On the afternoon of March 21, 2006, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang held a regular press conference.

Qin: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have three announcements to make:

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, Romanian President Traian Basescu will pay a state visit to China from March 27th to 29th.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Foreign Minister Stefan Meller of the Republic of Poland will pay an official visit to China from March 28th to 30th.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohamed Bedjaoui of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria will pay an official visit to China from March 27th to 29th.

I'm ready to take up questions.

Q: When was Mr. Kong Quan appointed director-general of the Department of European Affairs? Who will be the new spokesman?

A: Thank you for you close interest in the Information Department of Foreign Ministry and Mr. Kong Quan. I had planned to make an announcement in this regard before the end of this press conference. Since you bring out the question now, I'll make this announcement ahead of schedule.

Considering the work arrangement, Mr. Kong Quan was recently transferred to the Department of European Affairs as director-general. Today, he requested me to bid farewell to the Chinese and foreign friends from the press on his behalf. He said over the past four years plus, as director-general of the Information Department and Foreign Ministry spokesman, he had a pleasant memory of working together with you and nurtured profound friendship. Thus he feels so reluctant to part with you. He requested me to thank all of you on his behalf for your support for his work and your cooperation over the past years. He also hoped you would continue your effort to make greater contribution to the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and the people all over the world.

My colleague Liu Jianchao, another Foreign Ministry Spokesman very familiar to you, was appointed director-general of the Information Department. Today, he also requested me to send you his regards on this occasion. He is grateful for your support for him in the past and hopes to maintain good cooperation with you in the future work. He wishes you every success in your work. We will announce the new spokesperson at an appropriate time. Please keep your patience and we won't keep you waiting long.

Q: Today, President Putin will sign 15 agreements during his visit. Please offer some details on the agreements, in particular, the agreement on the oil pipeline.

A: At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President of the Russian Federation Putin arrived in Beijing this morning and started his state visit to China. During his visit, President Putin will hold talks or meet with President Hu Jintao, Chairman Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao. Now, President Hu Jintao is holding talks with President Putin. During the visit, the two countries will sign a number of agreements on bilateral cooperation. I cannot disclose the contents of the agreements at this stage. But I can tell you that the agreements have rich contents and cover a wide range of areas. Please let your patience endure a couple of more hours. You will find out details.

Energy cooperation is a very important field in the relations between China and Russia. We also hope to maintain close consultation and cooperation with Russia in this field.

Q: Will the Iranian nuclear issue and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula become major items on the agenda of China-Russia summit meeting? How does China comment on Russia's proposal on building a uranium enrichment facility within the territory of Russia? How does China view the effort made by Iranian president in the course of solving the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation? Do China and Russia concur with each other on this issue?

A: Both China and Russia are big countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council. During President Putin's visit to China, the leaders of the two countries will make in-depth exchange of views on the international and regional situation at larger scale, in addition to bilateral relations and major issues. The Iranian nuclear issue and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula will be on the agenda, because China and Russia play part in the solution of both the two issues with a constructive attitude. We share the same goal, that is, hope to solve the two issues peacefully through negotiation, so as to contribute to the peace and stability of the region and the world as a whole.

We hold that there is still room for a solution of the Iranian nuclear issue at the negotiation table. The parties concerned should continue to show their patience and flexibility, in order to create favorable conditions for the proper solution of this issue. China and Russia share views in common on the peaceful and proper solution of the issue and are staying in close contact and consultation with other parties concerned. We believe that Russia's proposal is after all a helpful explorative effort that may break the impasse and move the issue closer to proper solution. We support all plans and efforts that may contribute to the proper solution of this issue.

Q: It is reported by the Xinhua News Agency that China made representations to the US on the criticism of China's defense policy in its Report on National Security Strategy. Please tell us something about the representations. You said China pursued a national defense policy of defensive nature. Can you offer further explanation? What's your comment on the overseas accusations of China's lack of transparency in its national defense policy?

A: Yesterday, I responded to the US Report on National Security Strategy. I suggest that you refer to my statement yesterday.

Regarding China's defensive national defense policy, we have said on many occasions that China's defense policy is of a defensive nature. We have a 22,000km-long land borderline and a lengthy maritime border. It is an unquestionable mandate for every sovereign countries in the world to safeguard its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.

China's national defense is first and foremost aimed to defend China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

China's military expenditure has to meet the demand of the development of our military forces in the new context, including that of improving the livelihood and welfare of the men and women in uniform. In response to the overall improvement of economy, the treatment for servicemen and servicewomen should be elevated accordingly. Given that the pay raise of civil servants is legitimate, why is it not for the people in service?

