On the afternoon of June 29, 2006, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu held a regular press conference.

Jiang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I'm ready for question now.

Q: It is reported by Japanese media that China and Japan will discuss the visit to China by Japanese Foreign Minister Aso on the sideline of the ARF. Please confirm. Second, please brief us on China-India talks on the border issue. Third, what did Chinese and ROK foreign ministers talk about? Did they touch upon the resumption of the Six-Party Talks? Fourth, French Foreign Minister required Iran to respond to the package plan within two weeks, namely, by the G-8 Summit. What's China's position?

A: The contact and exchange of visits between Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers at an appropriate time have great significance for improving and developing the relations between the two countries. Both sides should make effort to create appropriate atmosphere. Up to this moment, I'm not aware of any specific information.

On June 25 to 27, Chinese and Indian special representatives on the border issue held their eighth meeting in Beijing. Mr. Dai Bingguo, Chinese Special Representative and Deputy Foreign Minister, continued to exchange views with Mr. Narayanan, Indian Special Representative and National Security Advisor, on the framework for solving the border issue. The meeting proceeded in a friendly and candid atmosphere. The two sides agreed to hold next round of talks in New Delhi, and the date will be fixed through diplomatic channel.

Neither does the delay in the resumption of the Six-Party Talks serve the interest of the parties concerned, nor does it benefit the peace and stability of Northeast Asia. We hope that all parties will treat the problems in the talks with a flexible attitude, work together to resume the talks at an early date and strive for new progress. China will stay in close contact with other parties and continue its constructive effort to this end.

Peaceful solution of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiation is a correct choice and in the interest of all parties. All parties concerned should bear in mind this goal and seize the favorable opportunity, so as to achieve an early resumption of talks. We hope that Iran will fully heed the concern of international community and respond to the package plan at an early date. Meanwhile, we hope other parties concerned will create favorable conditions for resuming talks by keeping their patience, exercising restraint and actively communicating with Iran.

Q: Israel launched state 2 of "Summer Rain" operation in Gaza, and a Palestinian organization announced they had killed a Jewish settler. What's China's comment?

A: China feels gravely concerned over the continuous escalation of the tension between Israel and Palestine. We urge Israel to exercise restraint and stop military action. In the same time, we call on Palestine to cooperate with the international mediation effort and release hostage as soon as possible.

Q: How does China view the silence of the international community on the escalation of Palestine-Israel tension? What's China's position on Israel's military action targeting civilians?

A: China has always stood for peaceful solution of the dispute between Palestine and Israel. We are opposed to any military action causing casualties of innocent civilians. We hope that the two sides will exercise restraint and take measures to ease the tension. We hope they will break the violent cycle as soon as possible and avoid action that may cause further escalation.

On the Middle East question, we have always maintained that the Palestine-Israel dispute should be solved through political negotiation on the basis of the UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace". We hope that the two sides will proceed from the fundamental interest of their people and solve their dispute through negotiation.

Follow-up: Israel does not abide by the UN resolutions. What measure does China think should be taken? What impact does the current tension have on Special Envoy Sun Bigan's visit to the Middle East?

A: China call on both Palestine and Israel to solve their dispute through political negotiation in line with the UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace". Special Envoy Sun Bigan is visiting the Middle East. On 28th, he arrived in Jordan and met with the Jordanian foreign minister. Special Envoy Sun expressed China's grave concern over the current tension between Palestine and Israel. We expect both sides to keep calm, exercise restraint and avoid further escalation. We hope that Palestine and Israel will solve their dispute through peaceful means and dialogue, so as to realize peace and stability in the region.

Q: The US Congress passed a resolution, demanding loosening the restriction on exchange of visits between the US and Taiwanese senior officials. How does China react? Can you confirm that people of China and Vatican met to discuss on establishing diplomatic relations?

A: On your first question, we have all along been firmly opposed to the official exchange between the US and the Taiwan authority in any form. The resolution of the US Congress grossly violates the basic norm on China-US relations and the principles in the three joint communiqués. It also runs counter to the "one China" policy repeatedly reaffirmed by the US government.

I have nothing to share with you on the second question.

Q: German Defense Minister said on 28th that Iran could engage in civilian nuclear activities under strict monitoring of IAEA. Some people take it as a compromise made by western countries to Iran. What comment does China have?

A: We have noticed the report.

The signatory parties to the NPT are entitled to peaceful use of nuclear energy, but meanwhile should honor obligation and commitment accordingly. We hope that Iran will fully cooperate with the IAEA, clarify the outstanding issues and respond to the package plan as soon as possible. Meanwhile, we hope that other parties will keep their patience and exercise restraint. They should seriously consider the reasonable concern of Iran, actively communicate with Iran and create favorable conditions for the resumption of talks.

Q: What proposition and concern will China voice on energy security at the outreach session of the G-8 Summit?

A: At the invitation of Putin, President Hu Jintao will attend the outreach session of the G-8 Summit to be held in Russia in July. This session has a couple of topics on the agenda, including the energy security in your question, prevention of epidemic diseases, education and Africa development. Regarding energy security, China believes the session should contribute to building a new concept of energy security, featuring security, stability, fairness, rationality, harmony and win-win result.

We hold that as a major coordination mechanism of developed countries, the G-8 plays an important role in world political and economic affairs. In recent years, the G-8 has strengthened its connection with developing countries and invited developing countries to dialogue on major international issues. We think such dialogue will be conducive to strengthening South-North relations, promoting multilateralism and jointly solving global issues. China values its relations with the G-8. Over the recent years, we have increased our contact with them. We are ready to steadily enhance our dialogue and cooperation with the G-8 and work with them to cope with the international challenge.

Q: President of the Democratic Party of Japan, the largest party, Ichiro Ozawa will visit China in July. Ozawa had expected to visit China in October, but he finally accepted China's invitation. What does China believe July is the best time for Ozawa's visit? Second, the DPJ is an out-party in Japan. What impression does China have on the party? Will General-Secretary Hu Jintao hold talks with Ozawa?

A: President of the Democratic Party of Japan Ichiro Ozawa will visit China, and the International Department of the CPC Central Committee will receive him. The CPC has maintained friendly exchange with the DPJ. Up to now, all the successive leaders of the DPJ have visited China. We welcome Mr. Ozawa to visit China in the coming days and are ready to exchange views with him on jointly promoting the steady development of China-Japan relations.

Regarding China-Japan relations, we think that to maintain the healthy and stable development of our relations serve the fundamental interest of the two countries and our people. We hope that Japan will make joint effort with China, overcome the political difficulties in bilateral relations and push our relations back to the track of healthy development as soon as possible. Please refer to the competent authority on the specific arrangement.

Thank you for attendance. See you next time!