Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu held a regular press conference on the afternoon of November 21, 2006.

Jiang: Good afternoon, everyone. Now I'd like to take your questions.

Q: Have the Chinese and American heads of delegations to the Six-Party Talks met in Foreign Ministry this afternoon? Please brief us some details.

A: As far as I know, Assistance Secretary of State Hill arrived in Beijing last night. Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei made an in-depth exchange of view with him on the Six-Party Talks. Both agree to continue effort to resume the talks at an early date and strive for progress.

Q: It's reported that the DPRK head to delegation of the Six-Party Talks Kim Kye Gwan is in Beijing, and had consultation with Wu Dawei and Hill. Can you confirm? It's reported by the ROK media that China unfreezed some DPRK accounts in the Banco Delta Asia. Please confirm that.

A: I have no information in this regard. You can refer to relevant departments.

Q: The Japanese Prime Minister Abe said that he hope the Six-Party Talks can be revived in Beijing before the ASEAN meeting. What's China's comment? When will the Six-Party Talks be resumed?

A: On the specific date of the Six-Party Talks, we are consulting with relevant parties. If I have information in this regard, I will keep you informed promptly. China holds that the Six-Party Talks is still a practical and effective mechanism for solving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. We hope that the parties concerned can take concrete action to resume the talks at an early date, materialize the September 19 Joint Statement and realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Q: Who holds the power to unfreeze the account in Banco Delta Asia? The Central Government or the Macau Special Administrative Region?

A: On the issue of the Banco Delta Asia. The Macau SAR Government is handling this issue with the parties concerned. We support the SAR Government in its effort to handle this in accordance with law. We hope that various parties can proceed from the overall interest of the Six-Party Talks and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and solve this issue properly.

Q: Why no specific date has been set for the resumption of the Talks?

A: All relevant parties have shown positive attitude towards resuming the Six-Party Talks at an early date. But the consultation is required to set a date. If I have information in this regard, I will inform you.

Q: The Columbian Vice President met with his Chinese Counterpart today, and signed some agreements. Please tell me some details. What's the implication of this visit for the bilateral relations? It's reported that the left-wing leader of Mexico Lopez declared to assume presidency yesterday, despite of his failure in the election in July. What's China's comment?

A: On your first question, Colombian Vice President Santos is visiting China from November 19 and 26. Vice President Zeng Qinghong will hold talks with him. Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with him.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Columbia in 1980, the bilateral relations between both countries have developed smoothly. The communication and cooperation between the two countries has been steadily deepened in political, economic, cultural and education areas. The two countries maintained good cooperation in international affairs. We hope and believe that Vice President Santos' visit will further push forward China-Colombia bilateral relations.

On the second question, we have also noticed that the recent development of the situation in Mexico. China and Mexico are friendly nations. The Chinese Government and people sincerely hope that the domestic situation in Mexico maintains stability, and Mexican people live happy lives.

Q: Will the President Hu's visit to India lay a foundation for the establishment of partnership between China and India on civilian nuclear cooperation?

A: President Hu has begun his state visit to India. This is the first time for the Chinese head of state to visit India over the past 10 years, and also the highest level visit since the establishment of strategic and cooperative partnership oriented towards the peace and prosperity between the two countries. We hope that China and India can increase political mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and deepen the connotation of bilateral strategic and cooperative relations. In the meantime, China and India are ready to avail this opportunity to convey to the international community an important piece of information, that is, China and India are cooperation partners and friends. Two countries are ready to make long-time friends, cooperate with each other for common development, and jointly promote peace and development in Asia and the whole world.

On the question of China-India nuclear cooperation, we're ready to conduct cooperation with all the countries including India under the precondition that each country honor its international obligations. The visit by President Hu to India is still ongoing. We will release information on the visit promptly.

A: Did DPRK delegate members take part in the meeting yesterday between Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and Assistant Secretary of State Hill? If not, does China plan to invite Kim Gye Gwan to Beijing? It is reported that the United States plans to offer new incentives to encourage the DPRK to return to the Six-Party Talks. Did Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and Assistant Secretary Hill cover this issue during their talks?

A: I have not heard of such news.

