On the afternoon of November 4, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue presided over a regular press conference.

Zhang: Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. First please allow me to make an announcement

At the invitation of the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Government of Ireland, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gul,and Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Ahmed Nazef, Vice Premier Huang Ju will pay official visits to the four above-mentioned countries from Nov.14th to 24th.

At the invitation of Iranian Foreign Minister Kemal Kharazi, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will pay an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran from Nov.6th to 7th.

At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, Prime Minister ofthe Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will pay a working visit to China from Nov.8th to 13th.

At the invitation of Vice Premier Wu Yi, Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley will pay an official visit to China from Nov.11th to Nov. 18th.

Now I'm ready to answer your questions

Q: The American presidential election has concluded. How will its outcome impact on the Six-Party Talks? Is there any latest news on date of the next round of Six-Party Talks? What is China's priority in its relations with the US in President Bush's next four-year term? Among officials in China's Foreign Affairs Ministry who attended the activity organized by the American embassy to China to watch the live-transmission of American election?

A: Firstly I will talk about my view on President Bush's reelection. On November 3, the outcome of American presidential election turned out. President Bush and Vice President Cheney are respectively reelected as American president and vice president. China's President Hu Jintao and Vice President Zeng Qinghong have respectively sent congratulatory messages to Bush and Cheney. In the past four years, with concerted efforts of both sides, China and the US have registered progress in their constructive and cooperative relations. We are ready to work with the US to enhance exchanges and cooperation, properly address each other's concern and promote further development of constructive and cooperative relations, so as to better benefit the peoples of both countries and the world at large.

As for China's priority in its policy towards the US, in my view, China and the US are major states of great importance in the world. To steadily develop China-US relations and cooperation is very important for the entire world. The Chinese side hopes to further enhance cooperation of mutual benefits with the US in all fields.

As for the impact of American election's outcome on the Six-Party Talks, we hope to continue the process of resolving nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through peaceful dialogues. The Chinese side has made a lot of efforts in this field, keeping contact and coordination with all other parties in the Six-Party Talks. We are ready to conduct close consultations with the US and other parties, in the hope for holding the next round of Six-Party Talks as soon as possible.

As for whether any officials of Foreign Affairs Ministry attended the activity organized by the American embassy to China, since the Foreign Ministry has a staff of over 2,000 members, I have no details at hand on who had been invited or attended the event.

Q: Vietnamese Vice Prime Minister Pham Jia Khiem has led a over-300-people delegation including 80 entrepreneurs to attend the first China-ASEAN Expo held in Nanning. What's your comment?

A: The first China-ASEAN Expo is a pageant event aimed to promote friendly and mutually-beneficial relations between China and ASEAN. We hope the Expo can become a platform for promoting economic and trade links and cooperation between China and ASEAN. We hope the level of this Expo will be constantly improved. The active participation of delegations from various governments and enterprises has demonstrated the high initiative of all parties for this meeting. The exposition and relevant summit meeting have played a vital role in mobilizing concerted efforts from governments, business circle and social communities to achieve the win-win and mutually-beneficial objective.

China's Vice Premier Wuyi met with the big delegation headed by the Vietnamese Vice Prime Minister Pham Jia Khiem. At their meeting, both sides exchanged views on further strengthening China-Vietnam relations. The participation of the Vietnamese delegation this time has demonstrated that Vietnam has strong wishes for and attaches great importance to further strengthening its friendly relations and cooperation with China and other ASEAN countries.

Q: Recently, President Hu Jintao met with the speaker of Pakistan national assembly who paid a visit to China. What's your comment?

A: Recently, the speaker of national assembly of Pakistan paid a successful visit to China. President Hu Jintao met with him. Wu Bangguo, chairman of standing committee of the NPC, held long talks with him and widely exchanged views on various issues including further enhancing bilateral relations. China and Pakistan have a sound relationship, which is often called "all-weather" relations. Under current circumstances, both China and Pakistan have willingness to further strengthen good-neighborly and friendly cooperation. This visit plays an important role in deepening such bilateral relationship.

Q: Could you introduce Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's visit to Iran? Say, what's the purposes of his visit, whom will he meet with and what message will he convey?

A: Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's upcoming official visit to Iran is a return visit to Iranian Foreign Minister Harazi's visit to China last year. During his visit, Foreign Minister Li will exchange views in an in-depth manner with Iranian leaders on developing bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. The Iranian nuclear issue has sparked a wide concern in the international community. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will touch upon this issue with Iranian side. We hope this issue can be properly resolved within the framework of IAEA(International Atomic Energy Agency).

We are convinced that this visit will facilitate the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries and their peoples and promote friendly cooperation of mutual benefit.

