This week Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan has answered through telephone the following questions raised by foreign correspondents posted in Beijing after the routine Foreign Ministry press conference suspended for the summer break.

Q: Pentagon has said in its recent annual report that China is boosting its ballistic missile stocks to prepare for a possible showdown with Taiwan. What is your comment?

A: It is the indisputable right of all countries to safeguard its state sovereignty and territorial integrity.  The purpose that relevant side of the US has repeatedly spread the so-called missile threat posed by China’s mainland against Taiwan is to seek public opinion support and create excuse for its sale of advanced weapons to Taiwan. The Chinese side hereby expresses its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to it.  

Q: It is reported that Japan and Taiwan have reached agreement on the demarcation of joint fishing areas in the East China Sea.  What is your comment?

A: We have taken note of relevant report. The Chinese Government has always attached importance to safeguarding the interest of the Taiwan compatriots including the interest of fishermen. We hope that the Japanese side will handle properly relevant issues in strict accordance with the spirit of the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”.  

Q: It’s reported that the tripartite talks of China, the US and DPRK will be held in Beijing in the first week of September. Please confirm. Besides, President Bush noted that progress has been made in solving the Korean nuclear question in his phone conversation with President Hu Jintao. Can you be more specific in what the progress is?

A: Thanks to the concerted efforts of China and various parties, parties concerned are positive towards launching the second round of Beijing talks at the moment. Further discussions on when and how to proceed with the talks are underway.

Q: We heard that Nauru has closed its embassy in China in an effort to establish diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Please confirm and comment.

A: In July 2002, China officially established diplomatic ties with Nauru. According to the Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, the two countries agree to set up embassies in each other’s country. China set up its embassy in Nauru last September and appointed the ambassador.  Bilateral ties have maintained a good momentum of development since the establishment of diplomatic relations one year ago. The Government of Nauru has on many occasions noted that it will appoint an ambassador, a Nauru citizen, to China and officially set up its embassy in due course. China will assist and facilitate the founding of the embassy in accordance with the Communiquéon the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.