On the afternoon of September 28, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang held a regular press conference.

Qin: Good afternoon, everyone. Now the floor is open.

Q: Taiwan's leader Chen Shui-bian reiterated his will to apply for the UN membership under the name of "Taiwan". He also mentioned that "Taiwan is Taiwan", "China is China", and "they are definitely two different countries". What's your reaction? It's reported that the Taiwan Authorities will invite the ex-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to attend the opening ceremony of Taiwan high-speed rail line. What's your comment?

A: On your first question. There is but one China in the world. As part of China, Taiwan is not eligible to apply for membership in the UN, which is consisted of sovereign states. Any action, which violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and Resolution 2758 and challenges universally-recognized One-China principle, will gain no support from the vast majority of the UN member states and the international community. We call for the Taiwan Authorities to comply with the historical trend, cease all secessionist activities, and return to the track of the One-China principle.

On the second question. We firmly oppose any secessionist activities in the international community by the Taiwan Authorities under any name or any pretext. We hope that Japan can stay high alert, abide by the three political documents in China-Japan relations and handle the Taiwan issue properly in line with the One-China principle.

Q: Japanese Prime Minister Abe and the ROK President Roh Moo Hyun held a telephone conversation this morning. They reached a consensus on holding a summit meeting as early as possible. President Roh Moo Hyun used to reject meeting with Koizumi because of his shrine visit. But he holds positive attitude towards the Abe Government. What's China's reaction? Will the consensus positively affect the prospect of China-Japan summit meeting? Is there any telephone conversation arrangement for leaders of China and Japan?

A: The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the improvement and development of China-Japan relations. Our attitude on the leaders' meeting and contact in other forms is consistent and clear.

Q: President Bush will meet Abe during the APEC meeting in October. What do you think the US can do in promoting China-Japan relations?

A: China-Japan relations are very important. Sound and smoothly-developing China-Japan relations are not only in the interest of both nations, but also in the interest of regional peace and stability. The international community is very concerned about how to shake off the current difficulties and to improve and develop China-Japan relations.

Q: The Japanese new Defense Minister said yesterday that China's consistently increasing military spending was a threat to Japan. What's your comment?

A: China firmly follows the road of peaceful development and the foreign policy of making friends and peace with neighboring countries. The development of China poses no threat to any countries. We have reiterated for many times China's position on our military spending. We oppose any countries to hype up the so-called "China threat" theory under the pretext of China's military budget. We hope that the newly elected Japanese defense minister can make comment after familiarizing himself with China's consistent position and policy.

We hope that relevant parties can say and do more in the interest of the improvement and development of China-Japan relations.

Besides, I have taken note that he mentioned that Japan-US military alliance involves China. If my information is accurate, I need to point out that Japan-US alliance is a bilateral arrangement against the specific historic background of the Cold War, which should be limited strictly to bilateral sphere. Otherwise, it will stir up worries among its neighbors and further complicate the regional security situation.

We resolutely oppose to including, directly and indirectly, China and China's Taiwan into the sphere of security cooperation between Japan and the US. It is an infringement on China's sovereignty and interference of China's domestic affairs.

 

Q:Reports say that human organs are traded in China, what is your response?

A: China has all along abided by the WHO's guiding principles on human organs transplantation issued in 1991. China prohibits the sale of human organs and stipulates that donors' written consent must be obtained. Relevant authorities promulgated and implemented the Interim Regulation on the Management of Clinic Use of Human Organs Transplantation Technology on July 1st 2006. The Regulation reaffirmed that human organs trade is prohibited. Human organs transplanted for medical treatment must have the written consent of donors, who have the right to change their decisions before the transplantation. Hospitals must have relevant qualifications for transplantation operations so as to ensure the quality and safety of medical treatment and uphold ethical principles. Relevant authorities have drafted the Regulation on Human Organs Transplantation with a view to further standardizing transplantation work.

In China, the use of bodies and organs of the executed prisoners is very prudent with relevant regulations being strictly implemented. The following terms are requested, first, the written consent of the prisoner to be executed must be obtained. Second, the approval of the provincial health authorities and the people's high court must be granted. Third, hospitals and institutions involved must be approved by health authorities above the provincial level and their qualification authenticated

Upon seeing reports, I contact the Ministry of Health immediately. It has been reaffirmed that the Chinese health authorities standardize hospitals' human organs transplantations. If you find any problems, please let us know.

Q: It is reported that Minister of Oil of Iraq will visit China to discuss the cooperation agreement between China and Iraq during Saddam's era. Please confirm. What's the position of the Chinese Government on those petroleum contracts?

A: I am checking with relevant authorities for the news.

Before the break of the Iraq war, Chinese companies had some agreements with Iraq on oil field exploration and project. But cooperation has already been reduced to oil trade and personnel training after the war.

China stands ready to restore and reinforce oil cooperation with Iraq on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. We also hope that our rights and interests in Iraq can be safeguarded in real earnest.

Q: In yesterday's interview, the US State Secretary Rice said that because of the strong opposition of China and Russia, the US finds it hard to push forward UN's peace keeping operation in Sudan's Darfur. Without the cooperation of China and Russia, the US can hardly solve the Darfur issue. What's your position?

A: China and the international community all follow closely the situation in Darfur. China has joined the international community in granting assistance within its capacity to alleviate tensions in Darfur. There is no fundamental difference between China and other countries in promoting the peace process and tension alleviation in Darfur. But we hold that relevant international operation, UN's peace keeping missions in particular, should obtain consent of the Government of Sudan. Only by so doing, peace keeping missions can reach the expected effect. We stand ready to work with the international community for comprehensive peace and stability in Darfur at an early date.

Q: Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei is about to visit the ROK. Can you confirm.

A: Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei is invited to visit ROK for consultation From September 29 to October 1. He will exchange views with the ROK on the promotion of the resumption of the Six-party Talks and other issues of common interest.

Q: Japan hopes to see a meeting between Prime Minister Abe and President Hu Jintao in October. Do you have any response towards that?

A: I have already answered this question just now. Our attitude on this matter is clear and consistent.

Q: It is reported that Rice may visit Asia in a few weeks to come, but the time to visit China is not specified. Could you please shed some light on that?

A: We welcome the visit by Secretary of State Rice to China in due course. We look forward to exchanging views with her on China-US relations and other issues of common interest.

If there are no more questions, I have two announcements.

The ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit for the 15th Anniversary of the Establishment of Dialogue Relations will be held in Nanning, Guangxi Province on October 30. We have released the news and put the application guidance for journalists on the websites. We have been receiving some applications recently. I shall remind you again that the deadline for application is October 15. Please log onto the websites of the Foreign Ministry or International Press Center (IPC) to learn about the procedures and submit your application as early as possible.

Second, our Press Conference will break for the National Day holiday from October 1 to 7 and resume on October 10 (Tuesday). Wish you a happy holiday. Thank you and bye-bye!