On the afternoon of July 13, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu held a regular press conference.

Jiang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I wish to begin with an announcement:

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy of the Republic of France will pay an official visit to China from July 20 to 21.

Now, the floor is open.

 

Q: It is reported that the ROK and the US have proposed to China to hold a five-nation talks excluding the DPRK. What's China's position on this?

A: I have not heard of this news. China has always maintained that the Six-Party Talks is a practical and effective mechanism for solving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. We have been all along making unremitting efforts to resume the talks.

Q: Some people commented that despite of the assistances from China, the DPRK rarely took China's advice. What's your comment?

A: The departure point of China when handling the Korean Peninsula affairs is to maintain the peace and stability on the Peninsula. Under the current circumstances, we are committed to maintaining the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia, promoting the Six-Party Talks and preserving the solidarity of the Security Council. All that we are doing now is to serve the three purposes.

Now, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu is visiting the DPRK, and Vice President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyong Sop is visiting China. We have released information on what happened, and we will continue to release information on the upcoming events at an appropriate time.

Q: If the Chinese Delegation failed to make any progress in its mediation, what would China do next? Will you support a tougher resolution to be adopted by the Security Council?

A: Vice Premier Hui Liangyu is visiting the DPRK, and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei is accompanying him. Vice Minister Wu met with Head of the DPRK Delegation to the Six-Party Talks Kim Kye Kwan and other DPRK officials. He exchanged views with them on the current situation. Now, the visit is still ongoing. I will share with you new information once I have.

Under the current circumstances, China approves of that the Security Council should make a prudent and appropriate response, which should prevent the tension from escalation and create conditions for diplomatic efforts of all parties concerned. We have always maintained that the action of the Security Council should be conducive to the peace and stability of the Northeast Asia, the progress of the Six-Party Talks and the solidarity of the Security Council. We hold that the draft resolution submitted by Japan to the Security Council will not be helpful to the above objective, and therefore we are opposed to the draft. China and Russia have co-sponsored a draft resolution, which embodies the consideration of our two countries, as two permanent members of the Security Council, on the next step. We are willing to take a constructive attitude and work together with the parties concerned to strive for consensus through consultation.

Q: Did Wu Dawei met with DPRK First Deputy Foreign Minister Kang Sok Ju? When will he return to Beijing?

A: We have released information on what took place during the visit. Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei met with officials of the DPRK Foreign Ministry. Now, there is no change in the schedule of Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei.

Q: Does China see any hope for resuming the Six-Party Talks in the near future?

A: Yesterday, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Assistant Minister He Yafei respectively met with US Assistant Secretary Hill and exchanged views with him on the current situation and how to promote the Six-Party Talks. Both China and the US stand for seeking a peaceful solution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, pursuing the denuclearization of the Peninsula and preserving the peace and stability on the Peninsula. The early resumption of the Six-Party Talks and the realization of the above goal demand the joint effort of all parties concerned. It is not enough to only rely on China's effort. We hope that all other parties concerned will take positive action and seek the upturn of the situation.

Q: A couple of days ago, China circulated a non-binding chairman statement. Now China and Russia submitted a draft resolution. Why is there such a change? Is that because China's diplomatic effort suffered a setback?

A: China has always participated in the consultation of the Security Council with an active, responsible and constructive attitude. We seek the proper solution of the issue through a multitude of approaches. We hope that the Security Council members will finally reach consensus through consultation.

Q: The talks between Iranian Chief Nuclear Negotiator Larijani and EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Solana did not make any progress. What's China's comment?

A: China has always advocated proper solution of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiation. This serves the common interest of the entire international community. The package plan conveyed by Mr. Solana to Iran in early June is an important effort by the parties concerned to resume the talks on the Iranian nuclear issue. We hope that Iran will take a constructive attitude and make positive response as soon as possible. China also hopes all parties concerned will continue to be committed to solving the issue through peaceful means and diplomatic negotiation, and any measure to be taken should help create conditions for early resumption of the talks.

Q: Will it help resume the Six-Party Talks earlier if the U. S. removes financial sanctions on the DPRK?

A: We have all along kept our patience and sober mind, bare in mind the overall situation, and worked with other parties to seek a proper solution of the issue. We hope that parties concerned could work with China and adopt a flexible and constructive attitude, so as to remove the obstacle and resume the Six-Party Talks at an early date.

Q: The DPRK is a sovereign country, and its missile tests were not against any international law. Why does China, a friendly neighbor of the DPRK, still support a resolution at the United Nations Security Council?

