PRESS CONFERENCE WITH KONG QUAN
FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN
CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
February 7, 2006
Excerpts
Kong: Good afternoon. This is the first regular press conference afternoon the spring festival. I believe that all of you have spent a pleasant, peaceful and joyous spring festival. Before taking up your question, I have several announcements to make:
At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President of the Republic of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe will pay a state visit to China from February 12th to 18th.
At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Soe Win will pay an official visit to China from February 14th to 18th.
At the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Cameroon Laurent Esso will pay an official visit to China from February 13th to 18th.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo will head a delegation to Japan on February 9th, and hold the fourth round of China-Japan Strategic Dialogue with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Shotaro Yachi.
Now, I'm ready for questions.
Q: China cast an affirmative vote for the IAEA resolution on Iran. Many people were taken surprise. China did not say it supported the referral of the Iranian nuclear issue to the Security Council in its statements over the past days. Please brief us on the decision making process of China. Is this a consistent position of China or did China change mind before the voting?
A: Your question did not reflect China's position on the Iranian nuclear issue in an accurate and thorough way. The Chinese Government has a clear and consistent position, which comprises several basic points. I hope you will highlight them in your report. First, we hold that the rigor and authority of the international non-proliferation regime should be upheld, and hope that the Iranian nuclear issue can be properly resolved through diplomatic negotiation. Second, prior to the special meeting of IAEA Board of Governors, China had been making active diplomatic efforts, so that this issue could be properly resolved within the IAEA framework through diplomatic negotiation. Certainly, there are now some difficulties in the process of negotiation aimed to solve this issue. Nonetheless, there is still room to solve the issue within the IAEA framework. The international community should not give up diplomatic effort. We hope all parties concerned can keep their patience, demonstrate flexibility, take constructive action and jointly create necessary atmosphere and condition for the solution of Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation.
Q: Please tell us China's position on nuclear non-proliferation. What position does China hold on the violation of NPT?
A: We have consistently stood for upholding the rigor and authority of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. This position has been fully reflected in the IAEA resolution.
Q: If Iran failed to meet the requirements of IAEA resolution, will China support referring the Iranian nuclear issue to the Security Council at the March meeting of IAEA?
A: I believe the foremost task now is that all parties should keep calm and patient, make more effort to build mutual trust and continue to solve the issue through negotiation. Iran should abide by the resolution of the IAEA Board of Governors and fully cooperate with IAEA. This will contribute to the early proper solution of the issue within the IAEA framework.
Q: What diplomatic measures will China take in the coming weeks to solve the Iranian nuclear issue peacefully? Will China send diplomats to Tehran for good office?
A: Mr. Zhang Yan, Director-General of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament of Foreign Ministry will went to Tehran on February 1. He made an in-depth exchange of views with Iranian senior officials on the Iranian nuclear issue and expressed the position of the Chinese Government. The Iranian nuclear issue now encounters complicated and difficult situation. China will as always make further diplomatic effort and maintain contact and communication with all parties. I cannot tell you now which official will China send to the relevant country. But China will not give up diplomatic effort. Meanwhile, we also call on the parties concerned to keep calm, exercise restraint and create favorable condition for the early resumption of negotiation with a constructive attitude and through diplomatic effort, so as to properly solve the issue within IAEA framework.
Q: Recently, the US harshly criticized Chen Shui-bian's remarks on abrogating the "Unification Guidelines" and "National Unification Council". Taiwan media alleged that US did this to trade for China's support in referral of the Iranian nuclear issue to the Security Council. What comment does China have? Have China and the US reached tacit agreement on this?
A: I think this allegation reflects a lack of thorough understanding of China's diplomacy. China has clear and consistent position on the Taiwan question. China requires the US Government to faithfully honor its commitment on the Taiwan question, including its repeatedly reaffirmed position on adhering to the one China policy and opposing "Taiwan independence". On the Iranian nuclear issue, China has always evaluated this issue on its own merits and on the basis of the relevant international agreements.
Q: Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, how does China balance its own energy interest and nuclear non-proliferation concern?
A: To properly solve the Iranian nuclear issue within the IAEA framework through peaceful negotiation and diplomatic means serves not only China's interest, but also the interest of all parties concerned. Therefore, we call on the parties concerned in the international community not to quit diplomatic effort.
Q: The US did not rule out the possibility of taking military action against Iran. What position does China take on this?
A: The Chinese Government has consistently maintained that we should not resort to use of force when solving the difference in the international relations and the dispute between different countries. This is a principle clearly stated in the UN Charter. I have expressed our position on the Iranian nuclear issue, that is, China hopes the parties concerned and the international community to continue their diplomatic effort with a constructive attitude, so as to properly solve the issue.
Q: What's China's position on Russia's proposal for solving the Iranian nuclear issue, that is, to enrich uranium within its territory?
A: We said in the past and still believe now that Russia's proposal is after all a useful exploration to break the current impasse. We hope all parties can continue their diplomatic effort with a constructive attitude to solve this issue within the IAEA framework.
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Q: About the IAEA Resolution on the Iranian Nuclear Issue, five countries abstained from voting. Did China consider abstaining from voting? In the end, China voted for it instead of abstaining, what is China's consideration behind the scenes?
A: Our consideration, in the front and at the back, is the same. (Laugh) We have no things that cannot be seen by others. We think the resolution content is no difficulty for the Chinese side, because the content is in line with the factors I have just talked about. On the one hand, we believe that the seriousness and authority of the international non-proliferation system shall be safeguarded, on the other hand, we are of the view that although we have difficulties at present, the Iranian Nuclear Issue should and can be properly resolved within the IAEA framework through the diplomatic efforts of various parties. After we voted for the resolution, Ambassador Wu Hailong of the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna made a comprehensive introduction on the position and consideration of the Chinese government on this issue. He also made special stress that the Resolution doesn't mean the reference of the Iranian Nuclear Issue to the UN Security Council. We hope the resolution is good for the proper solution of the Iranian Nuclear Issue still within the IAEA framework through diplomatic negotiations.
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