On June 19, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on China-DPRK relations, China-Japan relations, the Six-Party Talks, China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue and etc.
Q: During Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to the DPRK, did the two sides talk about the DPRK nuclear declaration or their economic cooperation?
A: Relevant information has already been released about Vice President Xi Jinping's activities in the DPRK, including his meeting with Kim Jong Il, Kim Yong Nam and Yang Hyong Sop. During the meeting they exchanged views on the Six-Party Talks. Vice President Xi Jinping said that China is always committed to promoting the Six-Party Talks. At present, the Six-Party Talks face opportunities of overcoming temporary difficulties and making further progress. We hope all parties concerned will continue to work together to meet each other half way and devote themselves to the fulfillment of the remaining actions of the second phase at an early date in a comprehensive and balanced way, so as to bring the Six-Party Talks to a new stage.
As for the two countries' economic cooperation, please refer to the relevant information we released. During his visit, the two countries signed documents of cooperation in the fields of quality supervision, transportation, civil aviation, and etc.
Q: Mr. Hill will arrive in China tomorrow. Whom will he meet with?
A: There is no confirmed information yet about whether Mr. Hill will come to China tomorrow. But I can check it for you. You may also refer this to the US . As the host country, China has been keeping close communication and coordination with relevant parties about the next step of work.
Q: My question is about the China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue which is being held in the US. It is claimed that the surging global oil price is partly caused by China's large oil import. What do you think of such a claim?
A: The Fourth China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue has concluded in the US. The dialogue has achieved positive and fruitful results. The most outstanding one is that we expand our cooperation in energy and environmental protection by signing a 10-year energy and environment cooperation framework, which will have positive and major influence on the two countries' cooperation in energy and environmental protection as well as the global sustainable development. We hope the two countries will translate the consensus reached in the Dialogue into reality, do a good job in follow-up work and continue to promote the China-US economic cooperation and trade.
About your question on the energy issue. In my previous press conference a question was raised about the international oil conference. I was just informed that at the invitation of Saudi Arabia, Vice President Xi Jinping will attend the international oil conference to be held in Jeddah on June 22. We hope the participating parties could strengthen dialogue and coordination so as to address the challenge of high oil prices to the world economy.
China is not only a major oil consumer, but also a big oil producer. We have been able to maintain a self-sufficiency rate of over 90 percent. China's per capita oil consumption is only half of the world average, and it will not pose a threat to the world energy security. We believe the international energy cooperation should be carried out on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, and that international community should establish and follow a new outlook of energy security featured by mutually beneficial cooperation, diversified cooperation and coordinated safeguard.
Q: A report issued by the "International Amnesty" said that over 1000 Tibetan people were illegally arrested. How do you comment on that? How can the foreign media cover the torch relay in Tibet?
A: I have not seen the report you mentioned. I do know that the "International Amnesty" has been bias-minded towards China and keep releasing irresponsible reports against China from time to time. Its allegations lack credibility. China is a country under the rule of law, and relevant departments strictly abode by law in dealing with the March 14 incident. You can refer the details to competent departments if you are interested. I believe they will release information in due cause.
As for foreign journalists' request to cover the torch relay in Lhasa, so far as I know, the BOCOG and other relevant departments are making active coordination and arrangement for domestic and foreign media to cover the relay on spot. I believe they will do their best to meet with your need. Meanwhile, they have to accommodate media of different regions, countries and types. I hope you will understand if some of you did not get the opportunity.
Q: How many foreign journalists will be allowed to report the torch relay in Lhasa? What's the purpose of restricting the number of journalists? When will the foreign journalists be allowed to enter Tibet freely? When will the Central Government hold the nest consultation with the Dalai side?
A: The number of the foreign journalists to cover the torch relay in Lhasa is yet to be confirmed. You talked about the number restriction. As far as I know, BOCOG and other relevant departments have already done their best to give the opportunity to as many as possible. The media group of some dozens of people is not of a small size. Actually, in the past, it only took some procedures for foreign journalists to enter Tibet. I believe the local government will make proper arrangements according to local conditions.
The time frame for the next contact between the Central Government and the Dalai side is still under communication.
Q: How do you comment on the visit of the Japanese naval ship to China?
A: Relevant department has already released information about the visit of the Japanese naval ship to China. At the invitation of the PLA navy, a naval destroyer of the Japanese Self-Defense Force will visit Zhanjiang Port of China soon as a return visit of the Chinese naval missile destroyer Shenzhen to Japan in 2007, as well as a friendly visit in keeping with the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. We believe this visit will promote the exchanges between the defense departments of the two countries, enhance the mutual security trust, and promote the all-round development of the China-Japan strategic relations of mutual benefit.
