On the afternoon of May 12, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan held a regular press conference.
Kong: Good afternoon! I'm very happy to preside over the press conference and see you here again after two months. Before taking up your questions, I wish to make an announcement on the visit of Vice Premier Wu Yi.
At the invitation of the Japanese Government, Vice Premier of the State Council Wu Yi will attend the China Pavilion Day at the World EXPO 2005 Aichi, and pay a visit to Japan from May 17 to 24.
At the invitation of the Mongolian Government, Vice Premier Wu Yi will pay an official visit to Mongolia from May 24 to 26.
Now the floor is open.
Q: The DPRK's recent processing of spent fuel rods runs counter to China's efforts to resume the Six-Party Talks. How will China react to it? Will China refer the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula to the Security Council with the US and Japan?
A: I have taken note of the news. The international community also expressed concerns over it. However, on the other hand, I want to call upon your attention the recent positive signs expressed by both the DPRK and the US. The Chinese side hopes all parties to move toward the positive direction, release more positive signs, show more goodwill, sincerity and flexibility, and do more to enhance trust and reduce misgivings, so as to create a good atmosphere and condition for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks at an early date.
Facts prove that the Six-Party Talks is the only correct way to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue. All parties should adhere to this way and make unremitting efforts so as to find a final peaceful solution to the nuclear issue.
Q: Please elaborate on what positive signs the DPRK released recently.
A: I believe you and the international community have noticed the positive elements in the recent words from the DPRK and the US side. For instance, the DPRK hopes to directly contact and negotiate with the US, and has all along showed its adherence to the Six-Party Talks. The US side also indicated that it is willing to make direct contacts and negotiations with the DPRK side within the framework of the Six-Party Talks. As an old Chinese saying goes, many a short step makes a thousand-mile journey. Only by gradually accumulating the positive elements in the words of all parties, and doing more to enhance trust and reduce misgivings, can we create a better condition and atmosphere for the Six-Party Talks. We hold that all parties, as well as the international community, should further support the DPRK and the US side in taking more positive measures.
Q: On May 7, the Chinese and Japanese Foreign Ministers reached an agreement during their meeting in Kyoto to set up a joint group to study the history issue. What's China's standard on selecting its group members? And what's China's expectation of the group appointments by the Japanese side?
A: The Chinese and Japanese Foreign Ministers held an important meeting in Kyoto not long ago. As a Japanese correspondent, you must be clear about the background of the meeting. It is an important follow-up action of the meeting in Jakarta between President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro. President Hu Jintao brought forward a five-point proposal when meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi, of which an important one is to take history as a mirror and face toward the future, and properly handle the history issue. Under such a condition, the Chinese and Japanese Foreign Ministers agreed to set up a group to jointly study the history issue between the two countries. The two sides will hold further discussion on it so as to achieve the goal. So it is still too early for you to ask about China's expectation on the member appointment. What's important is that the two sides can get a clear understanding of the history issue, keep the past firmly in mind, cherish peace and jointly create our future through clarifying the history issue. This is the meaning of our work, and the meaning of the continuous development of China-Japan relations on a stable and healthy basis.
Q: Recently, both the DPRK and the US side expressed their views over the resumption of the Six-Party Talks. The DPRK side hoped to contact the US directly, while the US side reiterated its recognition of the DPRK as a sovereign state, indicating that the New York Channel remained open and it would carry on negotiations with the DPRK at the Six-Party Talks. What's China's comment?
A: We have noticed the noteworthy positive information in the remarks of the DPRK and the US side. We welcome it and hope such communications can be conducive to the early reopening of the Six-Party Talks.
Q: Is China planning to send senior officials of the Foreign Ministry or the Communist Party of China to the DPRK? The US asked China to impose pressure on the DPRK, but China refused. Is China going to change this position?
A: China and the DPRK have maintained the mechanism and channels for contacts at different levels. There are various ways to contact ? either Chinese Foreign Ministry officials to go to the DPRK or the DPRK officials to come to China. The two sides can also keep in touch through their embassies. Currently I haven't got any word that China will send officials to Pyongyang.
