Minister Tang Jiaxuan explained and answered questions on such following issues.

China Sticks to Independent Foreign Policy for Peace

China will unswervingly adhere to the independent foreign policy of peace, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said. The mission of China's diplomatic work is to "safeguard world peace and promote common development," Tang said.

China's foreign policy features continuity and stability, which will remain unchanged.

China will continue to develop normal relations with foreign countries on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence.

The impact of oil resources will not be large enough to affect China's foreign policy, said Tang Jiaxuan.

Oil and natural gas are strategic resources for China and the country imports a large quantity of oil every year. But China has long ago made preparations to diversify its importation channels, said Tang.

Iraq Issue

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said that every effort has to be made to avert a war on Iraq, as war is not in the interests of the people in the world.

One can find the best proof to this as more and more people worldwide are voicing their opinions against war, Tang said.

As a permanent UN Security Council member, China will continue to hold to its position of finding a political solution to the issue of Iraq within the framework of UN Resolution 1441 and there is no need for a new UN resolution, said Tang.

Tang said that the issue of Iraq is at a critical juncture of military action and a political solution.

He said that the tasks defined in UN Resolution 1441 have not been fully accomplished, especially the tasks of weapons inspection and efforts should be continued to strengthen weapons inspection and seek a political solution and avert a war. As a result, China holds that it is not necessary to put aside Resolution 1441 and introduce a new one.

Minister Tang will leave for New York to attend conference of the UN Security Council on Iraq Issue, Tang said.

It's still a bit too early to talk about whether China would use its power of veto in the UN Security Council on the Iraq issue, Tang said. There is still possibility to resolve the issue politically, Tang said.

China will take its own decision in accordance with its independent foreign policy of peace, he added.

"This is my third visit to the UN within a month on the same issue," he said.

China's stance on the Iraq issue is consistent with that of France, Germany and Russia, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan continued. China endorsed and supported the contents of the joint declaration issued by the three countries Wednesday.

China has no secret deal with France, Germany and Russia on the Iraq issue, although their stance on the Iraq issue is consistent, Tang Jiaxuan said. But China often exchanges views with the three countries.

China Urges Prompt Direct DPRK-US Dialogue

The resolving of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear issue lies in the direct dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States, said Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan

China has noticed that the DPRK said that the DPRK had no intention to develop nuclear weapons and may accept inspection through bilateral channels with the United States.

"China has made lots of efforts to promote the peaceful talks between the two sides, " Tang said.

China Cherishes Ties with Africa

China attaches great importance to its relations with African countries and other developing countries, and would provide assistance for them to the best of its capacity in a sincere way, said Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.

Japan Urged to Learn Lessons from History

Japan should learn lessons from history and abide by the three basic documents on Sino-Japanese relations.

Necessary conditions have to be created for future high-level exchanges between the two nations, the foreign minister said, in response to a question raised by a Japanese reporter from the NHK.

The three documents Tang mentioned refer to the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan, the Sino-Japan Joint Declaration, and the Sino-Japan Statement.

The bilateral ties between the two countries have run into difficulties due to official visits of Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in recent years.

Taiwan Issue Key to Sino-US Relations

Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said that the key to the development of Sino-US relations is that the three China-US joint communiqués are respected, and that the United States properly handles the Taiwan issue and adheres to the one-China principle.

The key to Sino-US relations lies in whether the United States can properly handle the Taiwan issue. Tang said that China's position on Taiwan issue is clear-cut and consistent.

"In promoting the development of Sino-US relations," he said, "the two sides should treat bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective, deepen mutual understanding and trust while recognizing differences."

HK Legislation An Internal Affair of China

Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said that the legislation related to Article 23 of the Hong Kong SAR Basic Law is an internal affair of China and of the Special Administrative Region, and no foreign country should make irresponsible remarks on this issue.

It's international common practice to make laws to prohibit criminal activities that endanger national security and unity, said Tang, adding that the Hong Kong SAR is fully entitled to make laws of its own according to the HKSAR Basic Law.

Pakistan's Anti-terrorism Efforts Hailed

Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said that Pakistan has made a great deal of positive efforts in the international war on terrorism.

Tang also spoke highly of the long-term and traditional friendship between China and Pakistan, describing it as "an all-weather relationship."

The cooperation between China and Pakistan is beneficial to peace, stability and development in South Asia.

(China.org.cn March 6, 2003)