CHINA / Ministry Press Conference
FM press conference on April 4
(fmprc.gov.cn)
Updated: 2006-04-06 13:21
Liu Jianchao, Foreign Ministry spokesman, holds a regular press
conference on the afternoon of April 4, 2006. [fmprc.gov.cn]
Liu Jianchao, spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry: Good afternoon,
ladies and gentlemen. I will start with two announcements.
At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, Georgian President Mikheil
Saakashvili will pay a state visit to China from April 10th to 15th.
At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Gilowska of the Republic of
Poland, Deputy Prime Minister Havel of the Czech Republic, Deputy Prime
Minister Rusmajli of the Republic of Albania and the Government of The
Republic of France, Vice Premier of State Council Hui Liangyu will pay
official visits to the above four countries from April 12th to 25th.
With that, I am happy to take your questions.
Q: The US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is in town. He met
with Luo Gan, Ministers of Public Security, Justice, and the Civil
Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), and Vice Foreign Minister Yang
Jiechi. Could you give us more details about his visit and agenda for
discussion? I heard that the two sides talked about the repatriation of
illegal immigrants. What is China's position in this regard?
A: At the invitation of State Councilor and Minister of Public Security
Zhou Yongkang, a delegation headed by the US Homeland Security Secretary
Michael Chertoff visited China from April 2 to 4. During the visit, Luo
Gan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC
Central Committee met with Mr. Chertoff. Zhou Yongkang, State Councilor
and Minister of Public Security held talks with him. In addition, Vice
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, CAAC Director Yang Yuanyuan and Minister of
Justice Wu Aiying met with him respectively. The two sides exchanged
views on the issues of common interest and reached important consensus in
the fields such as the anti-terrorism cooperation, the crackdown upon
East Turkistan terrorist forces, the arrest and repatriation of criminal
suspects, the strike on illegal immigrants, security cooperation during
the Olympic Games, air police cooperation and law enforcement training.
On the issue of illegal immigration, the Chinese government firmly
opposes and cracks down on illegal immigration of any form. The Chinese
government has a resolute attitude in this regard. On the repatriation of
illegal immigrants, we are ready to have illegal immigrants of Chinese
nationality repatriated from relevant countries once their identities are
confirmed. At the same time, the issue of illegal immigration is
relevantly complicated with various factors involved. Some countries
grant some people the so-called "political asylum", which is not
conducive to anti-illegal immigration. We hope relevant countries refrain
from politicizing the issue.
Q: It is said that during Chertoff's visit to China, officials from China
and U.S. discussed the issuance of US visas to Chinese citizens. Does
China hope the U.S. to make some improvement in this regard? For example,
to increase visa issuance to China. Would you like to share with us some
details?
A: In recent years, both sides have taken steps to facilitate two-way
trips for study, working or business, including issuing multiple-entry
visas. At the same time, there are still a lot more to do for further
facilitation. Both sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation so
as to provide more convenience for the normal personnel exchanges.
Q: It has been one year since anti-Japan Demonstration last April. Would
you like to comment? What is your expectation for future China-Japan
relations? Last week President Hu Jintao said so long as the Japanese
leaders stop visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, high-level talks between China
and Japan can be resumed. The Japanese side said this kind of talks shall
not have preconditions, what is your comment?
A: On your first question, we have made our position clear on what
happened last April, of which you should be well aware. It is nearly one
year since then, regrettably, we find no effective improvement and
development in China-Japan political relations. The responsibility for
the current situation is neither on the Chinese side, nor on the Japanese
people, but on Japanese leaders' erroneous attitudes towards history and
repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine. It hurts the feelings of both
peoples and undermines the political basis for bilateral relations. Not
long ago, President Hu Jintao met with the seven Japan-China friendship
groups and expressed clearly the attitude to improve China-Japan
relations. President Hu's remarks fully demonstrate the sincerity of the
Chinese government to improve and develop China-Japan relations, which
should get positive response from the Japanese side. Japanese leaders'
visit to the Yasukuni Shrine is a major event bearing on the political
basis of China-Japan relations and the feelings of our two peoples. The
persistence in adopting a wrong attitude and paying homage to the
Yasukuni Shrine where class-A criminals are worshiped is not conducive to
the improvement and development of China-Japan relations. We urge once
again the Japanese side to correct its wrongdoings and create conditions
for the improvement and development of China-Japan relations.
Q: Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit will be held in
Shanghai this year and China will be the host. Could you update us on the
preparation work for this Summit? Which leaders are going to attend the
Summit?
A: This year marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of SCO.
According to the consensus reached among the member state leaders, the
Summit will be held in Shanghai this year. All the heads of states of SCO
members will attend the summit. It is an important meeting for history
and future. It is of great significance for SCO's future development and
for a better role in safeguarding regional security and stability,
promoting regional trade and economic cooperation, and strengthening
exchanges in humanism field. Besides the heads of states of SCO members,
we have also invited leaders of SCO observers. About the specific
arrangement and participants of the Summit, I will update you once
relevant details are fixed. Now the Chinese government and Shanghai
Municipality are making preparations for this Summit. We will create good
working and living conditions for our guests and be a good host.
Q: The Chinese Defense Minister is visiting the DPRK, and could you tell
us more about that?
A: At the invitation of Kim Il Chol, Minister of People's Armed Forces of
the DPRK, Pham Van Tra, Vietnamese Defense Minister, Najib Tun Razak,
Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Teo Chee Hean,
Singaporean Defense Minister, and Yoon Kwang-ung, ROK Defense Minister,
Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and State Councilor Cao
Gangchuan will pay official and good-will visits to the five countries
from April 4 to 19. During his visit, Cao will exchange views with his
counterparts on international and regional issues, bilateral relations
and the issues of common interest. I will share more information with you
as the visit goes on.
