On September 9, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on Zardari's election as Pakistani President, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's visit to India, the Six-Party Talks, the situation in South Ossetia and etc.
Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I would like to extend our welcome to diplomats from Gabon to our press conference today. Now I have an announcement to make.
As agreed upon consultation, the 19th China-US JCCT meeting will be held in Los Angeles, USA, on September 16. Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, US Commerce Secretary Gutierrez and US Trade Representative Schwab will co-chair the meeting. Other officials from relevant authorities of the two countries will take part.
Now the floor is open.
Q: Chinese Foreign Ministry posted a message on its website, congratulating on DPRK's 60th anniversary. It says that the DPRK has made remarkable achievements in its socioeconomic development and foreign relations, but fails to mention DPRK's economic recession or its dependence on foreign aid, particularly food aid. So what specific achievements you think the DPRK has made? Also, reports said that Mr. Kim Jong Il has collapsed, and that China has sent him doctors. Could you confirm?
A: Today marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK. Chinese leaders have sent telegraphs of congratulations. As you have read in our press release, we wish DPRK people greater achievements in their socioeconomic development.
As for your second question, I have not heard of that.
Q: Please brief us on Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's meeting with his Indian counterpart yesterday. Secondly, Indian National Security Adviser and some other senior officials voiced disappointment over China's role at the NSG meeting in Vienna last week. Do you have any comment? Thirdly, India media reported that China would seek for a deal with Pakistan which is similar to the Indo-US deal on civil nuclear cooperation. Could you comment?
A: At the invitation of Indian Foreign Minister Mukherjee, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is paying a visit to India. Relevant information has been released. Foreign Minister Yang met with Indian Prime Minister Singh, and talked with Foreign Minister Mukherjee. The two countries agreed to work together to materialize the consensus achieved by the heads of the two countries, promote exchanges and cooperation in a broad range of areas so as to bring China-India strategic partnership of cooperation to a new stage.
During their talks, the two foreign ministers agreed to push forward the two countries' friendly cooperation by maintaining the momentum of high-level exchanges, expanding business cooperation of mutual benefit and widening people-to-people exchanges, especially those among the youth. The year 2010 shall witness activities celebrating "festival of China" and "festival of India". The two countries also agreed to properly handle each other's concerns and boost the bilateral relations.
As for your second question, as a matter of fact, China has taken part in relevant NSG discussion in a responsible and constructive manner, and has contributed to the ultimate progress and agreement at the meeting.
As for your third question, it is on the precondition of fulfilling its international obligations that China conducts its cooperation with Pakistan for peaceful use of nuclear energy. The cooperation is totally for peaceful purpose, and is subject to IAEA safeguards and supervision.
Q: We understand that the Chinese Government has sent telegraphs of congratulations, but did you give a call to Mr. Kim Jong Il to extend your congratulations? When was the last time you talked with him on phone?
A: China and the DPRK have kept friendly exchanges as well as frequent and close communication and coordination.
Q: US media reports that Pakistan received direct support from Chinese experts in its nuclear experiment. Please confirm. Secondly, what exactly is the kind of role that China played at the NSG meeting? Indian senior officials expressed disappointment that China lobbied to block the resolution. Please confirm.
A: As for your first question, China always earnestly fulfills its international obligations and firmly safeguards the international non-proliferation regime. Our position is very clear.
As for your second question, I have already responded earlier. As you all know, with joint efforts of all parties, the meeting eventually reached consensus. We hope the decision made at the meeting will be conducive to the international cooperation on peaceful use of nuclear energy and non-proliferation.
Q: About the administration on foreign journalists. The Regulations on Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists during the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period is due to expire next month. Any chance these measures may be extended?
A: I understand your interest in this issue. The Regulation expires on October 17. I would like to stress that China will carry on the opening-up spirit, welcome foreign journalists as always, and protect their legitimate rights and interests in China according to law, including their right to report. We also hope you will abide by Chinese laws and regulations and cover China in an objective and fair manner.
Q: Dalai's brother passed away in the US on September 5. Did the Chinese Government or religious groups express solicitude to Dalai?
A: I don't have information on that.
Q: It is reported that six women from Hubei had been abused in Japan for labor disputes. Has China begun to investigate this issue? If so, is there any progress?
A: I have taken note of relevant incident. We are checking with competent authorities for further information. We hope the Japanese side could protect lawful rights of the Chinese citizens there in accordance with law.
Q: US Assistant Secretary Hill met with China's Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei in Beijing. What did China do to press ahead with the process of the Six-Party Talks?
A: As the host of the Six-Party Talks, China has been keeping close contact and coordination with other parties. In the past few days, Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei has met with the visiting heads of the US, Japanese and the ROK delegations as well as ambassadors of the DPRK and Russia in Beijing respectively, and held discussions on the current situation and further steps of the Six-Party Talks. We hope all parties concerned could maintain contact and meet each other half way so as to properly resolve relevant problems at an early date, implement the remaining actions of the second phase in a comprehensive and balanced manner and press ahead with the process of the Six-Party Talks.
Q: It is reported that the US Government has taken over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mae because of the pressure from foreign banks including those from China. How do you comment on that?
A: As for the US Government's takeover of two financial institutions, I notice that relevant authorities have already responded to that.
Q: Russia has announced to establish diplomatic ties with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and the President of Belarus wants to follow. How do you comment on that?
A: We have made our position clear that we understand the complicated history and realities of the issue of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We hope relevant parties stay committed to resolving the issue properly through dialogue and coordination and jointly maintaining peace and stability of the region.
Q: Mr. Zardari was elected as Pakistani new president. Do you have any comment? What's your expectation for the future China-Pakistan relations?
A: China congratulates Mr. Zardari on his election as the new Pakistani President. We believe that Pakistan will maintain social stability and economic development under the leadership of the Pakistani Government. We also believe that China-Pakistan strategic partnership of cooperation will gain new progress.
Q: Vice President of Ecuador is in China for a visit this week and has met with the Chinese leaders. Has the energy cooperation been covered?
A: Relevant meetings have been reported. On bilateral energy cooperation, I have no information in this regard. China conducts cooperation in various fields including energy with relevant countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, which is also in line with international practice.
Q: Is China concerned about DPRK's resumption of Yongbyon nuclear facilities? Has China conveyed concern to the DPRK?
A: Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei had contact with relevant parties recently and held helpful discussion with them on the current situation of the Six-Party Talks and direction of future endeavors. China believes that the fruit of the Six-Party Talks is hard-won and should be cherished.
We hope that various parties can maintain contact, display flexibility and make concerted efforts to meet each other half way and find a proper solution to this problem, so as to implement the remaining action of the second phase in a comprehensive and balanced manner, and press ahead with the Six-Party Talks along the right track.
Q: China has established a new consulate in Kolkata. What do you expect from this diplomatic mission located in East India?
A: During Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's visit to India, he has participated in the Consulate General's inauguration ceremony. The establishment of this consulate will enhance China's friendly communication and cooperation with Kolkata, West Bengal state and East India, adding new momentum to China-India cooperation. We hope the Consulate General will play a positive role in promoting communication and cooperation between China and India and countries in the region.
If there are no more questions, thank you for attendance. See you next time.