Q: The US Under Secretary of State Bolton stated in Tokyo that China is dedicated to preventing the proliferation of weapons of massive destruction (WMD). Washington is attempting to persuade China into joining the network of anti-proliferation of WMD. However, China is still skeptical of President Bush' PSI (Proliferation Security Initiative). Please confirm and comment the news. Besides, Taiwan announced it has established "diplomatic relations" with Vanuatu .What's your comment?

A: I haven't read Mr. Bolton's statement you have mentioned. China has a clear-cut position on preventing the proliferation of weapons of massive destruction. In recent years, China has been steadily strengthening development of anti-proliferation laws and regulations, enacting and enforcing a variety of a variety of laws and regulations covering all possible aspects, namely, the control over nuclear, biological and chemical export, as well as the export of missiles, other conventional military products and related sensitive items and technology. These laws and regulations are very strict, in complete compliance with international rules and practices. We can say, China has adopted strict measures in this field, enacted quite a few strict regulations and strengthened the enforcement of laws to ensure implementation of relevant laws and regulations. These moves of China, obvious to all, have won highly favorable comments from other countries.

As for the issue of PSI, we support PSI's objective of anti-proliferation, ready to discuss with countries concerned over this issue and further strengthen measures in this field. Meanwhile, we have reservation on PSI's permitting to take actions beyond the reign of international law. Yet we would like to exchange views with relevant countries on this point.

As for your second question, we have noticed relevant reports. China's ambassador to Vanuatu has urged the Vanuatu government to make clarification for this issue. The acting Prime Minister of Vanuatu Hamlini and Foreign Minister Sope expressed that Vanuatu government will not change its One-China policy, nor will it "establish diplomatic relations" with Taiwan. Vanuatu will continue its One-China position.

Follow-up: On what about PSI does China hold reservations on?

A: We agree with the objective of PSI. But the Chinese side thinks that relevant measures under PSI should be taken within the reign of international law in accordance with relevant principles of UN Charter. We hold reservation on the PSI 's possibility of taking coercive interception beyond the reign of international law.

Q: Israeli Vice Prime Minister and concurrently Foreign Minister will visit China tomorrow. Will he talk about some questions concerning Arafat's health with the Chinese side? Will the Chinese side mediate with the Israeli side for Arafat's returning to his homeland if he recovered? Israel is bombarding and massacring Palestine people. Does China's reception for Israeli Vice Prime Minister imply China's recognition of Israel's policy?

A: President Arafat is an old friend of Chinese people. The Chinese government and leaders care much about his health. They have expressed solicitude to Arafat and wished his early recovery.

Israeli vice prime minister and foreign minister will begin his visit to China tomorrow, Chinese leaders will meet and talk with him. The two sides will exchange views on the Middle-East situations.

As for the incessant escalation of blood-shed tensions between Palestine and Israel, the Chinese side feels much worry and anxiety. We hope all parties concerned can resume negotiations as soon as possible, ease tensions and stop violent actions. The Chinese side has always been conducting active mediation to promote peace talks. Chinese leaders will elaborate on China's position when Israeli vice prime minister and foreign minister visits China. We have been all along promoting relevant parties to conduct political negotiation through various channels such as dispatching China's special envoy for the Middle-East issue to visit all Middle-East countries including Israel. Resorting to forces is detrimental to resolve the issue.

Follow-up: I know the two sides will discuss over the Middle-East issue, will they touch upon the question of President Arafat's returning to his homeland?

A: The visit will not begin until tomorrow. Prior to the visit, it's very hard for me to anticipate any specific topics.

Q: After President Bush is reelected, in what areas will the Chinese side strengthen cooperation with the US? For example, Taiwan issue, trade or so on?

A: As I have mentioned, China-US relation is very important bilateral relationship, which the Chinese side attaches great importance to. President Hu Jintao has sent a congratulatory telegraph to President Bush for his reelection. Hu stated that in the past four years, China-US relations have registered progress in many fields, which has substantial benefits to the peoples of both countries and peace and development of the world at large. We hope to promote continued development of our bilateral relations in the coming years. China-US relationship is composed of many aspects. Properly handling Taiwan question is essential to ensure smooth development of China-US relations. We hope the American side can continuously honor its commitment to China, realize the seriousness and sensitiveness of this question, take concrete actions to safeguard peace and stability of the region across Taiwan straits and ensure a sound and smooth development of China-US relations.

Q: What comment does the Chinese side have on Mr. Karzai's election to Afghan presidency? The Israeli Vice Prime Minister is going to visit China. Can you brief us on the current bilateral relations between China and Israel?

A: We are pleased to see the presidential election in Afghanistan going smoothly, which symbolizes a major progress for the Afghan people on their way towards political stability and national development. President Hu has expressed his congratulations to Mr. Karzai on his election.

