On 23 December Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference.

Liu: Good afternoon. Thank you for attending the press conference of the Foreign Ministry before the holiday. I would like to announce three pieces of news at the beginning.

First: The central and southern parts of the Philippines have witnessed severe floods and landslides recently, causing heavy casualties. The Chinese government attaches great importance to it. President Hu Jintao has already sent a letter of condolences to President Arroyo. The Chinese government has also decided to donate 100,000 USD to the Philippine government for disaster relief.

Second: Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxin has sent a letter of condolences to US Secretary of States Powell on the eruption of flu. Li said " I express my deep sympathy on the eruption of flu in the US and causalities it has caused and my cordial greetings to the families affected by the flu. The Chinese people sincerely wish the American people combat the disease and regain their normal life.

Third: From 4:15 to 5:30, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxin will have internet exchanges with the general public at the China Diplomatic Forum. Correspondents are also welcomed. If you are interested, you can log ontowww.fmprc.gov.cn. He will be more than happy to discuss and exchange with you on China's diplomatic work. The floor is now open.

Q: It is known that Vice Foreign Minister Lu Xinhua is visiting Afghanistan now. Please brief us on his visit.

A: Vice Foreign Minister Lu Xinhua arrived in Afghanistan on 20 December. He first attended the completion ceremony of the building of China's embassy in Afghanistan and met with Vice President Shahrani and Foreign Minister Abdullah of the transitional Islamic government of Afghanistan.

Vice President Shahrani welcomed Vice Foreign Minister Lu and said that the Afghan government attached importance the development of friendly relations with China and that the constitutional conference of Afghanistan was now deliberating a draft constitution in which it stipulated that it would develop friendly relations with the rest of the world and its neighbors in particular including China. The Afghan government thanked China for its selfless assistance over the years and hoped that it would provide more assistance for its reconstruction in the future to promote its economic development.

Vice Minister Lu expressed during his meeting with Vice President Shahrani that the Chinese side followed closely the peace process in Afghanistan and hoped that its general election can be held smoothly and on time after the adoption of its new constitution. It will be conducive to its peace, stability and development. As its friendly neighbors, the Chinese side will make its utmost to help its economic development. The Kabul Republican Hospital, assisted by the Chinese side, has been commenced in August and the Parwan Irrigation Works has entered into the phase of bidding and will begin next spring. In addition, many Chinese companies with strength will actively participate in the reconstruction of Afghanistan through international bidding.

Foreign Minister of Afghanistan expressed while meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Lu that it would continue to cooperate with the Chinese side in fighting terrorism.

Q: Recently the US side has sent a special envoy to China and he has met with Director General Fu Ying. Any progress in talks? Over the year the Chinese side has done a lot of work to promote the second round of six-party talks. Do you foresee any greater progress in 2004? Any hope to hold the second round in January?

A: Special Envoy DeTrani of the US State Department on Korean affairs visited Beijing on 18 December and Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with him on 19 December in Beijing and exchanged views on the preparation of the second round of the six-party talks. Before that, he also held consultation with Director-General Fu Ying of the Asian Affairs Department and the two sides exchanged views on the next round of talks on the Korean peninsula nuclear question and expressed their respective concerns and positions.

This year various sides have made much important and positive work for the second round of talks. We hope and believe that various sides will continue to step up consultation and actively prepare for the second round. The Chinese side will coordinate in this regard, pool consensus together and work for common basis acceptable by all sides so as to create conditions for the launching of the next round of talks and the discussion of substantive questions and progress to be made in this regard. At the same time we also hope that various sides will demonstrate flexibility and sincerity and move closer so as to prepare for the talks. It is believed that in the coming year the second round of talks will be held as soon as possible and progress be made so long as various sides show sincerity and continue to be flexible and more pragmatic.

Q: It seems that the second round of talks may not be convened within the year. Why? Has the Chinese side begun to have consultation with the US and the DPRK sides in order to hold talks next January. Another question, has the ROK POW Jeon YongIl been released? Will he be sent back to ROK within the year?

A: On your first question, since the year is approaching its end, there is no time to hold the second round of talks within the year. There are still differences in terms of the concerns and positions of various sides but we should also see that the positions of various sides are gradually closing. The consultation and contact between various sides have brought about results and the results are positive on the whole. Therefore we hope that various sides will continue to demonstrate sincerity and flexibility and launch the second round of talks as soon as possible. The Chinese side has always held consultation and coordination with the parties concerned including the US and the DPRK and it will continue to spare no efforts to play its constructive role on this question.

On your second question, Jeon YongIl and another person were arrested by the Chinese police at Hangzhou Airport for using fabricated ROK passports. Preliminary investigation shows that the two were also suspected of entering China illegally and thus violated relevant Chinese laws and regulations. The case is being further dealt with at present.

If you have no further questions, let me tell you that this is the last press conference before the end of the year and the next will be held on 6 January. Let me extend, on behalf of the Foreign Ministry officials and all my colleagues, my New Year's greetings to you and wish you good health, smooth work and happy family. Thank you.