Q: First, the Chinese National People's Congress is pressing ahead with relevant legislation on counter-terrorism. Please brief us on the counter-terrorism cooperation between China and the international community. Second, the US and other countries urge the IAEA to release the report on the Iranian nuclear issue so as to impose more pressure on Iran, while China and Russia oppose the report. How do you respond?

A: The Draft Decision on Issues Concerning the Enhancement of Counter-Terrorism is being deliberated. Leading officials of the Ministry of Public Security have made a detailed introduction to the draft. We believe that it is of great significance to promote legislation on counter-terrorism in a bid to resolve the legal issues and practical difficulties in the fight against terrorism and safeguard national security and social stability. The draft was formulated based on the actual situation in China, with reference to the practices of other countries and in line with relevant international conventions and documents that China has joined, giving an explicit definition on terrorist activities, organizations and terrorists.

The international community is still faced with daunting tasks of counter-terrorism. China always upholds that the international community should launch a joint campaign against terrorism by taking integrated measures to address both its symptoms and root causes. The international community has undertaken close cooperation in this regard which yields positive outcomes.

China takes an active part in international counter-terrorism cooperation in light of the principle of equality and reciprocity. China will continue to strengthen its counter-terrorism exchange and cooperation with neighboring countries as well as international and regional organizations so as to push for constant progress.

On your second question, we always believe that dialogue and negotiation is the right way out for the Iranian nuclear issue. We hope that the IAEA will uphold a just and objective attitude, give full play to its professional advantage, carry out active interaction and cooperation with Iran and play a constructive role in promoting the settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiation.

Q: Please update us on the three Chinese fishing boats and the fishermen recently detained by the ROK.

A: This incident has been appropriately settled. The Chinese Embassy in the ROK lodged representations to the ROK side yesterday. Three Chinese fishing boats and the crewmen are on their way home after paying fines. We hope Chinese fishermen abide by laws and regulations and conduct fishing activities in accordance with law while the ROK side carries out law enforcement in a civilized manner and ensures the safety as well as lawful rights and interests of Chinese fishermen. China hopes for the continued sound development of China-ROK fishing cooperation.

Q: Nusrat Bhutto, wife of former Pakistani leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and former leader of the Pakistan People's Party died on October 23. What is China's comment?

A: China expresses deep condolences over Mrs Bhutto's death. Mrs Bhutto is an important female political leader of Pakistan and former chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party. She visited China many times as Pakistan's First Lady and forged profound friendship with Chinese leaders of the older generation, contributing significantly to China-Pakistan relations.

Q: The Global Times runs an editorial on the South China Sea issue today, saying that if neighboring countries do not restrain themselves in maritime disputes with China, it is only a matter of time for military conflicts to break out in waters of frequent frictions. Is the Global Times's view official to some extent? Is it also held by the Chinese Government?

A: The media has the right to edit and comment. It is believed that they will report in a truthful, objective and responsible manner.

China upholds the strategy of peaceful development, actively advocates a new thinking on security featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination and promotes cooperation and good-neighborliness with its neighbors.

Safeguarding regional peace and stability is in the common interests of all countries in the region. At present, all countries in the South China Sea region pledge to handle maritime disputes peacefully and appropriately through dialogue and consultation in a bid to safeguard regional peace and stability and sound bilateral relations.

We hold that it is imperative that relevant countries earnestly implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which is vital to safeguarding and enhancing mutual trust between the countries. We maintain a smooth channel of communication and consultation with countries directly involved in the South China Sea dispute.

Countries outside the region should respect the efforts by countries within the region to solve the issue through dialogue and consultation. Artificially creating tension and confrontation is not conducive to the settlement of the issue, but will only complicate it. We do not want to see any country creating troubles or interference in the South China Sea issue by any country outside the region.

Q: Please update us on the results of Vice Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the DPRK. What is your expectation of Vice Premier Li's upcoming visit to the ROK?

A: Vice Premier Li Keqiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee is on a visit to the DPRK. He will wrap up his visit this afternoon . The Chinese delegation has released timely information on the important activities. During the visit, China stressed its willingness to work with the DPRK to earnestly implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, strengthen exchanges and cooperation across the board and further advance bilateral relations. The two sides are ready to maintain exchange of high-level visits, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation and realize common development.

