Kong Quan: Good afternoon. Before taking up your questions, I have a piece of announcement to make. At the invitation of China’s Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Roy Chaderton Matos of the Bolivar Republic of Venezuela will pay an official visit to China from 2 to 6 December. Now the floor is open.

Q: The U.S. State Department issued a report yesterday, quoting a Ukrainian official as saying that Ukraine had sold four radar tracking systems to China. The U.S. side claimed that the systems might now be in Iraq. What is your comment? Does China know the where-about of the systems?

A: On the Iraqi issue, China has all along strictly adhered to the relevant UNSC resolutions on sanctions. There is totally no such a question as re-selling radar systems to Iraq. The friendly cooperation between China and Ukraine in various fields, including in the military field, has followed international practices in strict accordance with the respective international obligations.

Q: Has the U.S. Government made inquiries with the Chinese Government about the four radar systems? Where are the systems? Have they been sold? For what purpose?

A: As I said, there is totally no such a question as re-selling the radar systems to Iraq. China has all along strictly adhered to the relevant UNSC resolutions on sanctions.

Q: Russian President Putin will visit China from 1 to 3 December. Could you please tell us the programme of the visit? Will he meet with Hu Jintao?

A: At the invitation of President Jiang Zemin, President Putin of the Russian Federation will visit China from 1 to 3 December. The two heads of state will use the opportunity to have an overall review of the development of bilateral ties over the past decade. They will also make strategic plans for the future development of the relations. It will be a very important visit of major significance upon the future of the bilateral ties. According to my knowledge, President Jiang Zemin and Vice President Hu Jintao will meet with and have talks with President Putin.

Q: Has China unilaterally been in contact with North Korea upon the nuclear issue? According to our knowledge, China has been in touch with North Korea. Have the two countries increased their contacts compared with a month ago?

A: As friendly neighbours, China and the DPRK have constantly exchanged views with each other on some major international, regional issues and other questions of common interest. At the moment, I do not know the exact details. However, there are constant exchanges and consultations.

On the Korean nuclear issue, I have elaborated on China’s principled position on many occasions. The Chinese Government has always devoted itself to the maintenance of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. We stand for a nuclear-free Peninsula and resolutely oppose the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction on the Peninsula. We hope that, with the efforts of the various parties, the above objective could be achieved. As always, China will make its own contributions.

Q: Will China discuss the Korean nuclear issue with President Putin?

A: Since the Sino-Russian Treaty of Good-neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation was signed a year ago, China’s relations with Russia have enjoyed smooth development in various fields. The two sides have maintained constant consultations, exchanges and cooperation on major international and regional issues, especially those concerning the surrounding region. The question that you have raised is one of major concern by the two sides. I believe that it should be one of the topics to be discussed by the two heads of state.

Q: What is China’s position towards the eastward expansion of NATO?

A: The NATO Summit not long ago is of major interest to you. It should be pointed out that major changes have taken place in the current security and strategic situation of Europe. There are also some changes to the role and function of NATO. It is our hope that NATO could take into consideration of the concerns and interest of all European countries when seeking its own development, so as to truly contribute to peace and stability of Europe and the world at large. In order to create an international environment of lasting peace, China has always advocated for a new security concept, focusing on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination. We believe that only such a security concept could lead to an international environment of lasting peace, stability, security and reliability.  

Q: It is reported that the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), at their recent meeting, decided to step up their anti-terrorist cooperation. They also touched upon the fight against terrorism in South Asia. Could you please brief us about the meeting. What kind of role could Pakistan play in cooperating with the SCO in the fight against terrorism?

A: In China’s view, the just concluded SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting yielded three major results: Firstly, it has promoted the institutional construction of the organization. After reviewing the past year’s work, the meeting came up with plans for the next step of the institutional development of the SCO. The ministers stressed that the preparation for the secretariat and the regional anti-terrorist institution should be the focal point. The work should be accelerated, but it should also be down to the earth. Secondly, more agreements were reached in deepening the cooperation in various fields. The parties agreed that security and economic cooperation should be the focus. Efforts should be made to deepen the multilateral regional cooperation and step up the fight against the three forces. Cooperation has been launched in the fight against drug-trafficking. Thirdly, the ministers coordinated their positions on international and regional issues. Besides, a Provisional Plan for relations between the SCO and other international organizations and countries was signed, marking the pending official start of the external exchanges of the organization.

On the second question, Pakistan is an important country in South Asia. It has played a positive role in the fight against terrorism in South Asia. China is ready to closely cooperate with the various countries to jointly combat terrorism.

Q: Could you please brief us on the results of the 14th round of the Sino-Indian boundary talks in New Delhi?

A: The just concluded 14th round of the Sino-Indian Joint Working Group on Boundary Issues was held in a frank and friendly atmosphere. The two sides exchanged the sample map of the line of actual control. They also exchanged views on how to implement the confidence-building measures. The meeting has enhanced mutual understanding and narrowed differences. The two sides agreed to hold the 14th meeting of diplomatic and military experts of the boundary issue in January 2003.