23/12/2009
On the afternoon of December 22, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions.
Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have an announcement to start with.
At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal will pay an official visit to China from December 26 to 31.
Now, the floor is open.
Q: It is reported that China will execute British citizen Akmal Shaikh on December 29. Some are concerned that Akmal's mental problem hasn't been taken into consideration during his trial. How do you respond?
A: China's judicial authorities handle relevant cases independently. I suggest you refer to judicial authorities for the specifics. What I could tell you is that this case has been dealt with according to law. Drug smuggling is a grave crime in international practice. During the trial, the litigation rights and lawful interest of the defendant have been fully guaranteed. China has informed the British side in due course and arranged consular visits.
Q: Does China have any comment on the accusations that China "hijacked" negotiations at the Copenhagen Conference? Secondly, if Cambodia had not deported the Uyghurs, would China also have offered as much aid to Cambodia?
A: On your first question, we responded to the unjust and irresponsible accusations by senior British officials. China has made arduous efforts to drive the Conference to move forward along the right track. We have adopted a series of proactive policies and measures to combat climate change. Our attitude, actions and achievements in tackling climate change are in no way inferior to those of any other country. China's voluntary target has no conditions attached, nor does it linked to any other country's goals. Given the performance of some countries at the Conference and their long failed commitments, they have no right or qualification to blame the developing countries, on the contrary, they should reflect on themselves.
We hope that all parties take the Copenhagen Conference as a new start, further pool consensus, enhance cooperation, and fulfill their obligations in a bid to complete the negotiations of the Bali Road Map at an early date and push for further development of international cooperation in this regard.
On your second question, such accusation is groundless. Recently, Cambodia deported 20 Chinese citizens for illegal entry in line with its immigration law. We received these people as we have been doing in similar cases. These people illegally crossed the border, violating the Law of the People's Republic of China On the Control of the Exit and Entry of Citizens and relevant laws of Cambodia. They are also criminal suspects. I believe that in such circumstances, any country is entitled to handle it in light of its domestic law.
As to how to deal with these people, it is entirely China's internal affair, which brooks no finger-pointing from any other country. I would like to emphasize that China is a country under the rule of law. China's judiciary authorities will deal with them according to law and protect their lawful rights and interests.0020
China and Cambodia have always maintained a comprehensive partnership of cooperation. Within its capacity, China has provided aid to Cambodia with no strings attached.
Q: Today marks the 20th anniversary of the downfall of Ceausescu regime in Romania. Do you have any comment?
A: China respects the people's choice of their own social system and development path in light of the national conditions in their country. China and Romania are traditional friends. China is willing to join hands with Romania, on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, as well as non-interference in each other's internal affairs, to press ahead with bilateral relations.
Q: Could you give us more details of Prime Minister Nepal's visit? Which Chinese leader with meet with him? Are there any agreements to be signed? Will both sides discuss the domestic situation in Nepal?
A: On your first question, this is the first official visit paid by the Nepalese Prime Minister since he took office. Premier Wen Jiabao will have talks with him. Other Chinese leaders will also meet with him respectively. The specific arrangement and agreements to be signed are still under discussion.
China and Nepal are traditional friendly neighbors. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the bilateral relations have witnessed sustained, steady and sound development, with frequent exchanges at all levels and expanding cooperation of mutual benefit in various fields. It is our set policy to further consolidate and develop China-Nepal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation on the footing of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. China hopes to further enhance its traditional friendship with Nepal and boost exchanges and mutually-beneficial cooperation through this visit, in a bid to push forward its bilateral relationship with Nepal.
The domestic situation there is part of Nepal's internal affair. As its friendly neighbor, we hope to see Nepal achieve political stability and economic development at an early date.
Q: Today coincides with the 100th day since the Democratic Party of Japan came into power. What do you have to say on the China-Japan relations over the past days?
A: Since the new Japanese Government took office, the China-Japan relations have entered into a new development phase with a good start. In his successful visit to Japan, Vice-President Xi Jinping had extensive and in-depth exchanges with Japanese people from various circles and felt Japan's strong aspiration to further China-Japan relations. We believe that a China-Japan relationship featuring long-term stability, good-neighborliness and friendship serves the common interest of both countries and their peoples. We hope to work together with Japan to press ahead with our strategic relations of mutual benefit.
Q: The UN General Assembly recently adopted a resolution of Cooperation between the United Nations Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Do you have any comment?
A: As an important member of the SCO, China has stayed in close coordination, communication and cooperation with other SCO members. The SCO is an open group, all members are ready to conduct friendly exchanges and mutually-beneficial cooperation with other international and regional organizations as well as other countries in an open and constructive manner.
As a founding member of both the UN and the SCO, China welcomes the resolution of Cooperation between the United Nations Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization adopted by the 64th General Assembly. China will actively promote the SCO to implement this resolution earnestly, deepen its cooperation with the UN in relevant areas and effectively safeguard regional peace and stability in line with the purpose and principles of the UN Charter.
Q: Still on the Akmal case. Are there any foreigners executed in China for drug smuggling before? What is the difference between the Akmal case and previous cases?
A: I'll leave the specifics to judicial authorities. There is one thing in common for sure between the cases you just mentioned, that is, China's judicial authorities independently handle cases according to law, and relevant cases will be dealt with in a fair and reasonable way accordingly.
Q: During Prime Minister Nepal's visit to China, will the two parties talk about China becoming a full-fledged member of SAARC?
A: SAARC, as a crucial cooperative group in South Asia, has played a positive role in promoting economic and social development and regional peace and stability. We always closely follow and support SAARC cooperation as a friendly neighbor and observer. We are ready to, in the spirit of equality, mutual trust and cooperation, carry out exchanges and cooepration with SAARC and boost its cooperation.
Q: Will China allow foreign diplomats to attend the trial of the Liu Xiaobo case? Where are those Uighurs deported by Combadia? Which department shall we refer to for more information?
A: Neither of your questions falls within the purview of me as the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry. On the first one, the judicial authorities handle applications for hearing according to relevant rules. On the second, I'll leave it to the public security officials.
Q: What are the charges against the exported Uighurs? How is their current situation? And where are they now? Besides, is there any difference between China's attitude towards the incumbent Nepalese Government and its predecessor?
A: As far as I know, some of those are criminal suspects. China's judicial authorities will deal with them in accordance with the law. And their lawful rights and interests will be guaranteed. As to their whereabouts, I don't have any information to offer and you could refer to public security authorities.
As a friendly neighbor, we always support the Nepalese Government and its people to choose development path according to their national situation. We support various political forces inside Nepal to properly handle relevant issue through consultation and dialogue, advance peace process and achieve political stability and economic development at an early date.
Q: How do you comment on the WTO Appellate Body's ruling of the dispute over entertainment imports between China and the US?
A: The spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce has responded to that. I suggest you check their official website.
If there are no more questions, thanks for coming! See you!
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