On the afternoon of November 30, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue presided over a regular press conference.

Zhang: Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. I have no announcement to make today, so I'd like to take your questions now.

Q: IAEA has passed a resolution on the Iranian nuclear issue. What's China's comment?

A: China supports the new resolution on Iranian nuclear issue adopted by the IAEA Board, and believes that the resolution will help resolve the issue properly within the framework of the agency at an early date. This is beneficial to strengthening the mechanism of international nuclear nonproliferation, and ensuring various parties' rights to use nuclear energy peacefully under safeguards. China is willing to work together with various parties and play a constructive role in achieving the above-mentioned goal.

Q: The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization announced on November 26 that it will extend the freeze for another year on the DPRK's Light Water Reactor Project. What's China's comment on it? Will this decision affect the next round of the Six Party Talks? Will Mr. Ning Fukui's visit to the DPRK promote the next round of talks?

A: We have taken note of the relevant reports, and expect all parties concerned to exert positive efforts to resolve the nuclear issue on Korean Peninsula through dialogue. We hope it will not affect the Six Party Talks.

Regarding the recent working visit to the DPRK by Ambassador Ning Fukui, I'd like to give an introduction here. From November 24 to 26, Chinese Ambassador for Korean Peninsula Issue Ning Fukui went to the DPRK for working consultations. He respectively met with Kim Kye-gwan, head of the delegation for the Six Party Talks and deputy Foreign Minister of the DPRK, and Li Gun, head of the working group for the Six Party Talks and Deputy Director-General of the American Department of the DPRK's Foreign Ministry, making in-depth exchange of views on how to promote the Six Party Talks.

During the talks and the meetings, the DPRK side reiterated that their adherence to the aim of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsular and maintaining the Six Party Talks remain unchanged. They also said that it is important and necessary to resume the talks, and achievements should be made through the talks. As for when to hold the new round of the talks, the DPRK side said they still have to wait to see the new US government's policy toward it.

You can see from the working consultation made by Ambassador Ning Fukui that China has never ceased the efforts to promote the process of the Six Party Talks. The Chinese side has maintained contacts with all parties concerned. China hopes that the next round of the Six Party Talks or working group meeting kick off open as early as possible. We also hope that the parties concerned to demonstrate full flexibility and sincerity, so as to hold the talks at an early date.

Q: After President Hu Jintao finished his visit to Latin America, some business organizations in Brazil, Argentina and some other countries expressed the misgivings that Chinese products may invade the Latin American market. What's the comment of the Chinese side? Do you think such misgivings in Latin American countries will endanger the oversea Chinese there?

A: Regarding President Hu Jintao's visit to the four Latin American countries, major news media both in China and overseas, including those in Latin America, have made sufficient reports. The visit has yielded plentiful and substantial fruits. Politically, the visits have further strengthened the friendly cooperative relations between China and the four countries, and Latin America as a whole. From the perspective of economic cooperation, the two sides signed 39 agreements in total, covering all aspects such as investment, economy and trade, tourism, education, and technology cooperation. The cooperation has again indicated that they are beneficial to the common interest of China and these countries, and to the peace and development of the whole world. The visit received warm welcome and high-standard treatment from the four governments. Meanwhile, the business circles of the four countries were also enthusiastic for the coming of the Chinese delegation. We think the visit is a success, which has brought many positive achievements and will be a win-win situation. China's further development, as well as the cooperation with Latin American countries will do nothing other than bring substantial interests to both sides.

As to the misgivings of some parties you mentioned, I cannot see it will affect the oversea Chinese there. It should be pointed out that the Chinese working and living in those countries have been harmonious with the local people. They abide by the laws and regulations all along, and contributed greatly to the economic and social development of these countries. We hope various circles continue to stay in harmony with oversea Chinese there.

Q: What's China's response to Dalai Lama's visit to a Buddhist region in Russia?