China is unflinching on its way of peaceful development, and China will make its due contributions to the peace, stability and common development of the world.

Q: Several US Senators are visiting China. They said a 27.5% import duty should be levied on China exports to the US, as a measure to offset the reluctance of RMB revaluation. What's your comment?

A: At the invitation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Chinese National People's Congress, the US Senators Graham, Schumer and Coburn arrived in Beijing yesterday. They will also visit Shanghai and Hong Kong and end their trip on 26th. Vice Chairman of the NPC Sheng Huaren will meet with them this evening. Chinese State Councilor Madame Wu Yi will meet with them as well. In addition, they will meet with the officials in charge of NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, Foreign Ministry, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Commerce and the People's Bank of China, to exchange views on trade and economic issues of common interest between the two countries. This morning, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with the three senators. I'm willing to briefly share with you what happened in the meeting.

When meeting with the senators, Foreign Minister Li stressed that China is the largest developing country and the US the largest developed country. Both of them are permanent members of the UN Security Council. It is crucial both to the people of the two countries and the peace, stability and development of the world that China and the US have to maintain sound cooperative relations. In recent years, China-US relations have on the whole kept the momentum in development. The countries share common interest in a wide range of areas, and have had effective cooperation on such regional and international issues as trade, economy, anti-terrorism, non-proliferation, bird flu control, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue and the reconstruction in Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Li pointed out that both sides should treat China-US relations from the strategic perspective, seek greater common ground on the basis of the three joint communiqués, solve differences properly and push forward China-US constructive and cooperative relations in the 21st century in an all-round way. Foreign Minister Li stated the principled position of the Chinese Government on the Taiwan question.

The three senators said that China and the US were two big countries and share many common interests. The two countries should keep developing relations of close cooperation. The two sides have differences and problems between them. They should solve those problems through consultation in a reconciliatory spirit and should not allow differences rift bilateral relations. This serves the interest of both sides. The senators expressed their hope for the success of China's development and the steady development of China-US relations. They believed that China will be reunified one day.

Certainly, the three senators also expressed their concern over RMB exchange rate and other issues involving China-US trade and economic relations. They hoped China would take measures on the issues and make progress.

Minister Li briefed them on China's view, policy and proposition on the RMB exchange rate and China-US relations, pointing out that China-US trade and economic relations benefit each other as well as the people on the two sides. The differences and frictions should be properly resolved through dialogue and consultation in line with the principle of equality, mutual benefit and common development. These issues should not be politicized and overstated.

Q: Recently, some US senators criticized China. Do you think their criticism poison the atmosphere of President Hu's visit to the US? China has explained many times its concept of peaceful development and military expenditure. In your opinion, why doesn't the US think this way? Does China think it needs to take measures to change the views of the US?

A: We have expressed our principled position on China-US relations on many occasions. China and the US share broad common interest and the two sides should step dialogue and cooperation. We have explained to the US for many times on the issues of its concern, including the road of China's development and the differences and problems in bilateral trade and economy. We have to put on each other's shoes in dealing with bilateral relations. When handling China-US relations, we have to bear in mind the interest and concern of the US. We hope the US will also bear in mind China's interest and concern in dealing with our relations. The US talks about "stakeholder", which is a two-way concept, instead of a one-way term. It should refers to a relationship of mutual respect and equality. We hope that the US will view China and China's development in an objective, fair and rational way, and properly solve the problems between us. This serves the interest of both sides.

Q: What's China's comment on the tripartite security dialogue between the US, Australia and Japan?

A: Some journalists asked about the tripartite meeting between the US, Australia and Japan in previous press conferences. My answer then is that we hoped that the three parties could do things conducive to the mutual trust between countries in the region and to the maintainance of peace, security and stability in the region. Some said that this meeting was directed against China. What I want to emphasize is that it is an important consensus reached by the leaders of China and the US to develop their constructive and cooperative relations. Under the guidance of the consensus and with the joint efforts from both sides, the Sino-US relations have maintained stable development in general in recent years. The two countries has held productive consultations and cooperation in many bilateral fields and on important international issues, which not only comply with the fundamental interest of both peoples, but also promote forcefully the peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large. This good situation has not come by easily and deserves being cherished. China's internal and foreign policy and its road of development has long been set, which is to unswervingly adhere to the road of peaceful development, adhere to an independent foreign policy, and dedicate itself to the joint efforts by the world people to build a world of peace, friendship and cooperation. China adopts a defensive national policy, and the limited national defense force it has is purely a self-defensive one. The 28 years of China's opening-up and reform has proved that the peaceful development of China has brought unprecedented opportunity to the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, and has made important contribution to maintaining the world peace and promoting common development. That was an obvious fact to all. We hope that the US could, by following the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, take China and China's policy with an objective and just view, and avoid making any comments not conducive to the healthy development of the Sino-US relations, the enhancement of mutual trust as well as peace and stability of the region.

