On the afternoon of January 29, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on the DPRK nuclear issue, China-Japan relations, UN disarmament conference and etc.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have no announcement to start with, I'd like to take your questions.

Q: According to Xinhua news agency, Minister Wang Jiarui of the International Department of the Central Committee of CPC will pay a visit to the DPRK. Could you brief us on his schedule? Will he meet with the DPRK leader Kim Jong-il?

A: As to Minister Wang Jiarui's visit to the DPRK, I believe relevant authorities will release the information in due course.

Q: It is reported that China and Russia will submit a draft treaty at the UN disarmament conference in Geneva, banning any deployment of weapons in the outer space. Does China have such plan?

A: The Geneva disarmament conference is being held and will last until March. Chinese Ambassador Wang Qun for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva is attending the meeting, heading the Chinese delegation. China is always devoted to the peaceful use of the outer space and opposed to arms race in and weaponization of the outer space. We have not and will never enter into any arms race in the outer space. China has always supported and actively urged the Geneva disarmament conference to conclude an international legal document preventing arms race in the outer space.

Q: China draws criticism from some groups of human rights and press freedom when the Olympics is approaching. Do you have any comment? Now it is six months away from the Beijing Olympics, is there any progress in China's honoring its commitment to the International Olympic Committee?

A: The Chinese Government has a clear-cut position on these issues. We oppose politicizing the Olympic Games because that runs counter to the principles and spirits of the Games. The international community should resolutely oppose any act disrupting the Olympics. It is witnessed by all that China has made remarkable progress in human rights protection and press freedom. The Chinese Government protects the freedom of speech and other lawful rights of the Chinese citizens according to law and Chinese media are free to do their business within the framework of the Constitution and laws.

At present, the preparation of the Olympics is under way as scheduled.

Q: Do you have any comment on the death of former Indonesian President Suharto? Will Kim Jong-il visit China this March? The Director of the US FBI is here in Beijing for a visit. Whom will he meet with and what will be discussed?

A: Mr. Suharto contributed to the resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Indonesia and the development of bilateral relations. China expresses condolence to his death.

As to your second question, the Chinese Communist Party maintains high-level exchanges with the DPRK Workers' Party. I don't have the specific information of your question.

With regard to the visit of FBI Director, I suggest you refer your question to the competent authorities hosting the visit.

Q: The US is going to send officials to visit the ROK, China and the DPRK in order to push for the comprehensive nuclear declaration. Do you have any new position on the DPRK nuclear declaration?

A: Sung Kim, Director of the U.S. State Department's Office of Korea Affairs will arrive in Beijing tomorrow and meet with Chinese Foreign Ministry officials in charge of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. The existing achievements of the Six-Party Talks have not come by easily and should be cherished. We hope that relevant parties will display patience and wisdom in their joint efforts to carry out the second phase action at an early date.

Q: When he met with new members of China-Japan Friendship Committee for the 21st century, Foreign Minister Yang said that the two countries will state their position on their cooperation in international affairs during President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan. Can you be more specific about the content of the position? There are already three major political documents between China and Japan, including the China-Japan Joint Statement. Would China consider a fourth joint document with Japan during President Hu's visit to Japan? Japan expects to solve the East China Sea oil and gas exploration issue before President Hu's visit, what's China's position?

A: The China-Japan relationship is at an important period of improvement and development. We hope that the two countries will make joint efforts to actively implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, further deepen our cooperation in a broad range of fields and boost a healthy and stable development of the bilateral relations. China will conduct active consultation with Japan over President Hu's state visit to Japan this spring.

As for negotiation over the East China Sea, China is ready to work together with Japan to follow the new consensus between leaders of the two countries, and continue to keep the momentum of consultation in a sincere and positive attitude and try to solve the issue at an early date in the process of developing bilateral relations.

China and Japan are both important countries in the Asia-Pacific region. We share the common mission of safeguarding peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large. It is essential for the two countries to strengthen our consultation and cooperation in international issues.

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

After the conference, Jiang Yu briefed the press upon request on Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's visit to Australia and the launch of China-Australia Strategic Dialogue Mechanism. She said that at the invitation of Australian Foreign Minister Smith, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will pay an official visit to Australia from February 4 to 5.

During his visit, Foreign Minister Yang will meet with the Australian leaders and talk with Foreign Minister Smith. The two Foreign Ministers will then launch the Mechanism of China-Australia Strategic Dialogue. China hopes to make in-depth exchanges with Australia on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest, deepen understanding and mutual trust, expand consensus, and upgrade cooperation for the comprehensive and in-depth development of China-Australia relations.

The establishment of China-Australia Strategic Dialogue is one of the important achievements during President Hu Jintao's state visit to Australia last year. The mechanism serves as an important platform for both to strengthen dialogue, communication and coordination on major issues of bilateral relations. We are ready to make joint efforts with Australia to ensure that the mechanism will play an active role in promoting the development of China-Australia relations.