On 9 September Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Kong started by announcing that at the invitation of Vice Premier Huang Ju, the Hon. Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Vice Prime Minister of Malaysia, will visit China from September 14^th to 18^th.

Q: The Xinhua News Agency has reported some commemorative activities marking the 55^th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK. Has the Chinese side sent any high-level official to attend the commemorative activities in the DPRK?

A: The Chinese leaders have sent a telegraph of congratulation to the DPRK on the 55^th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK. You might have seen the report already. As far as I know, Chairman Chen Haosu of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries is now heading a delegation in the DPRK and participating some commemorative activities.

Q: It is reported by the US media that Premier Wen Jiabao will visit the US in December. Please confirm.

A: As to Premier Wen's visit to the US, I have no specific news up till now. But I can confirm that the two sides are keeping contact and consultation on the high level exchange of visits between the two countries. It is important for the two countries to have high-level exchanges of visit since it conduces to mutual understanding between the leaders of the two countries and friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Q: President Bush will visit Japan next month. And does the consultation between China and the US concerning the high level exchange of visit include President Bush's possible visit to China in the near future?

A: I have not seen relevant report and will check it later. As I have said just now, high-level exchanges of visit is very important. The two sides have kept contact on it. As to the specific visits, I will inform you in due course.

Q: It is reported that a chemical and biological weapon expert from the DPRK was arrested in front of the Australian consulate-general in Guangzhou on 5 September. Can you confirm it? If you can confirm, is he now in Guangzhou, Beijing or the DPRK?

A: The question was raised yesterday through telephone and we have checked it seriously. There is no such a thing.                                                                                                   

Q: A suspected SARS case was found in Singapore and it was yet to be confirmed. Has China contacted the Singaporean side for information and what have you done in prevention?

A: We are concerned with the case in Singapore and are waiting for the second check this afternoon. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Health has made several remarks lately and he stressed that China has kept on the SARS Zero Reporting System since 20 April, that is to say, there must be report no matter whether there is epidemic or not. According to news by last night, there was no clinical confirmed or suspected SARS case in Beijing or other provinces. He also stressed that various levels of medical institutions were all on high alert and have taken all preventive measures to prevent the recurrence of SARS. As to information in this regard, the Ministry of Health will release relevant information in due time.

Q: The UN Secretary General Annan suggested consultation among the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council on the Iraqi issue. What is your position on this suggestion?

A: Your question includes two aspects. First, the UN Security Council is now deliberating on the new draft resolution on Iraq proposed by the US. We think there should be a new resolution on the Iraqi question so we are participating in the consultation in an active attitude and hope that parties can reach consensus at an earlier date in a united and cooperative manner. Secondly, the UN Secretary General Annan suggested a consultation in Geneva this week. The Chinese side has received the invitation and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing is now considering whether he will attend the meeting according to his agenda.

If you have no other questions, that is the end of today's press conference. Thanks.