On the afternoon of November 9, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu held a regular press conference.

Q: What's your comment on the resignation of the US Defense Secretary Rumsfeld?

A: We have taken note of the relevant report. It is the internal affairs of the US. China is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with the US in various areas including military exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and trust, handle concerns of each other properly, and push forward the China-US constructive and cooperative relations.

Q: The WHO elected Dr. Margaret Chan as the only candidate for director general yesterday. What's your comment? Does the US support her or not?

A: Dr. Margaret Chan won the only candidacy for the WHO Director-General. It is the outcome of democratic election in the WHO Executive Board. Most members of the executive board have voted for her because of her outstanding capability, significant contribution to the health area, determination to promote global health undertaking. China appreciates all the support extended by the countries and commissioners for Margaret Chan.

Q: The Sandino National Liberation Front leader Ortega won the election in Nicaragua. What's China's comment? It's said that Nicaragua is likely to establish diplomatic relations with China after this victory. Besides, Panama has no diplomatic relations with China either. What's China's comment on Panama's succession as the non-permanent member of the Security Council?

A: On the first question, China has taken note that Nicaragua held presidential election. China respects the choice of the Nicaraguan people. We're positive towards establishing diplomatic relations with Central American countries including Nicaragua. We are ready to develop normal relations with relevant countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions.

China supports and congratulates Panama's election as the Non-Permanent Member of UN Security Council. We look forward to cooperating with Panama in the UN Security Council. China is ready to step up cooperation with Panama in international and regional affairs. It will help develop China-Panama bilateral relations.

Q: It's reported that China and Japan are likely to hold economic ministerial talks. Are the two countries consulting on this? What's the main agenda? It's reported that Japan voices concern on China's development of the oil field in the East China Sea. Can you confirm? Will this affect China-Japan relations?

A: I have no information in this regard. Both sides agree to hold ministerial dialogue in the Joint Press Conference during Prime Minister Abe's visit to China not long ago. And relevant authorities are going to consult with each other and hold dialogue between officials and civilians. It is the set principle between our two countries.

On your second question, China's oil exploration is the normal activities on the continental shelf in China's short sea. It is unnecessary for Japan to express concerns or worries.

Q: What impact will Dr. Margaret Chan's election have on Taiwan's "accession" into the WHO?

A: As the top official in charge of the WHO, the role of director-general is to lead the WHO in conducting global health cooperation, to promote the health well-being of people around the globe and to realize the goal of "everyone enjoys health". We hold that Madam Margaret Chan will independently serve all the member states in accordance with the WHO Charter.

On the question of Taiwan's accession to WHO, our stance is quite clear. WHO is an organization composing of sovereign states. Being a province of China, Taiwan isn't qualified to participate in the WHO. WHO refused motion on Taiwan on the basis of the UN Charter and the charter of WHO. It is not a personal decision by the director-general. The WHO has denied Taiwan's membership for 10 times successively. This has fully demonstrated that this is the consensus of the international community including the WHO member states.

China's Central Government values highly the health well-being of our Taiwan compatriots, and is promoting the communication between the mainland and Taiwan in medical and health areas. China's Ministry of Health and the WHO has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the participation of the Taiwan medical and health professionals in the WHO. Taiwan medical and health experts have participated in the WHO technical activities for many times. This fully demonstrates that the Chinese Government's responsible approach in global anti-disease task. The Central Government shows sincerely cares for our Taiwan compatriots. Relevant arrangements are effective. The channel is smooth for the Taiwan health professionals to participate in the WHO technical activities.

Q:The US midterm elections has ended with the Democratic Party taking majority of the Congress. What impact will it have on China-US relations and resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue?

A: The midterm elections are the internal affairs of the U.S. We have no intention to make any comments on that. A sound China-US relationship is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and the two peoples. It is also conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific Region and the world at large. It is a consensus of both the Republicans and Democrats for a long time to develop a healthy and stable China-US relationship. We hope the new Congress of the U.S. can play a positive role for the promotion of China-US relations.

Q: Nancy Pelosi may become the Speaker of the US House of Representatives. She criticized China for its human rights record. If she wins the election, what kind of impact will it have on China-US relationship?

A: To maintain a sound China-US relationship is in the fundamental interest of China and the U.S. and conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of the region and world at large. We believe that those with insight including the Republicans and Democrats share the identical views with us. We are ready to join hands with the U.S. to enhance the exchanges and cooperation in all fields so as to promote the healthy and stable development of the Constructive and Cooperative Relations between China and the U.S.

Q: The Russian Year in China is about to conclude. What achievements have been made? Next year will be the Chinese Year in Russia. How will it affect China-Russia relationship?

A: It is a pioneering initiative in our bilateral relations to hold the Russian Year in China and the Chinese Year in Russia and it is a direct demonstration of the China-Russia strategic and cooperative partnership. More than 200 activities have been held during the Russian Year in China covering the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture, education, health, sports, communication, science and technology. It's fair to say that the Russian Year in China has concluded with great achievements and extensive impact.

Next year will be the Chinese Year in Russia. We believe that Russian Year in China and Chinese Year in Russia will play an active role in promoting the understanding and friendship between the two peoples, enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields and China-Russia Strategic and Cooperative Partnership.

Q: Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia said that the Six-Party Talks might be held at the beginning of December but Hill said it might be held at the end of this year. Could you tell us the date for the resumption of the Talks? The US Under Secretary of State Burns and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister are having consultation on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Will the US financial sanctions against the DPRK become an obstacle to the resumption of the Talks?

A: The parties concerned are having consultation on the date of the resumption of the Six-Party Talks. We hope the Talks can be resumed as soon as possible. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev is accompanying Russian Prime Minister for the activities of Russian Year in Beijing. Yesterday Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei met and exchanged views with him on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Vice Foreign Minister Wu said it is in the interest of all parties to ensure a peace, stable and nuclear-weapon free Peninsula. The parties concerned shall make joint efforts to faithfully implement the Joint Statement of the Fourth Round of Six-Party Talks and overcome the difficulties on the road ahead so as to resume the Six-Party Talks as soon as possible. China is ready to continue the sound cooperation with Russia in our efforts to properly settle the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

As for the financial sanctions you mentioned, we hope the issue can be resolved as soon as possible. We hope the parties concerned can lay store by the general interest of the denuclearization on the Peninsula as well as peace and stability of the region with a view to resolving the issue in a proper way.

Q: I want to know the specific date for the meetings between the Chinese and Japanese leaders and between the Chinese and US leaders during the APEC Summit. Besides, are there any arrangements for Foreign Ministers' meetings between China and Japan as well as between China and the U.S.?

A: Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said on Tuesday's briefing that during the APEC Summit the Chinese leader will be meeting with the US, Japanese and Russian counterparts. Given the tight schedule during the APEC meeting, we are having consultation and coordination with other parties on the specific date. The APEC Ministerial Meeting is from 15th to 16th, and the Economic Leaders' Meeting is from 18th to 19th.

Q: According to reports from the ROK, officials from the DPRK Foreign Ministry held talks with Foreign Minster Li Zhaoxing last week, can you confirm? What achievements have been made?

A: I have not heard about that.

If there are no more questions, thank you for your attendance. See you!