On the afternoon of June 6, 2006, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference.

Liu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I'm ready to take up question now.

Q: I have four questions for you. First, yesterday, a Spanish national court started to hear the case on Tibet filed by a "Tibet independence" organization. What comment does the Chinese government have? Second, Garcia won the Peruvian presidential election last Sunday. What's China's comment? What expectation do you have for the new Peruvian government? Third, the US State Department issued a report, criticizing China and the DPRK on human trafficking. What response does China have? Fourth, please give some details on the visit of a Latin American parliament delegation.

A: The accusation of the "Tibet independence" organization is nothing but fabrication and libel. The Tibet affair is completely Chinese internal affair. We are firmly opposed to any country interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of the so-called "Tibet question". We hope our friendly countries can have a clear understanding of the secessionist nature of Dailai clique and refrain from providing any opportunity for their anti-China secessionist activities.

On your second question, we notice that the run-off round of Peruvian presidential election completed smoothly. China respects the choice of Peruvian people. Over the past 35 years since China and Peru established diplomatic ties, their relations have developed smoothly. The Chinese government attaches importance to its friendly and cooperative relations with Peru and is willing to work together with the new Peruvian government to steadily push forward the comprehensive and cooperative partnership between us.

On your third question, the Chinese government sets high store by protecting the rights and interests of the Chinese people and combating trafficking in women and children. Under our effort, the human trafficking cases are decreasing in China, and great progress has been made in combating human trafficking. Meanwhile, trafficking in persons, especially in women and children, is a regional and international problem. China will continue to engage in international cooperation in this field and make greater effort to strike the evil crime of human trafficking.

On your fourth question, at the invitation of the National People's Congress, Deputy Speaker of the Latin American Parliament Pizarro visits China from June 3 to 12. Chairman Wu Bangguo will meet with him this afternoon. Vice Foreign Minister Li Jinzhang will also meet with him.

Q: Last Thursday, the Canadian federal court ruled that the repatriation of Lai Changxing, suspect of the Yuanhua smuggling case in Xiamen, should be postponed and subject to judicial review. Did China reach an agreement with Canada that Lai Changxing would not be sentenced to death once repatriated?

A: I have answered this question on many occasions. China holds a firm position on the repatriation of Lai Changxing. We require Canada to repatriate Lai as soon as possible. This position remains unchanged.

Q: Can you tell us whether President Hu Jintao or Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the ASEM summit to be held in Helsinki in early September? In addition, can you confirm that China and the DPRK has reached an agreement on the joint oil development in the Yellow Sea?

A: The ASEM has a mechanism of prime ministers' meeting. China has attended all the past China-EU summits and ASEM summits. We will give positive consideration to attending the meeting this year. Once I have certain information, I will inform you promptly.

On your second question, China and the DPRK reached an agreement through equal and friendly consultation on jointly developing oil in the adjacent waters and signed an agreement thereon between the governments. The two sides will make arrangements on the specifics.

Q: Will the acceptance of the case on Tibet by the Spanish court affect China-Spain relations?

A: Spain is a friendly country to China. In recent years, China-Spain relations have developed smoothly, bringing about tangible benefits to the people in the two countries. Regarding the questions bearing on security, territorial integrity and national unity, the two countries should understand and support each other on the basis of the reached agreement and international law. I said just now that the Tibet question is Chinese internal affair. We oppose any country's interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of the Tibet question. We hope the country concerned is clearly aware of the secessionist nature of Dalai clique and does not offer any venue or opportunity for its activities in attempt to split China. We do not hope to see China-Spain relations affected by this matter.

 

Q: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization will hold a summit meeting in the middle of this month. The cooperation within this organization covers the energy field. It's said that this may lead to rivalry for oil between China and the U.S. in the central Asia in the long run. What's your comment? Second question, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said today that Japan would unfreeze its aid loans in Japanese yen to China. Is it a result of the foreign ministers' meeting in Doha? Third question, North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun wrapped up his visit to China. Is it successful?

A: Cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization encompasses many fields. It started with security cooperation and then expanded to the economic, trade, cultural and educational fields. In general, the SCO cooperation has made progress on all fronts. This makes important contribution to the regional peace, stability, security and economic development. The member states have consensus the SCO development should be open and non-aligned in nature, neither exclusive to or targeted any third party or country. We're willing to have connection in various forms with other countries and international organizations, and to strengthen mutual trust. The development of SCO is in the interest of the regional and international peace and stability. The oil cooperation is an important part of the economic and trade cooperation, is conducted on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, and in a non-exclusive way.

Japanese aid loan had been a positive factor in China-Japan relations. Regrettably, some people in Japan made it a sensitive issue in recent years. This is conducive to neither side.

The DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun's visit is successful. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest. Our mutual understanding has been deepened. We made further exchange of views on the Six-party talks. China hopes that the parties concerned can adopt a flexible and pragmatic approach and create conditions for the resumption of the talks, so that the talks can make progress.

Q: Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe explained that the importance of bilateral relations and its status quo are the main reasons for Japan to aid loan to China. In the meantime, the amount reduced by 14% compared with last year. What's your comment?

A: I just mentioned that the Yen to China was a positive element in China-Japan relations. But it's hyped up by Japan as a sensitive issue. It's not conducive to the two sides. We don't want to see a situation like that. We welcome the statement by Japan to pay attention to China-Japan relations. In the meantime, we believe that words are not enough, what's more important is that Japan should take sincere and concrete actions for the improvement and development of China-Japan relations.

Q: Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said he will meet with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing during the ASEAN Regional Forum in July. Please confirm.

A: The two sides don't have discussions on that.

Q: The U.S. Secretary of Defense Rumsfield criticized China for military expense increase, and call for China to enhance military spending transparency. What's your reaction? It's reported that one military plane crashed in Anhui province. What mission were they conducting then? Please brief us on some details.

A: We have expounded on our position about China's national defense cause on many occasion. The most important point is China's national defense is defensive in nature. The international community shall have a clear understanding, and there is no reason to worry about that. China has never invaded any other country in history. The development of China is peaceful and will not pose a threat to any other country. It is no reason for some countries, especially the one with the largest military expenditure to criticize China in this regard. China cannot accept that.

On your second question, this is a misfortune. President Hu has expressed condolences to the dead and sympathy to their families. On their specific mission, I don't have the information.

If there are no other questions, thank you for your presence. See you!