A: We have all along stayed in consultation with the parties concerned, including the DPRK. We will unswervingly maintain the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, preserve the overall momentum of the Six-Party Talks and uphold solidarity of the UN Security Council, in order to forge ahead with the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We hope that all parties concerned could work together with China to realize these objectives. We deem it necessary for the United Nations Security Council to make a prudent and appropriate response. Nonetheless, the key point here is that such a response should be conducive to the peace and stability of Northeast Asia, the Six-Party Talks and the solidarity of the UN Security Council.

Q: Why did China raise the issue of the solidarity of the United Nations Security Council under current circumstances?

A: For a period of time, the Security Copuncil members have conducted a number of consultations on the issue of the DPRK's missile tests. The parties concerned have reached consensus in some aspects, but there are still big differences. In the current context, we hope that the parties concerned will seek a proper solution of this issue with a calm and pragmatic attitude, so as to maintain the solidarity of the Security Council.

Q: Will China propose to discuss the issue of the DPRK's missile tests at the G8 summit? Which leaders will President Hu Jintao hold bilateral talks with? Will China attend the G8 summit as a full member in the future? What is the significance of the G8 summit?

A: The outreach session of the G8 Summit does not involve the topic you mentioned. We will respect the opinion of the host country -- Russia. Should the topic in your question be touched upon, China will express its position in that regard. We will urge a positive role of the discussion in solving this issue.

On the issue of bilateral meetings, President Hu will be there for a little more than 24 hours and he will have a tight schedule accordingly. On July 16, leaders of the six developing countries will hold a group meeting. On the 17th, President Hu will attend the outreach session of the G8 Summit, a luncheon and the summit meeting between China, Russia and India. He will also conduct some bilateral meetings on the sideline. At present, the arrangements are yet to be finalized.

China and the U. S. have decided, through consultation, to hold a summit meeting during the outreach session of the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg. At present the two sides are making intense preparation. The two heads of state will exchange their views on Sino-U.S. relations and major international and regional issues of mutual interest then.

On China-G8 relations, China attaches importance to G8's significant role in international affairs. Over the past years, China has strengthened its contact with G8. This is the third time for President Hu to participate in the G8 Out-reach Session. China is still a developing nation. We hope developed and developing nations can establish equal partnership in their cooperation, realize a mutually beneficiary and win-win result, and jointly cope with global challenge. From the long perspective, a stronger cooperation between China and G8 is in the interest of both sides, and conducive to world peace, stability and development. We're ready to strengthen our dialogue and cooperation with G8 on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

The major agenda of the session includes energy security, infectious disease prevention, education and Africa's development and trade. We think these problems need the urgent resolution of international community. We hope the Out-reach session can observe the principles of equality and mutual benefit, seeking common ground and shelving difference, pragmatism and activeness and cooperation promotion, so as to give a well balanced consideration to all parties, especially the developing nations, to step up international cooperation on relevant fronts. Meanwhile, we also hope to further develop our relations with relevant parties through our participation in this session.

Q: How will the Chinese Government help to achieve consensus among Asian countries on the next UN General-Secretary candidacy?

A: Our position on the next UN Secretary-General election is quite clear. We firmly advocate that the next UN Secretary-General should come from Asia. We believe Asia is able to turn out a capable, prestigious and widely-acceptable candidate. We hope Asian countries can maintain solidarity and coordination. We also support the consultation between the UN member states on the election, and ensure the smooth election of the next UN Secretary-General.

Q: Hill said this morning that China is puzzled by the lack of positive response from the DPRK. What's your comment?

A: We cannot count on one visit or two, or only the effort of China to resolve all the issues. All the parties should play a constructive role. We have always adopted a active, serious, responsible and pragmatic attitude and sought proper solution of the issue.

Q: Ambassador Wang Guangya said Wu Dawei will come back to Beijing tomorrow. You said there's no change in his agenda. Do you mean he will come back on schedule?

A: The Chinese friendship delegation headed by Vice Premier Hui Liangyu visits the DPRK from July 10th and 15th.

Q: The Bush administration promises for the first time to handle the terrorist suspects in Guantanamo in accordance with the Geneva Convention. What's your comment?

A: We noticed the relevant situation. We hope the US can attach importance to the international concern, and handle this issue properly according to the international law.

If there are no questions, I'd like to make an announcement: Considering the holiday plan of many journalists in July and August, , the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be suspended from July 18 (Tuesday) to August 31 (Thursday) and resumed on September 5 (Tuesday). During the adjournment, you are welcome to raise your questions to the Spokesperson's Office by telephone. Thank you for attendance. Wish you a happy summer holiday!