On the afternoon of June 5, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on Vice President Xi Jinping's outbound visit, the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Darfur issue and ect.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have several announcements to make.

At the invitation of the central committee of the DRPK Workers' Party and the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Vice-President Xi Jinping, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will pay an official and good-will visit to the DPRK from June 17 to 19. At the invitation of the Mongolian Government, Prince Sultan of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Tamim of the State of Qatar and Vice-President Hadi of the Republic of Yemen, Vice-President Xi Jinping will pay official visits to those countries from June 19 to June 25.

As agreed by China and the US, the 4th China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue will be held in Annapolis, Maryland, U.S. from June 17 to 18. Vice-Premier Wang Qishan of the State Council of China and Treasury Secretary Paulson of the US will co-chair the Dialogue as special representatives of President Hu Jintao and President Bush respectively. Ministers and senior officials from relevant authorities of the two governments will also attend the Dialogue.

At the invitation of Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will attend the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of China, Japan and the ROK in Tokyo on June 14.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Steinmeier of the Federal Republic of Germany will pay an official visit to China from June 13 to 15.

Now the floor is open for your questions.

Q: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd proposed yesterday the establishment of an EU-like "Asia-Pacific Union". What's China's response?

A: I have taken note of the relevant report. It is the trend of the contemporary times to strengthen regional cooperation. We hope relevant countries in the Asia-Pacific region can work together and have more exchanges so as to build up political mutual trust, deepen cooperation of mutual benefit, promote common development and share win-win progress. We are open to every proposal conducive to this goal.

Q: Will Vice President Xi Jinping meet with King Jong Il, the top leader of the DPRK during his visit to the country? Could you brief us on his itinerary and the purpose of the visit? Any chance that he may visit the ROK after wrapping up his stay in the DPRK?

A: Vice President Xi Jinping will be visiting the DPRK from June 17 to 19. During the visit, he will meet with major leaders of the DPRK. We hope the two countries can have an in-depth exchange of views on the bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest, including the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula. This visit is expected to further promote the two countries' traditional relationship of friendly cooperation. The specific arrangement including the itinerary is under discussion, and will be released in due course.

Over the past few years, China and the ROK have kept close high-level exchanges. President Lee Myung-bak's recent state visit to China has successfully promoted the bilateral relations to a higher position of partnership of strategic cooperation. We stand ready to further strengthen high-level exchanges with the ROK.

Q: Could you brief us on Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to the three countries in West Asia? What's the purpose of the visit? And whom will he meet with?

A: Vice President Xi Jinping will be in Saudi Arabia from 21 to 23, in Qatar from 23 to 24, and Yemen from 24 to 25. During the visit, he will meet or talk with Saudi Arabian King and Prince, Qatari Emir, Prince and Prime Minister and Yemeni President and Vice-President. He will also attend China-Saudi Arabia Business Seminar and China-Yemen Investment Seminar during his stay in the two countries. There will be extensive and in-depth exchange of views between Vice President Xi Jinping and leaders of the three countries on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest.

In recent years, China's relations with the three countries of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Yemen have all witnessed sound development and good cooperation in a wide range of fields. We believe his upcoming visit will further promote the traditional friendship and cooperation between China and the three countries.

Q: Is the DPRK the first country that Mr. Xi visits since he took office as the Vice President? What does it mean to the China-DPRK relations? Does it mean China is satisfied with the role of the DPRK in the Six-Party Talks?

A: This will be the first outbound visit for Mr. Xi Jinping as Vice President.

China and the DPRK enjoy traditional relations of friendly cooperation. Bilateral political, economic, cultural and other cooperation and exchanges are carried out steadily. The two countries also have sound coordination in international and regional affairs. Based on China's statistics, the bilateral trade volume last year reached $1.97 billion dollars, up by 16.2% over the previous year. The development of China-DPRK relations of friendly cooperation is in the interest of both countries, and also conducive to peace and stability in the Peninsular and the region at large. China will continue to be committed to the development of good neighborliness and friendly cooperation between the two countries.

China and the DPRK have had sound communication and cooperation under the framework of the Six-Party Talks. Thanks to the joint efforts of all parties including the DPRK, the Six-Party Talks made positive progress in the previous stage. At present, the six parties are having close communication and coordination on how to fulfill the remaining actions of the second stage in a comprehensive and balanced manner for further progress out of the Six-Party Talks. We are ready to work with the DPRK and other parties concerned to continue to push forward the Six-Party Talks.

Q: About the China-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held this afternoon, how many times has it been held before? And what's the goal for this session?

A: The China-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting is to be held this afternoon. China attaches great importance to Foreign Minister Mukherjee's visit. The two countries and their foreign ministers exchange frequent visits and have regular consultations. We hope that during Mr. Mukherjee's visit, the two countries will have full exchange of views on the bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest, so as to further boost the bilateral relations.

Q: Do you think the DPRK will make complete nuclear declaration before of after Vice President Xi Jinping's visit?

A: Parties of the Six-Party Talks are having close communication and consultation over the specific issues including the nuclear declaration. There's no timeframe yet. We stay supportive and open towards all efforts and suggestions conducive to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Q: The Chinese Government promised to release the evidence that Dalai was the mastermind behind the violent incident in Tibet. Where is the evidence?

A: The serious crime of violence that took place in Lhasa on March 14 was plotted and instigated by the Dalai Clique. With the investigation going on, a lot of facts have been brought to light, and some of them were disclosed by foreign journalists in their reports. For example, prior to the incident, some individuals received instructions from the Dalai Clique through phone contact. Competent Chinese authorities have already released a lot of evidence, which was reported by the Chinese media. I suggest you read these reports carefully. I believe with the investigation going on, people will see clearly the role of the Dalai Clique in the Lhasa incident, the attacks against the Chinese diplomatic missions overseas and disruption against the Olympic torch relay. What the Dalai Clique needs to do now is to take concrete actions to truly stop its separatist activities, stop plotting and provoking violent activities and stop disrupting the Beijing Olympics.

