On the afternoon of May 24, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on the Iranian nuclear issue, China-Japan talks on East China Sea, Summit of G8 and developing countries and other issues.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, friends from the press. I do not have any announcement to make. Let's start with your questions directly.

Q: Sources from the Japanese Government suggest that Chinese and Japanese leaders will meet during the G-8 summit in Germany. Has China reached an agreement with Japan on that? What topics will be talked about in the meeting?

A: The Outreach G-8 Session between its members and five developing countries, including China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico, will be held in Heiligendamn, Germany on June 8. The session will focus on innovation and protection of intellectual property rights, investment liberalization and social responsibility, energy and climate change, and other development issues, development of Africa in particular. Relevant arrangement is still under discussion. We will release information in due course.

Q: The just-released report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran still defied Resolution 1747 of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by expanding its uranium enrichment program. The United States at the same time sends more warships to the region. What is China's react on that?

A: China is studying carefully the report submitted by IAEA, which we believe will be objective and professional as it always is. We hold that relevant resolutions of IAEA and the Security Council must be implemented. Meanwhile relevant parties should intensify diplomatic efforts and adopt a constructive approach so as to resume the talks at an early date and arrive at an enduring, comprehensive and proper solution. This serves the interest of all.

Q: The Chinese Special Representative on the Darfur Issue has just concluded his visit to Sudan. Can you brief us on his visit?Which Sudanese leaders has he met with? What actions will China take in this region?

A:  Ambassador Liu Guijin, the Chinese Special Representative on the Darfur Issue has paid a visit to Sudan lately. During his stay there, he held meetings with Sudanese Vice President, Adviser to the President and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, exchanging views over China-Sudan bilateral relations and the Darfur issue. Ambassador Liu Guijin also went to visit Darfur. He expressed the Chinese Government's position on the Darfur Issue. China appreciates the efforts of the Sudanese government and other parties concerned to solve the Darfur issue and hoped that the Sudanese side would exert more flexibility on the implementation of the Annan Plan, aimed at accelerating the Darfur political process and further improving the security and humanitarian situation in the region. All parties concerned should seize the opportunity of the moment to nurture mutual trust to facilitate the political process of the issue and the implementation of the third phase of Annan plan through continuous dialogue and equal consultation so as to drive for a political solution.

Q: What is China's reaction towards DPRK's appointment of a new foreign minister?

A: Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has congratulated Pak Ui-chun, the newly appointed Foreign Minister of DPRK by telegram.

Q: The First Lady of the United States Laura Bush joined some US senators in urging China to take more measures to encourage Myanmar to carry out political reforms yesterday. What is your response to that?

A: Our position maintains unchanged that what happened in Myanmar is its own domestic affairs, which will be settled through consultation between the government and the people. The international community should help Myanmar promote its national reconciliation in a positive and constructive manner on the premise of respecting its sovereignty and national dignity. China looks forward to Myanmar with political stability and constant progress in the national reconciliation, which serves the interest of both Myanmar and the international community.

Q: Some Chinese made diglycol-contained toothpaste were found in Panama. Does the diglycol contained in the paste have the same source as that found in the cough syrup? Or is it from other sources?

A: I notice that the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine responded to media's inquiry yesterday. The joint investigation task force, which consists of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and other relevant authorities, is now investigating the Panama cough syrup incident and the toothpaste incident reported by foreign media. Relevant authorities of the Chinese Government are very concerned about these cases. The result of the investigation will be released to the public once it concludes.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to food and drug safety. We are committed to establishing and improving the mechanism of safety supervision and management, intensify strict law enforcement, and crack down the illegal production and distribution of food and drug according to law.

Q: It is reported that the 8th Round of Talks on the East China Sea between China and Japan will be held in Beijing tomorrow morning. Please confirm. What kind of suggestion will China raise during the consultation?

A: China and Japan have agreed to hold the 8th round of the East China Sea talks in Beijing on May 25.

Leaders of both countries have reached major consensus on the issue. China stands ready to work with Japan to press ahead with the consultation in line with the consensus with a view to finding a plan of joint development acceptable to both.

Q: Do you think foreign countries have over-reacted to the issue of Chinese food safety? What's your response to the relevant comments?

A: The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the recent cases concerning food and drug safety. Relevant authorities are conducting serious and in-depth joint investigations. The result will be released once the investigation concludes. The result of the investigation on the US pet food incident has been released and relevant authorities will take legal actions accordingly. The Chinese Government has firm determination, takes forceful measures and positively cooperates with the other countries so as to safeguard food and drug safety.

Q: Chairman Ray Henault of the NATO Military Committee said in interview that NATO hoped to establish direct military relationship with China. What's China's response?

A: China stands for the new security concept featuring mutual-trust, mutual-benefit, equality, and coordination in the efforts to establish a peaceful international environment of long-term stability and security. In line with this principle, China has resumed and launched contact and exchanges with NATO at various levels and in diversified forms in recent years. During this year, the two sides have held the first political consultation and the first non-proliferation consultation at the Director-General level. Under the current international situation, we are willing to maintain contact and enhance communications with NATO on the basis of equality and mutual-respect, which is not only beneficial for the two sides to increase mutual understanding but also conducive to the regional and world peace and stability.

Q: Will China raise new plans during the 8th Round of Talks on the East China Sea between China and Japan? Where does China draw the line for the waters of "joint development"? We have stressed that the waters west to the"median line" are dispute-free areas claimed by Japan. Will China's position remain unchanged?

A: During Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Japan, the two countries issued the Joint Press Communiqué. Leaders of the two countries reached five consensuses on the East China Sea issue, which includes making the East China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship, and carrying out joint development based on the principle of mutual benefit as a temporary arrangement pending the final demarcation and without prejudice to the positions of either side on matters concerning the law of the sea. They also agreed to carry out joint development in larger waters acceptable to both.

As for the so-called "median line" issue you mentioned, China's position is very clear and remains unchanged. The so-called "median line" is a unilateral claim of Japan, which China never accepted and will not accept in the future. China will not have any discussion of joint development under the precondition of "median line".

If there are no more questions, thanks for coming. See you next time!