On the afternoon of October 26, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue presided over a regular press conference.

Zhang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I don't have announcement to make today. And now I'm ready to take up your questions.

Q: It is said that President Hu Jintao will pay a visit to Brazil via Portugal from 12 to 15 November. Is that true? If yes, will he hold talks with Portuguese leaders? What other countries will President Hu visit apart from attending the APEC meeting during his trip to South America? What about his trip schedule?

A: This year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Santiago, the capital of Chile, from 20 to 21 November. President Hu Jintao will attend the meeting. In addition, we are consulting with the countries concerned on the arrangement for President Hu's visits to some countries before or after his presence at the meeting. Preparations for those bilateral visits are under way. I will brief you on them once I get exact information.

Q: Did Powell discuss with China the question of PSI during his visit? Some China's friendly nations, such as Russia and Germany, are all members of the PSI. Why does China stay outside? Powell said he brought up the human rights issue when holding talks with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. What's Minister Li's position on this issue? When will China and the US resume their dialogue on human rights?

A: Yesterday, Powell came to visit Beijing. President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao met with him respectively and Foreign Minister Li held a long talk with him. China and the US, as two big countries with global influence, in particular as permanent members of the UN Security Council, discussed many international issues of common interest as well as exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations. China-US relations are very important. The stability and development of our relations are not only beneficial to the fundamental interests of our two peoples, but also significant to the peace and stability of Asia and the world as a whole. Both sides said they would further strengthen and develop China-US relations and expand cooperation in various fields.

The bilateral talks also touched upon some issues on arms control, including PSI. China stands firmly against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and is ready to conduct non-proliferation cooperation with the relevant countries within the framework of the international law. But we have our concern over the possible armed interception by the PSI beyond the limits of international law. Our reservations about such activities make us stay outside the PSI. However, we support the purposes of the PSI on non-proliferation of WMDs.

Regarding talks on the field of human rights, the two sides discussed a lot. The essential point is that China advocates dialogue on human rights, which should be carried out on the basis of equality and mutual respect. After consultations between our two sides, China agreed to have consultations on the resumption of human rights dialogue with the people the US will send to China. As to when to have the consultations and what level of officials will be dispatched by the US side, these are to be fixed after Secretary Powell's return to his country.

Q: Did Secretary of State Powell talk about the Six-Party Talks during his visit? Has any progress been made on the issue?

A: During Secretary Powell's visit to China, the two sides discussed how to resolve the issue on the Korean Peninsula when Powell met with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and held talks with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. China briefed the US side on its position in this regard. We believe the Six-Party Talks is the best way to seek peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue on the Peninsula through dialogue. It has set forth the objective of denuclearization of the Peninsula, fixed the direction of resolving the issue and embarked on substantive talks. Therefore, all parties should make further efforts to promote the early convocation of the next round of Talks. Secretary Powell said that the US attaches importance to continuing the Six-Party Talks and spoke highly of China's constructive role in pushing forward the Talks. He said that the Six-Party Talks would not have been realized at all without China's efforts. Both of the two sides agreed to make joint efforts to launch the next round of Talks as early as possible, so as to move the process of the Talks ahead.

Q: Did China and the US talked about what common ground they share on anti-terrorism during Powell's visit to China?

A: The two sides share a lot in common on the question of anti-terrorism. When holding talks with Powell, Minister Li Zhaoxing emphasized that China was opposed to terrorism in all forms and willing to combat international terrorism in cooperation with the international community. China is a victim of terrorism. Minister Li also mentioned that two of our outstanding engineers were abducted in Pakistan recently and one young excellent engineer was killed. This incident, together with a number of recent incidents, demonstrated that China also suffered a lot from terrorism. On this point, we share common interests with the international community, with the US included. We also hope that the international community does not practice double standards in handling the issue, genuinely realizes the danger of terrorism and joins hands in striking terrorism. This will benefit all countries in the world.

Q: With regards to the China-Japan consultation on the East China Sea yesterday, Japanese officials said China had not offered the data of the current and future exploration projects in the East China Sea. Please confirm. Why does China withhold the data? How will China conduct future exploration in the East China Sea?

