On November 26, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions.
Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have two announcements to start with.
First, as decided by the Chinese Government, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council will attend the 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 5th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Copenhagen, Denmark, from December 7 to 18.
Second, at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council, Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada will pay an official visit to China from December 2 to 6.
Now I am ready to take your questions.
Q: Can you give us more specifics on Premier Wen Jiabao's attendance of the Copenhagen Meeting? How many days is he going to be there and how involved will he be in the negotiations? Will China bring up some new negotiating positions?
A: As you know, the Copenhagen Meeting will last for several days and I have no information about the specific date of Premier Wen's attendance of the meeting. I will keep you updated.
Taking the climate change issue seriously, the Chinese Government has been in active participation of the international cooperation against climate change. China adheres to the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol as the major channel and fundamental legal framework of the international cooperation against climate change and the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities". We hope the Copenhagen Meeting will attain a fair and reasonable outcome according to the mandate of the Bali Roadmap and push for a comprehensive, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.
Q: Chairman Raymond Burghardt of the American Institute in Taiwan recently said in Taiwan that the U.S. respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but this does not include Taiwan. This is the first time that he makes it so clear and his remarks came only five days after President Obama's visit to China. We all know that the U.S. and China agreed to "respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity" in the China-U.S. Joint Statement. Can you comment?
A: Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The principle of respecting China's sovereignty and territorial integrity absolutely applies to Taiwan.
Q: I have two questions. First, Taiwan fishing boats were recently detained by the Myanmese military vessels. What's the latest developments and how's the condition of the sailors? Second, the U.S. Commerce Department issued the verdict on November 24 to impose anti-subsidy duties on Chinese OCTG. Will this move affect China-U.S. relations? Can you comment?
A: On the evening of November 24, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar was informed by the Myanmese side that 10 foreign fishing boats were recently seized. 128 foreign sailors on board were detained, among which four are from Taiwan and one from mainland. The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar is verifying the specifics and has requested for consular visit. The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Embassy in Myanmar have made representations with the Myanmese side, requesting it to properly handle the case according to law and ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of the detained Chinese fisherman and Taiwan compatriots.
We have always attached great importance to the safety and legitimate rights and interests of overseas Taiwan compatriots. Chinese missions in foreign countries view all overseas compatriots as equals, should they come from mainland, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan and make every effort to protect their legitimate rights and interests.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry responded yesterday to the question of U.S. anti-subsidy duties on Chinese OCTG. We express our strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition against the U.S. move.
Q: Will there be any press briefing for the upcoming China-EU Summit? Will Premier Wen Jiabao take questions then?
A: China and the EU have stayed in close communication and consultation for the forthcoming 12th China-EU Summit. The specific arrangement for the briefing after the Summit is under discussion.
Q: Activist Feng Zhenghu has been held up in Tokyo airport for some time. In spite of his valid Chinese passport, he has been denied access to China by Chinese authorities. Could you give us some details? And why is he not allowed to come back into China?
A: China's competent authorities handle such cases according to the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Control of the Exit and Entry of Citizens. I'll leave it to relevant authorities for details.
Q: The White House announced yesterday that the US will make pledges at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference that it will cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 17% by 2020 from the 2005 levels. How does China comment?
A: We have noted relevant reports. China believes that all developed countries should shoulder comparable quantitative emission targets in light of the Bali Action Plan. All parties should exert their utmost towards that so as to promote positive results out of the Copenhagen Conference.
Q: You just announced Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the Copenhagen Conference, will President Hu Jintao also show up there?
A: I suggest you listen to my announcement again carefully. I'd like to stress that climate change is a major issue of international concern. Premier Wen Jiabao's presence is a manifestation of how serious the Chinese Government is on this issue and how strong our political willingness is to cooperate with the international community in this field.
Q: You said that under the Bali Roadmap, all developed countries should adopt quantitative emission targets. Do you see the US announcement yesterday a positive momentum for the Copenhagen Conference? Second, while attending the UN Climate Change Summit, President Hu Jintao proposed carbon intensity targets. Will Premier Wen Jiabao announce specific targets in the run-up to the Conference?
A: I just answered your first question, and similar ones several months ago. As the largest developed country, the US should shoulder its due obligations on climate change consistent with its historical responsibility and real capacity. We believe the international community should all work for the success of the Copenhagen Conference.
Actually, I have also responded to the second question. What I want to add is, the Chinese Government is taking every action to tackle climate change. Our policies, measures and achievements have been witnessed by all. President Hu Jintao, while attending the UN Climate Change Summit this September, announced future major measures we will adopt to meet this challenge. This fully demonstrates the positive contribution made by the Chinese Government to combating climate change on the basis of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, as well as China's national conditions and capabilities.
If there are no more questions, thank you for coming! See you!
