On the afternoon of December 7, 2010, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference.

Jiang Yu started the conference with the following announcements:

At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will pay an official visit to China from December 13 to 17.

As agreed by China and the US, the 21st China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade will be held in Washington D.C. on December 14 and 15. Vice Premier Wang Qishan of the State Council, US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and US Trade Representative Ron Kirk will co-chair the meeting.

Q: Can you brief us on the topics of the 21st China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)?

A: At the upcoming JCCT meeting, China and the US will have an in-depth exchange of views on a range of topics including trade and investment, agricultural products and quarantine, technology and standards, intellectual property rights as well as bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

The JCCT is one of the first dialogue mechanisms established by the two governments in the area of economy and trade. The two have reached many major consensuses and achieved a number of concrete results at the past 20 meetings of the JCCT. The JCCT has played an irreplaceable role in promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation and contributing to stability of China-US economic relations and trade.

By the way, I would like to add that the Chinese delegation includes officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Q: The Norwegian King and Queen will attend the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony on Friday. Do you consider it a kind of support of criminal activities in China?

A: By awarding this year's Nobel Peace Prize to a criminal serving his sentence because of breaking Chinese law, the Norwegian Nobel Committee's move constitutes open support of illegal criminal activities in China and flagrant interference in China's judicial sovereignty. The erroneous decision not only has met with firm opposition by the entire Chinese nation, but is dismissed by the vast majority of countries upholding justice in the world.

As far as I know, over 100 countries and international organizations around the world have expressed their explicit support so far for China's position of opposition to this year's Nobel Peace Prize. This fully shows the majority of the international community does not accept the erroneous decision of the Nobel Committee.

Follow-up: Since the Norwegian King and Queen are the most important dignitaries attending the Award Ceremony, do you think it means the Norwegian King is supporting illegal activities in China?

A: This question should be left to the King and Queen themselves. What they think about attending the ceremony is clear to no others but themselves. I have expounded on the Chinese Government's position. The Chinese side has also expressed its solemn position to the Norwegian Government.

I would like to stress that China's judicial sovereignty and solemnness of its law brook no infringement. Any attempt to challenge China's judicial system or even to change China's political system and development path by making an issue out of Mr.Liu Xiaobo will come to nothing. If some people believe they can change China by exerting pressure on the country with Cold War practices, they are too naïve.

Follow-up: The Chinese leader met with the Norwegian King during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Is there any possibility that the two heads of state meet again in the future?

A: By openly supporting the extremely erroneous decision by the Nobel Committee, the Norwegian Government has destroyed the political foundation and environment for cooperation in bilateral relations. I think it is difficult for China and Norway to continue their sound relationship as in the past. It is the Norwegian side that creates the obstacle and thus it must take all the responsibility.

The basic norms governing country-to-country exchanges are mutual respect and equal treatment.

Q: Following the meeting of foreign ministers from the US, Japan and the ROK, they called upon China to send a clear signal to the DPRK with a more explicit stance and urge it to stop provocative behavior. How do you respond to their request?

A: Committed to peace and stability on the Peninsula, China stands for realizing denuclearization and enduring peace on the Peninsula through dialogue and negotiation and has made unremitting efforts towards this end. It is witnessed by all that the Chinese Government plays an active and constructive role.

It is the consistent position of the Chinese Government as well as our aim and goal in handling relevant issue to realize denuclearization on the Peninsula, peacefully resolve the Peninsula nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation and contribute to peace and stability on the Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

We are of the view all along that dialogue and negotiation is the only correct way to resolve the Peninsula nuclear issue and relevant issues and realize enduring peace on the Peninsula.

The developments in the situation have further proved the importance and imperativeness of resumption of the Six-Party Talks. Advocating peace and dialogue, we hope to ease the situation through dialogue and contribute to peace and stability on the Peninsula and in the region. China hopes to win understanding and support from the parties concerned for our proposal of emergency consultations among heads of delegation to the Six-Party Talks. As long as the parties start talks, they will always find a way out.

Q: China calls for resumption of the Six-Party Talks, but do you think the DPRK plans to give up its nuclear program or not? How do you comment on the fact that China was not invited to the trilateral talks on Monday in Washington?

A: Committed to peace and stability on the Peninsula, China stands for realizing denuclearization on the Peninsula through dialogue and negotiation and makes unremitting efforts to ease the current tensions. We are of the view that key to resolve relevant issue on the Peninsula is dialogue, rather than confrontation. A final settlement can only be reached through dialogue and negotiation. It is hoped parties concerned make active efforts towards the end.

All being stakeholders, the parties concerned should jointly undertake the responsibility of contributing to peace and stability in Northeast Asia. Setting store by the overall interests of regional peace and stability, we hope the parties positively respond to China's proposal and address relevant differences and issues through dialogue and negotiation.

Q: On President Hu Jintao's visit to the US early next year, will the current situation on the Peninsula affect his plans and will he discuss the Peninsula issue during the visit?

A: What I can share with you now is that China and the US are staying in communication over matters relating to the visit.

I have talked a lot about the situation on the Peninsula. We hope relevant parties do more to encourage and facilitate talks for peace and contribute to peace and stability on the Peninsula and in the region, rather than the contrary.

Q: About the Korean Peninsula, first, do you think the ROK's live-fire exercise has increased tension on the Peninsula? Second, do you think the DPRK's uranium enrichment activities contravene UN Security Council resolutions?

