On the afternoon of November 16, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue presided over a regular press conference.

Zhang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First, I have a statement to make. At the invitation of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan will pay official visits to the two countries from November 22 to December 1, 2004 and attend the inaugural meeting of the China-Europe Forum in Hamburg, Germany and the second meeting of the China-Spain Forum in Barcelona, Spain.

Now the floor is open to you.

Q: Secretary of State Colin Powell has announced his resignation. He has very close working contacts with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. What impact will his resignation have on China-US relations? Who do you think will take the office of State Secretary?

A: US Secretary of State Colin Powell has paid a number of visits to China during his tenure. He has made positive efforts in the improvement and development of China-US relations, of which we express our appreciation.

China and the US share extensive common interests and foundation for cooperation. We are ready to join hands with the US side in further enhancing our exchanges and cooperation in various fields and properly addressing each other's concerns, so as to move further China-US constructive and cooperative relations in the second term of President Bush.

During his term of State Secretary, Mr. Powell established good working relations with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. I believe that Minister Li is very pleased to work together with the successor of Secretary Powell for the further development of China-US constructive and cooperative relations. The smooth development of the relations between our two countries will benefit the peace and stability in Asia and the world as a whole.

As to who will supercede Secretary Powell, it is America's business, on which I do not make any comment.

Q: It is heard that President Hu Jintao will propose an energy initiative. What's China's consideration on proposing such an initiative? Will China and Japan hold a summit meeting on the sideline of APEC meeting? If not, will China-Japan relations become worse? How does China expect the relations between the two countries to develop?

A: With its theme set as "one community, our future", this APEC meeting will focus on the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, economic and technological cooperation, promotion of the new round of WTO trade negotiations and APEC's reform. President Hu Jintao will state China's propositions on the APEC cooperation and the major current issues that have impacts on global and regional economic development. China expects that important consensus can be reached at this meeting on the problems facing APEC, so as to push forward the APEC process. China will participate in the meeting with a positive attitude and has prepared some concrete initiatives. I will give you more detailed briefing on initiatives after they are tabled.

As for the meeting of leaders, I have repeatedly said that China attaches importance to the contacts and dialogue between leaders of China and Japan. But sound atmosphere and conditions are required.

China values its relations with Japan, our important neighboring country. We always develop our relations with all neighboring countries in line with the principle of "building amicable partnership with neighbors." To strengthen the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Japan is very important to the stability and development of the entire Asia.

Q: Not only did China and Japan suspend their exchange of summit visits, but also their military exchanges. Should military exchanges be enhanced between China and Japan to avoid fluctuations in their relations?

A: It is beneficial to the two countries and their people to develop long-term, stable good neighborly and friendly relations between China and Japan. China is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperation with Japan in various fields and at different levels.

Q: Is China planning to sign eight agreements at the 10+3 meeting slated for next week in Laos? In addition, Vanuatu reaffirmed that it was going to "establish diplomatic ties" with Taiwan. What comment does China have on this?

A: The eighth ASEAN plus China, Japan and the ROK Summit will be held in Vientiane, Laos, from 29 to 30 November, and its theme is "to strengthen 10+3 cooperation". It is expected that the summit will discuss the long-term objective of cooperation in East Asia, such as the "East Asian Community", and propose specific initiatives on strengthening 10+3 economic cooperation. As to what documents will be adopted or what agreements will be signed at the meeting, all parties are making preparation in this regard.

The 10+3 cooperation is a main channel for the East Asian countries to strengthen their cooperation. The Chinese Government has always been attaching great importance to and actively participating in it. China supports the cooperation in East Asia through 10+3, maintains that it should focus on economy and stands for the leading role of ASEAN in the process.

The Vanuatuan Government made a clear commitment in the Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Vanuatu in 1982, which says it recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The Vanuatuan Government adheres to the one China policy and refrains from any official relations with Taiwan. On November 10, the Vanuatu's Council of Ministers made a decision to annul the so-called agreement on the "establishment of diplomatic relations" signed between Prime Minister Vohor and Taiwan on November 3. We hope and believe that the Vanuatuan Government will honor its solemn commitment to the Chinese side.

