On September 3, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have four announcements to make.

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President François Bozizé Yangouvonda of the Central African Republic will pay a state visit to China from September 9 to 15.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu of Romania will pay an official visit to China from September 7 to 10.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal will pay an official visit to China from September 8 to 13.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian of the Republic of Armenia will pay an official visit to China from September 10 to 14.

Now the floor is open.

Q: The producer of the documentary film China's natural disaster-the tears of the Sichuan Province claimed that he has been denied visa to enter China. Do you have a comment? Secondly, the two American journalists recently released from the DPRK have said that they were caught back inside China when they were seized by the DPRK border guards and then dragged back to the DPRK. What is your comment on this? Has the Chinese side conducted an investigation into this incident?

A: On your first question, I will not comment on the individual case. It is within a country's sovereign right to decide whether to issue or deny visas. We always deal with relevant issue according to law, and provide visa facilitations to foreign people coming to China to engage in normal activities.

On your second question, as we checked with competent authorities, there was no such thing as you described.

Q: Please brief us on the itinerary of US Special Representative Bosworth's visit to China. Whom is he going to meet with? What issues will be discussed?Also, DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong-il is here as well, can you tell us who he has met? What has been discussed?

A: Mr. Bosworth, US Special Representative for North Korea Policy is visiting China today and tomorrow. He will meet with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei. The two sides will exchange views on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, the Six-Party Talks and other issues of common interest. We stand ready to work with the other parties to promote the process of denuclearization on the Peninsula.

DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong-il is visiting China till this weekend. At present he is visiting Jiangsu Province, then will be back in Beijing. He has already met with Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei. They exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest.

Q: Australian Foreign Minister Steven Smith today said that the detention of Stern Hu, an Australian employee of Rio Tinto is one of the difficulties in Australia's relationship with China right now. Meanwhile, yesterday, the EU Chamber of Commerce in China stated in its annual paper that member firms remain concerned about the opaque manner in which China is handling the Rio investigation. Can you comment on this recent concern?

A: The Chinese judiciary authorities work independently. China has been dealing with the Rio Tinto case in strict accordance with China's law and the China-Australia Consular Agreement. I believe, it is in the long term interest of foreign companies in China that the Chinese Government handles the case according to law to safeguard rule of law, and a fair and sound business environment.

A sound China-Australia relationship is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and their peoples. It also requires efforts from both sides. We hope that the Australian side could join us in adhering to the right direction of developing bilateral relations, respecting and accommodating each other's interest and concerns and properly handling sensitive issues in bilateral relations so as to safeguard the overall interest of bilateral cooperation.

Q: Rebiya recently said she wanted to hold dialogues with Beijing. What's China's reaction to that? The EU Chamber of Commerce in China said that there's been slowdown and even a back-track on reforms aimed at opening China to foreign firms. Do you think that is a fair comment?

A: Rebiya is a convicted criminal and an ethnic separatist, who has made up and spread rumors around to attack China's ethnic policy. Her accusations and remarks are not even worth a comment. We hope relevant parties could see through her true color, do not provide stage or facilitation to her anti-China separatist activities and refrain from anything that could undermine China's interest so as to safeguard the overall interest of bilateral relations.

Some people suggest an international investigation into the July 5 incident. I'd like to stress, the truth and facts about July 5 incident are clear, and the Chinese Government's position is unequivocal. The Chinese Government has followed the principle of openness and transparency in dealing with the case. I don't think any government would turn a blind eye to such criminal act of violence. The Chinese Government deals with the July 5 incident according to law to protect the safety and property of its people of all ethnic groups and safeguard social stability, ethnic solidarity and national unity. All in all, the measures taken are justified. Besides, this is China's internal affair. Foreign countries and organizations have no right to interfere in China's internal affairs.

As for investment environment for foreign enterprises, please refer it to the Ministry of Commerce.

Q: Are there any Chinese casualties or property loss in the recent Indonesian earthquake? Given the large Chinese community in Indonesia, what assistance will the Foreign Ministry and Chinese Embassy in Indonesia provide?

A: First of all, we'd like to extend condolences and solicitude to Indonesia for its heavy loss of lives and properties. We believe the Indonesian people will be able to rebuild their homeland before long under the leadership of their government.

We have not received report about Chinese casualties yet. Our Embassy in Indonesia has started the emergency response system, and will follow the situation closely.

Q: John Howard, the former Prime Minister of Australia is reportedly to have said that Chinese diplomacy is clumsy. Is that a fair comment?

A: Such accusation is unacceptable. China always pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, establishes friendly relations of cooperation with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, and has been committed to safeguarding regional and world peace and stability.

The person you mentioned made those remarks only because of China's response to Rebiya's visit to Australia. I have to say, it is disgraceful to support, indulge and befriend ethnic separatists. It would be their own interest and image at stake.

Q: Mr. Levitte, diplomatic advisor of the French President was in Beijing in the past couple of days for a visit. Do you think China-France relations are back to normal? Is President Hu Jintao going to visit France in the near future?

A: Mr. Levitte, diplomatic advisor of the French President has just had a successful visit to Beijing. Information has been released on his meeting with Chinese leaders and officials. China-France relations are starting to resume development. We hope the two sides could implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, adhere to the right direction for the bilateral relations, always respect and treat each other on an equal footing, respect and accommodate each other's major concerns to properly handle disputes and differences.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-France relations. We are ready to work with France to maintain the momentum of exchanges at all levels and promote healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

As for the high-level visit you mentioned, I don't have any information yet.

Q: Regarding the upcoming G20 Finance Ministers' Meeting in London, can you tell us what China's stance will be at the meeting? Is there anything in particular that China plans to push in terms of the agenda at that meeting?

A: Regarding the G20 Finance Ministers' Meeting, you may refer to the Ministry of Finance. As you know, the third G20 Summit is to be held in the US city of Pittsburg late this month. We are now working with the other parties on the agenda and specific arrangement. We expect the Summit to achieve practical and positive results on major issues such as how to promote the recovery of the world economy, solve the issue of imbalanced global development, speed up reform of international financial institutions and oppose trade protectionism.

Q: There's been report that China has signed a credit agreement with Cuba to the value of 600 million US dollars. Can you tell us if that is the case and give us any details?

A: I'm not aware of this deal yet, but I'll check it for you. Chairman Wu Bangguo of the NPC Standing Committee is paying an official visit to Cuba. He has had cordial meetings with Mr. Ricardo Alarcon, President of Cuban National Assembly and Mr. Raul Castro, Second Secretary of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers. Detailed information has already been released on the activities of the delegation.

Thank you for your attendance. See you next time!