On the afternoon of January 25, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu held a regular press conference. Jiang answered questions related to President Hu Jintao's visit to Africa, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates' and the ROK Foreign Minister Song Min-Soon's visit to China, Six-Party Talks, China-Japan relations and the international donors' conference on assistance to Lebanon.

Jiang: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome our Japanese colleagues, Japanese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sakada Mitsuo to Foreign Ministry of China. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao will hold consultation of this year with him later, which I believe will be conducive to the exchange and cooperation between the two departments.

I shall begin with an announcement before taking your questions. At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council, Jose Socrates, Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal will pay an official visit to China from January 30 to February 3.

Now I'd like to take your questions.

Q: Who will represent China to attend the international donors' conference in Paris to assist Lebanon? How much money will China donate?

A: China attaches great importance to the donors' conference to assist Lebanon in Paris, and has sent the special envoy of the Middle East Sun Bigan to attend the conference. China will announce its donation during the conference, and offer assistance to the best of our capacity. Up to now, China has offered assistance and humanitarian material valued at 130 million RMB to Lebanon. In addition, China has actively participated in the Lebanon peace-keeping missions in Lebanon. Up to the middle of February, China's staff in peace-keeping mission in Lebanon will increase to 335, with 275 soldiers and 60 in medical team.

Q: Which officials have met with the Reports Without Boarders? Whether do they discuss about the detained journalists or not? What's the view of China if they establish an office in China?

A: The organization you mentioned just now has paid a visit to China. You can refer the specifics to relevant department. We consistently hold that international human rights dialogue should be conducted on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, and hope that relevant organizations can view China's development and China's human rights situation in a comprehensive, objective and just way. This is conducive to deepening their understanding of China and strengthening exchange and dialogue between us.

Q: China hasn't made any notification before the test in the outer space. Does that violate the convention of the outerspace? How will China deal with the debris caused by the test? Is the test in contradiction to China's reiterated position of anti- weaponization of outer space?

A: We have elaborated on this question. I have no more information to offer. China's position on the outer space question is unchanged. We hold that the outer space should be peacefully used, and oppose to weaponization of and military contest in the outer space.

Q: What's China's comment on the arrest of the Iran's diplomatic staff in Iraq by the U.S.?

A: We have taken note of the relevant report. We believe that diplomatic missions and staff should be protected.

Q: The ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Song Min-Soon is visiting China. Who will he meet with? What topics will be discussed? When will the Six-Party Talks resume? Secondly, it's reported that some rightist Japanese is making a movie of "truth" of Nanjing Massacre? What's your comment? When will Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing visit Japan?

A: At the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, the ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Song Min-Soon will visit China from today to 27. State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will meet with him and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will hold talk with him.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of China-ROK relations, and a China-ROK communication year. China-ROK comprehensive cooperation relations face a good opportunity of development. We are ready to deepen our understanding and friendship with the ROK between our two peoples through "China-ROK Communication Year", and strengthen our pragmatic cooperation in various fields.

On the Six-Party Talks, various parties show their willingness to resume the talks at an early date. We will consult with relevant parties on the date of resumption of the talks.

On the second question, the "Nanjing Massaca" is iron-clad. The international community has conclusion on this long time ago. To handle the history issue in a correct and responsible attitude helps Japan to gain the trust of its neighbors in Asia and the international community, and is in accordance with Japan's interest.

To improve the good sentiment between peoples of the two nations is the common topic of China and Japan. China holds that China-Japan relations should be developed in the spirit of "taking history as a mirror and facing towards the future". This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of China-Japan relations, which faces important opportunity of development this year. We hope that both parties can avail this opportunity to maintain the momentum of improvement of bilateral relations and promote the exchange and cooperation in various fields.

We will inform you after Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's visit to Japan in February is set.

Q: Will Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Commerce Minister Bo Xilai accompany President Hu's visit to Africa? Please brief us on Portuguese Prime Minister's visit to China.

A: Present Hu's visit to 8 African countries is an important visit towards the whole Africa. The visit is to further deepen China-Africa traditional friendship, implement achievements of Beijing Summit, broaden practical cooperation and promote common development. As for the people accompany Hu's visit, you will get the information in his departure report.

