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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu's Regular Press Conference on September 11, 2008
2008-09-12 14:12

On September 11, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on the 19th China-US JCCT meeting, Hubei female workers involved in a labor dispute in Japan and etc.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have no announcement to make, let's go straight to your questions.

Q: You said on Tuesday that the Regulations on Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists during the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period is to expire on October 17. The question is, what will be its replacement? And if you don't have any information today, could you at least tell us when the information will be released?

A: Right now I have no specific information to share. But we will continue to follow the opening-up policy, welcome foreign journalists to China and protect their legitimate rights and interests. Meanwhile, we also hope they will cover China fairly and objectively and abide by Chinese laws and regulations during their stay in China.

Q: Our colleague was barred by the local police when he was covering an accident in Shanxi. Could you explain? When will journalists be permitted access?

A: I'm not aware of the specific situation you mentioned. I believe it's necessary for the local government to take special measures in case of contingencies. In such cases, we expect journalists to have good cooperation with relevant authorities. To provide assistance to journalists for their normal work is a policy that Chinese governments at all levels follow earnestly.

Q: Could you update us on the six Hubei female workers involved in a labor dispute in Japan?

A: The Foreign Ministry and Chinese Embassy in Japan is highly concerned about the case, and took immediate actions after learning the incident. Our Embassy in Japan sent officials to meet with the employers and employees involved in the dispute to understand the situation. They also visited and consoled the Chinese female workers. The Embassy has expressed China's grave concern over the case to the local police and labor protection and supervision authorities, urging them to take immediate investigation, handle the case fairly and properly so as to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of those female workers. We will continue to follow the case closely, and play our due part therein.

Q: The 19th China-US JCCT meeting will be held next week in the US. Which Chinese departments will attend? What is your expectation? And how would you comment on the current China-US trade relations?

A: The 19th China-US JCCT meeting will be held in Los Angels, the US, on September 16. Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, US Commerce Secretary Gutierrez and US Trade Representative Schwab will co-chair the meeting. Other Chinese delegation members include over ten officials above vice-ministerial level from the State Council, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the NDRC, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Agriculture, China Customs, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Civil Aviation Administration, Food and Drug Administration and the Export-Import Bank of China. As usual practice, Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong and Ambassador Randt will be present.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of establishment of JCCT mechanism, which plays an indispensable role in boosting and deepening the bilateral trade relations and expanding the cooperation. We believe this year's meeting will further broaden trade cooperation, help handling trade issues properly and promoting a healthy and stable trade relationship.

The main feature of China-US trade relations is win-win. The two countries are each other's second largest trade partner. Last year, the bilateral trade volume reached 302.1 billion dollars, more than 120 times that of 1972. Our business cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, and contributed to the world economy.

Given the great speed and scale of this relationship, it is natural that some problems and frictions arise on the way forward. We hope both countries will bear the general interest of the relationship in mind, adopt a strategic perspective and solve problems through frank dialogue, consultation on equal footing and expansion of cooperation. Facts have proven that dialogue and consultation is an effective approach to settle our trade disputes.

Q: It is understood that the newly elected Pakistani President Zardari will visit China next week, and Venezuelan President Chavez shall follow. Is it fair to assume that they want to talk about civilian nuclear cooperation or military trade?

A: We welcome President Zardari and President Chavez to come at a convenient time. We can stay in communication through diplomatic channel. I don't have any information to release yet.

As for the nuclear energy cooperation, our position is consistent. We believe, all countries, on the precondition of fulfilling their international obligations, are entitled to make peaceful use of nuclear energy and conduct international cooperation in this regard. China will, in accordance with its international obligations, continue to cooperate with relevant countries in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

As for military trade you mentioned, I don't have any specific information. But our policy is clear. China has been prudent and responsible towards military export, and adopted strict administration measures.

Q: Today marks the 7th anniversary of "911". How do you comment on the US-led global anti-terrorist war, including its achievements and challenges?

A: We believe the situation for international anti-terrorism is still challenging. Frequent terrorist activities pose grave threat to the security and stability of all countries.

Terrorism is an enemy to the entire international community. China opposes terrorism in all forms. We advocate stronger international cooperation in dealing with terrorism, and believe the United Nations should play a dominant role. We oppose double standard on anti-terrorism, or linking terrorism with certain ethnic group or religion.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all countries for their great support and cooperation on anti-terrorism during the Olympics. We would like to continue anti-terrorism cooperation with all countries on the basis of "equal cooperation of mutual benefit", so as to jointly prevent and combat terrorism, and safeguard world security and stability.

If there are no more questions, thanks for coming. See you next time.

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