PRESS CONFERENCE WITH KONG QUAN
FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN
CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
January 12, 2006
Excerpts
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Q: It is reported that the environmental assessment of Nu River in Yunnan has been completed. The lower reaches of the river passed Myanmar. Please offer some details. When will the report be publicized? Second, US Assistant Secretary of State Hill starts his visit to China today. Please brief on his agenda of meeting, topics and the substance of his visit involving the Six-Party Talks. Third, Iran reopened its nuclear fuel research. What's China's position on this?
A:
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Third, we express our concern over the new development in the Iranian nuclear issue. We expect Iran to do more to help enhance mutual trust and resume the negotiation between Iran and the three EU countries. Meanwhile, we expect the parties concerned to exercise restraint and stick to negotiation in the process of solving the Iranian nuclear issue. We firmly believe that this will be in the interest of all parties.
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Q: Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, did China send any message to Iran through telephone or letter? And on the successor of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the US indicated that the successor could not come from Asian countries. What's China's reaction? It is reported that the King of Saudi Arabia is going to visit China. Do you know anything about that?
A: China has had contacts with Iran. On 9th of this month, Iranian Vice Foreign Minister Safari visited China. Principal officials in charge of Chinese Foreign Ministry held talks with him, covering not only how to further develop friendly relations and cooperation between us, but also the Iranian nuclear issue. We expressed our position to the Iranian side, on which I have made a thorough account.
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Follow-up: Did China write to Iran on the nuclear issue?
A: China has expressed its position to Iran in various ways. We have said on many occasions that this issue is a complicated one and we hope it could be resolved through peaceful negotiation within the IAEA framework. This serves the interest of all parties and thus is a good choice.
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