On the afternoon of May 8, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan, Russian President's visit to China, China's aid to Myanmar, China Philharmonic Orchestra performing at the Vatican and etc.
Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to start with several announcements.
At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Medvedev of the Russian Federation will pay a state visit to China from May 23 to 24.
At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister Samak of the Kingdom of Thailand will pay an official visit to China from May 15 to 17.
At the inivitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yong-Boon Yeo will visit China from May 14 to 18.
At the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will attend the China-Russia-India Foreign Ministers' meeting and the China-Russia-India-Brazil Foreign Ministers' meeting in Yekaterinburg from May 14 to 16. On the sidelines, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will also have bilateral meetings with his counterparts.
To help the Myanmar Government and people to tackle cyclone disaster, the Chinese Government has already offered emergency aid worth one million US dollars to Myanmar. The first batch of aid worth around 500,000 US dollars has already arrived there.
Given the magnitude of the disaster in Myanmar and the friendly affections between our two peoples, the Chinese Government has decided to offer another batch of aid worth 30 million RMB Yuan so as to help Myanmar's disaster relief and reconstruction efforts. The Red Cross Society of China and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries have provided assistance of 30,000 US dollars and 10,000 US dollars respectively. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation has decided to offer 100,000 US dollars worth of aid. The Government of Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, All-China Women's Federation, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Corporation will also provide emergency assistance to Myanmar. The emergency rescue team and medical team of China are ready to leave for Myanmar for disaster relief work.
The current up-soaring food price has affected developing countries and caused capital shortage in international food aid programs. China follows this closely and stands ready to provide help to the best of its capacity. The Chinese Government has decided to add another two million US dollars donation, apart from the 2.5 million US dollars donation to World Food Program in 2008 so as to alleviate its current difficulties. The Chinese Government will continue to support the work of WFP and work with the international community to tackle the current challenges.
Q: France proposed to the UN Security Council that the international community could directly offer assistance to Myanmar without seeking the consent of the Myanmar Government. Why do you oppose to that? How do you comment on the current disaster relief work of the Myanmar Government?
A: Like other members of the international community, the Chinese Government follows closely the grave cyclone disaster in Myanmar and extends sincere solicitude to the grave losses and casualties. We hope Myanmar could overcome the difficulties, restore its economy and rebuild the nation as early as possible with the help of the international community. China will join hands with the international community to provide support and help to Myanmar within its capacity.
As to the international aid to Myanmar, we should follow the principle of equality and mutual respect. The sovereignty of Myanmar and its will and receiving capability should be full respected. We need to have patience and close communication with Myanmar.
Q: First, I would like to congratulate you on the successful relay of the Beijing Olympic torch on the top of Mt. Qomolangma. During the torch relay in Seoul, Chinese students used violence against the demonstrators and policemen under the pretext of protecting the torch. A Chinese diplomat with the Chinese Consular Office in Kwangju run down two Korean citizens the other day because of drunk driving. Do you have any comment? Does the Chinese diplomat, like the Chinese students, have the privilege to ignore laws? According to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, diplomat should follow the laws of the residing country when they are not on duty. How do you respond to that?
A: First, I would like to thank you for your congratulations. I believe that your congratulations represent the friendly affection of the Korean people to people in China and their passion for the Olympic flame and their respect for the Olympic spirit. There were some frictions during the torch relay in the ROK, and we have explained several times to the ROK. Our position on this is clear-cut. The incident does not take place in a vacuum. We should view it objectively and fairly with a sober mind. When some forces attempted to disrupt the torch relay, Chinese students there responded to safeguard the dignity of the Olympic torch. There were some radical actions under such circumstances. We would like to extend our sincere solicitude to the injured policemen and people.
But this does not necessarily bring us to your conclusion. Truth requires seeing the beginning, the middle and the end. The Chinese Government always asks Chinese overseas students and nationals to abide by local laws and customs, and live harmoniously with the local people. At present, there are more than 34,000 Chinese students in the ROK, and the majority of them could abide by the laws and regulations. They love the ROK and cherish the friendship between China and the ROK. They are envoys and the future for China-ROK friendship. I don't want to see this incident be stirred up, which could only undermine the friendly affections between our two peoples.
As to the Chinese diplomat's drunk driving incident, I just read relevant report this morning. The case is under investigation. The Chinese Government always requests overseas Chinese, including Chinese diplomats, to abide by local laws and regulations, and most of them have done that. One should not link this individual case with the overall image of Chinese citizens in the ROK, thus drawing or leading people to some intended conclusions.
