Gao Zhan, a US-based Chinese national detained at the Beijing Capital International Airport on February 11 along with her husband, had admitted acting as a paid spy for overseas intelligence agencies, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sun Yuxi told a news conference in Beijing on March 27.
"Evidence has shown that Gao Zhan accepted commissions from overseas intelligence agencies and also took funds for spying activities on the Chinese mainland," Sun told a regular news briefing.
"She has also confessed. At present, relevant departments in China are investigating this in accordance with the law," the spokesman added. But Sun did not specify which countries made the alleged payments.
Gao's husband Xue Donghua and her son were released on March 8.
The United States last week protested the alleged detention of the boy, who is an American citizen because he was born in the United States, and China's failure to inform the US side. However, Sun said China refused to accept the protest as valid, and insisted the boy was not detained.
"After gaining the consent of the couple, the son Andrew Xue was under the care of a kindergarten in Beijing. The kindergarten took great care of him and Andrew lived just as other children in the kindergarten," he said.
"There is no such thing as detention and the position of the United States against China is unfounded. The Chinese side cannot accept the protests by the US side," he added.
Asked to comment on the recent visit by Vice-Premier Qian Qichen to the United States, Sun stressed the importance of the three Sino-US joint communiques for the settlement of any disputes between them.
"We are confident that as long as the two sides adhere to the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiques and properly handle disputes, Sino-US relations will remain stable and there will be a new improvement," he said.
Qian, during his week-long visit, held talks with US President George W. Bush, Vice-President Richard Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell and other high-ranking officials.
These talks touched upon issues such as the US selling of advanced weapons to Taiwan and the US development of the National Missile Defence (NMD) system.
Sun said that the visit has achieved "positive and constructive" results, increasing mutual understanding and promoting dialogue and co-operation.
( China Daily HK Edition 03/28/2001)
