On the afternoon of September 28, 2011, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei held a regular press conference.

Q: It is reported that the representative of the Grand National Party, the ruling party of the ROK is scheduled to visit the DPRK soon. This will be the most senior ROK official that has ever visited the DPRK since their bilateral relations came to a deadlock. What is China's comment?

A: China always maintains that the South and the North of the Korean Peninsula should address problems through dialogue and consultation, improve relations gradually and realize reconciliation and cooperation. Dialogue and negotiation is the only correct and effective approach for the settlement of relevant issues as well as the realization of enduring peace and stability of the Peninsula. We sincerely hope to see and support helpful contact and dialogue between the two sides.

Q: Under Secretary Cohen of the US Treasury Department visited Hong Kong and Beijing this week. During his meeting with Chinese officials, he expressed the hope that Chinese financial institutions would avoid doing business with Iranian banks that sponsor arms proliferation. How does China respond?

A: US Under Treasury Secretary Cohen visited Beijing recently. The Ministry of Finance and the People's Bank of China assisted in arranging for some of his activities in China. Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hailong met with him yesterday, exchanging views on issues of common interest.

China always upholds that all countries should implement resolutions of the UN Security Council conscientiously and accurately. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will, as always, carry out the resolutions in a serious and responsible manner. Normal commercial intercourse between China and Iran does not violate any resolution of the Security Council, nor does it undermine the interests of other countries and the international community.

Q: We noted the US Ambassador to the ROK remarked that the Six-Party Talks would only be resumed following the DPRK's concrete actions. The spokesperson of the US State Department also said that the DPRK showed no sincerity in taking concrete actions. How does China look at the prospect of the resumption of the Six-Party Talks?

A: It serves the interests of all parties to push for an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks so as to discuss and resolve everyone's concerns within its framework, fulfill all the goals of the September 19 Joint Statement, realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and safeguard the peace and stability on the Peninsula. Recently, the situation on the Peninsula has shown signs of easing. We welcome relevant parties' active contact and dialogue as well as communication and coordination for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks. We hope relevant parties seize the opportunity, maintain the momentum of dialogue and meet each other halfway so as to create favorable conditions for an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: The Israeli Interior Ministry approved on September 27 the extension of Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem. What is China's comment? How does China look at the prospect of Palestine-Israel peace talks?

A: China expresses profound regret at and opposes Israel's approval of expanding Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem. Palestine-Israel peace talks are now bogged down in a stalemate. The international community is committed to pushing for an early resumption of talks between the two countries so as to seek a political resolution to the Palestine-Israel issue. China calls on Israel to act prudently and take constructive measures to cooperate with the international community's mediation efforts and create conditions for an early resumption of peace talks.

Q: The US Senate will deliberate on the RMB exchange rate-related bill next week. The bill, if adopted, will empower the US to take legal and trade countermeasures against China's RMB exchange rate policy. What is China's comment?

A: We have reiterated many times on recent occasions that it is not the RMB exchange rate, but the structure of China-US trade and investment that is the main cause of China-US trade imbalance. We hope that the US side will earnestly safeguard the stable development of China-US economic relations and trade and refrain from politicizing relevant issues and pushing through relevant bill.

Q: What is China's comment on the report recently released by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, which says that the growth rate of China's carbon emissions is far beyond expectation?

A: The measures adopted by China in tackling climate change and their effects have won global recognition. The efforts made by China in many ways exceed those of developed countries. As a developing country, China will make unflinching efforts to build a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society and realize sustainable development. China will continue to make important contributions to the global campaign against climate change.

As the Durban Conference is approaching, developed countries should make commitments concerning the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol as soon as possible and perform international duties in real earnest. China would like to push for a positive, comprehensive and balanced outcome of the Durban Conference together with all parties.

Q: According to some reports, China's space project may be used for military purposes. How does China respond?

A: China's space endeavor is an important part of mankind's peaceful exploration and utilization of outer space. China's space activities are for peaceful purposes.

China is willing to conduct space cooperation, including manned space program with countries around the world on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit in a bid to elevate the world space technology to a higher level and make positive contributions to the peaceful use of outer space for the benefit of all mankind.

Q: Some Western countries circulated in the Security Council a new draft resolution on Syria, which does not include imposing immediate sanctions against the Syrian authorities. Will China endorse the draft resolution?

A: China follows closely the developments of the situation in Syria. We hope that parties in Syria will exercise restraint, avoid any form of violence or more bloodshed and conflict, and act quickly to ease tension. We believe that a Syria-led, inclusive political process aimed at promoting reform and advanced through dialogue and consultation is the right way to resolve the current crisis in Syria. The international community should respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and handle the Syrian issue in a prudent way so as to prevent further turbulence in Syria and its repercussions on regional peace.

Q: US officials reportedly said that China, when conducting cooperation with the South Pacific island countries, focused only on bilateral investment instead of multilateral cooperation. How does China respond?

A: China is dedicated to helping Pacific island countries develop economy, improve people's livelihood and deal with various difficulties and challenges effectively. China would like to further enhance communication, coordination and cooperation with Pacific island countries and their development partners, including the United States to jointly make positive contributions to regional peace, stability and development.

Q: A US Defense Department official was quoted as saying that US arms sales to Taiwan can not change the military imbalance between the mainland and Taiwan. What is your comment?

A: US arms sales to Taiwan interfere in China's internal affairs and impair cross-Straits relations no matter what the pretext and excuse are. We hope that the US side will take China's solemn position earnestly and seriously, revoke the arms sales decision, stop selling arms to Taiwan and sever its military links with Taiwan so as to avoid further damage to China-US relations as well as the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

Q: What is China's position on the EU incorporating aviation emissions into the carbon trading scheme?

A: The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol set up the basic legal framework for international cooperation against climate change. The principles of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and fairness enshrined in them should be the basic guiding principles in dealing with green house gas emissions of international aviation. All countries should enhance cooperation on the basis of these principles and resolve the issue of aviation emissions through consultation, instead of taking unilateral action that may result in confrontation.

China appreciates the efforts made by the EU in tackling climate change, but opposes the EU's forced implementation of unilateral legislation on aviation emissions. China has made its position clear on many occasions and expressed our stance and concern to the EU through the bilateral channel.

In fact, not only China but also a lot of other countries oppose the action of the EU. We hope that the EU will act prudently and appropriately deal with the issue through consultation with relevant parties, China included, in an active and practical manner.