China yesterday called on those responsible for the NATO attack on its embassy in Belgrade to face trial in accord with international law and the "the domestic laws of those nations with jurisdiction". Foreign Ministry spokesman Mr Zhu Bangzao also renewed Beijing's call for an apology from "US-led NATO" for the bombing, which killed three Chinese citizens and destroyed the embassy.
At a press conference, Mr Zhu defended this week's sometimes violent protests against foreign embassies in Beijing as "just". When pressed about why police allowed three days of stone-throwing at the US and UK embassies, he said "we do not condone lawbreaking activities". The police have already made it clear that no further attacks will be allowed.
Beijing's diplomatic quarter was reopened to traffic yesterday as a major clean-up got under way. The British embassy was back in business for the first time since Friday. The battered US embassy will reopen on Monday.
Mr Zhu reiterated that China would not agree to any United Nations Security Council discussion on a Kosovo peace settlement until the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia stopped. "China will not agree to the Security Council discussing any plans [for Kosovo] while the bombing goes on," he said. Also if there was no agreement by Yugoslavia, "then no resolution can be implemented".
The furious reaction of China to what is sees as an assault on its sovereignty has led to speculation that Beijing leaders have decided to abandon the dictum of former leader Deng Xiaoping on a passive world role. "China will keep a low profile, maintain a cool head and never take the lead," advised Deng, who died in 1997.
The rethink involves a more aggressive role in the UN, where China has frequently abstained rather than use its veto on issues with which it does not agree, reports said.
Several NATO leaders, including President Clinton, British Prime Minister Mr Blair and German Chancellor Mr Schroder, have tendered individual apologies, but Beijing is still not satisfied. China has demanded a formal apology, a thorough investigation, the publication of its results and punishment of those responsible.