Q: What will be the main agenda for Foreign Minister Tang's visit to the United States?

A: I just announced that at the invitation of US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan will make an official visit to the United States from 20 to 21 September. During the visit, Foreign Minister Tang will exchange views in depth with the Secretary of State Powell and other US leaders on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common interest. We hope that this visit will enhance mutual understanding and trust, promote exchanges and cooperation and pave the way for the October summit meeting in Shanghai and President Bush's visit to China.


Q: It is reported that the US Ministry of Defense claimed on 5 September that the United State may sell 40 Maverick missiles to Taiwan to equip Taiwan's F-16 fighters. How would you comment on it?

A: We are seriously concerned over the report. If the United States sells the above military equipment to Taiwan, it will once again violate the provisions of the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués, especially the August 17 Communiqué, and the relevant commitments. It will send a wrong signal to the Taiwan authorities and constitute a gross interference in China's internal affairs. We hereby express our resolute opposition to this move.

China calls upon the United States to realize the danger of arms sales to Taiwan, abide by the One China policy, the Three Sino-US Joint Communiqués and relevant commitments, and stop its arms sales to Taiwan, so as to prevent incurring damage to the relations across the Taiwan Straits and Sino-US relations.


Q: You just mentioned that US arms sales would send a wrong signal to Taiwan. What do you mean by that?

A: By that, I mean that it would give encouragement to the forces for "the independence of Taiwan". Such an act will inevitably adversely affect stability in the Taiwan Straits. It does not conduce to the development of Sino-US relations, the stability of the situation of the Taiwan Straits and the self-interest of the United States. Thus, the US side should strictly abide by the Three Sino-US Joint Communiqués, and the provisions of the August 17 Joint Communiqué in particular and honour its relevant commitments on the Taiwan question.


Q: You have just mentioned about the Foreign Minister's visit to the USA. Do you think the Foreign Minister will take up the issue of the recent US sanctions upon China regarding missile components?

A: I mentioned just now that during his visit to the States, Foreign Minister Tang will have an in-depth exchange of views with the US side on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common interest. What you have mentioned is certainly part of the Sino-US relations. However, the visit is yet to take place. As for the details, I suggest that you follow the relevant reports during the visit and the press briefings by the members of the delegation.

On the US sanctions against Chinese companies, I made a statement last night. Since some of you are not aware of it, I’ll repeat what I said:

The US Government decided, starting from 1st September, to impose sanctions, against China under the pretext of the so-called export of missile-related items to Pakistan by the China Metallurgical Equipment Corporation (MECC). We cannot but express our strong indignation and resolute opposition to America's hegemonic act of willfully imposing sanctions on other countries according to its domestic laws. The Chinese Government has made solemn representations on this matter with the U.S. Government.

Over a period of time, the United States has repeatedly alleged that MECC has engaged in missile proliferation activities according to its so-called "intelligence information". In-depth investigations by the Chinese side indicate that MECC has never engaged in any activities whatsoever alleged by the United States and the U.S. allegation is groundless. However, the U.S. side is bent on making the above erroneous decision based on its wrong intelligence information, in disregard of the constructive position and the investigation results of the Chinese side. Such a U.S. move is totally irrational and irresponsible, which the Chinese side can never accept.

On the issue of non-proliferation, the Chinese policy is consistent and clear-cut. Last November, China and the United States announced respectively their policies on missile non-proliferation and Sino-US cooperation on space launching. China has all ever since fulfilled its own commitment. However, the U.S. side not only failed to honour its own commitment, but also decided to impose sanctions on China out of nowhere. This can not but makes us doubt the sincerity of the United States in honouring the relevant bilateral understandings.

The improvement and development of Sino-US relations is in the common interest of the two sides and calls for joint efforts.  China strongly urges the US side to immediately withdraw its wrong decision, so as to avoid any damage to Sino-US cooperation in non-proliferation. Otherwise, the American side should bear all the responsibilities for the consequences arising therefrom.


Q: In early September, Taiwan held a joint military exercise on the whole island. The objective of the exercise is to show off to a US delegation the defence capabilities of Taiwan. Do you think that the current military inter-action between the United States and Taiwan only constitute a "wrong signal" to Taiwan, or does it mean that there is already a US-Taiwan military alliance?

A: We strongly demand the US side to abide by the Three Joint Communiqués, the provisions of the August 17 Communiqué in particular, and the relevant US commitments. We are seriously concerned over the question that you just mentioned. We have indicated on many occasions that we are resolutely opposed to US cooperation with the Taiwan authorities in the military field.


Q: There was an editorial at the China Daily web site yesterday which appears to reflect some flexibility of China's stance on NMD. I am wondering whether this in any way reflects China's official stance and whether the United States has officially proposed to China for talks on the NMD?

A: In fact, I touched upon your question during my last press conference already. So far, China has not received any formal proposal from the United States through diplomatic channels. Our position is that, on the one hand, we are not in favour of the US development of the missile defence system, since it will bring about negative consequences. On the other hand, we stand for dialogue to seek solutions that will not undermine the security interest of the relevant parties.


Q: The 4th China-EU Summit was held in Brussels on 5 September. What's your comment on the result of the meeting?

A: This round of meeting of Chinese and European leaders is very successful. Leaders of the two sides exchanged views in-depth on Sino-European relations and international and regional issues of common concern. Wide-ranging consensus was reached upon. Leaders of the two sides have decided to expand exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in the economic, trade, transportation, scientific and technological, cultural and other fields. The two sides have agreed to enhance their political dialogue and cooperation in the fight against illegal immigrants. The two sides issued a joint press statement with concrete propositions. The meeting has pointed out the direction for the in-depth development of Sino-European comprehensive partnership in the new century and laid down a solid political foundation for further strengthening the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two in all fields.

The joint press statement has already been issued officially with quite a few concrete ideas. I suggest you go through it if you are interested.


Q: During Foreign Minister Tang's visit to the United States, will China take some counter-sanction measures if the Untied States is bent on accusing the Chinese company of engaging in missile proliferation activities and imposing its sanction? On the NMD question, you mentioned last time that, if the United States sticks to the development of NMD, China needs to ensure the effectiveness of its nuclear forces for the sake of national security. Does it mean that China is reconsidering its existing defensive nuclear strategy?

A: On the first question, I can give you some background information. On 23 August, China and the United States held expert-level consultations on non-proliferation in Beijing. During the talks, China briefed the United States in a constructive manner on the investigation findings of the case involving Metallurgical Equipment Corporation of China (MECC).  At the time, the US side expressed its appreciation and claimed that it would seriously study the information supplied by China and re-evaluate the questions. Regrettably, however, the US side is bent on imposing its decision of sanctions in disregard of China's constructive attitude and the result of Chinese investigation. The sanctions are totally groundless and irresponsible. It is unacceptable to China. We believe that, what is pressing at the moment is for the United States to immediately repeal its erroneous decision of imposing sanction against China, so as to avoid impairing bilateral cooperation in the field of non-proliferation.

On the second question, I wish to reiterate that China's position on missile defence can be summed as follows.  Firstly, we are opposed to it. Like many countries, we are afraid that such a move would lead to a series of negative consequences, detrimental to global strategic stability. Secondly, we stand for dialogue to seek a solution that will not damage the security interest of the relevant parties. China's limited nuclear weapons are entirely for self-defense posing no threat to any country. To guard its security interest, China will work to ensure the effectiveness of its nuclear forces.