On the afternoon of May 6, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan, the contact between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama, the Iranian nuclear issue and etc.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to start with an announcement.

The Chinese Government and people follow closely the strong cyclone that hit some parts of Myanmar and left grave casualties on May 2. President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi have sent messages to their Myanmar counterparts respectively to convey deep solicitude and sincere condolences to the Government and people of Myanmar. They expressed their confidence that the Myanmar people will overcome the grave difficulties caused by the cyclone and bring life and work back to normal at an early date.

China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors. The Chinese Government has decided to offer the first batch of financial and physical emergency aids worth one million US dollars to Myanmar so as to help it with the rehabilitation.

The disaster-relief materials will be shipped to Yangon by air at the fastest possible pace.

The Chinese Government cares for the Chinese nationals in Myanmar. The Chinese leaders have expressed solicitude to the staff in Chinese Embassy and Consulates as well as Chinese students and nationals and those with Chinese enterprises in Myanmar. The Foreign Ministry launched the emergency response mechanism immediately, and maintains close communication with the Embassy in Myanmar. The work of the Embassy has returned to normal, all staff there are safe and the damaged parts of the premises is being repaired. Chinese students and the rest of the Chinese in Myanmar are all safe. The Embassy there has not received any report of Chinese casualties.

China and Myanmar are friendly neighbours. We will continue to follow closely the disaster relief work there and provide assistance. We believe the Myanmar Government and people will overcome the difficulties caused by the cyclone and bring life and work back to normal an early date.

Now I would be happy to take your questions.

Q: Iran rejected the basket of incentive measures proposed by the six-nation Foreign Ministers' meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue. Do you believe it's the time for tougher sanctions against Iran?

A: The six-nation Foreign Ministers' meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue was held in London on May 2. Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei attended the meeting as the representative of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

Participants reiterated their commitment to the diplomatic solution. After in-depth discussions, they reached consensus on the resumption plan of the talks.

China has been upholding the international non-proliferation system and the peaceful solution of the issue through diplomatic negotiations so as to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East. This is in the interest of all parties. As a signatory party to NPT, Iran has the right for peaceful use of nuclear energy, provided that it fulfills corresponding international obligations.

China has been devoted to mediation and made unremitting efforts in this regard. Under the current situation, China hopes relevant parties to intensify diplomatic efforts and promote the early launch of the negotiations with a view to seeking a long-term proper settlement of the issue in a comprehensive way.

Q: Last Sunday, the officials from the competent authorities of the Central Government had a contact with the private representatives of Dalai. Is there any progress out of the contact? Is the Central Government satisfied? Did the talks mainly focus on March 14 Incident and Beijing Olympic Games, instead of the specific policies? Did the representatives of Dalai ask to go to Tibet? Why did the contact only last several hours? Why was it held in Shenzhen? When will the next contact be held?

A: With regard to the contact between officials from the Central Government and Dalai's personal representatives, competent authorities have already released relevant information.

During the contact, Mr. Zhu Weiqun and Mr. Sitar with the Central Government expounded on our principled position and policy comprehensively, systematically and explicitly. They talked about the "March 14" incident, the current situation in Lhasa, the Central Government's policy on Tibet and towards the Dalai Lama.

I believe Mr. Lodi Gyari and Mr. Kelsang Gyaltsen have listened carefully to the policy and position of the Central Government. They also expressed their views on relevant issues, and promised to report faithfully the contact to the Dalai Lama.

The officials with the Central Government answered Mr. Lodi Gyari's questions with patience, and agreed to have further contact in due course.

I would like to stress that the Central Government's policy towards the Dalai Lama is consistent and clear-cut, that the door for contact is open and that our contact with the Dalai side is sincere. This contact is a new beginning. As long as the Dalai side exerts sincerity and translates it into concrete actions, the contact will proceed. We hope that Dalai will honor his words, truly stop separatist activities, stop plotting and provoking violent activities and stop disrupting the Beijing Olympics, so as to create conditions for further talks.

