On
November 6, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular
press conference and announced Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ednan Karabaev's
visit to China. He also answered questions on the U.S. Presidential
election and China-U.S. relations, the Six-party Talks, the oil dispute
between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I have an announcement to make.
At
the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Ednan
Karabaev of the Kyrgyz Republic will visit China from November 11 to
16.
Vice
Foreign Minister He Yafei will hold a press briefing on President Hu
Jintao's forthcoming attendance at the G-20 Summit on Financial Market
and World Economy, the 16th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and his
visits to Costa Rico, Cuba, Peru and Greece here in the press
conference hall at 3:30 this afternoon.
Now I'm happy to take your questions.
Q:
What kind of contact will there be between the Chinese Government and
the next U.S. President, Obama's team in the run-up between now and his
inauguration so as to have a smooth transition in Sino-U.S. relations?
A second question, the U.S. Embassy in China will hold a round-table
briefing on intellectual property rights. I was wondering if you could
give us an update on the statues of IPR improvement made by the Chinese
Government. What do you wish to accomplish during this meeting?
A:
On your first question, Chinese leaders have sent congratulatory
messages to Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden. China attaches great importance to
China-U.S. relations. We believe that our relationship should be viewed
from a long-term perspective and handled from a strategic height. It
should not be altered because of a certain incident at a certain time.
The relationship between China and the U.S., the largest developing and
developed country respectively, is so important that its healthy and
stable development is not only in the interest of our two peoples, but
is also conducive to world peace and stability and people's well-being
of the world. The Chinese Government stands ready to work together with
the U.S, including the new U.S. Government to continuously strengthen
dialogue and exchanges, enhance mutual understanding, trust and
cooperation and properly handle the sensitive issues in our relations
on the basis of the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués, with a view to
promoting the development of our constructive and cooperative
relationship. We are ready to enhance contact and exchanges with the
U.S. at any time. As to whether there will be any contact with the
Obama team in the near future, we are quite open-minded on this. We are
ready to make positive efforts so long as it is conducive to the smooth
transition of China-U.S. relations and the promotion of the healthy and
stable development of our relations.
I'm
not aware of the IPR round table meeting you mentioned. The Chinese
Government attaches importance to and is committed to the protection of
the intellectual property rights, which is also an important part in
China-US communication and cooperation. We have been taking measures to
improve legislation, law enforcement and the administration of justice
so as to better protect IPR. We take seriously the concerns and
interest of the US in this field and hope to strengthen cooperation and
communication thereof.
Q:
During his Presidential Election campaign, Obama urged the Chinese
Government to stop manipulating its currency. Are you concerned that
the new US Administration may push harder on the RMB exchange rate?
A:
We have repeatedly elaborated our position and proposition on the RMB
exchange rate. We aim to realize a managed floating mechanism based on
market supply and demand. This is not only in the interest of China,
but also favorable for the development of regional and world economy.
Some
people in the US seem to suggest that the trade imbalance between China
and the US is caused by RMB exchange rate, but they will think
differently if they could have an objective understanding of the
bilateral trade. Over the past three decades, the bilateral trade has
been developing apace. In 1979 when the two countries established
diplomatic relations, the bilateral trade volume was less than 2.5
billion dollars. By the end of 2007, it exceeded 300 billion dollars,
which is over 120 times that of 1979. It is particularly impressive in
the past few years when the volume in 2003 of over 100 billion dollars
was almost doubled in five years till 2007. In general, the bilateral
trade is in the interest of both countries, and has brought huge
benefit to the US and its people.
It's
true that China's export to the US has grown in recent years, and there
is this issue of trade imbalance between the two countries. But it is
not China or RMB exchange rate to blame, because the trade imbalance is
actually the result of international industrial division against the
background of globalization. The US imports from China commodities it
does not produce itself. So even if it doesn't import from China, it
will have to import from other countries. China's
good-quality-yet-inexpensive products are well received among US
consumers and also help the US keep a relatively low inflation rate.
