Press Conference with Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang on Iran’s Threat to Withdraw from the NPT

April 25, 2006

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Q: The Iranian president said on Monday that Iran might refuse to stop nuclear activities in line with the Security Council's demand and withdraw from the NPT. What's your comment?

A: China has a clear position on the Iranian nuclear issue. We maintain that the Iranian nuclear issue should be properly resolved through negotiation and peaceful means. We believe there is still room to resolve the issue through negotiation. We call on the parties concerned to show flexibility and seek a proper solution of this issue through dialogue and consultation at an early date. For the current stage, the international community should not abandon the effort of peaceful negotiation. Any move should help attain this goal.

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Q: President Hu and President Bush talked about the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and Iranian nuclear issue, what kind of views did they exchange? Is there any progress?

A: During the meeting of President Hu and President Bush, both sides exchanged ideas on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and Iranian nuclear issue and elaborated on the relevant positions respectively. On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the two leaders agreed to continue to promote the peaceful solution of the issue and the realization of the denuclearization of the Peninsula. On the Iranian nuclear issue, President Hu reiterated that China's maintenance for the proper solution of the issue through negotiations and diplomatic means. Both sides agreed to maintain further communication and consultation on the two issues.

Q: Iran said that if the UN makes sanctions against it they will suspend its cooperation with IAEA. You said you hope that all parties can take actions helpful for the peaceful solution of the issue. Do you think the remarks of Iran are conducive to the peaceful solution of the issue? During the meeting of the two presidents, on the Taiwan question, what specific demand did China make to the US, are you satisfied with the response of President Bush?

A:We hope all parties concerned can exercise restraint and show flexibility to continue to create favorable conditions for the proper solution of the issue through negotiations and dialogue.

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