Zhang qiyue: Good afternoon. I don't have any announcement to make, so the floor is open now.

Q: Will Wu Bangguo, head of the visiting China's state delegation in the DPRK, meet Kim Jong Il? If he were to, what would he talk about with the DPRK leader? When will be the next round of the six-party talks?

A: You may have got some information about Chairman Wu's visit to the DPRK through news reports. This visit is a very important one and the visit is going smoothly. Yesterday, Chairman Wu Bangguo and President Kim Yong Nam held talks with each other and had an in-depth exchange of views on the bilateral relationship and other issues of common concern.

This morning, Chairman Wu also met with the DPRK Prime Minister Park Pong-ju and they focused on issues concerning economic cooperation and trade. Chairman Wu introduced the current economic situation and the course of reform and opening-up in China. He said that China supported the DPRK's efforts in seeking a development model suitable for its own national conditions and its own national development. He also said that China appreciated the achievements made by the DPRK side, stood ready to continue to provide assistance to the DPRK within its capacity and would encourage Chinese enterprises to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation with the DPRK side in various forms.

At present, the visit is still be in progress, I don't have any other information available for you.

As for the time schedule for the second round of six-party talks, at present, the parties concerned all believe that a new round of six-party talks stays in the right direction of solving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and stand ready to make efforts to realize this goal at an early date. The Chinese side hopes that the next round of talks will be held as soon as possible and is making active efforts to this end.

Q: The China-EU summit begins today in Beijing. How does the Chinese side comment on its relations and cooperation with the EU, especially on the cooperation in hi-tech projects such as the Galileo plan. And how do you comment on the US side's critical attitude toward the plan?

A: Today's China-EU summit is of great significance because it marks the first meeting between China's new leadership and the EU leaders. This afternoon, the EU leaders will be greeted by President Hu Jintao and hold talks with Premier Wen Jiabao. Later, some agreements will also be signed by both sides. I believe the summit will push forward the development of the China-EU comprehensive partnership.

As for the Galileo plan, as we all know, there are two global navigation positioning systems in the world at present, namely GPS of the US and GLONASS of Russia. At present, Chinese customers prefer GPS due to its wider coverage. However, related navigation customers will have more choice upon the completion of the Galileo system. It is good for navigation customers because more navigation systems are equal to more precise and secure systems. Besides, the international cooperation in this field is conducive to the formation and development of related new industries. Therefore, the Chinese side is willing to actively participate in the development and future application of the Galileo system according to the principles of equality and mutual benefit. The cooperation document to be signed by China and the EU represents another important bilateral cooperation in the hi-tech area. This will surely further promote the China-EU relations.

Q: An EU study released last month said China's human rights violations overshadowed Beijing's economic growth and efforts to combat poverty. At the same time, the group Amnesty International had called on the EU delegation to pressure China to improve its human rights record. My question is that how China was prepared to answer those demands if and when the EU delegation brings them up.

A: China and EU countries have always maintained dialogue on human rights. The Chinese side appreciates the EU's position for dialogue while against confrontation on human rights issues in recent years. The Chinese side attaches importance to exchanges and cooperation with the EU on human rights. China and the EU have conducted 15 rounds of dialogue on human rights and the latest round of dialogue was held in Greece this March. We will have dialogue on human rights this year. Furthermore, both sides have conducted a series of exchange and cooperation projects such as judicial symposiums. These cooperation projects not only promoted mutual understanding and broadened consensus on human rights for both sides, but also press ahead the development of relations between China and EU countries. The Chinese side hopes that the EU side could keep on the track of dialogue.

The Chinese people are in the best position to make judgment on whether China has made progress on improving its own human rights record. It is also a universally recognized fact that the Chinese government has made great efforts in human rights protection and maintaining and guaranteeing the fundamental interests of the Chinese people. The human rights report by Amnesty International is worth no comment at all. Anyone with the basic understanding of the situation in China will not be interested in demands by certain organization.

Q: I have two questions for you. First, you've just speaking about human rights. Which country is violating human rights the most from China's perspective? My second question is related to the recent visit by the US Commerce Secretary Donald Evans. Tuesday, he had a two-hour meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao. I am wondering if you could characterize the atmosphere of that meeting. And what's your comment on Donald Evans' negotiating style which seemed to be blunt and direct?

A: I want to answer your second question first. As far as I know, Mr. Evans held a press conference before his departure from Beijing to brief reporters on his visit. During his visit, he held talks with Chinese responsible officials from Ministry of Commerce and he also met with Premier Wen Jiabao. Both sides conducted in-depth exchanges of views on economic relations and trade between China and the US. It's fair to say that the meeting has been held in a cordial and candid atmosphere. I believe that after his visit in China for several days, Mr. Evans has got a fairly deep understanding of the perspective of the Chinese government on Sino-US economic and trade relations and China's efforts to implement its WTO commitments. It's true that there are some substantial problems concerning trade between China and the US. However, it's important that both sides handle those problems in a constructive spirit. The visit serves solving problems of common concern so as to promote the development of the bilateral economic  and trade relations.

