On January 13, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on the Palestine-Israel conflict, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's first trip to foreign countries at the beginning of 2009, and etc.

Jiang Yu: Happy New Year. I have no announcement to make today. The floor is open.

Q: The UN Human Rights Council and some international human rights organizations confirm that Israel has used internationally prohibited weapons in densely populated area. Do you have any comment? Some Arab diplomats don't believe China's five-point proposition on the Middle East issue as elaborated by Ambassador Sun Bigan would work. How would you comment?

A: The UN Human Rights Council has adopted relevant resolution, which China voted for. We express grave concern over the heavy casualties and loss of property caused by the Palestine-Israel conflict, and are deeply worried about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We call on relevant parties to listen and respond to the appeal of the international community, immediately stop military conflicts and relieve the tension in Gaza. On this basis, humanitarian assistance should be increased and allowed in Gaza without disruption. We hope relevant parties could bring the Palestine-Israel issue back to the track of political solution on the basis of cease-fire, seek for a fair, reasonable and enduring settlement of the Middle East issue, realize early founding of an independent Palestinian state and peaceful co-existence of Palestine and Israel as "two states". China will continue to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to Palestine within our capacity.

Ever since the conflict broke out in the Middle East, China has been playing a positive and constructive role. Chinese leaders have exchanged views with relevant parties on many occasions. We have taken an active part in the Security Council consultations and promoted the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1860. We express grave concern over the failed implementation of the Resolution. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held phone conversations with UN Secretary General and foreign ministers in relevant countries lately in an effort to push the Gaza situation towards the right direction.

China believes that Resolution 1860 represents the shared aspiration and expectation of the international community towards the Gaza situation, and thus should be respected and fulfilled. We urge Israel and relevant parties in Palestine to earnestly fulfill Resolution 1860, immediately cease fire, withdraw Israeli troops from Gaza and ease the humanitarian crisis in the region as soon as possible. We will continue to support the mediation efforts of Egypt and other parties.

Follow-up: Since China appeals to both parties involved to cease fire, will Ambassador Sun meet with Hamas leaders?

A: Ambassador Sun Bigan is paying a visit to the Middle East. Yesterday, he had in-depth conversations with Egyptian Foreign Minister Gheit and Secretary General Moussa of the Arab League. He will also visit Israel and Palestine. We will keep you updated on his visit.

Q: Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and visit some European countries from late January to early February. Could you brief us on his itinerary? Given that China postponed the China-EU Summit because of French President Sarkozy's meeting with the Dalai Lama, does China plan to unfreeze China-EU relations through this visit? Will Premier Wen discuss with French leaders about bilateral cooperation in economy and other fields during this visit?

A: On Premier Wen Jiabao's attendance at the Davos Forum and his relevant visits, arrangement is still under consultation with relevant parties. Information will be released upon confirmation.

China always attaches importance to its relations with the EU, and is committed to promoting the continuous development of China-EU comprehensive and strategic partnership. At the beginning of the new year, Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, which takes the rotating Presidency of the EU, had a phone conversation with Foreign Minister Yang. They reached consensus on enhancing China-EU relations in the new year. We are ready to work together with the EU, view and handle China-EU relations from strategic and long-term perspective, strengthen political dialogue on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, enhance mutual understanding and trust, respect each other's major concern and properly handle sensitive issues so as to promote long-term, healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

China always values its relations with France, and has never done anything that harms the interest of France. The erroneous act of France on the Tibet-related issue has severely undermined China's core interest, destroyed the political basis for bilateral relations and the atmosphere for bilateral cooperation in extensive fields, and also compromised the image of France in the mind of Chinese people.

Future China-France relationship depends on whether France could proceed from the overall interest of bilateral relations and the fundamental interest of the two peoples, take seriously China's solemn position and justified concern. France should take concrete actions to correct its mistakes on the Tibet-related issue, eliminate negative impact, adhere to its one China commitment and create necessary conditions and sound atmosphere for improvement of bilateral relations.

Q: The Chinese delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue has recently paid a three-day visit to the DPRK. Please introduce the visit.

A: The Chinese delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue visited the DPRK from January 9 to 12, which is normal communication between the foreign ministries of both countries. During the visit, he met with DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun and had talks with Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong-il. They both agreed to taking the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-DPRK relations and the Year of Friendship to extend exchanges in various fields, strengthen friendship and cooperation and promote friendly relations of cooperation in the New Year.

As far as I know, various activities related to the Year of Friendship are being actively planned and prepared. The activities cover a variety of fields. Details will be released in due course.

Q: According to Amnesty International, its website was accessible during Beijing Olympics but has been blocked again recently. Does China have any comments?

A: The Chinese Government's policy on the Internet is positive, open and based on law, which is consistent with international practice. At present, there are more than 2.1million websites and 300 million Internet users in China, making China rank the first in number of netizens. Websites in China would not have developed so rapidly without the positive cultivation of the Chinese Government.

Any country will manage the Internet by law. Chinese laws prohibit the spreading of illegal information through the Internet, such as advocating cults and separatism. This policy is clear to all.

Q: Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi started his foreign visit with Africa again this year. We all know he will visit Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa and other countries. Would you please brief us on the detailed schedule? Will he sign any cooperation agreement? And how to understand his follow-up visits to two Portuguese-speaking countries, Brazil and Portugal?

A: At the invitation of Foreign Ministers of the six countries, Foreign Minster Yang Jiechi will first visit Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi and South Africa from January 13 to 17, before Brazil and Portugal.

During his visit to Africa, Foreign Minister Yang will meet with the Presidents of the four countries, and hold talks with his counterparts as well to have in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations, China-Africa cooperation and international and regional issues of common concern. He will also sign bilateral cooperation documents with visiting countries. We believe that the visit will play a positive role in promoting the friendly relations and cooperation between China and the above-mentioned four countries, further translating the achievements of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation into reality and deepening the neo-strategic partnership between China and Africa.

With regard to Foreign Minister Yang's visit to Brazil, this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. Bilateral relations are developing smoothly and cooperation in various areas is deepening continuously. China has become the second largest trade partner of Brazil. The two countries are both large developing countries. Under the current situation, the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation is significantly important for the two sides to maintain economic and financial stability and help developing countries have greater voice and better representation in international affairs. We are willing to work with Brazil to promote the comprehensive and in-depth development of China-Brazil strategic partnership.

With regard to the visit to Portugal, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal. The all-round strategic partnership between the two countries is developing smoothly. The two sides have maintained frequent high-level exchange of visits and ever closer cooperation of mutual benefits in various areas. We believe that the visit will further promote the development of bilateral relations.

Q: Last week, Taiwan authorities announced the plan to send navy ships to Somali waters to provide convoy assistance to Taiwan ships. How do you comment on it?

A: The convoy issue has caused a lot of interest. The Chinese Government has sent convoy navy ships to relevant waters based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the consent of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. We will certainly protect the ships of Taiwan compatriots, which is exactly what we are doing right now.

If there are no more questions, I would like to once again invite you to the New Year reception at 6:30p.m. tomorrow night, co-hosted by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipality. Thank you for joining us. See you tomorrow.