On the afternoon of June 2, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the press conference. Now, I'd like to take your questions.

Q: In a recent statement, the spokesperson of the DPRK Foreign Ministry criticized China's response towards the DPRK's second nuclear test. Do you have any comment? Secondly, the DPRK is preparing to launch an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), how do you respond?

A: China unswervingly endeavors to bring about denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, oppose nuclear proliferation and safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia. This position is consistent, clear and known to all, with China's efforts in this regard widely witnessed.

After the second nuclear test by the DPRK, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement expounding China's principle and stand. Under the current circumstances, we hope all parties exercise calmness and restraint, proceed from the overall interest of peace and stability of Northeast Asiaand contribute more to this goal so as to prevent the situation from deteriorating.

Q: Not long ago, the ROK Government issued a statement to declare its full participation in the PSI. Subsequently, the DPRK Government announced the Korean War Armistice Agreement signed in 1953 now void. As a signatory to the Agreement, does China agree with the DPRK? Besides, analysts say China has been emphasizing on the goal of denuclearization of the Peninsula, while the DPRK's recent nuclear test obviously posing much threat to that goal. Will China consider joining the PSI?

A: We have noted relevant reports. As a close neighbor to the Korean Peninsulaand a signatory to the Korean War Armistice Agreement, Chinais devoted to safeguarding peace and stability of the Peninsulaand the region at large. Under the current circumstances, we call upon relevant parties to stay cool-headed and restrained, depart from the overall interest, persist in seeking a peaceful resolution through dialogue and consultation and not take actions which might further escalate the situation.

On your second question, we have made our position clear. The Chinese Government firmly opposes proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, upholds enhanced international cooperation and pursues political and diplomatic approaches in this field. Chinabelieves any non-proliferation measure should be conducive to regional and international peace, security and stability.

Chinaunderstands the concerns of the PSI participants over the proliferation issues and agrees with the non-proliferation goals of the PSI. However, the PSI is yet to rule out the possibility of taking actions beyond international laws, thus the international community, including China, still has some concern over that.

I'd like to stress that, the Chinese Government will take an active part in non-proliferation cooperation in line with its national non-proliferation policy, laws and regulations and its international obligations so as to make due contribution to regional and international peace, security and stability.

Q: The French Ministry of Transport announced that there are nine Chinese passengers on board the missing Flight AF447. Could you confirm? What measures has the Foreign Ministry adopted after the incident?

A: This is terrible news, although it is yet to be confirmed. At this point, our hearts go with the families of all passengers.

The Foreign Ministry immediately launched the emergency mechanism and instructed the Chinese embassies in France and Braziland the Consulate General in Rio de Janeiroto double-check with the competent authorities in those two countries as well as the airline. The initial confirmation we've got is, there are nine Chinese citizens onboard.

The Foreign Ministry, relevant embassies and consulates will stay in close contact with relevant parties, closely follow the developments in search and rescue operation and properly handle the aftermath. The center of consular protection of the Foreign Ministry has opened a 24-hour hotline, 010-65964087. I hope our friends from the press could help me to get this information through, so that the families and relatives of the Chinese passengers could dial this number if necessary.

Q: The city of Warsaw recently granted Dalai "honorary citizenship". How do you respond to that? Second question. What are China's expectations over the upcoming second China-Japan High-level Economic Dialogue to be held in Japan?

A: Dalai is a political exile long bent on separatist activities undermining national unity. The Tibetan affairs are purely China's domestic matters. The Chinese Government and people resolutely oppose Dalai's engagement in separatist activities overseas in whatever capacity and in whatever name, and firmly oppose foreign leaders' contact with him in whatever form. Our position on this issue is consistent, unequivocal and resolute.

Any irresponsible move over this issue by any country is a gross interference in China's internal affairs, which will severely undermine its relations with China.

As to your question on the second China-Japan High-level Economic Dialogue, we have already released the news. This morning, Minister of Commerce, Mr. Chen Deming gave a briefing on that for Chinese and foreign journalists.

This Dialogue is to be held at a time when China and Japan are fully committed to establishing strategic relations of mutual benefit and the international financial crisis is still deepening and expanding. Thus the Dialogue will be of special significance. We hope that the Dialogue will help the two countries to enhance mutual understanding and promote cooperation, so as to boost trade and economic ties between the two. The two sides will seize this opportunity to exchange views on major issues on how to press ahead with bilateral trade and economic cooperation, jointly fend off the international financial crisis, and promote the stability of global financial market and recovery of world economy. We believe that our joint efforts will bring expected results out of the Dialogue and make it a success.

