On the afternoon of May 27, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on China-ROK relations, the Six-Party Talks, China-US Dialogue on Human Rights and ect.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. The floor is open for your questions.

Q: Prior to his visit to China, ROK President Lee Myung-bak tabled a new Chinese policy of promoting the current China-ROK partnership of comprehensive cooperation to a strategic partnership. How do you comment on the significance of this strategic partnership? Is China willing to establish such a partnership with the ROK? Meanwhile, the Lee Myung-bak Administration said it would strengthen its military alliance with the US. What kind of impact do you think the US-ROK relations would have on the security in Northeast Asia? Would it affect China-ROK relations? Lastly, some people say that the people-to-people relations between the two countries are affected by the Koguryo issue, the Changbai Mountain issue and what happened during the torch relay in Seoul. Do you have any comment?

A: As for your first question, ROK President Lee Myung-bak arrives in Beijing this afternoon to start his state visit to China. Both China and the ROK attach great importance to his visit. Since China and the ROK are important neighbors and partners of cooperation, it's of great significance for the two countries to maintain relations of good neighborliness and friendly cooperation, continue to deepen mutual trust and expand cooperation so as to enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples. This is not only in the fundamental interest of the two peoples, but also favorable to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

China has made earnest and full preparation for Mr. Lee's visit. The Chinese leaders would like to have an in-depth and extensive exchange of views with him on the bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of comment interest. China and the ROK share the same wish of promoting our bilateral relations to new stages, for which the two countries are ready to make joint efforts. As for the specific achievements of this visit, particularly whether there will be new and higher position for the bilateral relations, you shall find that out in a few hours.

As for your second question, the US-ROK military alliance is something leftover from the history. As we all know, time has changed, so have situations in all countries of this region. The Cold War mentality of "military alliance" would not be valid in viewing, measuring and handling the current global or regional security issues.

China is an advocate for a new security concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation. That is, countries that have security stake in the region should strengthen exchanges, build up mutual trust and deepen cooperation so as to jointly safeguard regional security. This would be the only effective approach. China is ready to work with the ROK and other countries in the region to realize this goal.

The establishment of Northeast Asia Security Mechanism is part of the Six-Party Talks. We hope that as trust between relevant countries continues to grow, and as the Six-Party Talks continue to make progress, we could reach consensus on the security framework in Northeast Asia, which is in the shared interest of relevant countries in this region.

As for the problems between China and the ROK, I would like to stress that while these issues are worth our attention, we should not fail to see that they are not the mainstream of the bilateral relations, and should be properly handled on the basis of mutual respect and friendly consultation, otherwise, they could undermine the overall interest of the bilateral relations and the friendliness between the two peoples. Both China and the ROK have the responsibility to properly deal with our disputes, and ensure our people correctly understand and view these problems, so as to realize long-term good neighborliness and friendship.

As for what happened during the torch relay in Seoul, the Koguryo issue and the Changbai Mountain issue, China has explicitly expounded its position. We hope that the two sides can properly cope with these issues through friendly consultation, so that these issues will not become obstacles to the development of the bilateral relations. China and the ROK have consensus on this point.

Q: The DPRK chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye-Gwan has arrived in Beijing, and his US counterpart is coming to China shortly. When will Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei hold talks with his counterparts?

A: Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, head of the Chinese delegation to the Six-Party Talks, will meet with his counterparts from the US, the DPRK, Japan and the ROK in Beijing, and exchange views with them on how to promote the Six-Party Talks. Meanwhile, we hope that the other parties could have full and effective bilateral communication, which would be conducive to the early, comprehensive and balanced implementation of the second- phase action. I'm not in a position to tell you the details about the talks.

Q: When will the DPRK submit its nuclear declaration list? Can we expect this to happen during the forthcoming talk in Beijing, or would it take a longer time? What's China's expectation?

A: About the DPRK nuclear declaration, it is clearly specified in the Joint Document of the Six-Party Talks, in which all parties concerned made their respective commitments. We hope the Joint Document and commitments can be implemented in a comprehensive and balanced manner. During this process, relevant parties should strengthen communication, deepen mutual trust and work together with a pragmatic and flexible attitude to promote the implementation of the second-phase action plan. We hope the Six-Party Talks will continue to make progress at a fast pace, which is the shared aspiration of the six parties. We should work hand in hand towards this common goal, and meet each other half way.