A: On the 25th of this month, China and Japan held consultations on the questions related to the East China Sea. The Chinese delegation was headed by Cui Tiankai, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry and made up of officials from the Energy Bureau of National Development and Reform Commission and the State Oceanographic Administration. They held consultations in Beijing with the Japanese delegation, headed by Mitoji Yabunaka, Director-General of the Bureau of Asian and Oceanian Affairs of Japan's Foreign Ministry, and comprising officials from Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Cabinet Office and Maritime Safety Agency. Vice Minister in Charge of NDRC Zhang Guobao and Vice Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong respectively met with the delegates.

During the consultations, the two sides expounded their own positions and concerns over the delimitation of the East China Sea and agreed that China and Japan did have differences out there on the delimitation issue. China stands for seeking fair solution of the differences through negotiation on the basis of the UNCLOS. In my opinion, the consultations are helpful, during which both China and Japan showed due sincerity and constructive attitude.

As for your question, Article 77 of the UNCLOS stipulated that "the coastal state exercises over the continental shelf sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring it and exploiting its natural resources." China's gas exploration is conducted in our coastal waters where Japan does not have disputes with us. It is a normal activity of exercising sovereignty. China expressed its position during the consultations and made necessary explanations on the relevant questions.

The question of the East China Sea is very complicated. To maintain the stability of the Sea accords with the interests of both China and Japan. We believe that consultation and dialogue are the only correct choice for resolving the questions related to the East China Sea. This is also the consensus of our two countries. We expect China and Japan to maintain the momentum of dialogue.

Q: Yesterday, the Chinese side caught some DPRK citizens attempting to intrude into the ROK embassy in China. How will China handle them?

A: I don't have much information to offer you on the particular case. China has always been handling these cases in accordance with international and domestic law and humanitarian principles.

I have to point out that in Beijing recently occurred a number of incidents that unidentified people intruded into foreign diplomatic missions and schools in China. Some of them even resorted to violent means, threatening the personal security of Chinese and foreign staff.

These acts seriously violated Chinese law, undermined China's social order and stability and severely disturbed the normal order of these foreign embassies, consulates and schools, posing immediate threat to their lives and property safety. China will by no means tolerate these acts.

The Chinese side will seriously punish the "snake-heads" organizing these acts. For those illegal DPRK trespassers caught within the Chinese territory, China has all along been handling them appropriately in accordance with domestic and international law and humanitarian principles.

It should be pointed out that these "intrusions into embassies or schools" are masterminded by some so-called foreign religious or human rights organizations as well as individuals. The root cause for those intruders' retention in foreign embassies is the connivance of the governments of a handful of countries and the asylum provided to those illegal trespassers by some individual embassies in contravention to international law.

China hopes that the governments of the countries concerned would strictly inhibit the illegal acts of their NGOs and individuals and the foreign embassies would abide by Chinese laws and refrain from providing asylum to illegal trespassers, so as to prevent any recurrence of such incidents by removing its root causes.

Q: It is reported that the first conference on security policy of ASEAN Regional Forum(ARF)will be held in Beijing in the near future. Could you introduce specific information including its places, topics, objectives and Chinese delegates?

A: As approved by the 11th ARF Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the first Security Policy Conference of the ARF will be held in Beijing from November 4th to 6th with Indonesia taking its chair.

The initiative of convening this conference, which was proposed by the Chinese side at the 10th ARF Foreign Ministers' Meeting, was aimed to promote the participation of national defense officials in the ARF, enhance mutual trust and understanding and improve and enrich the ARF process. At this conference, participants will review the situation of international and regional security, brief each other on their own security policies and discuss the role of national defense departments in dealing with the non-traditional security threats.

The Security Policy Conference is the highest level one among the events that involve national defense officials within the framework of the ARF. Up to now, most members have decided to dispatch national defense officials at vice ministerial level to attend the conference. The Chinese delegation will be headed by Mr. Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army.

Q: You said some "asylum seekers" resorted to violent means when trying to intruding into the foreign embassy, could you raise examples? As you said, some foreign governments indulged in these "asylum seekers", how did they do so? I believe most foreign governments granting asylums to "asylum seekers" are reluctant to return these people to the Chinese side before China guarantees not to repatriate them. Can the Chinese government provide such a guarantee?

A: As to the question you asked me for examples, all the recent series of incidents have proven my point. Some "illegal trespassers", with weapons in their hands, caused casualties while rushing into foreign embassies or schools. Right now, I haven't got specific information such as dates or places at hands, but we do have records for these information. Such acts have seriously threatened the personal security of foreign and Chinese staff and disturbed China's social order and stability. They have also violated the Chinese law, which can't be tolerated by the Chinese side. As for the "snake-heads" organizing such acts, the Chinese side will punish them seriously in accordance with relevant laws.

