II's visit to China, the two sides will exchange views on issues of common interest including the situation in the region.
As for the Six-party Talks, the parties concerned have reached consensus that as an effective mechanism to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as well as the normalization of relations between countries concerned and peace and stability in Northeast Asia, the talks should be maintained and pushed forward. It is in this spirit that we hope the parties concerned work together to launch the next round of the Talks at an early date, finish the second phase actions in an comprehensive and balanced way, and push forward the Talks to the next stage.
The next round of the Talks should be held upon a joint decision by the six parties at a time when the conditions are ripe.
Q: Is there any progress on the International Criminal Court's issuance of an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir? Has China discussed the issue with relevant countries or international organizations? Did China participate in UN Security Council's discussion to suspend the trial?
A: China has been communicating with parties concerned both inside and outside the UN Security Council on ICC's arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir lately. We have noted that many countries, those from the African Union (AU), League of Arab States (LAS) and the Non-Aligned Movement in particular, have different views on ICC's decision, and some are even against it. Therefore, we hope parties concerned including the ICC and the UN Security Council could take those countries' views and concerns into full consideration and handle the issue properly, so as to avoid bringing new complex factors and negative impact to the Darfur peace process and the humanitarian situation in the region. As a member of the UN Security Council and a responsible country, China will continue to play a responsible role in this regard.
If there are no more questions, thanks for coming. See you!