On June 26, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference and answered questions on China's further participation in the peace-keeping mission in Darfur, the situation in Zimbabwe, the Six-Party Talks and etc.

Liu Jianchao: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

First of all, I would like to brief you on China's further participation in the peace-keeping mission in Darfur. At the request of the United Nations and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, China decides to further participate in the UN/AU hybrid mission in Darfur.

The remaining troops of the Chinese peace-keeping engineer troops to Darfur are ready to start off. According to the UN's arrangement on the transportation of materials and equipment, China will deploy its follow-up troops in the region by mid-July. China also agrees to temporarily transfer some of its troops and facilities stationed in the UN mission in South Sudan to Dafur, helping the engineer troops in Darfur with construction of camps and roads. China is also ready to send well-diggers and relevant equipment to Darfur to solve the water shortage facing the hybrid forces.

As you know, China is highly concerned about the situation in Darfur. We stand for the duel-track strategy that promotes the deployment of peace-keeping mission and political negotiation in a balanced way in order to solve the Darfur issue politically. We would like to work with the international community and continue to make our contribution for the early realization of peace, stability and development in Darfur.

Now, I have three announcements to make.

At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council, Prime Minister Samak of the Kingdom of Thailand will pay an official visit to China from June 30 to July 3.

Thailand is a friendly neighbor to China and the long-standing friendship between the two countries has taken root in peoples' hearts. Over the past years, through the joint efforts of the two countries, the China-Thailand strategic cooperation has witnessed comprehensive and deep development. During Prime Minister Samak's visit, President Hu Jintao will meet with him and Premier Wen Jiabao will have talks with him. We believe that this visit will further push forward the bilateral relations.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, US Secretary of State Rice will visit China from June 29 to 30. The two sides will exchange views on major international and regional issues of common concern.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Kyprianou of the Republic of Cyprus will pay a visit to China from June 29 to July 1.

At 5 p.m. this afternoon, there will be important information to be released here at a news briefing. Your presence will be welcome in the briefing. Now, the floor is open.

Q: You just mentioned that Thai Prime Minister will visit China from June 30 to July 3. As we know, the situation in Thailand is not so stable at present, why did he decide to visit China at this timing?

A: In fact, as agreed by China and Thailand, Prime Minister Samak was scheduled to visit China in mid-May. As we all know, a devastating earthquake took place in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province on May 12 and the Chinese Government has been devoted to disaster relief since then. That's why Prime Minister Samak's visit was postponed until now.

Thailand is a friendly neighbor to China, and we sincerely hope to see a stable, harmonious Thailand with growing economy.

Q: You just said that US Secretary of State Rice will visit China. Will she go to the quake-hit areas in Sichuan? Which specific places will she visit?

A: The visit of Secretary Rice is another important high-level exchange between China and the US this year. Its main purpose is to further implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, enhance dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation, as well as properly solve the existing problems so as to promote continuous healthy and stable development of the Sino-US constructive relations of cooperation. During the visit, Chinese leaders will meet Secretary Rice, and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will hold talks with her. The two sides will exchange views on a series of issues. We believe a sound and stable development of the Sino-US relationship is in the interest of the two countries and its peoples and conductive to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world at large.

China is still making further communication with the US about the schedule of Secretary Rice's visit. I will update you in due course.

Q: According to the ROK media, some local council of ROK passed a bill to proclaim January 18 as the "Ieo Island Day". How do you comment on that?

A: China's position concerning the issues of sovereignty, territorial and maritime rights and interests is firm and solid. We will further check the information about the latest developments.

Q: It is reported that Vice President Xi Jinping will visit Hong Kong in July. Does the Foreign Ministry have any relevant information?

A: I am not in the position to answer this question which involves the arrangement between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland. Please refer your question to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

Q: The international criticism of the Zimbabwean government has been on the rise over the past week. Compared with the US and other countries, China has better relations with Zimbabwe. Will China take measures to promote a peaceful resolution of the Zimbabwe crisis?

A: There have been some new developments in Zimbabwe recently. The international community is closely following the situation there, and so is China. As a friend of Zimbabwe and its people, we hope relevant parties in Zimbabwe put the interest of their country and people in the first place, maintain calm and restraint and adhere to a peaceful resolution of relevant issues through dialogue, so as to complete their domestic political work smoothly and restore national stability and development at an early date. I believe this serves the interest of the Zimbabwean people most.

Q: We noticed in recent days that Tibet is re-open to foreign tourists. Does that mean the situation in Tibet has stabilized? Has the Central Government resumed its talks with Dalai Lama's representative? Any update to be released?

A: The government of the Tibetan Autonomous Region has briefed the press about the resumption of tourism in Tibet. I'm aware of your interest in Tibet, and here I would like to stress that the restored stability in Tibet is in the interest of the entire Chinese people including the Tibetan compatriots. It's also what the international community expects. A second point is that China's policy of an open Tibet has stayed unchanged. I believe it's an important and positive progress that Tibet is re-open to foreign tourists when the situation in Tibet gradually returns to normal.