The
Chinese people believe that harmony generates profit. When problems
arise, we should remain objective and calm, and properly handle them
through equal and friendly consultation in the spirit of mutual
respect, mutual benefit and cooperation, which is good for the
bilateral trade and two countries. Besides, measures have already been
taken in recent years to address the issue. For instance, the RMB
exchange rate nowadays is no longer fixed but floating visibly. There
are also measures to expand import from the US.
China
takes full consideration of the US interest and concern. We hope the US
will do so vice versa. We welcome the US to expand export to China and
make more investment in China. After all, it takes two to tango. China
would be happy to buy more US products, especially the high-tech ones.
We hope the US will lift its export restriction on high-tech products
and recognize China's market economy status sooner than later, which
should contribute to stable and balanced development of China-US trade.
Q:
Indian Foreign Minister made a speech the other day, saying that China
poses a new strategic and geopolitical challenge to India, and that
India would have to develop sophisticated ways to deal with it. Do you
have any comment?
A:
China's development is peaceful. It's an opportunity rather than
challenge to countries in Asia and the rest of the world. Leaders of
both countries agree that China and India are partners instead of
competitors.
Q:
Today, Ma Ying-jeou met with Chen Yunlin, chief of the Association for
Relations Across the Taiwan Strait. Do you recognize Ma Ying-jeou as
the "President" of Taiwan?
A:
There is only one China in the world. As for specific questions
relating to cross-Strait relations, please refer to the State Council
Taiwan Affairs Office.
Q:
The new round of China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue will be held this
December. Will China invite Obama or members from his team to join?
A:
The China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue is a very important mechanism
of dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. As its name
suggests, China-US economic relations should be strategic. The
Strategic Economic Dialogue aims at dealing with strategic, long-term
and macro issues in the bilateral trade. So far, there have been four
rounds of dialogue, through which the two countries had full
communication, enhanced mutual understanding and trust and strengthened
their cooperation. Both China and the US attach importance to this
mechanism, believing it is conducive to the development of healthy and
stable bilateral trade as well as the overall China-US relations. China
hopes the mechanism could be institutionalized. We stand ready to work
with the US to hold a successful dialogue this December.
Q:
Does President Hu Jintao plan to meet with Barack Obama when he is in
Washington for the G20 leaders' financial summit? Asian companies and
business analysts have expressed concerns that Obama Administration
might be more protectionist on trade, how do you comment on that?Are you worried that Washington will become more protectionist?
A:About
the bilateral activities between China and the United States during
President Hu Jintao's visit to Washington for the Summit on Financial
Market and World Economy, the specific arrangements are still under
discussion.
As
for your second question, I have taken note of such concerns and
worries. I have just elaborated China's position on Sino-US economic
relations and trade. I prefer to stress again that China sticks to a
win-win foreign policy and open-up strategy featuring mutual benefit,
which will remain unchanged. We advocate and practice free trade, and
believe that the United States do the same as us. We hope that the
United States will continue to adopt a policy of free trade. While at
the same time, we should be vigilant and guard against trade
protectionism for its detrimental effect on all parties.
Q:Yesterday,
Russian President Medvedev announced that Russia will deploy missiles
in Kaliningrad. Do you have any comment on that issue?
A:
China always believes that setting up global missile defense system,
including deploying such system in some regions of the world or
conducting cooperation in this field, is detrimental to global
strategic balance and stability, undermines mutual trust among
countries and affects regional stability. The recent development of
situation makes it evident that relevant countries should take other
countries' concerns seriously.
Q:
In light of Obama's victory on the US President Election, will the
Chinese Government be making any renewed calls for cessation or halt to
the arms sales planned by President Bush to Taiwan?
A:
China always firmly opposes to the US arms sales to Taiwan. This
position is clear and remains unchanged. We demand that the US
earnestly fulfill its commitment to adhering to One-China Policy,
abiding by the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués and opposing "Taiwan
independence", as well as put an end to its arms sales to Taiwan.
Q:How do you comment on the oil and gas exploration dispute between Bangladesh and Myanmar? Will China take any mediating actions?
A:
We take note of the recent dispute between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Both
Bangladesh and Myanmar are our friendly neighbors and major countries
in this region. We hope to see a stable relationship between them and
stability in the region. We encourage the two to work together to
properly settle their disputes through friendly negotiations. As a
friend to both of them, China would like to play its role in an
appropriate way.
