Q: Yesterday, more than 20 North Koreans rushed into the Spanish Embassy in China. Could you please brief us on the incident? In the last such incident, the Chinese Government did not regard those people as refugees. How will china treat these people this time?

A: This morning, some people illegally entered the Spanish Embassy in China. The identities of these people are under verification. Our initial inquiry suggests that these people are not refugees. We have always opposed to the illegal border crossing or entry. We will deal with this incident according to law.

Q: It is reported that the 8th Sino-Japanese Security Consultation will be held in Japan soon. Please confirm and give your comment.

A: China's Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi will lead Chinese officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Defence Ministry to attend the 8th Sino-Japanese Security Consultation which will be held in Tokyo on 18 March. The Chinese delegation will meet with their Japanese counterparts headed by the Vice Foreign Minister Takano Posiyuki. The event will be the first such security consultation at the deputy ministerial level. The two sides will exchange views with each other on relevant questions of common concern.

Q: It is reported that in the past, Japan criticized the Chinese Government of its forced repatriation of the North Korean refugees, because these refugees are detained when they are sent back. It is reported that some of the people threaten that they will take poison if China repatriate them again back to the DPRK. What is China's comment?

A: China and the DPRK are friendly neighbours, with more than 1300 km of common border. There has been frequent flow of people between the two. There are also some incidents of illegal crossing of borders. Our position is that we are always opposed to the illegal crossing of borders. When such incidents occur, we will properly handle them according to the international laws, the relevant Chinese laws and the international practices. We have all along treated them well out of humanitarian considerations. Thus, the accusation against China by some is unreasonable.  

Q: Is there a refugee problem between China and the DPRK?

A: As I just mentioned, China and the DPRK are very friendly neighbours. There were a few incidents of illegal crossing of borders. However, in view of international law and the purposes of the illegal crossing, these people are not "refugees". In accordance with law and out of humanitarian considerations, China has handled such incidents in a proper manner. It should be said that there is no such a thing as "refugee problem" between China and the DPRK.

Q: Has China had any contacts with Spain or the DPRK over this issue?

A: We are trying to get more information on the incident. We are also trying to verify the identity of these people. We have been in contact with the relevant sides. We hope to work for a proper solution.

Q: On 11 March, the EU Council of Foreign Ministers approved their annual summery on the human rights situation in China. They also decided to adopt a position on the bill related to China at the UN Human Rights Commission this year similar to that of last year. What is China's comment?

A: The Chinese Government has always attached importance to the promotion and protection of the human rights of the Chinese people. Remarkable achievement has been made, which is recognized all over the world. We have noted that the EU Council of Foreign Ministers has stressed the importance of Sino-EU human rights dialogue. We are ready to make joint efforts with the European side to properly handle our differences on human rights through dialogue and exchanges on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

Q: Yesterday, the U.S. Department of State confirmed that the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kelly met with the Taiwanese "Defence Minister". What is the Chinese reaction?

A: The Chinese Government and people have expressed their strong dissatisfaction and indignation over the U.S. permission of Tang Yiau-ming to go to the United States and  the arrangement of meetings with high-level U.S. officials. In our view, the U.S. act has violated the Three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques and the solemn commitment that the U.S. side has made to the Chinese Government and people. It will inevitably badly affect the Sino-U.S. relations. We have made solemn representations with the U.S. side. Yesterday, China?s Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi met with U.S. Under Secretary of State Grossman in Washington. In Beijing, the Foreign Ministry of China has also made solemn representations with the U.S. Ambassador.

Q: Recently, some countries, including India, are more and more involved in the Afghan issue. However, the war in Afghanistan persists and peace is still far off. What is your comment?

A: China has closely followed the situation in Afghanistan. We are happy to see that, after the Bonn meeting, with the concerted efforts of the various parties in Afghanistan and the international community, the Afghan people finally see the dawn of peace. Since its establishment, the Afghan Interim Government has devoted itself to national reconciliation and  reconstruction. Gratifying progress has been made in various fields. At the moment, there are some small scale conflicts in some parts of Afghanistan now and then. However, the overall situation in Afghanistan is becoming more and more stable. After years of conflict and war, everything waits to be rebuilt. The peace process in Afghanistan could not be accomplished over night. There are still many hardships and challenges. It is our sincere hope that the relevant parties in Afghanistan and the international community jointly work to safeguard the hard-won peace in Afghanistan. Efforts should be made for a comprehensive political settlement of the Afghan issue.

Q: The result of the election in Zimbabwe was revealed on 13 March. President Mugabe has been re-elected. What is China's comment?

A: We wish to express our congratulations to President Mugabe on his re-election at the presidential vote in Zimbabwe. In our view, the international community should respect the will and choice of the people of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is an important country in Africa. It is our hope that Zimbabwe could maintain stability and development, so as to make a positive contribution to the peace and revival of the southern and the rest of Africa.

Q: What is your view on the recent serious escalation of conflict between Palestine and Israel?

A: Over a period of time, the Israeli troops had a massive invasion of Palestine. It further intensified in the past few days, leading to massive casualties and damage. China is greatly shocked by the development and strongly condemns the move. In our view, the Israeli action could not help the settlement of the issue, rather it could only lead to the further deterioration of the situation. The Chinese Government calls upon the Israeli Government to actively go along with the peace efforts of the international community and immediately stop its military action against Palestine, so as to achieve an early restoration of talks with Palestine and settle the dispute through peaceful means.

Q: Could you please brief us on the agenda of Vice President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States? Will Tang Yiau-ming's visit to the United States a major topic for discussion?

A: We will make the announcement in due course. On the second question, we have stressed on many occasions that the Taiwan question is the most sensitive and important question at the core of Sino-U.S. relations. We hope that the U.S. side could earnestly treat this issue and strictly abide by its commitment to the Chinese Government and people, which is to adhere to the One China policy and the Three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques. Sino-U.S. relations can only move ahead when the Three Communiques are adhered to and the Taiwan question is properly handled.

Q: When will President Jiang visit Germany? Will the German President make a return visit to China?

A: China has maintained good relations with Germany. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. China attaches great importance to President Jiang's visit. The announcement will be made in the near future. In recent years, there are exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries. On the visit that you have just mentioned, the two sides are holding consultations.

Q: Does President Jiang plan to visit Iran next month?

A: China and Iran are holding consultations on the visit.

Q: What is China's comment on the U.S. missile defence test launch tomorrow?

A: We are not in favour of the U.S. missile defense system. It is our hope that, under the new international situation, the various parties carry out earnest and serious dialogue, so as to come up with a new security thinking and seek a solution that could accommodate the security interest of the various parties without undermining the international efforts for arms control and disarmament.

Q: Last night, President Bush gave a press conference, which, as a matter of fact, confirmed the Pentagon Report which listed some countries as potential targets for nuclear strikes. Has the Chinese side been briefed by the U.S. Government? Has Bush's public remarks met China's request?

A: I have noted the report on President Bush's remarks. We hold the U.S. side responsible for an explanation for the matter.

We have pointed out on several occasions that, under the new international situation, threats from non-security factors are on the rise. The international situation is more changeable and complicated. Under such a situation, countries should form a new thinking on security, the core of which should be mutual benefit, mutual trust, equality and coordination. Such a new thinking should guide the state-to-state relations so as to step up international cooperation. Any Cold War mentality or actions are inappropriate and could not serve world peace and development.