On July 8, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on the Six-party Talks, Beijing Olympic Games and etc.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

I'd like to begin with an announcement. The six-party talks have made a series of important progress with the concerted efforts of all parties. The six parties have decided to hold the meetings of the Heads of delegations in Beijing from July 10 so as to push forward the Six-party Talks. The discussions will be focused on measures and steps for the further implementation of the second-phase action in a comprehensive and balanced way, and each party will also exchange views on other issues of common concern. During the meeting, the Working Group of the Denuclearization of Korean Peninsula and the Working Group of Economic and Energy Cooperation will also hold meetings to make arrangement of the continuous implementation of the second- phase action.

We hope the Head of Delegations Meeting will yield positive achievement so as to push forward the talk process into a new phase.

Now, the floor is open.

Q: It is reported that the Chinese side has provided a lot of aid to the DPRK during Vice President Xi Jinpin's visit there. Would you please confirm?

A: China and DPRK are friendly neighbors. The relationship between China and DPRK has always developed on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit for a long time. We support the efforts of the Government and people of the DPRK to develop economy and improve people's livihood, and have always provided aid within our capacity. We hope our aid can be conductive to the social and economic development of DPRK.

Q: You have just announced that the Heads of Delegations Meeting of the Six- party Talks will be held soon. Then when will the ministerial meeting be held?

A: The six parties are all making positive efforts to push forward the six- party talks process constantly moving toward the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the realization of peace and stability on the peninsula and the Northeast Asia as a whole. The Chinese side and other parties have always maintained communication, contact and consultation. We hope all parties concerned to make joint efforts to make the Six-party Talks process keep yielding new achievements.

As regard to the timing of the six-party ministerial meeting, it still takes the six parties to make further communication and consultation. As a member of the six parties and the host of the six-party talks, the Chinese side holds a positive and open attitude toward this.

Q:China has been warning the hostile forces not to undermine the Beijing Olympics. What are the meaning and nature of these hostile forces? President Bush said he will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. Do you have any response to that?

A: Since the Beijing Olympics is looming, in recent years, the nature and motive of some forces, organizations, and individuals in the world have been fully exposed. As a journalist, you shall have the sensitivity and have your judgment.

There is a Chinese saying which goes if a forest is big enough, you will easily find birds of various kinds. In a place as immense as the earth, you will see diversified people of different characteristics and hear noises of all kinds. Some individuals and organizations even think the world is not bustling enough without their noises. This is their consistent attitude towards China, and especially before the Beijing Olympics, they take advantage of this opportunity to make distortions and exaggerations with a desire to stir up troubles. You may recall that during the 60 years since the founding of PRC, there are always some people and forces in the world criticizing or attacking China. We have already got used to it. No matter what they think, talk or act, the most important thing for us is to do our part well.

The development of China could not be held back by any force and a s successful Olympic Games will not be blocked by any force. We are fully confident that we will hold a high level Olympics with distinguishing features. Some people are making trouble against or criticizing China, which can show in some sense that they feel fear and anxiety about China's development, but to the Chinese people, this could only encourage us to do our utmost to build our homeland better and stronger.

As to the attendance to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games by President Bush and other foreign leaders, we welcome that.

Q: Amnesty International issued a report, urging China to improve human rights before the Olympics. It also claimed China has not honored its commitments when bidding for the Olympic Games. How do you respond to that?

A: There are three points I want to make. Firstly, the Chinese Government is devoted to the improvement and protection of human rights and fundamental freedom of the Chinese people, and includes principle of respecting and protecting human rights into the Constitution. Therefore the Chinese Government is endeavored to promote economic development and social progress in an all-round way, push forward judicial reform and improve democracy and legal system so as to build a fair, just and harmonious society and realize the all-round development of its people. China's human rights cause has made continuous progress, which is acknowledged by all the unbiased people around the world.

Secondly, China's pledge to improve human rights is not only for the Olympic Games. Since its establishment, the Communist Party of China has devoted itself to improving human rights, which will remain our lofty goal in the future. The efforts of China to improve human rights are not decided by the will of some country, some force, some organization or someone, nor are the efforts judged by their standards. The 1.3 billion Chinese people shall have the final say in China's human rights situation.

The third point is what I just answered to your previous question on "some hostile forces sabotaging the Olympics". If you could add that part to your article and cover the three points completely, you could make a fair and comprehensive report.

Q: How long will the meeting of the heads of delegations to the Six-Party Talks last? Will any agreement like a joint statement be produced?

A: According to preliminary schedule, the meeting will last for three days. But it will be decided according to the progress of the meeting. As to whether there will be joint statement or other form of document be produced, it depends on the will of the six parties and the progress of the meeting. In a word, we hope that this meeting will yield positive results and forge new consensus of the parties, so as to push forward the Talks to a new phase.

If there is no other question, thank you and bye-bye!