Q: The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Guterres is visiting Beijing. He held talks with the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Please brief us on his visit. Did the two sides discuss the DPRK refugees issue in China? Will China change its policy in that regard?

A: At the invitation of China's Foreign Affairs Ministry, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Guterres is visiting China from March 20 to 21. During his visit, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will meet with him, and responsible officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, public security, civil affairs and commerce will also meet with him or hold talks with him. The two sides will exchange ideas on the world refugee situation, the cooperation between China and United Nations High Commission for Refugees. During his visit, Mr. Guterres will also attend the launching ceremony for the Chinese version of the Guidance to the International Law on Refugees. This is his first visit to China as High Commissioner. We believe that this visit will further deepen the trust between each other, and push the existing good cooperation between both sides to a further stage.

This noon Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with Mr. Guterres. The two held a good discussion. Mr. Guterres said that the UNHCR hoped that it could strengthen exchange and cooperation with China in handling refugee issue and in eradicating the roots from which refugees emerge.

As to your second question, what I want to note is, those people you referred to were illegal immigrants rather than refugees. China will continue to bear in the mind the principles of international laws, internal laws and humanritarism in handling this issue.

Q: Did the Ministry take notice that Chairman of the Taiwan KMT Ma Ying-jeou is visiting the US. Does China think that the receiving arrangements that the US accords to Ma Ying-jeou went against the One-China principle?

A: The Chinese Government treats Taiwan's activities with foreign countries by the One China principle and holds no objection to Taiwan's civil exchanges with foreign countries. But we firmly oppose any secessionist move to create "Two Chinas" or "One China, One Taiwan. " internationally.

Q: State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan just wrapped up his visit to Nepal. Please comment on the significance of this visit. President Putin is visiting China now. Will China discuss the tripartite cooperation between China, India and Russia with Russia?

A: State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan visited Nepal from 16 to 18 this month. His program there included meetings with King Gyanendra, First Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Giri, Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Bista, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pandey, President of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) Deuba, President of Nepali Congress Koirala and senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) Adhikari. This is a successful visit. State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan exchanged in-depth views with the Nepalese leaders and leaders of the relevant parties on bilateral relations. Tang pointed out that the Chinese Government firmly adheres to a friendly policy to Nepal. Developing the good-neighborly and friendly relations between China and Nepal is an important part of China's foreign policy of good-neighborhood, complies with the fundamental interest of both peoples and is conducive to the peace and development of the region. No matter how the international situation changes, China's friendly policy to Nepal will not change. Tang emphasized that China adheres to the principle of not-interference with the internal affairs of other countries. As to the road of development that Nepal chooses, the choice should be made by the Nepalese people according to their own national situation and need. The stability and development of Nepal complies with the interest of Nepal and the interest of the countries in the region. The Chinese government firmly supports Nepal's efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national stability. Nepal appraised positively China's friendly policy towards Nepal, and expressed its appreciation to China's consistent support to Nepal's efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

As to the tripartite cooperation between China, Russia and India. All three are big countries. They share many common interests in safeguarding regional security, stability and development. The three parties held regular meetings to exchange in-depth views on issues of common interest and to strengthen coordination and cooperation. This complies with the interest of the three parties and the peace and stability of the region and the world. As the meeting between President Putin and President Hu Jintao is undergoing, I am not aware whether they will touch upon that issue or not.

Q: Some Chinese experts said that China-Russia relationship has reached its peak at present. What's your comment? What is the major objective in strengthening the Sino-Russian strategic Cooperation relationship?

A: The Sino-Russian relationship has maintained a sound momentum during more than 10 years, with four stages achieved from mutually friendly nations, the establishment of constructive partnership relations, strategic cooperation partnership relations to Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between the two countries in 2001. Both countries maintained very good cooperation in various fields, yielding rich fruits. The state leaders have maintained constant mutual visits. President Hu visited Russia twice in 2005. The heads of state issued jointly a China-Russia joint declaration on international order in 21st century, with positive reaction from international community.

The goals of the establishment of Sino-Russia strategic cooperation partnership relations are: firstly, to promote cooperation between the two countries in various fields, and to strengthen good friendly and neighborly cooperation relationship; secondly, to work jointly for peace and stability of both regionally and internationally, and to forge ahead with common development. I would like to ask you to read carefully the series of treaties and agreements reached between China and Russia, including Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation and a joint declaration on international order in 21st century. I believe that you can find answers there without difficulties.

