On the afternoon of June 24th, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held a regular press conference.

Zhang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Today, we have friends from the press of Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Serbia and Montenegro with us at the press conference. Welcome to make interviews in China at the invitation of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. May your interviews be successful and your stay in Beijing pleasant!

First of all, I would like to announce a piece of news. At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of the Republic of the Fiji Islands Laisenia Qarase will pay a working visit to China from June 28th to July 3rd.

Now, the floor is open.

Q: I have three questions on the Six-Party Talks. First, please introduce the contents of the DPRK's plan. Second, will China propose its own plan after absorbing the proposals of the US and the DPRK? What concrete measures will China take to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula?

A: I understand the question you are most interested in today remains the information of the Third Round of the Six-Party Talks. I'd be glad to brief you on this morning's meeting.

This morning, the Third Round of the Six-Party Talks continued to hold its plenary session at Fangfeiyuan, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. China, Japan and Russia put forward their own propositions and ideas on the settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. The parties discussed these proposed solutions.

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Head of Chinese Delegation stated China's principled positions on the nuclear issue on the Peninsula and ideas on how to start the first-phase move. He said that the third round of talks had had a smooth and sound beginning. It is demonstrated by the following facts:
1) The six parties confirmed again the important consensus that has been reached so far and serves as the cornerstone for our further progress.
2) All the six parties put forward their own concrete plans or ideas on the solution of the nuclear issue, which manifested the strong political will of all parties to move the talks towards new progress.
3) The six parties are willing to consider others' plans in a serious and looking-forward manner, which reflects the spirit of mutual respect and equal consultation.
He emphasized that it was the common wish of the international community as well as in the interest of all parties to push forward the peace talks. We hope all the parties can show further flexibility, expand common ground, narrow differences and help bring about the first step of the talks on substantive issues.

This afternoon, the six delegations will have bilateral discussions centering on the questions on the agenda of the talks and the concrete plans.

With regards to the plan of the DPRK's delegation, please refer the question to the DPRK. As for China's fundamental ideas or propositions, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi has introduced our consistent propositions and concrete ideas in his speech. The final goal of China on the solution of the nuclear issue on the Peninsula is to realize a denuclearized Peninsula, and our objective is to maintain peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. The approach is consultation and dialogue, and the way to take account of both the settlement of the nuclear issue and the reasonable security concern of the DPRK. China has put forward some proposals on how to launch the first-phase measures. Given that the meeting is still going on, I cannot go through the details of our proposals.

Q: It is said that the US has a very complicated seven-page plan, which requires careful study of all parties, in particular the DPRK. Did the US and the DPRK meet to give each other explanation? If the plans of all parties are complicated and all the parties have to make careful study and contact their own governments, is it possible for the talks to conclude ahead of schedule?

A: When briefing on their plan, the US side said the English version had seven pages, which, though I don't know much about Korean language, might be translated into a dozen-odd pages of Korean version, touching upon rich contents. All delegations stated they would carefully study the plans of the US and other parties. In the process of the meeting, besides the plenary session and the working group meeting, many opportunities are available to the parties to have bilateral consultation, or even to have discussions during tea breaks and coffee time. As to whether there was formal meeting between the US and the DPRK, please consult to these two delegations.

Up to this stage, I don't have any clue on whether the talks will conclude ahead of schedule. As you have said, many proposals have been made and welcomed by all parties. This fact in itself illustrated that the mechanism of the Six-Party Talks is a very good one for every one to seek solution through consultation. Right because of the rich contents of the plans, the six parties need to clarify some problems and understand each others' ideas through the Third Round of the Six-Party Talks. The delegations are actively communicating with each other and have expressed their willingness to give careful thought and study to other parties' proposals.

Q: Just like Japan and the ROK, China hopes to push the US to move forward. Does the current US plan reflect progress in certain aspects?

A: At this round of talks, the US, the DPRK and the other parties have all put forward their own plans or proposals. We should say the US' plan has rich and comprehensive contents. This plan alone represents a progress at this round of talks and reflects the willingness of the US to actively seek solution.

Q: The US has decided to withdraw its draft resolution submitted to the Security Council on the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. What comment does China have on it?

