Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue Thursday said that China is checking the identities of the people who illegally entered the Spanish Embassy in Beijing earlier in the morning.
"We are still verifying their identities,'' said Zhang at a regular briefing.
"An initial examination has determined they are not refugees.''
Zhang reaffirmed China's opposition to any illegal entry to a nation's territory and said the nation would handle the issue according to the law.
Reports claimed that 25 citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) entered the Spanish Embassy in Beijing Thursday, asking for asylum.
China is in contact with the relevant parties in an effort to find a proper solution to the issue, according to Zhang.
Zhang, denying there was a refugee problem between China and the DPRK, said the nation has treated those who have illegally entered China kindly on humanitarian grounds.
Zhang Thursday also expressed China's willingness to work with the European Union (EU) to resolve their disputes on human rights through dialogue based on equality and respect.
The spokeswoman was responding to a statement on human rights issued after an EU foreign ministers' gathering in Brussels last Monday. The statement recognized the importance of human rights dialogue with China.
The Chinese Government has all along paid attention to the protection of the human rights of Chinese citizens, said Zhang.
Concerning the escalation of tension in the Middle East, Zhang strongly condemned the Israeli army's invasion of Palestinian areas.
"What Israel has done will not help the resolution of the issue, but will only lead to the further worsening of the situation,'' said Zhang.
"The Chinese Government calls on the Israeli Government to actively co-operate with the international community in its efforts for peace and stop immediately military action against Palestine.
"It should resume talks with Palestine as soon as possible and resolve the disputes through peaceful means.''
When asked to comment on the US planned missile defence test Friday, Zhang again reiterated China's opposition to the US development of the system.
"We hope for the establishment of a new concept of security under which resolutions of issues will take into consideration the security interests of all parties and will not harm international disarmament and arms control efforts,'' said Zhang.
The core of the new concept of security as Zhang mentioned is reciprocity, trust, equality and co-operation.
"A Cold War mentality and practice is not in line with global trends and will not be conducive to peace and development in the world,'' said Zhang.
(China Daily March 15, 2002)