Q: It is reported that the DPRK had no intention to enter into any form of Six-Party Talks by the end of 2004. As the hosting country, does China agree with this? And what efforts will China make to launch the next round of the Talks?

A: I have not read the DPRK's remarks you talked about yet. But China has a clear-cut position on this question. We have always been actively making joint efforts with the parties concerned to promote the solution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula within the framework of the Six-Party Talks. China wishes to see the Talks move on. Through our contacts with the other parties, we sense that all parties concerned agree that the Talks is the most realistic, feasible and effective way to resolve this issue and wish to push the process of peace talks ahead. However, given that the nuclear issue on the Peninsula is very complicated, when to hold the next round of the Talks or the Working Group Meeting depends on further consultations by the parties.

Q: After the leader of the Taiwan Authorities made the "ten-point statement", the spokesperson of the US State Department said that the US side held there were "positive and constructive" contents in the statement. What comment do you have on this? My second question, Iran reached an agreement with the European Union on suspending its uranium enriching and reprocessing activities. What comment does China have on this?

A: The officials in charge of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits have made clear our position on those contents in the "ten-point statement" by the Taiwan Authorities' leader. What I wish to point out here is that the US side should be fully aware of the fraudulence and grave danger of the splittist activities conducted by the "Taiwan's pro-indepence" forces. It should honor the commitments repeatedly reaffirmed by the US Government and leaders to adhere to the one China policy, observe the three Sino-US joint communiques and oppose the "Taiwan independence" as well as refrain from sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan's pro-independence" forces. Only doing so can help maintain the development of China-US relations and the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

China has always advocated the proper solution of the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation and made positive efforts to this end. We welcome that Iran decided to voluntarily suspend all its uranium enriching and reprocessing activities and reached an agreement with the EU in this regard. We appreciate the diplomatic efforts made by Iran, the EU, the IAEA and other parties concerned. China supports the EU and Iran in continuing their negotiation, so as to attain a long-term resolution. We hope that the Iranian nuclear issue could be appropriately resolved within the framework of the IAEA at an early date. China will continue to play a constructive role to this end.

Q: Who will represent China at the upcoming ASEAN meeting in Laos?

A: Premier Wen Jiabao plans to attend the 10+3 Summit to be held in Vientiane, Laos, at the end of this month. We will have the news formally released later on.

Q: Can you brief us on the agenda of Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan's visit to Spain and the significance of his visit?

A: Just now, I announced the upcoming visit by Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan to Germany and Spain. His visit, an important one, is aimed to further deepen the comprehensive friendly relations and cooperation between China and Spain and promote the mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries in trade, economy and other fields.

Vice Premier Zeng will meet with Prime Minister Zapatero and hold talks with Vice Prime Minister Solbes. He will also attend the opening ceremony of the second meeting of China-Spain Forum in Barcelona on November 30 and make a speech. During his visit, the two sides will sign some cooperation agreements.

Q: Leaders of which countries will hold talks with President Hu Jintao during the APEC meeting?

A: President Hu Jintao will hold bilateral talks with leaders of some countries on the sideline of the APEC meeting. What has been fixed is his meeting with US President Bush. It is a meeting of great importance, during which the two sides will make an in-depth exchange of views on further strengthening China-US relations and our cooperation in various fields. Other bilateral meetings are yet to be set.

Q: The US has formally received the petition of its Textile Industry Association for restricting China's textile exports. What's China's comment on this?

A: I suggest you refer your specific question on trade and economy to the Ministry of Commerce.

Q: Recently, India announced a reduction of its troops stationed in Kashmir. What comment does China have on this? What impact does it have on the stability of South Asia?

A: China has always advocated that India and Pakistan should resolve their differences through peaceful means. We welcome and support any moves that help enhance mutual trust and relax relations between India and Pakistan.

Thank you!