You also asked about the choice of location, I would suggest you focus more on the substance of the contact.

Q: Xinhua News Agency reports that China has asked Nepal to take tough stance in order to protect the Chinese Embassy in Nepal from protesters. Do you believe the use of force could be justified under this circumstance?

A: According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, governments of contracting parties have the obligation to protect the safety and dignity of resident foreign diplomatic missions and personnel. We believe the Nepalese Government will act according to relevant international conventions.

Q: Please brief us on the specific itinerary of President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan. What kind of agreement does China expect to reach with Japan during the visit?

A: At the invitation of the Japanese Government, President Hu Jintao left Beijing this morning to pay a state visit to Japan. This visit is of great significance in the history of the bilateral relations in the new era. The purpose is to build up mutual trust, consolidate friendship, deepen cooperation, create a better future and promote China-Japan relations of mutual benefit in an all-round manner. We hope this visit will further strengthen the two countries' communication, promote cooperation, particularly practical cooperation in some specific areas. President Hu Jintao will have extensive contact and communication with Japanese people from all walks of life so as to deepen the friendship between the two countries and two peoples.

We expect the visit to be fruitful, and I believe that Japan share the same aspiration. It will be a good idea to have a joint document or agreement based on consultation to crystallize and display the two countries' new consensus on further promoting our good neighborly and friendly relations as well as the willingness to strengthen cooperation in specific areas. Now the two countries are working actively on this.

Q: Competent authorities from China and Japan have conducted four rounds of consultations on the dumpling issue, but the two sides drew completely different conclusions after investigation. Do you have any comment? How will President Hu Jintao explain this to the Japanese people during his visit?

A: President Hu Jintao already answered this question in his meeting with the Japanese press the day before yesterday.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to product quality and food safety, and takes the relevant case seriously. We have expressed solicitude to the Japanese people affected in the case, conducted investigation promptly with great sense of responsibility, and maintained contact and communication with the Japanese side on this case.

China believes that there should be a thorough investigation and a fair explanation to our peoples, consumers, in particular, the victims. But before the truth is found out, we cannot rule out any possibilities. This means competent authorities from the two countries, particularly the police should step up cooperation and coordination, and conduct the investigation in a calm, objective, just and scientific manner. We would like to work harder along with Japan to find out the truth at an early date.

Q: How would you comment on some Japanese right-wingers' protest against President Hu Jintao's visit?

A: We condemn any activity attempting to disturb and undermine the sound development of China-Japan relations. We do not believe the activities of these right-wingers represent the majority of Japanese people's friendly feeling towards China and China-Japan relations. We believe that with the joint effort from both countries, China-Japan relations will press ahead despite disturbances and difficulties.

Q: About the bus explosion in Shanghai yesterday, was it a terrorist attack? Do you think foreigners will be safe in Beijing and Shanghai during the Olympics?

A: The bus explosion in Shanghai is still under investigation. Before we find out what actually happened, we cannot comment on the cause or nature of the case. Please refer to relevant authorities in Shanghai for details.

I would like to emphasize that China is generally a safe place. The Chinese Government protects the legitimate rights and interests of foreigners in China, including their lives and properties. The Chinese people are friendly and hospitable. They will open their arms to welcome friends from all over the world. Given the current international situation, we realize the risks facing us and the importance of security work. We will definitely strengthen security in all aspects, keep alert to potential dangers and create a safe environment for the Beijing Olympics so that foreign friends in China will feel safer and happier.

Q: Two Xinjiang exiles alleged that the Chinese Government is repressing Xinjiang harder on the occasion of Olympic torch relay. Do you have any comment? Also, could you confirm the report that China's building a secret nuclear submarine base in Hainan?

A: People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have been looking forward to the Olympic torch relay in their hometown. I believe the torch relay there will present the world with Xinjiang's ethnic solidarity, social stability and economic development as well as local people's respect for the Olympic spirit, which is the last and the most dreadful thing the separatist forces want to see.

