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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, May 22, 2002

FM Spokesman on Progress in Consulate Intrusion Incident

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan, at the regular press conference held on May 21, answered journalists' questions, among others, on such hot issues as the latest progress in the incident of intrusion into the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang, the India-Pakistan situation and the itinerary of US Vice-President Richard Cheney's China visit.


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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan, at the regular press conference held on May 21, answered journalists' questions, among others, on such hot issues as the latest progress in the incident of intrusion into the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang, the India-Pakistan situation and the itinerary of US Vice-President Richard Cheney's China visit.

Question: Where are the five unidentified persons who tried to break into the Japanese Consulate General? How is their health condition?

Answer: The five persons who tried to burst into the Japanese Consulate General are currently in Shenyang, the Chinese police are checking and verifying their identities and their other conditions. They are in good condition.

Consulate Intrusion Incident
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    • Q: Have China and Japan conducted further consultations on the incident of the "consulate intrusion" in Shenyang? Is there any progress"? It is said that a US senator put forward a proposal, demanding that the Chinese side release the five "consulate intruders", what's the view of the Chinese side in this regard?

    A: Currently, the Chinese side has not conducted any consultation with the Japanese side over this question. The Chinese side has repeatedly indicated that how this question is handled is a matter within China's sovereign right. With regard to that proposal you just mentioned, we are opposed to it. Because how the related personnel are dealt with is entirely a matter within China's sovereignty, other countries have no right to intervene.

    Q: Aside from the handling of the question concerning the five persons, does the Japanese side demand consultation on the matter of "encroachment upon consular sovereignty"? What progress has been made in the consultation?

    A: With regard to the matter concerning the five persons trying to break into the Japanese Consulate General, the Chinese side has made the details of the matter known to the Japanese side and the general public, so the situation is crystal clear. We demand that the Japanese side face up to the objective facts and refrain from making unreasonable charge and demand on the Chinese side. After the work of verifying their identities and other questions is completed, the Chinese side will legally handle related personnel on its own.

    Q: The Japanese government has recently time and again indicated that regarding this event, the most important thing at present is to solve the problem by taking a humanitarian stand, what's the Chinese side's comment on this matter?

    A: From the very beginning of this incident, the Chinese side has repeatedly expressed in clear-cut terms that with regard to the handling of the five persons, the Chinese side will properly handle them in accordance with the international law, related domestic laws and regulations and in a humanitarian spirit. Therefore what the Japanese side should do at the moment is to respect the realistic investigation result made by the Chinese side.

    Q: You've repeatedly indicated that the Chinese side will verify the identities of the five persons. But many media have proved that they are Koreans and have even published their names. Why does it need to take such a long time for verification of their identities? If these people are proved to be Koreans, will the Chinese side consider sending them back to Korea?

    A: So far as I know, the Chinese side is checking and verifying the identities of these five persons and other related questions, at the moment I have no more information to provide.

    Q: Among the five persons attempting to rush into the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang is a girl, is she now in a prison, or an inn or some sort of institution like children's home?

    A: So far as I know, the Chinese side does not take any legal measures toward the girl.

    Q: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, will the recent incident of "consulate intrusion" affect the China-Japan relationship? The Chinese side has expressed that it will handle the matter concerning "consulate intruders" in accordance with domestic laws, international law and in a humanitarian spirit, does the Chinese side take into account the fact of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Japan?

    A: China and Japan are important neighboring countries, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the forging of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Chinese side has all along paid great attention to the development of neighborly and friendly relations with Japan. We hold that in the process of handling some incidents, the Japanese side should keep calm and face up to reality, this is exactly the attitude we hope the Japanese side should take in handling the issue concerning the five persons who tried to burst into the Japanese Consulate General.

    Q: Does the current situation imply that the five persons have become hostages? If the Japanese side accepts the investigation result of and apologizes to China, the Chinese side will release them, or otherwise, the Chinese side will continue to keep them in custody.

    A: This is a question of two different natures. First of all, the Chinese side has published the repeatedly verified investigation result, we hope the Japanese side can face up to this result. Realistically speaking, the present situation is brought about by the Japanese side. There are, indeed, some forces attempting to create trouble in the China-Japan relations. We hope the Japanese side can respect facts, handle the matter in a calm and prudent manner, so as to prevent the incident from becoming an obstacle to the development of China-Japan relationship. We have repeatedly expressed our stand on the handling of the five persons. The Chinese side will properly handle the matter after verifying their identities in accordance with international law, domestic laws and in a humanitarian spirit.

    Q: The Chinese side stated that the Koreans illegally entering into China are "economic immigrants", not political refugees, a series of "consulate or embassy intrusion" incidents have put the Chinese side in an awkward position and has resulted in tension in Chinese relations with Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and other neighboring countries, is China re-examining its policy toward Korea, in order to solve this question?

    A: The Chinese government's attitude toward handling related issues has been clear-cut from the very beginning. Firstly, the Chinese government is duty-bound and obligated to protect the security of the buildings and personnel of foreign embassies and consulates in China in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relationship and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The Chinese side will adopt further measures to guarantee fulfillment of this obligation. Secondly, some behind-the-scene people attempt to exploit such things to create disturbances, challenge China's laws and the Chinese government's determination to protect the security of foreign embassies and consulates in China, and undermine the stability of Chinese society. We resolutely condemn and oppose such kind of behavior. If they violate Chinese laws, they will definitely be punished according to Chinese laws.

    Q: You've said the Chinese side will handle the "consulate intruders" in accordance with domestic laws, international law and humanitarianism, could you explain how the Chinese side will deal with these persons in accordance with China's domestic laws if these people are proved to be Koreans? And how will China handle this matter in accordance with international law?

    A: We are now verifying their identities and related issues, it is not convenient for me to answer the question at the moment. However, I would like to reiterate that the Chinese side would properly handle the matter in accordance with international law, domestic laws and in a humanitarian spirit after making verification of the identities of these five persons.

    Q: If these five persons are Koreans, how will the Chinese side handle them? If they are not Koreans, how will China do about them?

    A: It is too earlier to draw any conclusions before their identities and related matters are clarified.

    Q: Could you figure out how long would it probably take to complete verification of this matter?

    A: Because these people do not have any ID cards, therefore, verification, of course, takes time. As to how long it will take, I can not and do not have the right to answer.

    Q: It is reported that a US senator will hold a hearing on the "Korean refugees" as well as China's handling of the "consulate intrusion" incident, what's China's comment on the increasing concerns of the international community over this matter? Will the Chinese method used to handle other "consulate intruders" incidents since March this year become a precedent?

    A: We have said over and again that how to handle the matter concerning the five persons attempting to rush into Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang is entirely within China's sovereign right, any other country has no right to intervene. With regard to the second question, what I want to say is that when China is dealing with similar incidents, it bases itself on international law, domestic laws and in a humanitarian spirit.

    Q: A couple of husband and wife and their daughter before the Chilean Embassy were carried off by Chinese police four weeks ago, these people originally planned to break into the embassy of the Republic of Korea, the woman then had been pregnant for nine months, what are the situations of the three persons?

    A: I didn't hear anything about the matter.



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