In principle, we do not agree on the use of pressure or sanction in handling international relations and major international issues. Facts prove that sanction and pressure will only complicate matters rather than resolve problems. Can imposing pressure help overcome difficulties facing the Six-Party Talks, as some people think? We don't think so. At the moment, the most important is that the two principal parties -- the US and the DPRK could take more positive measures, release more positive signs and speak more words that are conducive to enhancing mutual understanding, show more goodwill, sincerity and flexibility, so as to create a proper atmosphere for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.
Q: Japan and other eleven countries proposed to invite the US to the East Asia Summit slated for December as an observer. What position does China hold?
A: The East Asia Summit is an important meeting and cooperation in East Asia displaying a momentum for rapid and smooth development. We hope to further enhance the mutual understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation among the countries in this region through the important meeting. The Chinese Government stands for the leading role of ASEAN in the process and respects the consensus on the question that is being sought by the ASEAN members.
Q: It has been reported recently that the People's Bank of China is going to reform the exchange rate. Has any timetable been set? Or can we read it as an upcoming appreciation of RMB?
A: Premier Wen has given an authoritative briefing on the question of RMB exchange rate reform at the press conference during the NPC and CPPCC sessions. As Foreign Ministry Spokesman, I have nothing to add up to this stage.
Q: A question on Vice Premier Wu Yi's visit to Japan. Will she visit other places or meet with some figures in Japan?
A: Just now, I told you Vice Premier Wu Yi will pay a visit to Japan apart from attending China Day at the Aichi World Expo. Given that it's a visit, Vice Premier Wu will exchange views with the leaders of the Japanese Government on the questions of common interest. Now, China and Japan are having close discussions on the agenda and itinerary of Vice Premier Wu's visit. I will brief you on her visit promptly as it approaches.
Q: Recently, China made positive proposal on the UN reform, aimed at a more efficient and representative UN. Some countries, such as Pakistan, have also made proposals, holding that the Security Council should neither enlarge its permanent membership nor granting any other countries veto power. Some other countries believe that the UN reform should heed the opinions of the majority of countries. What's China's position? Will China contact and cooperate with Pakistan and other countries to formulate a more effective reform plan?
A: Over the past six decades since the founding of the UN, the international situation has undergone great changes, and the UN should undoubtedly be reformed, which is the common wish of the international community as well as the entire UN membership. The High-level Panel put forward its proposal on the Security Council reform, and the UN members have different views on it. Some countries recently forwarded two new reform models, which we believe should also be treated and studied seriously.
The general position of the Chinese Government on the UN reform is that the reform should first of all be comprehensive and address the common concerns of most member states to the largest extent, including the issue of development, instead of confined to the issue of certain countries' concern. At the current stage, China maintains that the voice of the overwhelming majority----the developing countries, should be heeded on the argument over the Security Council reform. We have repeatedly pointed out that the main goal of the Security Council reform is to improve work efficiency and resolve the problem of underrepresentation of developing countries. Therefore, China will stay in close contact with not only Pakistan, but also all other developing countries on the question and listen to their voice and wish, so as to form the broadest consensus on the UN reform, including the Security Council reform, among the overwhelming majority of member states.
Q: How long has it been that Chinese high-level leaders did not visit Japan until Vice Premier Wu Yi's visit to Tokyo?
A: You take me as your database with your question. I suggest you look it up yourself and tell me the result. I'll be glad to help you with a double check. I know your agency is a data search master.
Q: I'd like to ask about the plan of President Hu Jintao's visit to the DPRK. Under the current circumstances, is there a sense of urgency for President Hu's visit? Has the date been fixed?
A: China and the DPRK have a mechanism and tradition of exchanges of high-level visits. I have nothing to release at this point. The key problem now, or at least the problem you asked about, is the difficulties and new developments in the Six-Party Talks. All of this requires all parties concerned, the DPRK and the US in particular, to display more goodwill and flexibility and do more in the benefit of better understanding, greater trust and less misgivings, so as to create conditions for the resumption of the Talks. I repeatedly stressed that the Six-Party Talks is the only correct way to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. We hope all parties to respond to the expectation of the international community and countries in the region and make more positive efforts to reopen the Talks at an early date.
If no more questions, thank you for your presence.