As for your first question, China always follows the principle of mutual respect and equality in handling relationship with other countries. As for the different views held by some countries on human rights, I think that the differences should be addressed through dialogue.

Q: Could you specify the country having the biggest problem with human rights in the world?

A: We believe that it is a significant task for all countries in the world to promote and protect human rights. There is no country in the world which can claim to have a perfect human rights record. As for different views held by countries on human rights, we maintain that they should be handled through dialogue and exchanges on the basis of equality and mutual respect. You are very familiar with the style of Chinese foreign policy. We never make rash criticism on the human rights record in other countries. The Chinese side believes that related concerns should be addressed through conducting dialogues and enhancing mutual understanding.

Q: Yesterday, it was reported that Chairman Wu Bangguo and the DPRK side had conducted in-depth discussions over the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. Would you please give us more specific information? It is also reported that China will possibly impose pressure on the DPRK side. Could you confirm that? Secondly, yesterday the US congress passed a resolution urging China to honor its WTO commitments. Do you have any comment on that?

A: During the talks, Chairman Wu and President Kim Yong Nam conducted an in-depth discussion over the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. Chairman Wu stated that the trilateral talks and six-party talks in Beijing are both beneficial and of great significance to prevent and avoid the further deteriorating of the situation. The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is a very complicated problem. However, no matter what difficulties and twists lying ahead, we should stick to seeking a peaceful solution through dialogue as it is the solely correct way. That's all that I can share with you at the moment since the visit is still in progress. Besides, the Chinese side never uses pressure diplomacy when handling relations with other countries for pressure application doesn't suit the style of China's foreign policy.

As for your second question, China holds an earnest and serious attitude towards implementing its WTO commitments. We have taken universally recognized measures in such areas as legislation, law enforcement and administration. As far as the commitment implementation is concerned, recent years have witnessed tremendous efforts made by the Chinese side to have revised and annulled about 3000 laws and regulations at odds with WTO requirements. We hope that the US congress can notice our tremendous efforts and serious attitude in implementing the WTO commitments so as to take positive measures to facilitate a smooth development of the Sino-US economic and trade relations and do more conducive to the Sino-US constructive and cooperative relationship.

Q: Would you please brief us on Chinese special envoy on Middle East Wang Shijie's visit to the region?

A: Special envoy Wang Shijie paid visits to Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Israel from October 19 to 29. This is his third visit to the Middle East, marking China's latest diplomatic efforts to push forward the peace process. During his visit, he respectively met and held in-depth talks on Middle East issues with important political figures in the six countries and the special representative of the UN Secretary General in the Southern Lebanon. Special envoy Wang Shijie expressed concerns over tensions in the region and especially worked on relevant parties in the purpose of stopping violent disputes and resuming peace talks as soon as possible. He also stressed that the exchange of violence will definitely do no good to both Palestine and Israel. Therefore, he called on relevant parties to exercise restraint, put an end to the vicious cycle of revenge, coordinate with the international community in the peace-making efforts, resume peace talks as soon as possible and implement the "road map" for the Middle East peace. China's position and efforts aimed at pushing forward the peace process in the Middle East have been appreciated and highly spoken by the relevant parties.

Q: Will Chairman Wu Bangguo be greeted by Kim Jong Il? What will they talk about? Is his visit the first visit to the DPRK by China's new leadership? To what extent such meeting between leaders on both sides is important for solving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula?

A: Chairman Wu's visit is still underway and you will get related reports from China's media on his future activities.

China and the DPRK have the tradition of exchanges of high-level visits. Chairman Wu's visit actually continues this tradition. During his meetings and talks, Chairman Wu stressed that the China-DPRK relationship occupied an important place in China's external relations. The new leadership in China will carry on this friendly tradition between the two countries and further promote the bilateral friendly relationship and cooperation in various fields.

Q: My question is related to the reform of the UN Security Council. Does China approve the membership enlargement of the UN Security Council? If so, what countries should be included from China's perspective?

A: The question you've raised is under heated discussions by all countries both within and outside the United Nations. The Chinese side believes that after over 50 years of development and changes, we have seen great increase in the number of member states of the UN. Therefore, the UN Security Council should also see a proper enlargement of its membership. However, the makeup of the Security Council should reflect the fact that developing countries take up the majority of the UN member states. That's to say we should take priority in accommodating and considering the representation of the developing countries. As for what countries will be included and by what means they will be included, these are questions calling for serious discussions by all members of the United Nations. The reform of the United Nations has always been on its agenda. This year, Secretary General Annan put forward propositions for the UN reform at the UN General Assembly. The Chinese side will actively participate in the relevant discussions. At present, it's too early to talk about what countries will be new members of the Security Council.

Thanks for your presence.