Q: It is reported that the Chinese Government has suspended all official exchanges with the DPRK. Can you confirm that? 

A: There has been normal exchange of people between China and the DPRK.

Q: Vice Chairperson Chen Zhili of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress was scheduled to visit the DPRK recently. Did she make the trip or was the visit cancelled? Second question. Some Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) participants said that United Nations resolutions provide a legal basis for them to take measures against the DPRK. How does China respond to that? Third question. The US hopes that the Australian Government will accept 17 Chinese suspects held in Guantanamo. Do you have any comment?

A: Due to domestic commitments, Vice Chairperson Chen Zhili of the NPC Standing Committee postponed her visit to the DPRK originally scheduled at the beginning of June.

On your second question, I don't think what you said is correct. According to the UN Charter, countries should respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity in conducting exchanges and international cooperation on the basis of international law and universally recognized norms governing international relations. The reason that the international community, including China, has concern over the PSI is exactly because certain stipulations of the PSI go beyond the framework of international law and the UN Charter. Therefore we agree with the non-proliferation principle of the PSI. And our reservations to the PSI will not affect us joining the non-proliferation efforts of the international community.

On your third question, China's position on the issue of Chinese terrorist suspects in Guantanamo remains clear and unchanged. We have raised our concern to the Australian side and asked for clarification.

Q: A group of US officials including Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg and Special Representative on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Bosworth are visiting countries involved in the Six-Party Talks. Will they be visiting China as well? And if so, when will that visit be and who will they be meeting with?

A: China has maintained communication and contact with all other parties on the Six-Party Talks and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

US Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg will lead a delegation to visit China soon. Details of the visit are still under discussion.

Q: On Australia considering accepting Uighur suspects in Guantanamo, you said that China made representations with Australia. What is the position of the Chinese Government on this issue? Do you want these people returned to China?

A: Our policy remains clear and unchanged on this issue. We have publicly reiterated our policy on a number of occasions. The Chinese Government is resolutely opposed to any foreign country accepting the "East Turkistan Islamic Movement" terrorist suspects detained in Guantanamo. They should be returned to China.

Q: How does China view Ma Ying-jeou's brief meeting with Hillary Clinton during his visit overseas?

A: We have noted relevant reports. We hope the US can handle Taiwan-related issues cautiously and properly and ensure there won't be any situation as "Two Chinas" or "One China, One Taiwan".

Q: This year is the Year of Friendship between China and the DPRK. Is the DPRK's nuclear test going to have any effect on the arrangement for the Year of Friendship? The Security Council is discussing a new resolution on the DPRK's nuclear test. What role should sanctions play in that resolution?

A: China expressed its solemn position on the DPRK nuclear test in the Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China's policy and position towards the DPRK is known to all.

China has been taking part in relevant Security Council consultations in a conscientious and responsible manner. We believe that the reaction of the Security Council should contribute to the overall objective of realizing a nuclear-free Peninsula, opposing nuclear proliferation and maintaining peace and stability of Northeast Asia.

Q: The WTO made a decision that the US case against China regarding market access be given back for review to both sides. How do you comment?

A: The Chinese Government always pursues a win-win open-up policy of mutual benefit. Since China's accession into the WTO, we have honored our commitments in an earnest and substantive way, opened up our market fairly wider to some extent even wider than some developed countries.

There are divergences and even frictions in China-US trade but they do not represent the whole relationship. We stand to develop our trade and economic ties on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit and handle relevant issues in the spirit of consultation on an equal footing. A sound and stable China-US economic relationship and growing bilateral trade serve not only our interests but also the world economy.

For more details, please refer to the Ministry of Commerce.

Q: It is reported that Kim Jong-il has appointed Kim Jong-un as his successor. Does China know anything about it?

A: Really?

Q: Chinese media reported that the DPRK had become China's "strategic burden". Does this indicate any change of Chinese Government's attitude towards the DPRK?

A: China and the DPRK have normal state-to-state relations. On the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, China develops its relationship with the DPRK as with any other country around the world.

As a close neighbor, China naturally has particular concern over the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Countries in Europe and even the other side of the Pacific may not feel that way. We hope to see a stable, harmonious and jointly developing neighborhood as well as a peaceful and stable Peninsula and Northeast Asia. This is in the common interest of China and other relevant parties including the DPRK.

China has made its position clear after the DPRK nuclear test. We will continue to be firmly committed to denuclearization of the Peninsula, non-proliferation and peace and stability in Northeast Asia. We will continue to make due contribution to it.

Q: Are China and the DPRK still "allies"?

A: China and the DPRK have normal relations. Our policies towards the DPRK and countries in the region are known to all.

If there are no more questions, thank you! See you next time!