At present, there are altogether 60,000 ROK students in China and nearly 700,000 ROK citizens living in China. The Chinese people always welcome them. We believe most of the ROK citizens abide by Chinese laws and live in harmony with the Chinese. However, there are breaches of law which are handled case by case. We never link individual cases to the China-ROK relations or believe these individuals represent all the ROK people.
I hope the China-ROK relations continues to develop, in particular, the mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples. The media should play a responsible role in this regard.
Q: Could you brief us on the schedule and the specific arrangement of Russian President Medvedev's visit to China? Which Chinese leaders will he meet with? What will be discussed? After the contact with the relevant authorities of the Central Government, Dalai's private representatives claimed that no substantial progress was made and the meeting could not even be called as a "negotiation". How do you respond to that?
A: There is still two weeks to go until President Medvedev's visit to China and the details are under intensive discussions. Chinese leaders will have talks with him and President Hu Jintao will hold an important meeting with him. We will update you in due course.
The Chinese Government and its people attach great importance to his visit, hope to further enhance exchanges between leaders of the two countries, deepen strategic mutual trust and strengthen pragmatic cooperation in various fields through this visit so as to promote the continuous and high-level development of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination under new circumstances. We have high expectations for that.
As to the contact with the Dalai Lama, the Central Government is serious and sincere. We hope Dalai exert sincerity and take concrete steps to truly stop separatist activities, stop plotting and inciting violence and stop disrupting the Beijing Olympics, so as to create conditions for future talks.
Q: Pope Benedict XVI, while attending the concert of the China Philharmonic Orchestra in the Vatican city, expressed greetings to the Chinese people and wished the Beijing Olympics a success. How do you comment on that?
A: We have noted relevant reports. The China Philharmonic Orchestra performed in the Vatican City on May 7 during its Europe tour, which is a non-official cultural exchange. Art is the shared treasure of the mankind, and music could be a bridge for communication. We congratulate the Orchestra on its success of the performance, which will be conducive to enhancing the mutual understanding and friendship between China and Europe.
China is willing to improve its relations with the Vatican, and has made positive efforts for that. We will conduct constructive dialogue with the Vatican on the basis of relevant principles and press ahead with the China-Vatican relations towards normalization.
Q: During President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan, the two sides agreed to establish a mechanism of regular summit meetings. When will be the next exchange of visits?
A: One of the crucial consensus reached between President Hu Jintao and Japanese leaders is to further enhance the exchanges between the leaders and establish a mechanism of regular visits, which is agreed in principle to be held every two years. Besides, leaders will maintain and increase contact on multilateral occasions. I fully understand your interest in the next visit. However, this one is not concluded yet, so you'd better focus on covering President Hu Jintao's ongoing visit. President Hu Jintao is delivering an important speech at Waseda University, and I'm sure you will be interested in following and covering it. As to the exact date of the next exchange of visits, I believe it is yet to be decided by both sides through consultation.
Q: There are pro-Tibetan protests when President Hu Jintao is addressing the students at Waseda University. How do you comment on that?
A: Some forces reportedly have conducted disruptive activities during President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan. It must be pointed out that these activities are conducted only by a handful of individuals. We believe most Japanese people endorse China-Japan friendship and the Japanese Government's position on the Tibet issue is consistent and clear. The Japanese Government and its people support the resolve and efforts of the Chinese Government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we believe their support and understanding will continue. The noises made by a handful of people will never hold back the development of China-Japan relations and the trend of friendship between people of the two countries. I don't know how noisy the dissonance could be, however, I can tell them that Tibet remains as it is, an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and the progress of Tibet will never be hampered.
Q: On the cyclone disaster in Myanmar, will China call for international aid to Myanmar and urge the Myanmar Government to accept it? Is grain included in China's aid to Myanmar?
A: The Chinese Government and its people care for Myanmar hit by cyclone and we are willing to provide aid within our capacity. With the permission of Myanmar, we are ready to proactively consider sending emergency rescue and medical teams to participate in the relief work. Given the gravity of the situation there, it is natural for the international community to express concerns and extend a helping hand. We hope the international community will communicate and consulate with Myanmar and the latter overcome the difficulties caused by the disaster and restore normal life and work at an early date.
As far as I know, the Chinese aid arriving in Myanmar yesterday are mainly emergency materials, including tents, food and etc.
Q: It is reported that ship "Anyuejiang" unloaded some arms in Angola. Can you confirm?
A: It is utterly groundless rumor. COSCO's ship "Anyuejiang" called in Angola and unloaded the goods destined to be delivered there. There is nothing beyond normal business. As for the weapons scheduled to be delivered to Zimbabwe, we have explained on many occasions, due to the reason on the Zimbabwe side, COSCO decided to ship back the weapons and it is out of the question they will be unloaded midway.
If there are no more questions, thank you for your attendance. Goodbye!