On the afternoon of September 15, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Kong: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! First of all, on behalf of the Information Department of the Foreign Ministry, I would like to extend welcome to the joint interview group made up of journalists from six countries-Russia, Ukraine, Kazakstan, Georgia, Latvia and Moldova for their presence at our press conference. Meanwhile, I would like to wish them a nice trip in Beijing.

First, I have two pieces of announcements:

First, at the invitation of the Vice Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Zhukov and Vice Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden Engqvist, Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi will visit Russia from September 20 to 28 to co-chair with Vice Prime Minister Zhukov the Eighth Meeting of the Commission on the Regular Meeting between Chinese and Russian Prime Ministers. She will also accompany Premier Wen Jiabao on his visit to Russia and to attend the Ninth Regular Meeting between Chinese and Russian Prime Ministers. Afterwards, she will pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Sweden.

Second, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will head a delegation to attend the 59th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York on from September 26 to 30.

Now, I am glad to take up your questions.

Q: This is my first question at the press conference. It is reported that the Six-Party Talks will not be held by the end of September and the participant countries are discussing on whether to put it off to October. What's China's position on this? If the Six-Party Talks cannot be held in October, then when will it be held?

A: Thank you for raising your first question in Chinese. I have not yet read such announcement as you said made by any of the six parties, claiming the Six-Party Talks are not possible to be held by the end of September. Of course, the remarks of various parties seem to show many difficulties are standing in the way of holding the Six-Party Talks by the end of September as planned. This is not what we wish to see. It is the consensus of all parties as well as the expectation of the international community to hold the fourth round of the Talks by the end of September. As the host country, we have been playing a constructive role of positive good office. But whether the fourth round of the Talks can be held by the end of September as agreed upon at last round of Talks indeed does not hinge on the Chinese side. Instead, it is mainly up to the two major parties in the issue-the DPRK and the US. We believe that all parties should strive to hold the fourth round of the Talks by the end of September as agreed by all before. Even if the fourth round of the Talks failed to open by the end of September, it should be held as soon as possible. I look forward to frequently hearing questions from you.

Q: An advisory group of the Japanese Prime Minister concluded for the first time in a report that China poses military threat to Japan. What's China's response to this?

A: I have read the report you talked about, revealing such a view proposed by a private think tank for the Japanese leader. In my opinion, it is only concluded by a handful of individuals in defiance of facts. Why? Since you work with the European media, I'd like to offer you some background information. Last year, China's defense budget stood at around US$ 21.5 billion. However, Japan, with smaller, or only 1/25 territory of that of China and 1/10 or so of China's population, budgeted around US$ 60 billion for military expenditure. It is not hard to tell that the report totally ignore the facts. In recent years, China has repeatedly made it clear that we follow a neighbor policy of creating a harmonious, tranquil and prosperous neighborhood and "becoming friends and partners with neighbors". We will not undermine the interests of our neighboring countries. What we pursue is to seek common prosperity of the region through exchanges and cooperation. I deeply believe that the Japanese people won't agree with the report you mentioned. We believe to maintain the healthy development of China-Japan mutually beneficial relations will benefit our two peoples as well as the peace and stability of the region.

Q: What's China's position on its citizens openly expressing discontent with Japan? Is the Chinese Government adopting a new strategy to improve bilateral relations?

A: Since you work with a Japanese news agency, you should have seen the rapid development of China-Japan relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties between them. Concrete progress has been made in both people-to-people and inter-government exchanges. For example, in terms of trade of economic relations, Japan is China's largest trade partner. Each year, people in our two countries exchange over 3.5 million visits, which can be translated into ten thousand visits each day. We have always been hoping that China-Japan relations can steadily move forward on a healthy basis. Then what makes a healthy basis? The most important thing is the such political documents as the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, including our frequently used phrase-"take history as a mirror and to look forward into the future". It is September 16th today and two days later will mark the 73rd anniversary of the September 18th Incident. The incident rooted a bitter memory in our hearts. The anniversary day reminds us every minute that the Chinese nation is one that loves peace and we have to strive hard unfalteringly for the rejuvenation of our motherland. But from another perspective, we cannot put Japan aside when we talk about the September 18th Incident. We hope that the Japanese side takes concrete measures to follow the principle of "take history as a mirror and to look forward into the future" and refrains from any moves that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. It should join hands with the Chinese side in the moves aimed to further promote our bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas.

Q: It is the first time that I attend the press conference. I have a question on the explosion in the DPRK. Does the Chinese Government have more detailed information on it?

A: Welcome to attend our press conference frequently. On this question, please refer to the statement of the principal official of the DPRK's Foreign Ministry. And media of various countries have made extensive coverage. If you have more questions, I suggest you to consult the DPRK side.