Q: Do you think that the US should do more on the DPRK nuclear issue?

A: We take note that recently the US and the DPRK are having relatively frequent contacts and active interactions, which we believe is conducive to the Six Party Talks. We hope the two parties will maintain this sound momentum and make positive progress in promoting the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsular and improving their relations. China is ready to play a constructive role in this regard.

Q: Could you brief us on the international aid to Sichuan? How many international rescue teams are still working in Sichuan?

A: To my knowledge, 155 countries' governments or non-official agencies and more than a dozen of international and regional organizations have promised capital donation worth almost 1.9 billion RMB. The Foreign Ministry has received 668 million RMB, which is more than one third of the total. Besides, 54 governments or non-official agencies promised donation of materials worth about 524 million RMB. Among these, materials worth about 151 million RMB from 31 countries have arrived in the affected area. The statistics is incomplete, as some countries did not specify the value of their donated materials. As for the tents which are in urgent need, the international donation is 210,200, among which 47,900 have arrived in the affected area.

To my understanding, all the foreign rescue teams have left China.

Here, we would like to express our sincere thanks once again to all the countries, organizations and individuals offering assistance to China.

Q: The international community criticized China's human rights record, especially measures China has taken in dealing with the Lhasa incident. Do you have any response to that?

A: We definitely cannot accept such criticism and accusation.

It is universally recognized that in recent years China has made great progress and achievements in human rights. The Chinese people have enjoyed unprecedented human rights and fundamental freedom in accordance with law. You are now living in China and I am sure that you can see the economic development, social progress and improvement of people's livelihood here. The rights and freedom of the Chinese people are fully guaranteed by law. You can see during the earthquake that the Chinese Government puts people first in its disaster relief efforts. The Chinese government and people from all walks of life have devoted to the disaster relief mission. This is exactly the demonstration of the Chinese Government's respect and protection of human rights.

As for the "March 14" Lhasa incident you mentioned, it is a violent crime involving smashing, looting and arson. We have reiterated our position on many occasions since the happening of the incident two months ago. The competent authorities and the government of the Tibetan Autonomous Region have dealt with the incident in accordance with law to safeguard the dignity of law and the human rights of people of all ethnic groups including the Tibetan compatriots. I also hope those people out there could view China's human rights situation from an objective and fair perspective, respect facts and abandon their prejudice.

I would like to ask you to be careful with your wording. You mentioned the "international community", can you tell me who the so-called "international community" you mentioned represents? Those who make irresponsible accusations against China, keep a blind eye or wear colored glasses or even look for a bone in an egg when it comes to China, how much do they account for the world's population? Can they represent the international community? What makes them believe that they are entitled to represent the international community?

Q: Could you please brief us on the topics of the China-US human rights dialogue? Who on the Chinese side will meet the US officials?

A: The 14th human rights dialogue between China and the US started in Beijing yesterday. Director-General Wu Hailong of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the US Assistant Secretary Kramer co-hosted the dialogue. They exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.

In their dialogue, Mr. Kramer expressed solicitude and consolation to China concerning the Wenchuan earthquake and spoke highly of China's disaster relief efforts which he described have demonstrated the respect of the Chinese Government for human rights, especially rights to life and subsistence. Mr. Wu expressed our gratitude and elaborated on China' consistent proposition on the human rights issue and emphasized the principle of equality and mutual respect in conducting human rights dialogue. As for some differences on certain issues, the two countries should deal with that in a constructive way instead of applying double standards or staging confrontation or even interfering with other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. Mr. Kramer agreed to the principle and noted that the US is willing to make joint efforts with China which proves that the two countries are capable of resolving differences on the human rights issues in a constructive way.

Mr. Wu also briefed the US on China's progress on human rights, stating China's confidence in making greater and extensive progress in human rights. Mr. Kramer said China's progress in human rights is encouraging. He also briefed China on US recent progress in human rights. They exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest, expounded on their respective propositions. They both spoke positively of the dialogue.

During his stay in Beijing, Mr. Kramer also met with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi. Besides, the US delegation met with officials with other related authorities of China.

Q: On the Six-Party Talks, could you tell us the specific time frame of the meeting between Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and other heads of delegations of the Six-Party Talks?

A: As for the schedule of other meetings, we are still having communication with relevant parties. Since it has not been fixed yet, I cannot give you an exact date.

If there are no other questions, thank you and bye-bye!