Q: In their reports on the regular Foreign
Ministry Press Conference on 18 September, some media
claimed that China’s support to America’s
attacks on terrorism is limited. China has linked its
support to the anti-terrorist actions to America’s
support to China’s anti-splittist struggle. Is this a
correct understanding?
A: At the
press conference of 18 September, I once again stated
China’s principled stand against all sorts of
terrorism. Besides, when answering relevant questions, I
also stated China’s consistent position on the Taiwan
question, US arms sales to Taiwan and the fight against
national splittists and terrorists in China. It is shocking,
however, to find that a few media reports, including that of
the Washington Post, put my answers to different questions
together, claiming that China has set conditions for its
support of anti-terrorism. This has clearly seriously
misinterpreted the position of the Chinese Government. I
wish to ask: At a time when people all over the world are
condemning and opposing terrorism, what is the purpose for
some correspondents to act this way? Do they want to sow
discord? Or what are they driving at? How do you answer to
your professional ethics as a
correspondent?
The position of the Chinese
Government against terrorism was once again elaborated in
President Jiang’s phone conversation with the world
leaders on the afternoon and evening of 18th September. I
wish to reiterate it as follows:
Terrorism is
a major threat to world peace and stability. It has become a
serious common danger to the international community. The
Chinese Government resolutely opposes all sorts of
terrorism. It is of utmost necessity and urgency to enhance
international cooperation against terrorism. At the same
time, the fight against terrorism should have concrete
evidence and specific targets, avoid harming innocent
civilians. It should also abide by the purposes and
principles of the UN Charter and the recognized norms of
international laws. The role of the UN Security Council
should be brought into play. All actions should be conducive
to the long-term interests of safeguarding world peace and
development.
Q: You have just
elaborated on China’s principled position on
anti-terrorism. However, you have not given any details. It
is speculated that only after President Bush comes to
Shanghai for the APEC meeting will President Jiang talk
about the details with President Bush face to face. Could
you please confirm it? Will the APEC economic cooperation be
expanded to anti-terrorism?
A: I have
just stated the principled position of the Chinese
Government against terrorism. Our position is clear-cut. We
are doing what we should do. We are maintaining contacts and
consultations with the relevant parties, including the
United States. Our position is very clear. The outside world
should not make any wild speculations. On the APEC meeting,
it is widely known that APEC is a forum for the discussion
on economic cooperation. The nature of APEC should remain
unchanged. As to whether appropriate attention will be
focused on the fight against terrorism outside the framework
of APEC during the APEC meeting period, it will depend on
the development of the situation and the will of relevant
parties.
Q: China indicated
its willingness to provide to the United States some
assistance in the fight against terrorism. Does China have
concrete proposals? It is of utmost necessity for the
international community to cooperate in the fight against
terrorism. Is there a need for the UN Security Council to
hold a meeting for further
consultations?
A: I have already
answered your first question. China’s principled
position against terrorism is clear-cut. We are ready to
enhance our cooperation with the relevant parties, including
the United States.
On the second question, the
UN is an inter-governmental international organization with
the widest representation. As the dominant mechanism in the
field of safeguarding international peace and security, the
UN Security Council should play a unique role in the
international cooperation against terrorism. We are for more
cooperation in the fight against terrorism at the UN, UN
Security Council and other multilateral fora. We support any
actions by the UN within its capability to fight terrorism
and safeguard international peace and stability.
Q: Does China support a US war
against terrorism outside the framework of the United
Nations?
A: Anti-terrorism is a
long-term, complicated and arduous task. It is a common
challenge to the international community. We need to
strengthen international cooperation in this field. The
leading role of the UNSC should be given full play. We are
ready to strengthen our cooperation in this field with the
United States.
Q: US officials
have indicated that the UNSC last year and two weeks ago had
passed resolutions asking Afghanistan to turn over bin
Laden. US officials believed that this have already provided
a legal basis for the US fight against terrorism. Does China
agree with that? Or does China believe that a new UN
resolution must be passed before the US could take military
action?