As for your second question, China follows the path of peaceful development and unswervingly pursues the national defense policy which is defensive in nature. China will always be the backbone of world peace, security and stability. China's national defense and military building will not pose a threat to any countries. Given the size of China's territorial sea, it is the sacred duty of the Chinese army to safeguard China's maritime security, sovereignty and related rights and interests.

Q: The hand-foot-mouth disease is spreading very rapidly. Will it spread from the South to the Northeast, and even to Russia?

A: We adopt a highly responsible approach towards this issue, and try our best to contain the spread of this disease to the smallest scope. You are worried that it may spread to Russia, I want to emphasize, the Chinese Government takes it very seriously, and will spare no efforts to curb it. Secondly, China and Russia have information sharing and technology cooperation bilaterally and multilaterally, for example, through the mechanism and channel of the WHO. We will inform Russia when necessary to strengthen our cooperation to cope with the challenge together. I hope you to take precautions and wish you and your family, especially your children good health.

Q: Three questions on President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan. First, this is the first outbound visit of the Chinese leader after the "March 14" incident in Lhasa. What impact will it have on creating a sound atmosphere of the Olympics? Second, Prime Minister Fukuda is willing to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. Do you have any comment? Third, some groups supporting Dalai will protest during this visit. How do you comment on that?

A: The purpose of President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan is to build mutual understanding and trust. The leaders of the two countries will exchange views on issues of common interest. We hope the Japanese Government can understand and support the endeavor of the Chinese Government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity on the issue of Tibet. We have taken note that the Japanese government supports the success of the Beijing Olympic Games. During the Olympic torch relay in Japan, the Japanese people from all circles warmly welcome the Olympic Holy Flame. We hope to strengthen cooperation and coordination with Japan on the Beijing Olympic Games so as to present a smooth and successful Game in Beijing and Asia. On the attendance by the Japanese leaders to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, I have briefed you on the procedure. The BOCOG and IOC have sent invitations to the Olympic Committees of all the countries and regions, who then invite distinguished guests, including politicians in their own countries and regions. China welcomes leaders from the rest of the world to attend the Beijing Olympic Games.

The disruption and sabotage by some "Tibetan Separatist" forces never compares to the main stream and overall China-Japan relations. Only a handful of people are engaged in drumming for the "Tibet Independence" and separatist activities to disrupt the development of China-Japan relations. It's the shared aspiration of the Chinese and Japanese people to carry out friendship from generation to generation. The main stream of China-Japan relation is marching forward. The scheme of a handful of the "Tibetan Independence" forces can get nowhere.

Q: I have two questions. Ma Yingjiu called for an end of the "checkbook diplomacy" battle through consultation with the mainland. How do you comment on this? Australian Foreign Minister said that, the suspension of multiple-entry visas by China will hurt the business. Has China suspended multiple-entry visas? How do you comment on his remarks?

A: It is our consistent principle and position that there is only one China in the world and both the mainland and Taiwan belong to the same China. We oppose Taiwan authorities' activities to push forward "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" internationally, as well as its "checkbook diplomacy". We hope the one China principle, as a universally recognized principle, can be followed strictly by other countries and the international community as a whole.

As to Taiwan's participation in international activities, this issue will be discussed after the resumption of equal consultation across the Straits. However, we are firmly against the activities to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" on the international stage.

On the multiple-entry visas, we have explained on many occasions that we haven't stopped issuing multiple-entry visas, but made some legitimate and appropriate arrangements in line with the practices of previous Olympics and major international sports events so as to ensure a safe environment. The Chinese Government remains committed to the open-up policy. We will, as always, welcome foreigners to work, study and travel in China.

Q: Is the current visa policy temporary or permanent?

A: I believe this policy will last for some time. It is our consistent principle to ensure national security and the safety of foreigners in China. All in all, the visa policy is within a country's sovereignty and we hope you can understand and cooperate with us. As we can see, it is more convenient to get a visa from China than from other countries. For example, foreigners are not asked to leave fingerprints or scan iris when they come to China. You can draw a conclusion from that.

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