On the afternoon of September 18, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on the Six-party Talks, China-India relations, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Darfur issue, climate change and etc.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

I'll start with two announcements.

At the invitation of Vice President Zeng Qinghong, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will pay an official visit to China from September 23 to 26 and co-chair the Third Meeting of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission.

At the invitation of Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Minister of Tertiary Education Michael Cullen of New Zealand will pay an official visit to China from September 23 to 26.

The floor is open now.

Q: Could you tell us the reason for the delay of the next phase of the Six-party Talks scheduled on September 19. Have you set the new date for the Talks?

A: We have been consulting with relevant parties on the date for the next phase of the Six-party Talks. We'll let you know, once we have it.

Q: It is reported that China and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a loan agreement. Please confirm.

A: We are checking with competent authorities. We will inform you once we got the exact information.

Q: German Chancellor Merkel will meet with Dalai Lama. Do you have any comment? How are the talks between the Chinese Government and Dalai Lama?

A: The position of the Chinese government on the Dalai Lama question is clear. Tibet has been a part of China since ancient times. Issues of Tibet are China's internal affairs. Dalai Lama is not a simple religious figure but a political exile that has long engaged in splittist activities aimed at undermining national unity under the disguise of religion. China has all long resolutely opposed to the contact between Dalai Lama and officials of any country under any name or of form.

China requests Germany to proceed from the general interest of China-Germany relations and the fundamental interests of the two peoples and not allow Dalai Lama to visit Germany. Its officials shall not have any form of contact with Dalai Lama to avoid undermining China-Germany relations.

Q: It is reported that the head of the US delegation to the Six-party Talks Hill will visit China next week. Is he here for the Six-party Talks?

A: You'd better ask Mr. Hill himself. The date of the Talks shall be decided through consultations of related parties. China believes it is necessary to hold the next phase of the Talks in due course. Now we are consulting with relevant parties about the date.

Q: According to the report from the Indian media, Indian Foreign Minister Mukherjee recently accorded China pride of place in India's "Look East" world view. India will continue to resolve the differences with China through equal dialogue and he believes that there is enough space for the two countries to grow together. Do you have any comment? On the boundary issue between the two countries, when will the special representatives of the two countries have their meetings?

A: We have taken note of the remarks by Foreign Minister Mukherjee, which are quite positive. China will make joint efforts with India to promote the development of China-India strategic partnership of cooperation.

On the meeting between the special envoys on boundary issue. At the invitation of the Chinese special envoy, Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, Indian special envoy Narayanan will be in China from September 24 to 26 for the 11th meeting. China is willing to join hands with India to find a fair and rational solution acceptable to both sides through friendly consultation in line with the political guiding principles set by the two leaders.

Q: China and Japan will hold consultation on the East China Sea issue in Beijing on September 21. China insists on solving the issue in line with the principle of natural extension of continental shelf. Will China continue to do so? Besides, where is the specific area that claimed by China as "indisputable sea area'? How does China define the scope for waters under dispute?

A: As agreed by China and Japan, the 10th round of consultation on the East China Sea issue will be held in Beijing late this month. The specific date is still under discussion.

China will continue to take the active and pragmatic approach and maintain the momentum of consultation by following the consensus reached by the two leaders. We are ready to make joint efforts with Japan to meet half way.

Q: Some reports say the next round of the Six-Party Talks is postponed because China delayed its heavy oil assistance to the DPRK. Could you confirm?

A: The 50,000 tons of heavy oil assistance from China to the DPRK is under way. The first shipment of heavy oil arrived in Nampo port of the DPRK in Sep. 16.

Q: The second high-level consultation on the Darfur issue will be held in New York soon. Who will attend the meeting on Chinese part? What policy or position will he uphold at the meeting?

A: Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Zhai Jun will head the delegation to attend the consultation which will discuss issues including the political process, peace-keeping mission, security and humanitarian situation and reconstruction in the Darfur region.

China always hold that we fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan, adhere to political resolution of the Darfur issue through equal consultation and dialogue, bring into full play the main channel of the tripartite mechanism composed of the AU, UN and the Sudanese government, push forward peace-keeping mission and political process in a balanced way so as to help Sudan to improve the humanitarian and security situation and carry out reconstruction in the Darfur region and bring peace and stability there.

Q: At the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Kim Yong Il, Deputy Foreign Minister of the DPRK, arrived in Beijing today for a visit. What's the purpose of his visit?

A: DPRK Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Yong Il's visit here is part of the exchange plan reached by the foreign ministries of China and the DPRK. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei will meet with him. Apart from Beijing, Kim will visit other places in China.

Q: French Foreign Minister Kouchner warned Sunday that the crisis revolving the Iranian nuclear threat "requires preparation for the worst case scenario, namely war" and a nuclear weaponized Iran will pose a great danger to the whole world. How do you comment? My second question is, the UN will hold the high-level meeting on climate changes on 24th, who will attend this meeting and what will he propose?

A: As to your first question, we believe that a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations is the best choice and serves the common interest of the international community. China always holds that countries respect each other, enhance mutual trust and narrow their differences through dialogue and consultation rather than arbitrary threat of force in international affairs.

As to your second question, China supports the UN Secretary General to hold the high-level meeting on climate changes on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, heading the Chinese delegation, will attend and address the meeting. We believe we should adhere to the multilateralism to handle global issues including climate changes and bring the UN role into full play, which is also broad consensus among members of the international community. We believe this meeting will strengthen the exchanges and cooperation among countries and promote international negotiations on climate changes.

Q: Did DPRK's Deputy Foreign Minister come to discuss the date for the Six-Party Talks?

A: As I just said, his visit to China is part of the exchange plan between the two foreign ministries.

Q: The special envoy of the Indian government, Mr. Menon is visiting China. Please share with us details of his visit.

A: The special envoy of the Indian government, Mr. Menon is here in Beijing for a visit. This morning, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with him, and Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei held talks with him. They exchanged views on bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common interest. They highly valued China-India relations and expressed satisfaction with the positive progress made in cooperation in various fields. They noted that the two countries will continue to enhance communication and coordination in all fields and major international and regional issues so as to further promote the strategic partnership of cooperation.

Q: How long will it take China to finish its heavy oil assistance to the DPRK?

A: I really hope I could answer your question. We are trying to finalize the assistance, and we hope we could finish that at an early date.

If there are no more questions, let me remind you, at 3:30, Ambassador Liu Guijin, the special representative on Darfur issue of the Chinese Government will brief you here on his recent trip to the US and UN. Your presence will be welcome.