On the afternoon of September 9, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

 

Kong: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I don't have announcement to make today. And now I am ready to take up your question.

 

Q: First, thank you for your prompt reply to the AP on the beating against our journalists. You were quoted by the Xinhua News Agency saying that the AP and the AFP journalists were beaten up by Chinese soccer fans. But as far as I know, they were actually beaten by Chinese plainclothes policemen, leading to the wound of AP man on the head and the ruin of his equipment. Last time, you said the Chinese police respected foreign journalists very much and took some necessary measures under the chaotic circumstances. Do you think it a "necessary" measure for the police to beat up foreign journalists?

 

A: You gave your account of the incident, but it's only your version of the story. In fact, both the Beijing police and we attached great importance to the incident after it took place, and the police are investigating seriously. At that time, the match was just ended and the audience came out of the stadium. Some places were indeed rather crowded and messy. Therefore, the police needs time to investigate. As for the wording of the English news released by the Xinhua News Agency, I remind you that you should refer to the transcripts of my press conference on the website of the Foreign Ministry.

On your second question, I want to reiterate that both we and the police feel regret at the incident. But we have to calmly wait for the investigation result of the police before we come to conclusion on how the incident happened.

 

Q: Recently, Spokesman of the US Department of State Boucher said at his press conference that the US would continue to contact Chechen dissidents. What comment does China have on this?

 

A: We firmly support Russia in its efforts to maintain national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Yesterday, Chinese President Hu Jintao had his oral message conveyed to Russian President Putin, clearly reaffirming this point. You are a resident correspondent of the Interfax in China and your agency is quite influential in Russia. I hope that you could tell the Russian people that the Chinese people stand firmly side by side with the Russian people on the arduous combat against Terrorism, Extremism and Separatism.

 

Q: This morning, a bomb explosion occurred outside the gate of the Australia's Embassy in Indonesia. What's China's comment on this? In addition, the ROK recently disclosed its plutonium extraction experiment in the 1980s. What's China's response to this?

 

A: All of us have seen on TV this morning's incident in Jakarta. The scale and casualties of the explosion are shocking. The Indonesian Government has taken responsive measures and the Indonesian police have set to investigate. As far as what I've got now, four injured Chinese have been sent to the hospital, and the Chinese embassy has sent people to visit them there. The cause of the explosion has to wait to be found by the Indonesian Government and police. Now, we are following closely the development of the incident. Here, I express my condolences and solicitude for the countries and peoples concerned.

On your second question, we have noticed the report. We hope the investigation by the IAEA can thoroughly clarify the question.

 

Q: I'd like to follow up last question. First, it is reported that the ROK has conducted plutonium extraction experiment in the 1980s. Recently, there were HEU experiments in the ROK. What's China's comment on this? Second, the deputy representative of the DPRK to the UN said that the ROK's HEU experiments might intensify the arms race on the Korean Peninsula. What's China's reaction? Third, what impact does China think it will have on the Six-Party Talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula?

 

A: The IAEA sent people to the ROK because the ROK side informed the organization of the HEU matter. We hope the investigation and the cooperation between the ROK Government and the IAEA can clarify the question of the plutonium extraction in the early 1980s and the later HEU question.

The position of the Chinese Government on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula has been very clear. First, all parties have reached basic consensus through the third round of the Six-Party Talks, that is, to ensure the denuclearization, peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. It is the expectation not only of the countries in this region, but also of the international community. All parties should make joint efforts to move forward the mechanism of the Six-Party Talks, so as to ensure the settlement of the nuclear issue on the Peninsula through peace talks.

 

We hope the questions in point won't affect the next round of Six-Party Talks and the Parties concerned should keep a calm, objective and pragmatic attitude to jointly promote the fourth round of the Talks to be held by the end of September as agreed by all.

 

Q: A US human rights organization issued a report, claiming that last year, Hong Kong registered the worst record of human rights and freedom of speech since its return to China in 1997. What comment does China have on this? Do you think the report issued at such a juncture will affect the legislature election in Hong Kong?

 

A: This morning, the spokesman of the HKSAR Government has made response to the report. He based his remarks on facts and gave a panoramic account of the true situation in current Hong Kong. His remarks forcefully refuted the report of the so-called "human rights observation organization" that defies facts and distorts truth.

 

Q: Is China staying in contact with the US on the extradition of the Uygurs detained in Guantanamo? Has any progress been made?

 

A: China has been staying in contact with the US on this matter. We hope the US to refrain from showing double standard on the question. Anti-terrorism is an arduous task facing the entire mankind. Those people are terrorists and we require the US side to return them to China.

