On the afternoon of September 23, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Kong: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! First, I have two pieces of announcements on visits to make.

At the invitation of the Premier of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Phan Van Khai, Premier Wen Jiabao will pay an official visit to Viet Nam and attend the 5th ASEM Summit in Hanoi from October 6 to 9.

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President of the Republic of France Jacques Chirac will pay a state visit to China and attend the opening ceremony of the French Culture Year from October 8 to 12.

Now, I'm glad to take up your questions.

Q: According to the US embassy, the US Government has decided to impose sanctions on a China's arms supplier-the New Era Company, claiming that the company is suspected of exporting nuclear technology. What comment does China have on this? Can you offer more details? Say, which country is suspected to be its buyer and what nuclear technology did it sell? My second question involves foreign resident journalists in China. You have said for many times that China attaches great importance to the safety of foreign journalists. Can you tell us what concrete measures China is going to take in an aim to prevent foreign journalists from being injured during their interviews?

A: China holds a rock-firm position on opposing the proliferation of the WMDs and their delivery vehicles. In addition, we have a complete set of strict control laws, regulations and measures. The international community has fully recognized our unremitting efforts in this regard. We prohibit the proliferation activities of any entities or individuals. Once finding such cases, the Chinese Government will give penalties in accordance with law. The US often imposes sanctions on Chinese companies by quoting its domestic laws. This is what we cannot accept. We require the US side to be fully aware of the gravity of the problem and correct their wrong practices.

Up to now, we have 434 resident journalists from 248 agencies of 43 countries in China. They have full guarantee for their interviews and reporting in China. And we believe most of your reports made fairly accurate accounts of China's situation to the international community. Your legitimate rights and interests on reporting and interviews will certainly be fully guaranteed by the Chinese Government.

Follow-up: Do you have any information on the case of the New Era Company? Have you heard about it? If you have, what have you got?

A: Just now, I told you about our view on this question. I also heard that the US had decided to impose sanctions on the Chinese company. I have told you that we have a firm position and strict measures on opposing the proliferation of the WMDs and their delivery vehicles. Once we found any illegal cases, we will immediately investigate on and handle them. The problem now is that the US takes actions against some Chinese companies and entities on the basis of their domestic laws. We cannot accept such actions at all. We believe such actions by the US will not help expand China-US cooperation on non-proliferation and require the US side to revoke the wrong decision.

Q: I want to ask another question about the New Era Company. Prior to its decision on the sanctions against the New Era Company that was suspected of exporting nuclear technology to Iran, did the US Government present evidences to the Chinese side? Another question, China will attend the G7 Financial Ministers' Meeting. I'd like to know about China's agenda. Has China attended it before? Why to attend it this time? Does it represent the starting point of China's joining the G8 Summit?

A: You brought up the New Era question again. I have expressed our position completely, with no additional comment to make. I want to emphasize only one point: we are firm and rigorous in our attitude, position and laws and regulations on opposing the proliferation of WMDs and their delivery vehicles. We have repeatedly reaffirmed that we adamantly oppose and prohibit the proliferation activities by any entities and individuals. The process of investigation and handling will immediately start once we find such cases.

This year, the G7 financial ministers and governors of central banks invited Chinese Financial Minister and governor of the central bank to attend the relevant meeting on October 1 held in Washington. Chinese Financial Minister Jin Renqing and Governor of the People's Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan will attend the relevant dialogues and activities. Since September 2003, we have attended four meetings of the G7 financial deputies' informal dialogue. This meeting, as a formal one attended by the financial ministers and governors of the central banks of the G7, will focus on the consultation and exchanges on international economic and financial questions. We believe it will be conducive to enhancing our mutual understanding. You also mentioned the question on China and the G8. The international community is now facing many problems of a global scale, which require joint efforts and international cooperation to resolve. We think to strengthen China-G8 communication and cooperation serves the interests of our two sides as well as benefits peace, stability and development of the world. On the whole, we take a positive attitude towards maintaining communication with the G8 in different forms.

Q: The UN General Assembly is having a session in the New York, with the presence of nearly 100 heads of state and government. China has said for many times that the UN is a very important organization. I wonder why China does not send its president or premier to the session.

A: Different countries dispatch delegates of different ranks to attend the UN General Assembly, mainly because of the schedules of leaders of different ranks in various countries. We cannot judge whether a country attaches importance to the role of the UN General Assembly or even that of the UN only by the level of its delegation. This year, the Chinese Government will send Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing to attend the UN General Assembly, during which he will express the Chinese Government's views and propositions on the prominent problems facing the world.