A: On your first question, it's imperative that all parties keep calm, exercise restraint and ease confrontation to keep the situation under control and solve the issue through dialogue. Should the Peninsula become unstable, people on both sides of the Peninsula will be the first to suffer. We have repeatedly called on parties to stick to the right direction of dialogue and negotiations, hoping they reduce confrontation, improve relations and build mutual trust through contact and dialogue.

On the DPRK uranium enrichment issue, as we have reiterated on many occasions, China maintains that all countries should earnestly implement relevant Security Council resolutions and fulfill their international obligations in a responsible attitude. Our position is consistent and clear.

Q: One of the initial goals of the Six-Party Talks is to realize denuclearization on the Peninsula, but will China have second thoughts on this goal in the future Talks? It's reported that US officials accused China of taking sides with the DPRK. How do you comment?

A: Such allegation is irresponsible. China's constructive and positive efforts are there for everyone to see. I would like to stress, we oppose any action that undermines peace and stability on the Peninsula and do not seek to protect any side. We cannot give up the pursuit of peace just because of some twists and turns on the journey. We repeatedly call for settlement of relevant issue through dialogue and negotiations because this is in the common interest of all parties and thus a right direction of choice. We hope parties adopt a responsible and rational attitude, proceed from the overall interest of peace and stability on the Peninsula and ease the situation through contact and dialogue so as to bring the situation back to the track of dialogue and negotiations. It is hoped that parties jointly work to properly resolve their respective concerns within the framework of the Six-Party Talks with a view to realizing denuclearization, peace and stability on the Peninsula as well as enduring peace in Northeast Asia.

Q: It is heard that the Chinese leader plans to visit India. Will this help solve China-India boundary issue? Does China feel concerned as the US-India relations become more intimate?

A: As important neighbors to each other and emerging powers, China and India are cooperative partners rather than competing rivals. This year marks the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between China and India. The two countries have held a series of activities including "Year of China" in India and "Year of India" in China while keeping frequent exchange of high-level visits and deepening practical cooperation in various fields. We are ready to work with the Indian side to move bilateral relations forward.

As for the China-India boundary issue, there are indeed some problems both of the past and present between the two countries, but both agree to seek for a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement through frank dialogue and consultation on an equal footing.

We are open-minded to and welcome friendly cooperation of mutual benefit between other countries. It is hoped US-India cooperation will contribute to regional peace and stability.

Q: You said over 100 countries and organizations support China's position on the Nobel Peace Prize, then why don't you give us a name list?

A: I believe after the award ceremony, you'll see that the majority of the international community is absent. Even some country with diplomatic missions in Norway will not be present.

It won't be necessary if you question the authenticity of the figure. Since we are making this figure public, of course we have a solid basis. Some people may have media tools at their disposal to make sensations, but it does not mean the truth stands on their side.

Q: Did China impose pressure on the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, requesting her not to attend the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony?

A: We have the right to state our position. Speaking of pressure, I think it is the Norwegian Nobel Committee that imposes pressure on China by granting the award to a Chinese criminal, supporting criminal activities in China and instigating others to attend the ceremony. I pay my respect to those impartial countries and organizations that uphold justice and adhere to their clear stance.

Q: Could you brief us on the Chinese leader's visit to India and Pakistan?

A: China keeps close high-level exchanges with all neighboring countries. If I get information about the visit you asked about, I'd release it in due course.

I've already expounded on China-India relations. On China-Pakistan relations, China and Pakistan are good neighbors, friends and partners that share all-weather friendship and all-dimensional cooperation. At present, China-Pakistan relations enjoy sound development momentum and smooth cooperation in various fields.

It's the priority of China's diplomacy to consolidate and develop China-Pakistan relations. Always handling and promoting China-Pakistan relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, we are committed to consolidating traditional friendship, deepening practical cooperation in various fields and jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability with Pakistan. We will continue to maintain our high-level exchanges and work with Pakistan to bring bilateral relations to a new high.

Q: Some people have voiced doubt over China's approach since this year's Nobel Peace Prize may have no recipient for the first time in 75 years. What would you like to say to these people?

A: I'd like to say, these people are putting on a self-orchestrated anti-China farce. We firmly oppose anyone making an issue of Mr. Liu Xiaobo to interfere in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty.

Whether China's policy is successful, the answer is to be found in China's stable development in the context of reform and opening-up. China's policies are in the interest of the majority of the Chinese people and will not be disturbed by some anti-China clowns. We will continue to run the country under the rule of law and follow the development path suitable to China's national conditions.

Q: During their recent meeting, Foreign Ministers from the US, Japan and the ROK said that the DPRK needed to seriously improve its relations with the ROK to resume the Six-Party Talks. They also believe that sanctions should be imposed on the DPRK according to Security Council resolutions. How do you comment?

A: We believe that Security Council resolutions should be implemented earnestly and comprehensively. Under the current circumstances, we call on relevant parties to keep calm and exercise restraint to ease the situation and improve relations through contact and dialogue. Fundamentally, dialogue and negotiations is the only way out.

Q: The ROK recently said it would attend the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony. Will this affect its talks with China over the Peninsula issue?

A: We oppose anyone making an issue of Mr. Liu Xiaobo and any attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty. We expect the ROK side to join us in making concrete efforts to safeguard the overall interest of bilateral relations and safeguard peace and stability on the Peninsula.