I know another thing on your mind is when journalists will be allowed to go to Tibet. Now since Tibet is re-open to foreign tourists, foreign journalists in China can file their applications to the local foreign affairs' office in accordance with procedures as usual. Meanwhile, Tibet has after all been through a violent incident, so there could still be some uncertainties there. We hope you will follow suggestions of the local authorities when you are reporting from there.

About the further contact between the Central Government and Dalai, I don't have any information yet.

Q: Is the briefing at 5:00 p.m. related to the DPRK nuclear declaration? Could you feed us with more details about China's peace-keeping troops to Darfur? What consultations did you have with other peace-keepers in Darfur, especially the UN and the AU? How many Chinese troops will be dispatched? And what are their guidelines for action, in other words, if civilians in Darfur are attacked, will the Chinese troops be allowed to intervene?

A: At 5:00 this afternoon, we have some important information to release, and it is about the Six-Party Talks. At this point, I'm not authorized to reveal the details, but you are welcome to attend the briefing here at 5:00 pm.

About China's further participation in the peace-keeping mission in Darfur, I would like to emphasize that the Chinese troops to be dispatched are the follow-up troops of our engineering troops in Darfur. The total number of our peace-keeping troops in Darfur should be around 315. Some of our troops in South Sudan will be transferred to Darfur. Since they are not combat troops but an engineering unit, their major task will be building up camps and roads, and digging wells to help reduce water shortage facing the UN and AU peace-keeping troops. These will be the main tasks for Chinese peace-keeping troops in Darfur.

Q: It's reported that the IOC has written China a letter about the remarks made by Mr. Zhang Qingli, party secretary of Tibet Autonomous Region at the start of the torch relay in Tibet. Zhang talked about Dalai Lama and his separatist conspiracy. China has been criticizing some people in the world for politicizing the Olympics, but now China itself is under rebuke for the same reason. How do you comment on that?

A: Just like you, I learned about the IOC's letter from the report, and I'm not aware of the details.

As you know, the torch relay in Tibet proceeded quite smoothly. As for the case you mentioned, China sternly opposes the politicizing of the Olympics, particularly foreign interference in China's internal affairs by taking advantage of the Olympics. A series of problems crop up recently relating to the Olympics and March 14 Incident. The relevant official did not mean to politicize the Olympics. His remarks were intended only to make further efforts to restore stability in Tibet, and create a harmonious and stable environment for the Olympics. Such remarks should not be viewed as politicizing the Olympics. This is totally different from some people's attempt to use the Olympics for political gain.

Q: China takes the security of the Olympics very seriously. Now the situation in Middle East is not so good, with the possibility of Israel attacking Iran's nuclear facilities. Does China think this will have a negative impact on the security of the Beijing Olympics?

A: The Olympic security is of great importance. China has made unremitting efforts and conducted effective cooperation with the international community in a bid to hold the Olympics in a safe environment. The measures taken by China, generally understood by the world, show that we are responsible to the IOC, the international Olympic family, and the sportsmen, officials, foreign journalists and audience taking part in the Olympics. We will continue our efforts to ensure a safe Beijing Olympics.

As to the Iranian nuclear issue you just mentioned, China always upholds that the issue should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and negotiation. Any resolution by force is unthinkable.

Q: Among the calls we received from Chinese Muslims recently, a lady claimed that due to security reasons, they are not allowed to wear turban during safety inspection. Does that contradict with the freedom of religious belief and harmony among ethnic groups?

A: I have two points to make. Firstly, China will take necessary measures to ensure the security of the Olympics. Any country that has held the Games and any athletes and coaches that will participate in the Games will want the Beijing Olympics to be a safe one.

Secondly, the Chinese Government and relevant authorities fully respect the custom and cultural tradition of different religions and ethnic groups, and will never discriminate against any ethnic group, religion or race. If some country or people have concern over specific measures, surely they can communicate with the BOCOG. That's not a problem.

We hope to ensure the security of the Games while respecting traditions of relevant countries, ethnic groups and religions, and also hope our efforts be understood by countries around the world.

Q: Some US State Department officials complained that the Chinese Government has not cracked down the Chinese companies which sell weapons to Iran in a violation of UN resolutions. How do you comment on that?

A: I believe the US is clearly aware of the solid position on non-proliferation of the Chinese Government. The Chinese Government firmly opposes proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery and prohibits any Chinese company from engaging in proliferation activities. We suggest China and US enhance communication and conduct candid discussion on relevant issues.

Q: Could you tell us how many heads of state or government will be coming to the Beijing Olympics? And how will they be received?

A: The BOCOG and the IOC are communicating on relevant information which I do not have. It will be hard for me to provide a specific figure for you. With the developments of the work and further confirmation of the distinguished guests, you will be updated on relevant information.

To our preliminary knowledge, the international community holds a very active attitude towards their participation in the Beijing Olympics. We warmly welcome officials, athletes, coaches and audience to join the major sports event.

If there are no more questions, see you at five o'clock!