Q: The next round of contact between Dalai's personal representative and the Central Government was scheduled on June 11. Why is it now postponed? Is it important for China to have the next round of contact prior to the Olympics?

A: The timeframe for the next round of contact is still under communication. Right now, all Chinese departments are focusing on the earthquake-related relief work. We hope the Dalai side can take concrete actions to create conditions for future contact.

Q: Why is it that some reporters covering the Sichuan earthquake find it harder to renew their local pass? Are there any restrictive measures taken?

A: When it comes to the earthquake in Wenchuan County of Sichuan Province, we have been open and transparent in releasing information and facilitating foreign reporters' trip to the affected area and their work there. We will continue to do so. On the other hand, foreign journalists are expected to respect the local reality and do not disturb the local relief work. We will continue to coordinate relevant local departments to facilitate your work there.

Q: Will the DPRK nuclear issue be on the agenda of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of China, Japan and the ROK?

A: The Foreign Ministers' Meeting of China, Japan and the ROK is a mechanism and platform for the three countries to discuss their relations and major security issues of the region. The three foreign ministers will exchange views on major issues of the region. The three foreign ministers are very likely to discuss issues relating to the Six-Party Talks as their countries are part of it. Since Japan will host the current session, the specific arrangement will be made by Japan after consulting China and the ROK.

Q: When will foreign journalists be allowed to go to Tibet? Will the Foreign Ministry organize another trip to Tibet? And how can we apply for it?

A: With the social order in Tibet going stable, we will facilitate foreign journalists in going to Tibet.

Q:Thomas Christensen and James Swan, the US Deputy Assistant Secretaries, praised China for its actions on the Darfur issue, including sending peacekeeping forces and the engineering unit. But they said that China can do much more on the issue to improve the humanitarian situation in Darfur. They also mentioned the close ties between China and some African countries, including Zimbabwe.

A: China supports the proper resolution of the Darfur issue through dialogue and consultation based on respecting Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have made proactive efforts to this end, including sending peacekeeping engineering unit to the Darfur region.

I could share with you more information in this regard. China has committed to sending a 315-member engineering unit, among which 143 have already been deployed there. The rest will leave for Darfur once the UN equipment is ready.

I can assure you that China's efforts for the proper resolution of the Darfur issue are by no means less or weaker than any other country. It is imperative to further promote the proper settlement of the issue by the tri-partite coordination mechanism of the Sudanese Government, the African Union and the United Nations, to press ahead with in a balanced way the double-track strategy of political negotiation and peacekeeping deployment in particular. We hope countries, those having concerns over the Darfur issue in particular could make further efforts together with China.

China has all along upheld the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. We believe that people of Zimbabwe are capable of addressing their own questions and Zimbabwe can realize stability and development.

Q: What will be the most important topic in China-US Security Dialogue? Second, the US says that if Iran continues refusing to cooperate on the Iranian nuclear issue, China will agree to further sanctions against Iran. Could you share with us more information in this regard?

A: On June 4, He Yafei, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister and John Rood, the US Acting Under Secretary in charge of Arms Control and International Security had the 4th round of consultation between China and the US on strategic security, multilateral arms control and non-proliferation. Their discussions focus on the international security situation, China-US strategic security relations, as well as arms control and non-proliferation. Sharing the view that the candid and pragmatic consultation is conducive to enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation between China and the US on major issues concerning international security, arms control and non-proliferation, both agreed to have further consultation of this kind.

On June 5, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Rood. Making positive remarks of China-US relations, Foreign Minister Yang noted that the growing mutual interest and cooperation between China and the US in international security, arms control and non-proliferation, as well as the maintenance of consultation on major issues under the current circumstances are helpful to the enhancement of mutual trust and cooperation. It also contributes to the healthy and stable development of China-US constructive relations and cooperation, as well as the maintenance of peace and stability of the region and world at large.

Rood agrees to Foreign Minister Yang's evaluation of China-US relations, and supports the enhancement of coordination and cooperation between the two countries on issues concerning world peace and security.

On the Iranian nuclear issue, China has all along supported the peaceful settlement of the issue through diplomatic negotiations without compromising on the authority of the international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism nor regional peace and stability. We hope Iran could implement the Resolutions of the UN Security Council in real earnest and enhance cooperation with the IAEA to further clarify related issues. At the same time, we hope relevant parties to make further efforts to strive for the early resumption of the talks. China will continue to play its constructive role for the proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

Q: Foreign journalists are restricted to go to the Tibetan areas, including Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai Provinces. This ban has been in place since March. Is that still the case?

A: As a result of the serious violent criminal acts in Lhasa and other Tibetan areas not long ago, the conditions are not ripe for foreign journalists to report in Tibet and other Tibetan areas. As I said earlier, we will provide necessary assistance for you to report there as the stability is restoring in Tibet and other Tibetan areas.

Q: It has been three months since the Tibet incident. And you were saying stability was not restored yet. Does that mean the Chinese Government cannot restore stability in Tibet after three months?

A: I made it clear just now. We are adopting measures to maintain social stability. Social order in Tibet is getting further restoration now.

If you are trying to suggest that the Chinese Government is not capable of safeguarding tranquility of a certain place within its own territory, you are underestimating the Chinese Government and people. Tibet stays as China's Tibet. Don't even think about separating Tibet from China.

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