On the afternoon of May 20, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on the rescue and relief work in the quake-affected area, Russian President Medvedev's visit to China, the Six-Party Talks and ect.

Qin Gang: Today is the second day of the three-day national mourning. On this occasion, we express our deep grief over the deceased in the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan.

After the quake hit China, the international community extended sincere sympathy and condolence to the Chinese Government and people in various ways, and offered strong support and assistance to the relief work. So far, all together 166 countries and more than 30 international organizations have extended their solicitude to China. International assistance keeps flowing to China, with the total volume reaching two billion RMB. Ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in China came to the Foreign Ministry to mourn the deceased in an endless stream. Apart from that, over 100 countries' embassies and offices of international organizations in China flew their flags at half mast. People outside China went to our diplomatic missions overseas to express their condolence.

Governments of Japan, Russia, the ROK and Singapore sent professional relief teams to China. Despite the difficult and dangerous conditions, these relief workers, with respect for life and professional spirit, race against time and work around the clock with their rescue and relief efforts. The Chinese people are deeply touched. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to these four governments, their peoples and all the relief workers.

The Chinese Government has agreed to governments of Germany, Italy, Russia and Japan sending medical teams to China in accordance with the need of relief work. Many other countries and organizations also expressed their wish to send medical workers to China. We would stay in touch with them and keep our options open in light of the development of the medical relief work.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. All these expressions of sympathy and offers of help embody the friendly affections of various governments and people towards the Chinese people and their lofty humanitarian spirit. The Chinese Government and people cannot be more grateful.

We are confident that under the strong leadership of the Chinese Government and with the strong support of the international community, the Chinese people will eventually overcome various difficulties and win this battle against the disaster with their unified dedication and arduous efforts.

Now I'd like to make an announcement. At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Mr. Abdullah Shahid, the Foreign Minister of the Maldives will visit China from May 23 to 27.

Now I'm ready to take your questions.

Q: The Chinese media say that the quake-affected area is short of daily necessities, such as tents, quilts and food. Things like milk powder and diapers for babies are particularly in urgent need. Under such circumstance, what do you think the international community can do for China?

A: At present, the relief work in the quake-hit area is being carried out intensively and in good order. We appreciate and welcome the international assistance in various forms, whether at governmental or non-governmental level.

According to the need of relief and reality in the affected area, we have already released a list of most needed materials, including tents and other living materials. We are deeply moved to find that some countries, when we turned to them for help, very generously agreed to provide us with tents. Besides tents, medical appliances, medicine, and other medical materials are also in urgent need. Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs and charities including the Red Cross Society of China are ready to keep connection with other countries' governments, institutions and organizations and update them our need in this regard.

For us, the support and assistance offered by the international community is not only a physical support, but also a spiritual inspiration. We believe that with the strong support of the international community, we will eventually overcome the difficulties and rebuild our home.

The international community, be it governments, organizations or individuals, regardless of the volumes of assistance, send the same message to the China-- their care, sympathy towards the Chinese people and their resolve to stand by the Chinese people. We are grateful to them.

Q: Which countries have expressed willingness to send their medical teams to China but are turned down? Can you explain the reason?

A: The Red Cross Society of China has released relevant information. Up to date, China has agreed to Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia sending medical teams to Sichuan. Some other countries, organizations and even individuals have also offered to send medical workers to China. We appreciate their kindness. However, due to the current situation in the affected area in all aspects, including difficult transportation and communication, we are not able to accommodate all the medical workers wishing to come. Nonetheless, we are aware of their kindness, and we will consider their offers according to the pace of the relief work. We hope they can understand.

Q: The Japanese rescue team will wrap up their work in the quake-hit area and go back home tonight. Do you have any comment on their work? What is your expectation for the Japanese medical team which is to arrive in Chengdu tonight?

A: Japan is the first country to send rescue workers to China. No sooner had they arrived at the affected area than they jumped into the intensive rescue work. They put aside their own safety, and conducted their work in an extremely difficult and dangerous situation. Holding friendly affections towards the Chinese people, they spared no efforts in the rescue with lofty spirit of humanitarianism and dedication. They found some deceased victims, and mourned in silent solute. These cameral shots and episodes have deeply impressed the vast Chinese people including those in the affected area. We respect and appreciate their humanitarian spirit and their friendliness with the Chinese people.

Soon, Japanese medical workers are coming to join us in the relief work. We believe that they, the same as the Japanese rescuers, will be committed to helping the wounded in the lofty spirit of saving lives and with friendly affection towards the Chinese people. China will keep close coordination with these Japanese medical workers and work together with them to save people's lives.

Q: Dalai gave a speech in Germany on May 19, and that the head of Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development met him. What is your response?

A: The Chinese Government's position on Dalai is consistent and clear. We oppose the attempt of any countries, organizations or individuals to interfere in China's internal affairs by making use of Dalai.

Thanks to the joint efforts of both countries, China-Germany relationship is gradually moving back to normal. The German Federal Government has repeated on many occasions that it will adhere to the "One China" policy, not support or encourage any attempts seeking for "Tibet Independence". We hope that Germany will honor its commitment with concrete actions, not support or tolerate Dalai's separatist activities in any forms on the German territory, and not send erroneous signals to Dalai, so as to ensure the healthy and stable development of China-Germany relations.

