On the afternoon of December 7, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang held a regular press conference.

Qin: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

Now the floor is open.

Q: What's the difference in nature and purpose between "10+1" meeting, "10+3" meeting and East Asia Summit under the framework of the ASEAN serial meetings? Second question. Japan and Australia hold that East Asia Summit is not only an occasion for exchanging view, but also a venue for carrying out substantive cooperation. What's China's comment? Third question. Is China considering discussing the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue during the meeting?

A: The "10+1" meeting ,"10+3" meeting and East Asia Summit are all mechanisms to strengthen dialogue and communication, discuss cooperation, and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region. East Asia Summit is a new platform. "10+1" and "10+3" enjoy a comparatively longer history. ASEAN has played a major role and accumulated rich experience in initiating and promoting regional cooperation. The cooperation in East Asia should be extensively and fully discussed with the "10+3" cooperation as a main channel and ASEAN playing a leading role. And ASEAN countries consensus should be respected especially. We hope that East Asia cooperation should be open and inclusive and take into consideration the interest of regional countries and countries that has concern in this region. And cooperation in the region should be fully discussed. East Asia cooperation is a long-term goal, which takes a gradual and accumulative process.

Some countries have raised their own proposals on topic and outcome of East Asia Summit. East Asia Summit will not be a place only for making causal exchanges. As far as I know, energy security and bird flu control are on the agenda. Leaders from the countries concerned will hold discussion on these topics.

The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is concern shared by countries in the region. Relevant countries, such as China, Japan and the ROK, are all members of the Six-Party Talks. It's quite natural for them to discuss the Korean nuclear issue in the "10+3" meeting,"10+1" meeting and East Asia Summit.

Q: The Director of Transport Department of Macau SAR was arrested for taking bribery. Could you share some details with us? Does the central government have any knowledge about this? Do you know that he has the Portugal passport as reported?

A: Macau has practiced the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Macau people administering Macau" since its return to the motherland. The SAR government has the right to govern Macau in accordance with law and take corresponding actions. Macau has a high degree of autonomy in this regard.

Q: China, Japan, the US, the ROK and India will hold an energy ministers' meeting next week. Do you have any information? What's China's stance on the recent military coup in Fiji? The leader of the coup said if some western countries including the US and Australia cut off their assistances to Fiji, Fiji might turn to China and Taiwan for assistances. What's your comment on this?

A: The energy ministers' meeting among the five countries, hosted by Chinese National Development and Reform Commission, is aimed to enhance the dialogue and cooperation among the key energy consumers in the world. The main topic of the meeting is reducing energy consumption, increasing energy efficiency, developing alternative energy resources, safeguarding the stability of the international energy market and promoting international energy security. As far as I know, this meeting is due on 16th of this month. The meeting is under preparation now, and we hope this meeting could promote the communication on energy policy and exchange of views on current international energy situation among relevant countries.

We have followed closely the situation in Fiji, and we hope that all parties in Fiji make efforts to find an appropriate way to resolve the issue. As a friendly country to Fiji, we sincerely hope that Fiji remain social stability and economic development, and its people lead a happy life. This is in the interest of not only Fiji, but also all countries in that region.

I have not heard of the issue of assistances to Fiji you just mentioned. But I can tell you that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The one-China policy is the political foundation on which China establishes and develops relations with Fiji. The Fijian government has consistently adhered to the one-China policy since the establishment of diplomatic ties with China, and we appreciate that.

Q: Yesterday, the US stated that the UN Security Council should vote on the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue. What's China's stance? And does China welcome the report on the US policy towards Iraq submitted by the bipartisan group on Iraq yesterday?

A: On the Iranian nuclear issue, we hold that this issue should be resolved properly by negotiation and diplomatic means, and the actions taken by the UN Security Council should be conducive to this goal. So we believe that we should leave more time and room to diplomatic efforts.

As for your second question, it is up to the Bush administration to decide whether this report is welcomed or not. China hopes to see a stabilized Iraq governed by its people, who can enjoy a peaceful and stable life as soon as possible. We also hope that the Iraq issue be handled properly in compliance with relevant resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council.

Q: It is reported that some DPRK official said the DPRK was willing to abandon its nuclear program on the condition that the US withdrew its nuclear weapons deployed in the ROK and this region. I wonder whether this question was discussed at last meeting between the heads of Chinese, US and DPRK delegation to the Six-Party Talks? Is this question the sticking point that obstructs the resumption of the Talks? What's China's position on the DPRK's accusation of the US for deploying nuclear weapons in this region?

A: On your first and third question, I recommend you to read again the joint statement issued at the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks and study what it reads. Regarding the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, we have consistently advocated a solution through dialogue and negotiation. The Six-Party Talks is a feasible and effective approach to solving this issue. We hope all parties can show their sincerity, build mutual trust and demonstrate flexibility, so as to create favorable condition for the resumption of the Talks. In particular, any word or action that may intensify the problem should be avoided. The three parties pronounced their own positions and propositions in the consultations between their heads of delegations in late October and November. This is a part of the effort made by the parties concerned to resume the Six-Party Talks. The DPRK expressed its concern and so did the US. The question now is how to fully consider each other's concern, bear in mind the overall situation and create a sound atmosphere for the early resumption of the Talks. The principal parties should make all the more effort. China stays in close contact with the parties concerned on the resumption of the Talks. We will continue to play our due role.

Q: The US government is implementing a control on high-tech export to China and said this issue will be discussed at the China-US strategic economic dialogue next week. What's China's position on US' export control against China?

A: We believe China-US trade and economic relations should be built on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win result. We have all along called on the US to create enabling condition for the healthy and smooth trade and economic development between us and to ease the export restriction against China. This will benefit the US itself. The US is concerned about the trade deficit, isn't it? Measures and effort, if taken by the US in this regard, will help China-US bilateral trade progress towards a better balance.

Q: A senior official of the UN Refugee Agency said there were about 50,000 DPRK "refugees" in China. Once China repatriated them, they will face torture or even death. Please confirm.

A: We will deem it very inappropriate if there are such remarks on the DPRK citizens staying in China. The DPRK citizens in the question are people who illegally crossed border instead of so-called "refugees". Some of them intruded into the diplomatic missions, foreign schools and institutions. These actions broke Chinese law. China properly handled them in line with domestic and international law as well as the humanitarian principle. We hope the parties concerned have an objective view of the question. These people have no relation with the "refugee" issue.

Q: Last month, the representative of Dalai Lama warned in his speech in the US that commotion may arise in Tibet if Dalai Lama failed to reach a compromise with the Central Government before his death. What is your comment on that?

A: First of all, Tibet is a part of China since ancient times, and there is no country in the world recognizing Tibet as a so-called "Independent State".

Second, the situation in Tibet is as stable, dynamic in development and harmonious as other regions in China. We believe that Tibet's tomorrow will be better and our Tibetan compatriots will live a happier life in future.

The person you mentioned and the group he represents have long been in exile and engaged in the activities aimed at splitting the motherland and undermining national unity. If they truly care about Tibet, they should genuinely renounce their proposition for Tibet independence and completely stop all the activities in an attempt to split the motherland.

Q: It is reported that Australia has agreed on the uranium export to China. What is your comment on that?

A: China and Australia have cooperation on nuclear energy. Such cooperation is, first and foremost, for peaceful purpose. Second, it is mutually-beneficial, win-win, and in the interest of both sides. Third, China and Australia are signatories to NPT and members of IAEA. China, as a responsible country, will earnestly honor its international obligations and strictly abide by international treaties.

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