Q: On the question of Dalai Lama's "visit" to Mexico that I asked on Tuesday. We have got accurate message that the First Lady of Mexico planned to meet Dalai Lama in her private capacity. Is China still opposed to it? Tragedy against Chinese merchants occurred in Spain. Protests were made against them and their goods were burnt. We saw that China's Embassy in Spain had lodged protest and the Chinese Government had said it would protect its citizens in Spain. What specific measures has the Chinese Government taken? Will China issue warning to its citizens to take precautious measures?

A: I have given you a complete answer on your first question on Tuesday's press conference. Our position of opposition has not changed and I have nothing to add.

Some Chinese citizens in Spain and their shops suffered great loss in the recent upsetting incidents. The Chinese Government is much concerned about this. This morning, Assistant Foreign Minister Shen Guofang called in the Spanish Ambassador to China. Yesterday, Chinese Ambassador to Spain met with the official in charge at the Spanish Foreign Ministry, requiring the Spanish Government to take concrete measures, immediately make clear what happened, severely punish the offenders and make effective efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Spain and their property. We are fully confident that the Spanish Government will do so.

Q: On the question of the reform of the UN Security Council, Germany, Japan, India and Brazil all expressed their wishes to acquire a permanent seat in the Security Council. Can you tell us the countries that China stands for or against? In particular, you said on Tuesday that the UN was not a board of directors of a company and Japan's financial contribution in itself could not ensure its membership in the Security Council? Can you tell us China's specific position on Japan's membership in the UN Security Council? For or against? What message will Premier Wen Jiabao convey to the Russian side on Yukos during his visit to Russia?

A: On your first question, a Japanese journalist talked about the relations between the UN membership fee and the Security Council on Tuesday's press conference and inquired about our position. In response, I expressed our view. Regarding your today's question, I think it is inappropriate to tell specifically which countries should be included and which should not. I have never spoken such things. The reason is simple. All parties are discussing the reform of the UN Security Council and have different concerns on this issue, because it involves the interests of all parties and great differences exist. You said just now some countries issued a joint statement yesterday. Actually, on top of the four, some other countries also expressed their wishes in various forms to become a member of the Security Council or to play a greater role in the international affairs. We understand the wishes of all these countries to actively participate in or play a greater role in the international affairs. But we think that this question involving the reform of the Security Council requires adequate discussion. The High-level Panel appointed by the UN Secretary-General is doing intensive work and making extensive contacts with various parties, so as to submit relevant proposals to the Secretary-General by the end of this year, or at least they plan so. We hope they propose some general guidelines and direction for the UN reform. We hope that all member states of the UN will have thorough discussions on the general guidelines and direction and reach consensus thereupon.

On the press conference on Tuesday, I have expressed China's position on the matter of Yukos. It touches upon a contract between the energy companies of our two countries. We certainly hope they could honor their contract. We also hope that the Russian Government could urge the company to honor its commitment and fulfill its contract with China. I believe that the Chinese Premier and Russian Prime Minister will have in-depth exchange of views on bilateral cooperation, including that in the field of energy, on the important occasion of the regular meeting between them.

Q: Please tell us whether Premier Wen Jiabao plans to give a keynote speech or put forward China's proposals on developing Asia-Europe relations during attending the ASEM? Apart from Beijing, will President Chirac go to other places in China? I remember that President Chirac said he was interested in terra-cotta warriors and horses. Will you arrange for him a visit to Xi'an?

A: The theme of the Fifth ASEM Summit is to further enliven and enrich the Asia-Europe partnership. Under this theme, summits of different countries will focus their discussions on international and regional situation, promoting Asia-Europe economic partnership, enhancing Asia-Europe cultural exchanges and the future development of the ASEM. I don't have the itinerary at hands. But I believe Premier Wen will have the opportunity to express views and propositions on the above issues and others that China is interested in.

Chirac's visit to China is a very important one. It seems that cities other than Beijing are listed in the schedule, but not including Xi'an. As for further information, I will brief you after checking up.

Q: I'd like to know the developments of the Six-Party Talks. Will China continue to make efforts and still hope the fourth round of the Talks to be held by next Thursday?

A: Continue to make efforts, and we hope the other five parties to make joint efforts with us.

Q: How do you comment the Third Meeting of the SCO Prime Ministers?

A: The meeting is still underway. After it is finished, a joint communiqué will be issued. I'd rather to express views when the meeting closes. But I believe this meeting will definitely play an important driving role in the future development of the SCO.

To facilitate your arrangement of schedules, I make a notice here that the regular press conferences on September 30, October 5 and 7 will be cancelled due to China's National Day's Holidays. I hope this would help you arrange your schedule in advance. On Tuesday, October 12, the regular press conference will be resumed. During the holidays, the Spokesperson's Office will continue to answer questions through telephone.

Thank you.