Spokesperson's Answers to the Questions asked through Telephone

2003-07-25 00:00

After the routine press conferences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suspended for the summer break, Spokesperson Kong Quan answered the following questions raised through telephone by foreign correspondents posted in Beijing this week.

Q: When will the second round of Beijing talks on the DPRK nuclear question be held?

A: We hope that it can be held as soon as possible, but it needs coordination between the parties concerned.

Q: Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said that China is trying to appeal to the DPRK to resume dialog. Can you give us any details of these efforts at persuasion? Any hint about the arguments China is using, or inducements it is offering?

A: It is better to talk than not to talk since it conforms with the interest of all sides and represents the common aspiration of the international community. We hope and believe that the parties concerned can demonstrate positive political will to continue to push forward the process of talks.

Q: Can you tell us about any plans to send additional envoys, hold phone consultations or any other kind of contact in your effort to solve the DPRK nuclear crisis?

A: On the DPRK nuclear question, China has kept good contact with all the parties concerned. We will continue to make use of various channels and make unremitting efforts to the peaceful settlement of the question.

Q: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has made a detailed statement in the Indian Parliament on his recent visit to China. He said that there is no change in India's stand on the Tibet issue and that India and China have initiated a process by which Sikkim would not be an issue in Sino-Indian relations. Vajpayee also spoke positively about his visit and the future prospects of the bilateral ties, including resolving the boundary issue. What is China's comment on Vajpayee's statement in Parliament?

A: The official visit to China by Prime Minister Vajpayee last month was a success, which enhanced mutual understanding and trust between the two countries and was of important significance to the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the new century.

China and India have reached important consensus and relevant issues left over by history should not affect the overall development of the bilateral relations. The Chinese side welcomes the important statement made by the Indian side on the Tibet issue. I believe that so long as the two sides demonstrate sincerity and strengthen dialog, a proper solution can be found to any issue.

Q: The "Hindustan Times" today has reported that on 26 June a ten-man Indian team of intelligence and security officials were detained, disarmed and interrogated by the Chinese PLA 14 km inside the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh. Can you confirm this incident? What is the Chinese version of this incident? How can one prevent such incidents from happening again?

A: I have taken note of the report. The Chinese side has never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh mentioned in the Indian newspaper.

As to the incident mentioned in the newspaper, investigation shows that the fact is that it was the Indian side that crossed the east section of the Line of Actual Control along the Sino-Indian border. The Indian personnel, upon request by the Chinese side, withdrew to the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control. It calls for joint efforts of both sides in order to preserve peace and tranquility in the border areas. It is hoped that the Indian side will strictly abide by the agreement signed between the two countries, respect the Line of Actual Control between the two and avoid such incident from happening again.