Concerning the delimitation issue, two countries have established the strategic security consultation mechanism and the committee on parliament cooperation, resolving the historic issues thoroughly. At present, the Sino-Russia State Year has been held in China. Russian President Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao will participate in the opening ceremony of the "Year of Russia" tonight. And the "Year of China" will be held in Russia next year. The joint military exercise has been successfully held. Mutual supports have been strengthened on the issues such as sovereignty, security and integrity of sovereign lands. The cooperation on economic and trade, energy and investment have achieved break-troughs. Both sides maintained close communication and coordination in regional and international issues, including the sound cooperation on counter-terrorism and under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on safeguarding regional security. All in all, the level of China-Russia strategic partnership is very high, with abundant cooperation fruits, huge potential and bright future for development.

Q:Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Jia Qinglin is visiting Vietnam, what is the significance of his visit to promote China-Vietnam relations?

A: Jia Qinglin, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is paying a friendly visit of Vietnam. Yesterday Chairman Jia Qinlin held talks with Phan Dien the member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Executive Member of the CPV Central Committee's Secretariat. Both sides thought positively about the relations between our two countries and two parties and the two countries maintain very close consultation and exchanges with fruitful results in economic relations and trade. Now China is Vietnam's largest trade partner. The multidimensional trade and economic cooperation structure is initially formed. The boundary issue left over from history is being solved step by step. The Agreements on Beibu Bay Delimitation and for Fisheries Cooperation in the Beibu Bay between China and Vietnam is put into practice smoothly and both sides got consensus on joint development. The cooperation in foreign affairs and security between the two countries and the cooperation in theory research and youth exchanges between our two parties are going deeper.

The Vietnam side is satisfied with the good development momentum of the relations between our two countries and two parties. Chairman Jia Qinglin made several proposals on the future development of bilateral relations, including the maintenance of the high level exchanges, the deepening trade and economic cooperation, stepping up the process of the land border demarcation, and the strengthening of cooperation in the oil and gas exploration and fisheries in Beibu Bay to promote the early fruits of the joint development of the South China Sea and to strengthen the friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields between our two countries. Chairman Jia said that the National Committee of CPPCC is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperation with Mat Tran To Quoc Viet Nam from a multidimensional and multilevel perspective. At present, China and Vietnam enjoy good relationship, with deeper cooperation in various fields under the principle of good-neighborliness and friendship. This visit by Chinaman Jia is an important part of the bilateral high level exchanges plan and it will promote the development of the relations between our two countries and two parties.

Q: Has the time of President Hu Jintao's visit to the US been set? Could you please share with us the latest development since it is related to our coverage arrangement?

A: I understand that, as far as I know up to now, China and US are making consultations on the relevant arrangement. I will update you once I get the information.

Q: It is 3 years since the US launched the war against Iraq, and President Bush has made some remarks on that. It seems that the US is plunged into the Iraq war deeper and deeper, what's your comment in this regard?

A: China always holds that the disputes between countries shall be resolved through peaceful negotiations. What is important for Iraq and Iraqi people now is to restore stability at an early date and to do the reconstruction work to bring peaceful and stable life to Iraqi people as early as possible.

Q: France and Britain referred a resolution together to the UN Security Council on Iranian nuclear issue to request Iran for the suspension of uranium enrichment activities and also set the final time limit. It is reported that China and Russia is not supportive of the resolution, what is China's position on this resolution?

A:I have expounded our position on the Iranian nuclear issue just now. We are of the view that the Iranian nuclear issue shall be properly solved through political negotiations and diplomatic means which are not only in the interest of China and Russia but also in the common interest of various parties including the member states of the UN Security Council. So we think that we shall give more time to political negotiations and diplomatic efforts and also call on the relevant parties to enhance negotiations and demonstrate flexibility and patience to create conditions for the final peaceful solution of this issue. This is in the common interest of relevant parties. You may notice that today US Reprehensive to the UN also indicated that various parties shall maintain dialogue and consultation on this issue.

Q: Premier Wen Jiabao made three proposals on the development of China-Japan relations in his press conference during the NPC and CPPCC sessions this year, and one of them is the strengthening of strategic dialogue of the two countries. What measures will China take in this regard this year? Has the time for the next round of consultation on East China Sea been set?

A: There is a mechanism for strategic dialogue between the Foreign Ministries of China and Japan. Up to now the strategic dialogue has gone through four rounds, the time for the next round of strategic dialogue shall be decided by the two parties through consultation.

We have all along held that the East China Sea issue shall be properly solved through consultation between China and Japan. Now China and Japan have had several rounds of dialogue on this issue and we have agreed that the time for the next round of consultation shall be set at an early date.

If there are no more questions, thank you for your attendance, good bye!