Q: On the visit by the President of Turkmenistan. Yesterday China and
Turkmenistan signed a series of agreements. Would you please share with
us some details about that, especially the agreements on energy? As to
Premier Wen's visit to Australia, China and Australia signed agreements
on uranium cooperation. Will these agreements affect the sales of uranium
to Taiwan by Australia? What is China's position on this?
A: Energy cooperation is an important part of China-Turkmenistan trade
and economic cooperation. Both sides hold a positive attitude towards the
mutually-beneficial and reciprocal energy cooperation. After the meeting
between President Hu and the President of Turkmenistan, both sides signed
a series of agreements, including energy agreements. Since the agreements
are signed by relevant companies, I don't know much about the details.
But I believe practical energy cooperation is included. As for the
specifics, you'd better check with relevant parties.
On your second question, I came across relevant reports today. About the
uranium cooperation between Australia and China's Taiwan, the Chinese
government and IAEA have already had relevant arrangement on the
safeguards and supervision of the nuclear activities of China's Taiwan.
The IAEA has been safeguarding and supervising relevant activities of
Taiwan on the non-governmental basis to ensure they will be peaceful.
Premier Wen paid a very successful visit to Australia. He has exchanges
of views with Prime Minister Howard and other leaders on a broad range of
topics. Both sides are satisfied with the present development of
China-Australia relations and hold a positive attitude to the cooperation
in energy and resources. Both sides believe that cooperation in this
field enjoys a promising prospect and it serves the interest of both to
strengthen uranium cooperation.
Q: About Cao Gangchuan's visit to DPRK. Chinese Defense Minister's
previous visit to DPRK seemed to be in 2000. He was able to meet with Kim
Jong Il then. Will Cao Gangchuan meet with Kim this time?
A: This visit arranged by China's Defense Ministry begins today. I do not
have with me the details of his itinerary. As the visit goes on, I will
share more information with you. China and DPRK have normal friendly
relations and our two military forces maintain friendly exchanges. The
strengthening of contact, exchanges and communication between our two
military forces are conducive to the development of our relations and to
regional peace and stability.
Q: Recently, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said that
although Chinese and Japanese leaders do not see eye to eye on the
Yasukuni Shrine, China should not set preconditions for the meeting and
he hopes both sides can continue dialogue. What is your comment?
A: I want to reiterate that a correct understanding of history and
handling of the visits to the Yasukuni Shrine constitute the political
basis for China-Japan relations. China has made unremitting efforts for
solving the issue. If you recall the development of China-Japan relations
in the past several years, there were not without meetings between our
two leaders. China has repeatedly expounded our position on the history
issue. I do not believe that we should meet merely for the sake of
meeting itself. The aim is to solve the problem. Japan shall exert
sincerity. China has expressed clearly that China attaches great
importance to China-Japan relations and is committed to the improvement
and development of China-Japan relations. Regrettably, China hasn't got
the positive response from Japanese leaders on this matter of grave
nature, which led to the abnormal state of China-Japan relations in the
past 4 to 5 years and difficulties. We hope that Japanese leaders can
proceed from the overall interest of China-Japan relations and the
development of Asia, take a correct attitude towards history to ensure
the improvement and development of China-Japan relations.
Q: Just now you said that Chinese people took to the street last year to
protest Japanese leaders' paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine and that
the demonstration was not "anti-Japanese". Yet at the same time we should
differentiate violence from demonstration in the general sense. It was an
objective fact that during last year's demonstration, some restaurants
and enterprises irrelevant with the Japanese government were attacked.
China arrested some criminals because of that. Am I right?
A: History itself and the issues arising thereof are of different nature.
Japanese leaders' paying homage to the Yasukuni Shrine where Class A
criminals are worshiped was the main reason causing the indignation of
the Chinese people. It was also the main reason leading to the current
grave difficulties of the Sino-Japanese relations to suffer. As to the
demonstration last year, we have stated our stance time and again. We
opposed the extreme acts which occurred during the demonstration. Many
Japanese correspondents are quite interested in this issue and might
write some reviewing articles. It is my view that no matter how one
writes about it, it is essential to have a clear understanding on the
substance and sticking point of the problems in Sino-Japanese relations
and to do more to analyze on how to take correct measures to solve the
existing issue between Sino-Japanese relations.
Let me reiterate again that China's attitude on the issue of Yasukuni
Shrine is resolute. We demand that the Japanese leaders stop paying
homage to the Yasukuni Shrine where Class A criminals are worshipped and
create conditions for the improvement and development of the
Sino-Japanese relations. Chinese leaders also emphasize that as long as
Japanese leaders express explicitly that they will stop paying homage to
the Yasukuni Shrine where Class A criminals are worshipped, summit
meeting will be resumed. This is a clear and resolute message to Japan.
We hope that Japan can positively respond to our sincerity and good-will
as well as our commitment to the improvement and development of the
Sino-Japanese relations.
Q: The railway linking Lhasa and Beijng will begin operation this year.
Will foreign journalists be allowed to cover the event?
A: We understand your interest, but many people would like to travel with
the first train. The Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs is working vigorously on it.
Q: Is President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to the US a state visit?
A: President Hu Jintao's visit to the US will be officially announced
shortly. Please be more patient for a few more days.
If there are no further questions, I'll leave it there. Thank you.
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