On the afternoon of November 16, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu held a regular press conference.

Jiang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Now, I'm ready to take questions.

Q: On the sideline of APEC meeting, will President Hu meet with Canadian Prime Minister? Canadian Prime Minister said Canada would not trade democracy, human rights and freedom for trade and economic relations with China. What's your comment?

A: China attaches importance to China-Canada relations. As far as what I learned, President Hu Jintao will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Harper on the sideline of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

We have consistently stood for strengthening dialogue, building consensus and narrowing difference on the basis of equality and mutual respect. But we are firmly opposed to the wrong practice of making irresponsible remarks on and interfering in other country's internal affairs.

Q: It is reported that at the meeting between the US, Japan and the ROK in Hanoi, they agreed to hold the Six-Party Talks in early December and planned to discuss with China. Does China deem it a fit time? Second question, the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 banned any export of luxury goods to the DPRK. What are luxury goods in China's opinion? Last question, does State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan plan another visit to the DPRK in the near future?

A: China maintains contact with other parties on the resumption date of the Six-Party Talks. China hopes that all parties seize the opportunity and demonstrate a positive gesture, so as to make joint efforts for the early beginning of the next round of Talks.

Resolution 1718 does not make explicit prescription on luxury goods embargo. Each country makes decision according to its own condition. We hold that normal trade with the DPRK should not be prejudiced.

On your third question, I have not heard of such arrangement.

Q: After the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the EU is holding meetings with African countries to discuss how to aid the development of Africa. How will China cooperate with the international community to promote Africa development? How does China see the criticism of China's Africa policy by some organizations? On the 15th, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on the human rights in Palestine. What ballot did China cast? Does China condemn Israel's military operation for aggravating humanitarian crisis on the occupied Palestinian land?

A: China appreciates and supports all efforts that promote peace, stability and development in Africa. We welcome cooperation between African countries and other countries as well as international organizations that aims to boost support and assistance for African countries.

China pursues the independent foreign policy of peace and upholds peace, development and cooperation in the world. China has always honored the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs when handling relations with other countries. We respect the road of development chosen by African countries on their own and support their efforts to strengthen capacity building. China will not impose its own ideology, value and development model on other countries, in particular African countries. The cooperation between China and African countries has pushed forward the economic and social development in these countries and strengthened their stability, thus serving to the interest of these countries and their people and conforming to the principle of state-to-state relations.

China maintains that the foremost issue for Africa is development and poverty and disease is a grave challenge to many African countries. Africa's development hinges on the effort of the African countries. The international community should pay more attention to the stability and development of Africa and provide for its development an enabling environment.

China-Africa cooperation is an important part of the international cooperation on development and mutual assistance between developing countries under the framework of South-South cooperation. Neither does it target any third party nor threaten the interest of any other country.

China is willing to make vigorous and unremitting efforts along with the international community with an open and constructive attitude to promote peace and development in Africa.

On your second question, on November 15, the UN Human Rights Council held a special meeting on the occupied Palestinian land and passed a resolution. The Chinese Government cast an affirmative vote.

China expresses deep concern over the current tension between Palestine and Israel and places great attention to the worsening human rights condition and humanitarian crisis on the occupied Palestinian land. China is willing to continue its effort along with other parties to push for peaceful solution of the issue.

Q: How will the territorial dispute between China and India affect the atmosphere of President Hu's visit to India?

A: The Chinese and Indian governments are making earnest and careful preparation for the upcoming state visit by President Hu to India. We believe this visit will be fully successful.

We have a consistent and clear position on the boundary question between China and India. We advocate seeking a solution that is fair, reasonable and acceptable to both sides through friendly consultation.

Regarding President Hu's visit to India, this is the first visit to India by Chinese head of state over the past ten years. It will play a positive role in deepening traditional friendship between China and India, strengthening political mutual trust and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation on all fronts. Chinese and Indian leaders will also map out the future development of bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership and send a signal to the whole world, that is, the development of China and India will not only bring about opportunity to the two countries, but also make contribution to world peace, stability and development. President Hu will make an important speech in New Delhi, giving full account of the importance of China-India relations in the new context and China's policy towards India and South Asia. President Hu will also attend the celebration for China-India friendship year and meet the youth representatives from the two countries. In addition, he will visit Bombay and Agra and attend a summit on investment cooperation. The two countries will sign cooperation agreements in the political, trade, economic, education and other fields. A joint political document will be issued.

 

Q: Please confirm the report that Chinese submarine stalked the US Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier task force. Can you brief us on the latest development? Why did Chinese navy do that?

A: As far as we know, the report of the Washington Time does not go along with fact.

I can share with you the recent exchange and cooperation between China and US militaries. At the invitation of the Navy of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Commander of US Pacific Fleet Gen. Roughead is visiting China from 12th to 18th. Apart from Beijing, he will visit Shanghai and Zhanjiang. He attended the welcoming ceremony for the visit to Zhanjiang by USS Juneau (LPD 10). During his visit, he met with Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei, Navy Commander Lt. Gen. Wu Shengli and other officials in charge of the relevant departments. PLA Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ge Zhenfeng will also meet with him.

The relations between Chinese and US militaries kept sound momentum in its development. We believe that the visit by Gen. Roughead and other senior US military officers will further strengthen mutual understanding and trust and push forward relations between the two militaries.