 

Q: First, is Mr. Wu Dawei a member of Li Changchun's delegation or of the Chinese delegation to the Six-Party Talks? Or both? Second, Russia has said it would adopt pre-emptive tactics in anti-terrorist strikes. I personally interpret this as both inside and outside Russia. Will China still support Russia's anti-terrorist strikes in this context?

 

A: I have not been authorized to announce the head of Chinese delegation at the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks. Mr. Wu Dawei is a member of the delegation of Chinese Party and Government in the upcoming visit to the DPRK.

Second, Russia encountered a huge tragedy and its people are suffering untold grief. Other parties should not make arbitrary interpretation of Russia's position.

 

China adamantly supports the Russian Government and people in their efforts to strike terrorism and separatism. Meanwhile, we have taken concrete moves to express our condolences and solicitude to the Russian Government and people. By the way, let me tell you that China has offered to the Russian side some medicine and materials in urgent need, including antibiotics, medical bed for burning treatment, dialyzers, electric respirators and ultra-sound diagnostic equipment and other medical equipment for treating trauma and severe wounds. Now it is essential for all to stand hand in hand in combating terrorism and supporting the Russian people.

 

Q: China's trade and economic cooperation with African countries has run successfully, with the trade volume reaching US$18 billion last year. This week, Gabonese President Bongo is visiting China. I wonder what agreements have been signed between your two countries? Is there any agreement on purchase of oil? Can you tell us why China attaches importance to the establishment and development of trade and economic relations with Gabon and other African countries?

 

A: As you said, China and Africa have made much progress in their trade and economic relations. In the first half of this year, the volume between the two sides rose by 47% as against last year, surpassing the overall growth rate of China, which stands at 39%. The development of the relations are two-way, mutually beneficial and win-win. China increased its export to as well as import from Africa. Both China and African countries face the arduous tasks of developing national economy, providing them with both potential and realistic possibility to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation. It includes the energy and oil cooperation you have mentioned. As far as I know, during President Bongo's visit to China, China and Gabon signed a number of agreements on bilateral cooperation, such as the agreement on economic and technological cooperation, demonstrating the wishes of the two countries to further expand and deepen trade and economic cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit. As for specific projects, our two sides are making further discussion and doing implementation work.

 

Q: When can we get the investigation result on the August 7 incident when journalists were beaten? How does the Shanghai Cooperation Organization play its role in combating terrorism?

 

A: On the investigation report you asked about, the Beijing police will do careful work. Actually, they have made their attitude clear to the people in charge of the AFP and AP offices in Beijing. They will get it clear what happened through careful investigation.

 

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was initiated on the basis of combating the terrorist, extremist and separatist forces. Undoubtedly, it will make further efforts on the strike against the three forces and will discuss various forms of cooperation. The three forces are the major threat facing the security in the region. The fundamental consensus of the SCO members is to steadily strengthen the cooperation among members in this regard and meanwhile, to step up anti-terrorist cooperation with the international community and other countries.

 

Follow-up: Another question on the SCO. Can you give us particular examples or tell us some proposals?

 

The SCO has its specific mechanism on jointly combating the three forces. Members have held joint military maneuver and have been keeping communication, consultation and cooperation within the current mechanism. Meanwhile, the organization will continue to discuss new forms of cooperation along with the change of situation.

 

Q: Still on the report of the US human rights organization. It criticized the Central Government for further suppressing Hong Kong's human rights and freedom. What response does China have on this?

 

A: Our position has been crystal clear on the HKSAR, that is, the guidelines of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. Since the return of Hong Kong, the Central Government has unswervingly followed the guidelines. We will continue to follow them now and in the future. We are fully convinced that Hong Kong is bound to be more beautiful tomorrow. We don't need those so-called human rights organizations to point their fingers at the course we take.

 

Q: A question on the reform of the UN Security Council. The Japanese Prime Minister has begun his activities aimed to seek a permanent seat in the Security Council. What's China's position on this?

 

A: The reform of the Security Council is a big issue. Is this first time for you to attend our press conference? ("Yes") Well, let me give you a full account of our basic position on the reform of the Security Council. First, in the context of a changing situation, the Security Council should conduct necessary reform. Second, the reform of the Security Council should give priority to the enlargement of the representation of developing countries, because the developing countries have ever-increasing influence in today's world. But in the Security Council, the change has not been fully reflected. Third, the reform of the Security Council, as a big issue, requires consensus among all parties. You should know that the UN Secretary-General has appointed a high-level panel, with former Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen sitting on it at the invitation of Mr. Annan. The Panel, which is working intensely, is supposed to submit an official report to Mr. Annan by the end of this year. We expect this panel to propose strategic thinking and the direction on the reform of the Security Council. With regard to Japan, I can express such a principled position that we understand Japan's wish to play a greater role in the international affairs.

 

Thank you for attending today's press conference!