On the afternoon of October 14, 2010, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Ma Zhaoxu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I have two announcements to start with.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou of Cyprus will pay an official visit to China from October 17 to 19.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon will pay a working visit to China from October 19 to 23. The two sides will exchange views on the bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest. We believe the visit will further advance bilateral relations.

Now the floor is open.

Q: It's reported that the Chile mine rescue has completed with success. Do you have any comment? Has China taken part in the rescue efforts? If so, please give us more details.

A: We are glad to see that Chile's efforts to rescue the trapped mine workers was a complete success with all 33 mine workers saved. China extends its congratulations and wishes them early recovery of health.

So far as I know, Chinese mechanical equipments were used in the rescue efforts, and relevant Chinese companies sent assistant personnel to Chile. We are very glad to be able to contribute to the successful rescue.

Q: It's reported that the First Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan of the DPRK has recently paid a visit to China and met with Special Reprentative Wu Dawei of the Chinese Government on the Korea Peninsular Affairs. Please brief us on his visit. Who did he meet with? Did the two sides discuss the resumption of the Six-Party Talks?

A: At the invitation of Special Reprentative Wu Dawei of the Chinese Government on the Korea Peninsular Affairs, First Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan of the DPRK started a visit to China from October 12. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun met with him respectively. Special Represtative Wu Dawei had talks with him. The two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations, the situation on the peninsula and the Six-Party Talks.

China's position on the peninsular nuclear issue is consistent and clear, that is, we adhere to the goal of denuclearization on the peninsula, commit to safeguarding peace and stability on the peninsula and uphold a peaceful solution through dialogue and consultation. Under the current circumstances, parties concerned should work together through contact and dialogue to further relax the situation and create conditions and atmosphere for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: Japanese media says that Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Japanese Foreign Ministry is visiting China today. Can we get more details on that? Separately, will leaders from China and Japan hold any meeting next month in Vietnam?

A: Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Japanese Foreign Ministry and Head of the Japanese delegation to the Six-Party Talks has come to China on a working visit. The two sides exchanged views on China-Japan relations and issues of common interest. Special Reprentative Wu Dawei of the Chinese Government on the Korea Peninsular Affairs met with him on October 13. They exchanged views on the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Arrangement for Chinese leaders' activities during the East Asia Summit is still under preparation. Relevant information will be released in due course.

Q: Some political leaders from the US and Europe are calling for the RMB to appreciate at a faster pace. How do you respond?

A: On the RMB exchange rate, I suggest you carefully study Premier Wen Jiabao's speech at the 6th China-EU Business Summit, in which Premier Wen Jiabao elaborated on the issue.

In this era of globalization, we are all in the same boat. RMB appreciation cannot solve the issue of US trade deficit or reverse the imbalance in the world economy. This is simple and clear. In 2009, China's contribution to world economy accounted for 50%. Would it be a blessing or curse if a forced RMB appreciation brings crisis to China's economy?

Our determination is unswerving to push forward the reform of RMB exchange rate formation mechanism. The reform is to develop a managed floating exchange rate regime based on market demand and supply with reference to a basket of currencies, to gradually allow more flexibility in the yuan exchange rate while maintaining its basic stability on a reasonable and balanced level. This is not only in the interest of China, but that of the world.

Q: The South China Sea issue was touched upon during the recent ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus held in Vietnam. Defense Ministers from China and the US also had a meeting on the sideline of the ADMM-Plus. What is China's attitude to the US intervention in the South China Sea issue?

A: Information has already been released about the meeting between Chinese and US Defense Ministers in Hanoi. Also, spokesperson of the Defense Ministry have given a press briefing there. I don't have anything more to add.

China's position on the South China Sea issue is consistent and clear. China owns indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and their adjacent sea waters. Meanwhile, we uphold that relevant issues should be peacefully through bilateral consultations in accordance with international laws. Pending the final settlement, we can shelve disputes for joint development.

We are against any intervention in the disputes by countries irrelevant to the issue or bringing this issue to international and multilateral arena. This will only complicate rather than solve this issue.

Q: China has made a "three-step" proposal to resume the Six-Party Talks. Will that position change after your recent contact with representative from the DPRK and Japan?

A: China's position on the peninsular nuclear issue is consistent and clear, that is, we adhere to the goal of denuclearization on the peninsula, commit to safeguarding peace and stability on the peninsula and uphold a peaceful solution through dialogue and consultation.

China has been playing a constructive role for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks by working on parties concerned. We will maintain communication and consultation with other parties and hope all parties concerned could work together through contact and dialogue to further relax the situation and create conditions and atmosphere for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: You said other countries have "no right to interfere" in China's affairs. Then, has China made any communication with other countries on the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Mr. Liu Xiaobo?

A: China is ready to have dialogue with every country in the world on the basis of equality and mutual respect, but we always oppose any countries using human rights issue to interfere in China's internal affairs.

What is the true intention of those foreign political figures and governments who support granting the Nobel Peace Prize to Mr. Liu Xiaobo? Is it because they resent China's development path and hate China's political system?

Whether China's choice of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a success, whether China's political system is correct, the development reality in China is the best answer, and the 1.3 billion Chinese people have the biggest say. China's affairs should be left to Chinese people themselves. The few biased individuals with the Norwegian Nobel Committee have no right to judge, and Western governments have no right to interfere. We never interfere in other's internal affairs, and will not allow others to interfere in ours.

If there are no more questions, thank you, see you!