During his visit, the navies of the two countries will participate in a second-phase search-and-rescue exercise in South China Sea on November 19. This exercise is an important step to implement the consensus reached between heads of two countries on strengthening military exchange.

Q: During President Hu Jintao's visit to India, will China and India sign an energy agreement? Will Chinese and Indian energy companies plan to make joint international bidding?

A: President Hu will pay a visit to India from November 20th to 23rd. More information will be available after the visit starts.

Q: During President Hu's visit to Pakistan, will China and Pakistan sign an agreement on nuclear energy cooperation? What's the current status of the Sino-Pakistan nuclear energy cooperation?

A: President Hu's state visit to Pakistan is one of milestone significance. It's the first visit by Chinese president to Pakistan over the past ten years as well as a return visit for Pakistani President Musharraf's three visits to China. We believe this visit will play an important role in consolidating and deepening China-Pakistan political relationship, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and deepening China-Pakistan strategic cooperation partnership. During his visit, President Hu will meet with Pakistani President Musharraf, Prime Minister Aziz and other leaders. Meanwhile, President Hu will deliver an important speech concerning Chinese-Pakistan relationship to audience from government and all communities in Pakistan at the Islamabad Center. President Hu will also meet people of all communities such as the Pakistan industrial and commercial circles, friendly organizations and young students. Besides, President Hu will pay a visit to Lahore Province. China and Pakistan will sign the cooperation agreements in various fields, including culture, economy and trade, education and so on.

China and Pakistan signed the Agreement on the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy. The two sides will cooperate on the basis of equality and mutual benefit within the frame of the Agreement and under the safeguards of IAEA. China is willing to conduct cooperation with Pakistan within the framework of the Agreement on the premise of honoring international obligations. Nowadays, nuclear cooperation between China and Pakistan mainly focuses on the Chashma Nuclear Power Station. The first phase project has been put into operation, and the second phase is under construction. We hope the two sides will focus energy to ensure success of the second phase. I haven't heard of any arrangement to sign an agreement on nuclear cooperation.

Q: Could you tell us the time of the resumption of the Six-Party Talks? Some guesses that China will probably join "PSI" initiated by the United States, what's your comment on that?

A: China will keep in touch with the parties concerned on the concrete time of resuming the Six-Party Talks. We hope that the parties concerned will seize the opportunity and make earnest efforts to early resume the Six-Party Talks.

As for your second question, the Chinese government stands strongly against the proliferation of the weapons of mass Destruction. We advocate stronger international cooperation to deal with non-proliferation issue through political and diplomatic means. Our position towards "PSI" remains unchanged.

Q: A US Congressional advisory panel submitted a report calling on the US Government to oppose China's attempt to isolate Taiwan, and to press China to urge Sudan on the solution of the Darfur issue. What's your comment? Second question, the Chinese version of Wikipedia, which has been censored since last October, has been unblocked last week. What's your comment?

A: I've not yet seen the report you mentioned. But China's stance on the Taiwan question is clear and consistent. We oppose attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs by any country or any organization in the pretext of Taiwan question, and obstruct China's unification cause.

On the second question, China closely follows the development of the Darfur issue. We have consistently held that UN's take-over of the AU peace-keeping mission in Darfur should acquire prior-consent of the Sudanese Government. The international community should pay attention to and give earnest consideration to the concern of the Sudanese Government.

China has noticed the diplomatic endeavors made by the international community including the UN, the African Union and the Arab League in resolving the Darfur issue. China hopes that relevant parties can maintain the momentum of dialogue, strive to reach a solution which takes into consideration the interest of various parties, and seek an early solution of the Darfur issue in a prudent and sure-footed attitude. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is ready to continue its constructive effort in this regard.

I'm not aware of the information on the website you mentioned. The Chinese Government supports and promotes the development of the internet. By 2005, China's internet subscribers reached over 123 million, and the number of Chinese websites 788 thousand. China has become the second largest internet user of the world. China administrates internet in accordance with law. This is also the usual practice by all the countries in the world.

Q: During their meeting in Hanoi, the Chinese and Japanese Foreign Ministers reached consensus on making joint study of history. But the two countries have great difference on the history issue. Do you think that they will eventually concur with each other's view in this regard? Second question, what change do you think has happened to the China-Japan relations recently? Who will China send to visit Japan as a return visit for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to China? When will this take place?

A: On the question of joint history study by China and Japan in the academic circle, in the joint press communiqué released during Japanese Prime Minister Abe's visit to China, the two countries decided to start the joint study of the history within this year. The two countries are making active preparations to this end at present.

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries met today. But I'm not aware of the latest development. Our colleagues in the Information Department witnessed in the meeting. The journalists from your agency in Vietnam may have got the first-hand information.

China-Japan relations are important for both countries. We are ready to make joint effort with Japan to promote the communication and cooperation in various areas and secure the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

On the high-level visit. Communication and dialogue between the leaders of the two countries are of great significance for the maintenance of sound development of bilateral relations. The Japanese side has invited Chinese leaders to visit Japan. The Chinese side agreed in principle. Two countries will consult on this through diplomatic channel. The two countries also show their willingness to maintain frequent contact on international occasions.

Thank you for attendance. See you next time.