A: As is known to all, Dalai Lama is a political exile engaging in the activities of splitting China in the name of religion. China opposes Dalai's visit to any countries which have established diplomatic relations with China to engage in activities under whatever name or in whatever way. We feel hard to understand that Russia allowed Dalai to visit the Republic of Kalmykija in Russia Federation. China hopes the Russian side to strictly abide by the principled position on relevant Tibetan questions in the political documents of the two countries.

Q: Recently, Ethiopia put forward a peace initiative on the settlement of its border dispute with Eritrea. What comment does China have on this?

A: China has always been closely following the peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea. We welcome the peace initiative proposed by the Ethiopian Government on the settlement of the border disputes between the two countries. China has consistently supported the two countries seek peaceful solution for their border dispute through consultation and dialogue on the basis of the Algiers Agreements. We sincerely hope they make joint efforts to remove their differences at an early date and restore their good-neighborly friendship, so as to contribute to realizing lasting peace between them and promoting the stability and development in the Horn of Africa. To this end, China is ready to make positive efforts with the international community, as what we have been doing in the past.

Q: It is reported that Japan's Minister of Education said that Japanese textbooks should abandon its "self-abuse" image, and he was very pleased to see fewer such words as "comfort women" and "forced labor" in the textbooks. What's your comment on this?

A: The essence of the history textbook issue is whether Japan treats its history of invasion correctly and educates its younger generation with right historical outlook. We hold that only when Japan faces up to its history of invasion and tells its younger generation the exact historical truths, can it genuinely draw lesson from history and live in friendship with its close neighbors in Asia.

Q: Regarding the visit of Ambassador Ning Fukui to the DPRK, who is in charge of the Korean Peninsular issue, can you brief us on the DPRK's expectations for the US? Did China perceive any change in the DPRK's position?

A: I answered this question just now. During Ambassador Ning Fukui's talks and meetings with the DPRK side, the two sides made in-depth exchanges of views on how to carry on the process of the Six-Party Talks. The DPRK side reaffirmed that it committed itself to the goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and hoped the Talks to be continued. The DPRK also said it was important and necessary to resume the Talks and score achievements if the Talks were held. It is willing to make efforts to this end. As to when to kick off a fresh round of the Talks, the DPRK side said it has to wait to see the US Government's policy towards the DPRK.

Q: What's your comment on Vanuatu's actual " double recognition" of mainland and Taiwan?

A: The Vanuatuan Council of Ministers passed resolutions on November 10th and 18th twice, which repeal the so-called "Agreement on Establishment of Diplomatic Relations" signed by Vanuatuan Prime Minister Vohor in Taipei on November 3rd and reiterate that the Vanuatuan government abide by the UN Resolution 2758 and Communiqué of Establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vanuatu in 1982, firmly pursue one-China policy and refrain from any forms of official links with Taiwan. The Chinese government hopes the Vanuatuan government to adhere to the principles in the communiqué of establishing diplomatic relations between China and Vanuatu and take concrete measures to honor the serious commitment it made to the Chinese government and the international community.

Q: The Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan will attend "China-Spain Forum". Could you introduce its significance to the development of China-Spain relations and the agreements expected to be signed with Spain on the forum?

A: Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan is visiting Spain. He has met with Spanish leaders. The two sides exchanged views over further enhancing bilateral friendly and cooperative relations. The recent years have witnessed sound development in China-Spain relations. We believe this visit will further strengthen bilateral friendly relations and enhance cooperation in various fields including economy and culture. On the sideline of his visit, Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan will attend the opening ceremony of the second meeting of "China-Spain Forum" in Barcelona. During his visit, the two sides will sign some agreements of cooperation.

Q: Could you brief on the meeting between Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Singh?

A: This morning, Premier Wen Jiabao met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Vientiane. This is the first meeting between the two leaders since the Indian new government swore into office. The two sides exchanged views on developing bilateral relations and other issues of common interest in friendly atmosphere. Premier Wen Jiabao stated that China-India relationship is now at a historical high. The signing of the Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive co-operation between China and India marks a new stage of comprehensive development in the bilateral relations. He said that we are ready to treat and handle relations with India from a strategic and overall view to expand and deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all fields.