The Chinese side believes that under the leadership of President Karzai and through the unremitting efforts of the Afghan Government and people, Afghanistan will continue to make fresh achievements in realizing sustained stability and economic development.

In recent years, the bilateral relations between China and Israel have been developing smoothly on the whole. It is a pleasure for us to receive Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in the coming days. We hope that his visit will move the friendly relations between our two countries farther.

Q: Given the reelection of President Bush, does China plan to dispatch any official or special envoy to contact him?

A: After the result of the US presidential election came out, President Hu Jintao and Vice President Zeng Qinghong respectively sent telegraphs to President Bush and Vice President Cheney and congratulated them on reelection. In his message of congratulations, President Hu Jintao wrote that the Chinese side was ready to join hands with the US side in making contributions to promoting peace and development of the Asia-Pacific Region and the world as a whole. China's telegraphs of congratulations and statements demonstrated the great importance that the Chinese Government attaches to China-US relations.

Q: What measures does the Chinese side expect the US to take on the Taiwan question in the four years to come? What new moves will President Bush take on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula after his reelection? And what's their impacts on the solution of the nuclear issue?

A: We have repeatedly emphasized that to properly handle the Taiwan question is essential to the smooth development of China-US relations. The Bush Administration has repeatedly expressed its commitments to adhere to the one China policy, abide by the three joint communiqués and oppose "Taiwan independence". We hope the US side could match its commitments with concrete moves, so as to ensure the healthy and stable development of China-US relations.

As to whether the US will change its position on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, you'd better refer your question to the US side.

Q: I have two questions. One is that what you mean by concrete moves when you said you hope the US to fulfill its one China policy with concrete moves. Do the moves include the US' commitment or an agreement to cut off its arms sale to Taiwan in the future four years? Second, in the recent months, the US brought out a number of anti-dumping cases against China. Some analysts believe they are related to the impacts of the US election. Now that the election is concluded, will the anti-dumping cases decrease in the four years to come? Will the bilateral trade between China and the US see a growth?

A: On your first question, we have always been holding that the Taiwan question is a very important factor for guaranteeing the development of China-US relations. We hope that the US continues to honor its commitments in this regard, realizes the sensitivity and importance of the question and refrains from sending any wrong signals to the Taiwan side.

With regards to the trade problems cropping up recently, the current trade and economic relations between China and the US enjoy sound development on the whole, with close trade exchanges made between us. In this general context, it is natural to see some problems and frictions. As to whether there are so many anti-dumping cases recently in the US, you should seek answers from the US side. China's position is that all countries should follow the basic principles of WTO and make down-to-earth efforts to promote trade liberalization. To further enhance trade and economic relations between our two countries benefits our two peoples. We believe that the current problems should be resolved through further expanding China-US trade instead of resorting to restriction measures.

Q: It is reported that the UAE president Zayid passed away. What comment does China have on this? Has the Chinese leader sent telegraph of congratulations to the new UAE leader?

A: On November 2, President of the United Arab Emirates Zayid passed away. Upon hearing the sad news, Chinese President Hu Jintao immediately sent telegraphs of condolences to Vice President and Prime Minister Maktum, who was the acting president as that time, and Sheikh Khalifa of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to express his grave sorrow over the death of President Zayid and sincere solicitude for the UAE people, especially the family members of President Zayid. On the same day, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan went to offer his condolences at the UAE embassy in China. Chinese Ambassador to the UAE also attended the funeral of President Zayid on behalf of the Chinese Government. On the 5th of this month, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government, will go to the UAE to express condolences to the UAE side and congratulations on the inauguration of the new president.

President Zayid is an outstanding leader of the UAE and enjoys high prestige both at home and abroad. He attached importance to developing UAE's relations with China and visited China in 1990. His death is not only a loss to the UAE people, but also a loss of a close friend to the Chinese people.

On the 3rd, Sheikh Khalifa of Abu Dhabi assumed the presidency of UAE, and President Hu has sent him a telegraph of congratulations.

China values its friendly relations and cooperation with the UAE and believes that the new UAE leader will carry forward his unfulfilled cause. China is ready to work together with the UAE to forge ahead with China-UAE friendly relations and cooperation.

Q: The First ARF Meeting on Security Policy started in Beijing today. Which countries sent their delegates to the meeting? And what cooperation will be launched at the meeting?

A: This meeting is scheduled from 4 to 6 of this month in Beijing, and Indonesia takes chair. It is aimed to enhance the participation in the ARF by defense officials, further promote mutual understanding and trust and improve and enrich the ARF process. At this meeting, the participants will discuss the situation of international and regional security. Defense officials from various countries will also brief each other on the security policies of their own countries and discuss the possible role of the defense authorities in coping with threats of non-traditional security. I don't have the name list of delegates at hand. But all the major members of the ARF will send delegations to the meeting.

Thank you!