Vice Premier Li Keqiang will arrive in Seoul tomorrow noon to start his official visit to the ROK, during which he will hold meetings and talks with President Lee Myung-bak, Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, Speaker Park Hee-tae and other ROK leaders for an exchange of views on bilateral relations, the situation on the Peninsula and international and regional issues of common interest. Vice Premier Li will also meet friendly groups and business figures in the ROK, interact with both Chinese and ROK youth and visit ROK enterprises.

At present, China-ROK relations enjoy sound development. Leaders of the two countries maintain constant communication through mutual visits and on international occasions. Bilateral economic cooperation and trade continue to grow and deepen, with two-way trade volume standing at US$ 207.17 billion last year. People-to-people exchanges are expanding with nearly 6 million mutual visits last year. The two sides maintain sound communication and cooperation in international and regional affairs. We are ready to work with the ROK to further advance bilateral relations and safeguard peace and stability on the Peninsula and in the region.

Q: Indian Prime minister Singh reportedly said recently that India and China had agreed to safeguard peace and tranquility in the border area and overall bilateral relations were quite good despite a long-standing border problem. He was convinced that Chinese leaders hoped to resolve all issues between the two countries through peaceful means. How do you comment?

A: We have noted Prime Minister Singh's remarks. China and India are important neighbors and bilateral relations have kept sound momentum of healthy and stable development. China is ready to work with India to constantly consolidate and strengthen China-India strategic cooperative partnership. On the boundary issue left over from history, the two are seeking a fair and reasonable solution acceptable to both through friendly consultation. The two sides are committed to peace and tranquility in the border area pending a final settlement.

Q: Did Vice Premier Li Keqiang discuss the DPRK uranium enrichment program with DPRK officials during his visit there?

A: To my knowledge, China and the DPRK had an in-depth exchange of views on the situation on the Peninsula and the Six-Party Talks during the visit. Information in this regard has been released.

On the DPRK uranium enrichment program, China believes the issue should be appropriately resolved through consultation within the Six-Party Talks. We have noted that the US and the DPRK are being engaged in contact in Geneva and hope their contact and dialogue are constructive and productive so as to create conditions for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: How do you comment on the current situation in Syria?

A: We hope relevant parties in Syria give priority to the interests of the country and people, discard violence and avoid bloodshed and conflicts. We hope the parties peacefully resolve differences through dialogue. The Syrian Government should actively implement reform pledges and respond to the people's reasonable appeals. Meanwhile, all relevant parties should take a constructive and active part in the peace process. The international community should play a constructive role in easing the Syrian situation, resolving differences through dialogue and safeguarding overall peace and stability in the Middle East.

Jiang Yu ended the press conference with the announcement of two upcoming important diplomatic events.

First, Chinese Special Envoy Wu Sike on the Middle East Issue will visit Syria and Egypt from October 26 to 30.

Second, the Eighth Senior Officials Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province from October 26 to 27. Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun and Vice Commerce Minister Fu Ziying, chairmen of the Chinese Follow-up Action Committee of the Forum will attend and address the opening and closing ceremonies of the Forum respectively.

Established in October 2000, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is an important platform for collective dialogue between China and friendly African countries as well as an effective mechanism for practical cooperation.

Senior officials from China and 50 African member states of the Forum, representatives from the African Union Commission and some regional organizations in Africa as well as African diplomatic envoys in China will be present. South Sudan will send its delegation to the important Forum meeting as its 51st member state for the first time.

China looks forward to jointly reviewing with the African side implementation of the follow-up action of the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum, strengthening coordination in the next stage, reaching consensus on timely and full implementation with guarantee of both quality and quantity, and further expanding and deepening China-Africa cooperation across the board. Meanwhile, China maintains communication and consultation with Africa to jointly prepare for the Fifth Ministerial Conference and earnestly chart the course for the Forum's development in its second decade so that the Forum will play a better role in guiding China-Africa relations and elevate the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.

Media affiliations may contact the Spokesperson's Office for information on the implementation of the eight new measures of China-Africa cooperation.