Q: On May 19, the World Health Organization rejected the proposal submitted by a few countries for Taiwan to join the WHA as an observer. Do you have any comment? Do you think there's room for consultation if Taiwan applies in the name of "Chinese Taipei"?

A: According to the WHO Constitution and WHA Rules of Procedure, Taiwan is not qualified to join the WHO or the WHA even as an observer. It is on this basis that the WHA made the right decision.

The Chinese Government always attaches great importance to and actively protects our Taiwan compatriots' rights of health. A lot of work has been done to strengthen the personnel and technological exchanges across the Strait in the field of medical treatment and health. In 2005, the Chinese Ministry of Health and WHO Secretariat signed a Memorandum of Understanding on technological exchanges between Taiwan health experts and WHO Secretariat. The Memorandum is well implemented. Up to now, 15 batches of Taiwan experts traveled 27 times to participate in the WHO's technological activities. This is a reflection of Chinese Government's good will and sincerity in solving the health issue concerned by the Taiwan compatriots. It proves that the Taiwan compatriots have unimpeded access to health information.

This is but one China in the world. Both the mainland and Taiwan belong to this one and the same China. We will continue to deal with relevant issues on the basis of the "One China" Principle.

Q:How come that only four countries of Germany, Italy, Russia and Japan are given the green-light to send medical teams to Sichuan? And why it takes so long before China made the decision? My second question is about the Six-Party Talks. Chief nuclear negotiators from the US, Japan and the ROK met in Washington recently. What's your response? Do you expect the DPRK to submit a declaration list?

A: The Chinese Government has dispatched a large number of troops and medical workers to the earthquake-afflicted area, and many other medical staff have volunteered their services. Given the current development of the relief work, the Red Cross Society of China is authorized to receive medical teams from foreign countries to join us in the relief operation. We will keep close contact with all parties concerned in this regard. Countries and organizations that would like to help could contact and consult the Red Cross Society of China. We'll make proper arrangement in accordance with the reality of the affected area and the progress of the relief work.

As to your second question, the Six-Party Talks have gained positive momentum in recent days with all parties concerned keeping close communication and consultation. We hope this momentum could be maintained and measures could soon come up to further promote the Talks. China is ready to keep close communication with all other parties concerned and play a due role. As for the trilateral meeting you mentioned, we hope relevant meeting could yield positive results which will benefit relations between relevant countries as well as the Six-Party Talks.

Q: Will the Chinese Government carry out a nation-wide inspection on the quality of the school-buildings so as to guarantee the quality and safety of the construction? My second question is, some foreign journalists in Sichuan said that they were pleased to see that the Chinese Government was very open in the rescue and relief operation. How do you comment on this? Will the Chinese Government continue to adopt such an open attitude in the future?

A: As for your first question, I'm not in the position to comment. The State Council Information Office hold press conference at 4 pm everyday and release information on China's rescue and relief work. I suggest you attend their press conference and raise your questions there.

As for your second question, we always adopt a positive and open attitude towards foreign journalists. This is not the first time we open the door to foreign journalists. We understand the concerns of international media over the disaster, and we have taken note of many human-oriented reports by foreign media, expressing their sympathy and understanding to the suffering and losses of the Chinese people, particularly those in the quake-hit area. We hope that the report of international media will help the international community see the real situation and the relief work in the disaster-hit area and the firm determination of the Chinese Government and people to fight together in a unified dedication and eventually overcome all difficulties with the assistance of the international community.

We have noted on many occasions that foreign journalists are welcome here in China. We are open to your objective and just coverage, and will do our best to facilitate and assist your work.

Q: Will Russian President Medvedev still visit China as scheduled? Can you brief on his agenda? Whom will he meet with? What will be discussed?

A:Both China and Russia attach great importance to President Medvedev's visit. I can give you a brief account of his agenda in China. On the afternoon of May 23, President Hu Jintao will hold talks with him and meet the press together afterwards.

On the morning of 24, he will meet with Premier Wen Jiabao and Chairman Wu Bangguo respectively, and CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin on the afternoon of 24. President Medvedev will deliver a speech in the Peking University.

If you want to get more information on President Medvedev's visit to China, you may stay after the regular press conference today for a press briefing later. We have invited Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui and Russian Ambassador Razov, who will be happy to address questions of your interest on China-Russia relations and President Medvedev's visit to China.

Q:Iranian official news agency reports that Iran submitted a package proposal of its nuclear issue to China on Thursday. Can you give us some details? Is Iran willing to suspend its nuclear programme? Is China satisfied with the proposal?

A: Relevant parties are having consultations and studying the proposal. I am not authorized to release any information.

On the Iranian nuclear issue, we propose to settle it peacefully through diplomatic negotiations. We believe it is imperative for parties including Iran to make further efforts to exert more pragmatism and flexibility so as to create conditions for the early resumption of talks.

If there are no more questions, thank you for coming.