Q: Recently the Japanese Prime Minister said Japan will stop its official development assistance to China. What's China's comment?

A: We have taken note of the relevant remarks of the Japanese side. The Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei have made clear their position on this issue.

Q: Recently some Chinese officials said "China can still develop without Japanese assistance". Does it represent China's official position?

A: You raise again the issue of Japan's official development assistance to China. China's position on this issue is very clear. In the past years, Japan's economic development assistance to China has served certain positive effect on China's economic development. China has appraised it positively for many times. But it should be pointed that such assistance dominated by Japanese yen loans has boosted a rapid development of economic cooperation between China and Japan and has also brought many benefits to the Japanese businesses. Therefore, Japan's economic assistance to China is not a unilateral charity. Such assistance has been a positive factor in China-Japan relations in the past. We hope such assistance can continue to be a positive factor in promoting development of China-Japan relations.

Q: I wonder if agreements will be signed in British Deputy Prime Minister Prescott's visit to China this time. Furthermore, will he visit Hong Kong?

A: Starting from today, British Deputy Prime Minister Prescott will pay an official visit to China at the invitation of Vice Premier Huang Ju. This is the seventh time for deputy Prime Minister Prescott to visit China. During his visit, Mr. Prescott will respectively meet and talk with Wubangguo, the chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, and Vice Premier Huang Ju. The State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will talk with him over the work of Task Forces for China-Britain bilateral relationship. The two sides will mainly explore how to conduct cooperation in the key areas determined by the two countries during Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Britain this May.

This May, Premier Wen Jiabao achieved fruitful results in his visit to Britain. The two sides issued a joint declaration, decided to establish all-round strategic partnership and annual meeting mechanism between the leaders of two sides and determined the key cooperation fields covering trade, investment, fiscal policy and finance, energy, science and technology, education and culture, environmental protection and sustainable development. During Prescott's visit this time, the two sides will explore exchanges and cooperation in these fields. Besides Beijing, he will visit Shenyang and Dalian. To my knowledge, he will also visit Hong Kong.

Q: Today Premier Wen Jiabao will end his diplomatic activities in Vientiane, Laos. Do you think the recognition of China's full market economy status by ASEAN ten countries and the progress in establishing the free-trade zone between China and ASEAN are the greatest success China gained at this meeting?

A: This afternoon, Premier Wen Jiabao will conclude his visit to Laos and return home after the ASEAN meetings. At the conclusion of this visit, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will make a comprehensive summary.

It is a very important visit, which enhances friendly and good-neighborly relations between China and Laos, and promotes the strategic partnership between China and ASEAN. This visit has encompassed many aspects covering further deepening China-ASEAN relations and enhancing all-round cooperation between ASEAN and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and important consensus reached among China, Japan and the Republic of Korea on various cooperative mechanisms as well. It is very hard to say which agreement is the most important. During this visit, China and ASEAN signed agreements on trade in goods, the mechanism of dispute solution and so on. The leaders of ten ASEAN countries recognize China's full market economy status in these documents. Thus the building of China-ASEAN free trade zone has entered a new stage, which is of great significance for promoting all-round China-ASEAN cooperation.

Q: Today the Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi has talked with Premier Wen Jiabao. Do you have any news about the result of this talk by now? What's China's comment?

A: I want to brief on some information I have just got about this meeting. Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Koizumi reviewed the development of China-Japan relations. Premier Wen Jiabao pointed out that in the past over 30 years, China-Japan relations have registered great progress which is beneficial to the two countries, Asia and the world as a whole. The two sides should cherish this progress. He stressed that right now the crucial difficulty in the bilateral political relations lies in the issue of Japanese leaders' homage to Yasukuni Enshrine. This issue has directly affected the development of bilateral relations. We hope the Japanese side can treat China-Japan relations with the spirit of "taking history as a mirror and facing towards the future", handle this issue correctly and consider and promote China-Japan relations from the perspective of maintaining overall interest of China-Japan relations in the long run.

Thank you!