A: China is not a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and has reservations on some provisions in the statute. But we support an independent, just, efficient and universal international criminal court, so as to punish grave international crimes.

We have taken note of the views expressed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on this issue several days ago, maintaining that it is inappropriate to pass the draft resolution submitted by the US at the Security Council on the jurisdiction of the international criminal court in the context of wide concern in the international community about the POW abuse incident in Iraq. It is hard for China to stand for it. The withdrawal of the resolution by the US is a wise move, which will be helpful to preserve the unity of the Security Council. We are ready to continue contact and consultation with all parties on the relevant issues.

Q: Recently, Vatican condemned China for arresting an underground bishop in Hebei. What comment do you have on this? Second question, the Reporters Without Borders alleged that China exercised internet control, arrested 61 online dissidents last month and used advanced technology to censor the internet. What's your comment?

A: As far as I know, officials of Chinese competent authorities have refuted the accusation of China's persecution of some so-called religious figures. This accusation defies the facts and is completely ungrounded. We hope that the party concerned should first find clear facts. We want to emphasize that in China, a country ruled by law, one will not be punished because of his or her religious belief.  China's constitution stipulates that citizens have freedom and rights to religious belief.  But every one has to abide by law and any violation of law will be subject to legal penalty.

As for the development of China's internet, both China's constitution and laws grant Chinese citizens freedom of speech. Since you live and work in China, you should know the rapid development of China's internet and information industry. According to incomplete statistics, the number of internet users has reached 80 million. Such a huge number of internet users and such advanced internet technology testify to our full freedom in this regard. Without freedom, such a rapid development would be but an illusion. Therefore, the accusation made by the Reporters Without Borders is irresponsible.

Q: What you think is the obstacle to the solution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula? What preparation work has China done to narrow differences between the US and the DPRK?

A: Now, the topics the six parties are discussing fall in two categories. The first is how to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, including the scope and approach of nuclear abandonment and how to address the reasonable concerns of all parties. The second is how to make the first step of denuclearization, including nuclear freeze and corresponding measures that relevant parties should take. These questions are correlated and all set on the agenda of the Third Round of the Six-Party Talks. China put forward its own proposals during the discussion on how to resolve the two questions. But since the talks are going on, I cannot give you detailed information.

Q: It is reported that during Vice President Zeng Qinghong's visit to South Africa, China will sign an agreement on liquefied coal with a South African enterprise. Please confirm and tell us its details.

A: Vice President Zeng Qinghong's visits to South Africa and other countries are mainly aimed to further strengthen the bilateral friendly cooperation between China and African countries. During his visit to South Africa, he will sign some agreements with South Africa. On liquefied coal, South Africa has its own specialties and China hopes to step up cooperation with it in this field. As for the details of the agreement, I'm willing to make inquiry for you after the conference.

Q: It is said US Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao mentioned China's suppression against workers' demonstration in Liaoning during her visit. What's China's response?

A: I have no idea of the matter you asked about. What I have read in the report is that Secretary Chao stated during her visit that her visit has made achievements. She and China's Ministry of Labor and Social Security signed in total four agreements, which will help further enhance China-US cooperation in relative fields.

As for protection for Chinese labor, China is one of the founding countries of the International Labor Organization. We have always been active in participating in the activities of the ILO and adopted a series of laws to protect the rights and interests of laborers. On the international arena, we have been actively participating in the enacting of international standards. China has signed 23 international labor conventions. You are from the US. I don't know whether you know that the US has approved only 14. On the one hand, we have made great headway in the legislation of labor protection. On the other, we have done tremendous work on protecting the rights and interests of laborers in accordance with these laws. In other words, China has taken many measures to protect the rights and interests of laborers from the perspectives of legislation, judicature and administrative measures. Of course, China is still a developing country. On the protection of labor, we still have a large room for improvement both in law and in practices. But in these years, our progress in this field is there for every one to see.

Q: Did today's Six-Party Talks touch upon the HEU question?

A: The talks in these two days centered on two issues. One is how to realize denuclearization and the other is how to make the first step in the process of denuclearization. Your question is closely related to the two issues.