As to your question on how foreign embassies indulge these people. Up to now many of such people permanently "reside" in some foreign embassies in China. This fact itself has demonstrated indulgent attitude of relevant foreign embassies .

As for your third question, the Chinese side has been always handling these people in accordance with international and domestic law and humanitarian principle. The Chinese side has overcome many difficulties in handling these incidents. Our solution is proven effective, representing our humanitarian spirit.

Q: Yesterday the Chinese delegates didn't answer reporters' questions when China-Japan consultation over East China Sea issue concluded, instead they said news would be released later. Could you tell me in what ways does the Chinese side plan to release news? Will press conference be held on this issue?

A: I've answered many questions of reporters on this consultation. If you have other related questions, you can pose them all together. The reason why the Chinese delegation didn't answer reporters yesterday is that the consultation ended actually too late.

Q: The US Secretary of State Powell stated at the press conference yesterday that the timing has become mature for China and the US to implement the agreement reached at the 2003 APEC meeting in Bangkok. Could you please elaborate specifically on the content involved in implementation of the agreement? What is the relation between China-Japan disputes over the East China Sea and that over Diaoyu Island? Last week the National Bureau of Statistics reported that China has exported 4.3 million tons of oil in the first nine months this year, how much of these oil has been exported to the DPRK? As the winter is approaching, will China increase its supply of oil to the DPRK? Some people in the US said if the Chinese side used the satellites of " Galileo Program" for military purpose, the US would shoot them down. What is your comment?

A: Thank you for your questions. I can see you have a close interest in China's current diplomatic policies and activities. Your first question should be directly posed to Powell at his press conference yesterday, I can't answer you.

As for your second question, China has indisputable sovereignty over Diaoyu Island. On the dispute over the East China Sea, we hope both sides can resolve relevant differences through dialogue and consultations. I don't understand why you link these two issues together, will you write some articles or have any other meaning?

As for the export, I advise you to inquire the Ministry of Commerce for relevant information. I have no specific data at hands.

As for the issue of "Galileo Program", I have seen relevant reports. I can explicitly tell you that the cooperation of "Galileo Program" between China and the EU is completely confined to the programs concerning the civil navigation industry. A report in British Business Weekly mentioned the assumption of applying such programs into military purposes. This is very ridiculous. China-EU cooperation in this program aims to broaden the scope of cooperation between the two sides in various fields including science, technology, trade, economy and transportation. China has all along pursued the independent foreign policy of peace. Our mutually-beneficial cooperation with the EU aims to promote peace and common development, not targeting any third party. Some people and reports rediculously read military purposes into such cooperation. I hope these people discard the Cold-War mentality.

Q: Can you comment on the just concluded visit of State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan to India? I understand that he conveyed a letter from Premier Wen Jiabao to his Indian counterpart. Will Mr. Wen visit India this year?

A: State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan has just finished his visit to India,which was a great success. During the visit, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and major leaders of India held comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views on the further development of the China-India all-round relationship. India is an important neighbor of China in South Asia. China wishes to develop the all-dimensional cooperative relations with India in the spirit of building good-neighborly relationships and partnerships with our neighbors. The two sides have issued "Declaration on Principles for Relation and Comprehensive Cooperation between India and China". The Chinese side hopes that the questions between the two countries should be handled in the spirit of the Declaration and our bilateral ties be further developed. State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan conveyed Premier Wen Jiabao's thanks for the invitation by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his hope to pay a formal visit to India at an early date when it is convenient for both sides.

Q: The Japanese delegation at the China-Japan talks said that China did not provide enough information about its gas exploration present and future. Do you agree with that statement? It's important to us because the Japanese side said it was a contributor to the failure of the talks. What did China tell Japan about its gas exploration? The scope, time, locations? Please elaborate on that.

A: I have already stated China's stance when I answered the question early on. China's gas exploration is conducted in China's own offshore waters and thus it is a normal activity within China's sovereignty. The Chinese side has already expounded this point at the talks.

Q: There are reports saying that Pakistan and India are making progress on the Kashmir Issue. What's your comment on it?

A: I think China welcomes all the suggestions and stances which are conducive to the improvement of India-Pakistan relations and the promotion of mutual trust. We hold that strengthening dialogue and promoting mutual understanding conform to the interest of the two countries and will benefit the peace, stability and development in Asia and the world as a whole.

Thank you!