Q: Do you have any information about the talks between Dalai Lama's personal representatives and the Central Government?
A:
Foreign Ministry is not in charge of the issue. I'll leave it to the
competent authorities to release the related information.
Q:
You mentioned earlier that China was willing to work with the Obama
Administration to properly handle the sensitive issues in Sino-US
relations, so what is the most sensitive problem to be addressed when
the Obama is in place?
A:
If you take a look at the history of Sino-US relationship, the Taiwan
issue has been the most sensitive matter at the core of it. Adherence
to the One China Principle and a proper handling of the Taiwan issue
constitutes the political basis of Sino-US relations. We hope that the
United States properly solve the issue, earnestly fulfill its commitment to adhering
the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués, the One China Principle and
opposing the "Taiwan Independence", so as to ensure the healthy and
stable development of the Sino-US relationship.
As
for other disputes between China and the US, we believe they could be
solved through dialogue on the basis of mutual respect, equality and
mutual benefit.
Q:
What are the most important and pressing international issues on the
agenda of the Chinese Government in its discussion with the new U.S.
Administration?
A:
As major countries in the world and permanent members of the United
Nations Security Council, China and the U.S. share extensive interests
and shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding regional and
international peace, security, stability and promoting common
development of the human beings. Profound and complicated changes are
taking place currently worldwide. Our world faces the opportunity of
further development as well as many severe challenges, including
international financial crisis, energy and food security, climate
change, anti-terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation. China and the
U.S. have maintained communication, dialogue and cooperation in recent
years, which scored a series of major achievements, and promoted the
development of bilateral relations. We hope our two countries continue
to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in the future.
Q: During the 15th
APEC Financial Ministers Meeting in Peru recently, an IMF official said
that the G8 should incorporate the emerging markets such as China and
India. How do you comment?
A:
The IMF raised this initiative when the financial crisis keeps on
expanding and aggravating. China has proposed that the international
community should be united in the concerted efforts to face the
challenge side by side. It is imperative to adopt effective measures to
build up confidence, stabilize financial market and ensure healthy and
stable economic development. From a long-term perspective, the current
international financial system needs to be reformed in a comprehensive
and effective manner, so that it can provide better supervision and
oversight, enhance monitoring cooperation, and ensure the long-term
healthy and stable development of international financial market and
world economy. For the aims I just mentioned, all the stakeholders
should conduct thorough consultation on an equal footing, and in
particular, more representation and greater voice should be rendered to
developing and emerging countries. Aid to developing countries should
not be reduced due to financial crises. All in all, we shall work to
build an international financial system that is fair, just, inclusive
and orderly.
The
G8 plays an important role in world politics and economy. We hope the
group can listen carefully to the appeals of the developing countries
and consider their interests. We believe that the relationship between
G8 and the developing countries should be in the interest of balanced,
healthy and orderly development of world politics and economy.
Q:
While the US administration is in transition, how will China keep the
momentum of the Six-Party Talks? Second question, Biden once said that
the Obama will face challenges and tests in his early days of office.
Will China be a test for the new Administration?
A:
For you first question, it is in the common and long-term interests of
all parties concerned, the US included, to keep the momentum of the
Six-Party Talks and have a nuclear-free Korean Peninsular for the
lasting peace and stability on the peninsular and in Northeast Asia. I
believe that no matter which party rules or who takes the US
presidency, they will share this view of the previous administration
and the other parties of the Talks. We hope the Six-Party Talks can
keep pressing ahead and generating positive results under the concerted
efforts of all the concerned parties. We would like to stay in contact
with the US and listen to their views and suggestions.
For
your second question, I think it's up to the new US Administration to
set its priorities. It should be emphasized here that China attaches
great importance to building a constructive relationship of cooperation
with the US. We would like to work with the US to promote
this relationship. We would like to see more opportunities and
cooperation instead of challenges or troubles between the two
countries,
If there are no other questions, thank you for coming. You may stay here for the briefing at 3:30 pm. See you.