China hopes the parties concerned will take positive actions and make joint efforts to promote and deepen the Six-Party Talks, with a view to thoroughly implementing the joint statement issued at the fourth round of the Talks.

 

Q: It is reported by Indian and western media nowadays that India expressed their concern over China's plan to build a dam across a river which originates from Tibet and flows to South Asia. What's China's response?

A: I am not aware of any information in this regard.

Q: Mongolian Prime Minister will visit China this week. Could you brief us some details? What agreements will be signed between the two sides?

A: Mongolian Prime Minister Enkhbold will visit China soon. On November 22nd, Premier Wen Jiabao will hold a welcoming ceremony and have talks with him. Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Political Consultative Congress Jia Qinglin and Chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress Wu Bangguo will also meet with him. In addition, he will visit Urumqi and Xi'an as well.

China-Mongolia relationship has maintained a sound momentum in its development, with frequent exchange of high-level visits, expanding economy and trade cooperation, and deepening mutual understanding and trust. China and Mongolia established a good neighborly partnership of mutual trust in 2003. The volume of China-Mongolia bilateral trade reached USD860 million last year, up 24% year-on-year. From January to September this year, bilateral trade volume reached USD1.13 billion, up 88.8% compared with the same period of last year. We believe this visit will further promote bilateral communication and cooperation and push forward the relationship between China and Mongolia.

Q: Yesterday, the European Union banned the import of cat and dog fur mainly from China. What's China's comment?

A: China attaches much importance to the protection of wild animals and other animals. Cruel killing of cats and dogs is far from a widespread phenomenon in China. In recent years, Chinese citizens have enhanced the awareness of animal protection. Especially along with the rise of living standard, some citizens show profound care to their pet cats and dogs, even as if to family members. Chinese government also lays a lot of emphasis on wild animal protection. China has acceded to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. We have been earnestly honoring our obligation to the convention by stronger regulation on import and export of wild animals and resolute opposition to and combat against illegal smuggling of wild animals and pertaining products. We have also developed efficient cooperation with our neighboring countries on this issue.

Q: During President Hu's visit to India and Pakistan, will he talk about security cooperation with the two countries?

A: Over the recent years, China has made some progress in strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries on regional security. We are ready to strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries in anti-terrorism and security fields in line with international law.

Q: It is reported that an American freelance journalist was detained by the police last week while interviewing in Guangdong. Can you tell us the reason for his detainment?

A: You can refer your questions to local departments. We have been always making efforts to provide assistance and conveniences for foreign journalists to interview in China. Meanwhile we hope foreign journalists can abide by China's relevant laws and regulations during their reporting in China.

Q: The Indian Government recently said that it does not discriminate any country that invests in India, including China. India welcomes all Chinese investors and there will be no restrictions on their visas. India also issued a statement that Tibet is an inalienable part of China. The exile Tibetans in India held several demonstrations. What response does China have?

A: Economic and trade cooperation between China and India is one of the most dynamic fields of cooperation in bilateral relations. China has all along been committed to economic and trade cooperation with India on the basis of mutual benefit and equality. We hope bilateral economic and trade cooperation can maintain the momentum for development. The two sides can work together to remove obstacles in the way of trade and investment, constantly raise the level of economic and trade cooperation, facilitate the investment and business cooperation by Chinese enterprises in India, create a favorable atmosphere and environment for investment and business, so as to achieve a win-win and mutually beneficial result. We hope relevant departments of the two sides can proceed from the strategic interests of long-term friendship and make proactive efforts.

As for the demonstrations of some Tibetans in India, it is the Dalai Lama group who are making an issue and attempting to undermine China-India relationship. Their purpose is to confuse international media and the public opinion. On the Tibetan issue, the Indian Government holds a crystal-clear position. It recognizes that Tibetan Autonomous Region is a part of Chinese territory and doesn't allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China activities. We appreciate and set high store by the above statements by Indian Government and hope India can adhere to the position and honor its commitments.

Q: It is reported that Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei visited Pingyong last week. Can you confirm?

A: Such speculation is groundless.

Q: Does Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei have any plan to visit Pingyong. Is there any plan for senior officials from DPRK to visit Beijing recently?

A: I know you are keenly interested in the issue. But I haven't got information in this regard.

If there are no other questions, thanks for your presence today. See you!