Q: Has the Working Group of the Six-Party Talks held any meeting since June?

A: There has not been any Working Group Meeting of the Six-Party Talks since June. But as the chair country and a major mediator, China has been staying in close contact with other parties and playing a positive role in promoting the early convocation of the fourth round of Talks. In the same time, we have also called on other parties to do more to enhance mutual trust, dissolve suspicion and ease and address concerns of various parties, instead of any moves that may agitate another party or reignite the tension on the Peninsula.

Q: The Annual Report on International Religious Freedom 2004 issued by the US State Department lashed out again on China's performance in religious freedom. What comment does China have on this? Will Premier Wen touch upon the energy issue during his visit to Russia? Are there any people from energy departments or businesses in his company?

A: Our position on your first question is very clear, that is, firm opposition! I have repeatedly said here that the freedom of religious belief has been effectively protected by many laws, including the constitution. Our Governments at all levels also protect citizens' freedom of religious belief in their work in accordance with law. Now, there are more than 100 million followers of various religious beliefs in China, which is a quite huge figure. We have over 100 thousand religious sites and 300 thousand plus service staff of various religions. In the face of facts, it is certain that we are firmly opposed to the act of the US State Department. It enthusiastically issues a report on religious freedom targeting other countries every year, in which it energetically points its fingers at other countries' affairs and makes irresponsible remarks in defiance of facts. This morning, I have made a formal comment on this and I suggest you visiting the website of the Foreign Ministry for the full text of my comment, which will help you get a full and thorough understanding of our position.

We believe Premier Wen Jiabao will touch upon the energy issue during his visit to Russia, since the energy cooperation forms an important part of China-Russia mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation. As for your question on whether there will be a delegation of energy businesses in Premier Wen's company, I don't have information on this so far. But there are people in charge of government organs in his delegation, including Vice Premier Wu Yi, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai, Minister of Science and Technology Xu Guanhua, Director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense Zhang Yunchuan, Minister of Railway Liu Zhijun, Minister of Communication Zhang Chunxian, Minister of the Information Industry Wang Xudong and Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai. From the namelist of the delegation, you can tell that Premier Wen's visit to Russia, in particular his presence at the Regular Meeting of Prime Ministers of our two countries, will be important occasions for making full discussions and doing implementation work on our mutually beneficial relations in various fields and further enhancing cooperation.

Q: It is reported that China is likely to use veto tomorrow when voting is made on the new draft resolution on the Sudanese Darfur at the UN. If it is true, can you brief us on why China takes such a position? When did China use veto at the Security Council last time?

A: The question of Darfur is an important one. After the UN Security Council passed the relevant resolution, the Sudanese Government has made efforts and the situation there has made a upturn. We should give the Sudanese Government more time to properly handle the issue. We believe that sanction will get us nowhere and instead will bring about fresh complicated elements. Therefore, when proposing the draft resolution, the US should heed more opinions on this question from various parties, from the Security Council members as well as from the vast number of African countries, including views and positions of AU and Arab League countries. I can not tell you precisely what voting position China will take, because the parties concerned are having consultations on the draft resolution. We hope the US side can heed opinions of other parties and make revisions of the draft. China will decide on its own vote on the basis of the revisions made on the draft.

You asked about when China used veto last time. I can not offer you an answer right now. But I can tell you that China is the most sparing user of veto power among the five permanent members. The number of times stands at a one-digit number.

Q: If the Six-Party Talks broke down, how will China respond to the possible arms race in the East Asia? Isn't it a major concern of China, because China will face the prospective possession of nuclear weapons by its neighbors?

A: Now the overall situation in Asia features peace, relaxation and seeking cooperation and development, instead of expanding arsenals for war. It is beyond doubt that we expect to continuously enhance mutual understanding and cooperation with Asian countries, so as to achieve common prosperity. We have repeated that the mechanism of the Six-Party Talks should be moved forward, right because the mechanism is the most effective way to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through peaceful and diplomatic means. In this process, China has all along played constructive, important and positive role. We also hope that all parties can follow the consensus reached at previous rounds of talks, carry on in line with the idea and continue to walk down the track, so as to achieve our goal, namely, to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and ensure the peace and stability on the Peninsula as well as in the region.

Q: Were you saying the Six-Party Talks wouldn't be held by the end of September?

A: I was saying that difficulties are indeed out there for the Six-Party Talks to be held by the end of September as planned. These difficulties require efforts from all parties to overcome. We hope that all parties can make down-to-earth efforts to resolve the concerns of various parties. China has been playing positive role and will continue to play such a role. We are looking forward to the early convocation of the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks.

Let's call it a day. Thank you!