On Portuguese Prime Minister's visit to China, this is the first visit by Mr. Jose Socrates after he became the Prime Minister. China attaches great importance to it and we will give warm and friendly reception. Premier Wen Jiabao, Chairman Wu Bangguo and Vice President Zeng Qinghong will meet with him. Besides Beijing, he will also go to Shanghai and Macau and attend relevant economic and trade activities. We believe this visit will further enrich the Comprehensive Strategic partnership and deepen mutually-beneficial and friendly cooperation in various fields.

Later this year Portugal will be the EU rotating presidency. We are ready to join hands with Portugal to make 10th China-EU Summit a success, deepen political dialogue at various levels and coordination and cooperation on major international issues, do a good negotiation work in the signing of PCA, and constantly deepen practical cooperation in various fields so as to promote greater development of China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Q: Please brief us on the itinerary of IMF Executive President's visit to China. Who will meet with him?

A: I am not aware of the relevant information. You may refer your question to competent authorities. I can also have a check for you.

Q: Has China implemented Outer Space Treaty?

A: China is an active participant of the international system and a responsible constructor of the international community. Up to now, China has acceded into more than 130 intergovernmental international organizations and signed more than 300 international treaties. China has always implemented its international obligations in real earnest.

As for the outer space question, we believe outer space is the common wealth of all human beings and it shall be used for peaceful purpose. We are willing to conduct international cooperation for peaceful use of outer space with other countries.

Q: Please share with us more information on Six-party Talks. Will the US and the DPRK hold talks on financial sanctions in Beijing on 29th?

A: China is not aware of the arrangement for the US-DPRK consultation on financial issue. Recently, relevant parties have conducted a serious of bilateral contact and consultation. We believe these consultations are helpful and lay a certain foundation for the early resumption of the Talks and the future work. The initial proposals and suggestions made and the understanding reached by relevant parties during their consultations need further discussion after the resumption of the Talks.

Q: What will be discussed during the 7th round of China-Japan strategic dialogue?

A: Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi of Japan are holding the 7th round of China-Japan strategic dialogue in Beijing. Both sides will have an in in-depth exchange of views on China-Japan relations and issues of mutual interest.

China-Japan strategic dialogue is an important channel for the diplomatic authorities of the two countries to explore the improvement and development of bilateral ties. China attaches great importance to the dialogue. The leaders of the two countries have got consensus on the development of strategic  relations of mutual benefit between us. We hope the consensus be implemented by the efforts of all relevant parties.

Q: The supreme court of Japan is trying the Guanghualiao case, what is your view on that?

A: The Guanghualiao case is not a common civil lawsuit. It is a political case bearing on legal rights and interests of Chinese government and basic principles of China-Japan relations. The Chinese government attaches great importance to it and hopes Japan can properly deal with the case in accordance with the principles in China-Japan Joint Statement.

Q: The Portuguese President said in the future India would be more successful than China because India is a democracy while China is not. Does China worry about that?

A: China and India enjoy sound relationship. The two countries have established strategic partnership towards peace and prosperity. China welcomes India's development. China regards India as a very important cooperative partner and China-India relations as one of the most important foreign relations. President Hu Jintao's successful visit to India last year has raised China-India relationship to a new level.

Both China and India are developing countries with significant influence in Asia. The bilateral relationship has transcended the bilateral scope. Two countries are ready to make joint efforts for peace, stability, development and prosperity of the region and world at large.

Q: Is China-Japan strategic dialogue held on today and tomorrow? Is there any progress on East China Sea issue?

A: China-Japan strategic dialogue is held from today to 27th in Beijing. This afternoon Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo will meet with Yachi, and later Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will meet with him.

On the East China Sea issue, the two premiers got consensus on accelerating consultation on East China Sea issue during their meeting in Cebu. We hold an open attitude towards the new round of consultation. The specific date shall be decided by discussion. China and Japan have two important consensuses on the issue. One is sticking to the direction of joint development; the other is to properly settle relevant questions through dialogue and consultation.

Thank you for your presence. See you!