A: I have stated repeatedly
China’s position against all sorts of terrorism. We
believe that the relevant resolutions of the United Nations
should be implemented in earnest. I have also answered your
question regarding resolutions at the UNSC. Our three points
on this question have not changed. I wish to reiterate here
for you. First, China opposes all sorts of terrorism. We
support strikes against terrorism. Secondly, attacks on
terrorists should be based upon concrete evidence. It should
have definite targets and should not hurt the innocents.
Thirdly, the action should be based upon the UN Charter. The
role of the UN and its Security Council should be
strengthened. China is ready to discuss at the UNSC any
proposals conducive to the crackdown on terrorism. We
support all efforts within UN’s capacity if they would
contribute to the fight against terrorism and the
maintenance of international peace and stability.
Q: Could you please confirm if
the Shanghai Six is considering any action to fight
terrorism? Does China have any information indicating any
links between Xinjiang’s splittists and Afghan’s
extreme Islamic groups?
A: The six
prime ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
issued a declaration not long ago during their first prime
ministerial meeting. In the declaration, the six nations
strongly condemned that terrorist activity in the United
States. It regards the fight against terrorism, splittism
and extremism as one of the most important tasks of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The Organization is
prepared to closely work with the international community,
adopt effective measures and go in for unremitting struggles
to eradicate the global crisis of terrorism.
In
recent years, terrorist, splittist and extremist forces in
Central Asia have colluded with each other and engaged in
rampant activities, thus posing a serious threat to regional
security and stability. China has closely followed the
security situation in Central Asia. We stand for a severe
strike upon the “three forces”. Not long ago,
member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
signed the Shanghai Convention on Combating the Three
Forces. This has demonstrated the common aspiration of the
nations of the region to fight "the three forces".
The parties concerned will establish an anti-terrorist
centre in Bishkek to carry out concrete cooperation in this
field. The decision is a correct choice of the six countries
to maintain regional security and stability. This question
is now under active consultations. We believe that it is of
major importance to the maintenance of regional security and
stability for the law enforcement and security organs of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization to enhance their
cooperation.
On the second question, I have no
details to provide. However, I can tell you that, firstly,
the situation in Xinjiang is stable. Secondly, the Chinese
Government is determined and capable of safeguarding her
national interests, and the peace and tranquility of
Xinjiang. We are ready to conduct bilateral, regional and
international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Q: Japan is drawing up new
laws to allow its self defence forces to provide logistical
support to the Untied States during the anti-terrorist
attacks. What is China’s response to
it?
A: We hold that the strike
against terrorism is a common issue facing the international
community. We hope the relevant parties make their efforts
in light of their practical conditions and in accordance
with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Due to
historical reasons, the question of Japan playing a military
role is a very sensitive issue. We hope Japan would act in a
prudent manner.
Q: If the
Untied States uses forces against Afghanistan, it will
inevitably lead to many refugees. As a neighbour of
Afghanistan, is China prepared to accept
refugees?
A: I answered your question
last time. The Afghan refugee question is a long-term
problem, yet to be solved. I believe that the international
community do not wish to witness a new refugee crisis due to
further deterioration of the regional situation. This
situation should be avoided.
Q: You mentioned about the
need of clear evidence in the fight against terrorism.
What’s the threshold? Do you think the evidence should
be done under the auspices of the UN or some other
framework?
A: We have noticed that
many countries in the world, including some US allies, have
clearly indicated that there should be concrete evidence
before taking action. This shows that there are certain
degree of consensus on this issue among many countries of
the world.
Q: Regarding
Chinese casualties from the NY World Trade Tower, the
numbers from your Government have been very low. Only two
confirmed deaths. But elsewhere, there are reports of 50 to
60 missing. Could you please
clarify?
A: I have already made a
clarification on this question. The relevant information has
been publicised in the official Foreign Ministry website. It
is not the Chinese Consulate General in New York that had
issued any information on some 50 Chinese missing
in the attacks. In fact, some family members asked the
Consulate General to look for some people, many of whom live
far away from the attacked areas. In order to enable these
people to get in touch with their families, the Consulate
General issued some information through the media. This is
not the same issue. You should not mix them up. If we have
any further information, we will let you know.
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