On October 7, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on US arms sale to Taiwan, the Six-Party Talks, the financial crisis and etc.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

From September 25 to 28, China successfully conducted the Shenzhou 7 manned space mission. Leaders of many countries and international organizations have extended to China congratulations in various ways. Here, we'd like to express our heartfelt thanks.

Q: Last week, the spokesperson of Dalai said that a new round of talks with the Central Government would be held at the end of this month, please confirm. What will be discussed? And which Chinese officials will be there?

A: The Central Government's policy towards Dalai is consistent and clear. Dalai should take concrete actions to respond to Central Government's requests so as to create conditions for contact and talks. With regard to the specific questions you raised, I will leave it tocompetent authorities to respond. Relevant departments under the Central Government will release relevant information in due course.

Q: Officials with the US Pentagon said that China had cancelled military exchange events with the US because of the latter's arms sale to Taiwan. Could you confirm? What specific events are cancelled? Will the arms sale also affect your cooperation with the US in the financial field?

A: China always places great importance on its military relations with the US, and has exerted years' efforts to strengthen bilateral military exchanges. However, while our military relations present a sound momentum of development, the US decides to sell weapons to Taiwan despite China's solemn position and strong opposition. This has undoubtedly contaminated the sound atmosphere for the bilateral relations and military relations, grossly jeopardized China's national security, undermined China's interest and China-US relations, and hindered exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and two militaries. It is the US to blame for all these.

The spokesperson of the US Defense Department said that it was to fulfill the Taiwan Relations Act that the US decided to sell weapons to Taiwan. However, the so-called Taiwan Relations Act runs totally against the three China-US Joint Communiqués and extensively recognized fundamental norms governing international relations, and China has been resolutely against it from the very beginning. The US has no right to place its domestic laws above the international law, let alone taking this as an excuse to sell weapons to Taiwan.

I also notice that this US official commented on China's national defense building. His remarks were nothing more than a fallacy. China unswervingly follows the path of peaceful development, and pursues a peaceful diplomatic policy of independence and a national defense policy which is defensive in nature. The limited military strength that China develops is purely for the purpose of safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. Hegemony, territorial expansion or arms race has never been China's target. China's development does not pose a threat to any other country. Quite on the contrary, China is a positive force in promoting regional and world peace. The truth is, it is exactly the US arms sale to Taiwan that gravely disturbs the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and undermines peace and stability across the Strait.

We urge the US side to adhere to the one-China policy, abide by the three China-US Joint Communiqués and oppose "Taiwan Independence" with concrete actions. It should immediately drop the arms sale plan and cut military links with Taiwan so as not to undermine peace and stability across the Strait and the overall interest of the bilateral relations and military relations.

Regarding the current international financial disturbances, China believes that the international community should strengthen cooperation and jointly address the issue properly.

Q: Is it true that China and the US have stopped their military exchanges? If so, when do you plan to resume? And how about the diplomatic exchanges?

A: We have stated China's solemn position on the US arms sale to Taiwan. As for the specific exchanges between the two countries, please refer to the Ministry of National Defense. The US move has grossly undermined China's interest and China-US relations. The US side, therefore, should take full responsibility for all the consequences.

Q: ROK President Lee Myung-bak reportedly proposed to hold a China-Japan-ROK summit to jointly cope with the financial crisis. Does China support his proposal? Have you discussed this with the ROK?

A: Under the current circumstances of international financial market turmoil, China, Japan and the ROK, the three major economies in Asia, should keep close communication and coordination. As for the ROK proposal you mentioned, I checked with relevant authorities, so far, this remains a preliminary initiative yet to add concrete steps, therefore further communication among the three countries is needed.

Q: How many babies are affected by the contaminated milk?

A: After the Sanlu incident, the Chinese Central Government and local governments at all levels took it seriously, adopting decisive and responsible measures, one of which is to examine and treat the affected infants. In the past couple of weeks, many parents took their children to hospitals for medical check-ups. Those who were affected by the contaminated milk got immediate medical treatment for free. According to relevant authorities, many parents took their children to the hospital simply because they were worried. As it turned out, most of the babies that took exams were not affected. As for the exact figure of babies that are hospitalized, competent authorities will release the information in due course.

Q:Has China already made up the decision to extend the Regulations on Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists during the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period or abolish it? Will there be any new laws and regulations regarding foreign journalists' reporting in China? When will Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso visit China?

A: Though the Beijing Olympics is over, China's principle of opening up stays unchanged. The door of China remains open to the world. Foreign media and journalists are welcome to report in China as always. We will continue to provide active facilitation and assistance to you. This will remain unchanged.

Regarding the visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister to China, we attach great importance to the development of Sino-Japanese relations as China and Japan are important neighbors to each other. Prime Minister Taro Aso is welcome to visit China at a time convenient to both sides. Maintaining the momentum of high level exchanges between China and Japan will be conducive to further promoting the Sino-Japanese strategic and mutually beneficial relationship. As for the specific date of Prime Minister Taro Aso's visit to China, we will stay in communication with Japan.

Q: Premier Wen Jiabao has said that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the U.S. to jointly maintain the stability of the international financial market. There is speculation that China will provide support in funding to the U.S. to help stabilize the US financial market, but relevant authorities denied such speculation afterwards. Is China willing to provide financial support to the U.S. to help it out during the current financial turmoil?

A: Regarding this issue, the Chinese Government and leaders have already made our position clear. Rather than confined to any single country, the current turmoil in the financial market is global, affecting all different economies. It is beyond any single state to deal with such crisis. All members of the international community should make joint efforts to cope with it. This is China's clear message as well as a solemn commitment to the international community. First of all, China needs to ensure the stable development of its own economy at a relatively fast pace. Stable Chinese financial and capital markets free of drastic ups and downs is in itself an important contribution to the world economy and international financial stability. We are willing to keep communication with the international community to strengthen cooperation and jointly cope with this crisis.

Q: It is reported that a Chinese fishing boat collided with the ROK side during its operation in the ROK waters. 11 Chinese nationals were arrested for killing a ROK marine staff. Could you comment?

A: We have taken note of the relevant reports. We express regret over the incident and the death of ROK personnel. The competent authorities of China and the ROK are investigating the case. We would like to consult the ROK and deal with the matter in a fair and proper manner.

Q: What is China's understanding of the current status of the Six-Party Talks? Has there been a breakthrough in the talks between the US and the DPRK last week? Is China ready to convene a new round of talks?

A: Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei met with Mr. Hill, the head of the US delegation of the Six-Party Talks in Beijing on October 4. From what we learnt from Mr. Hill, we understand that he had long and substantive talks with the DPRK during his recent visit there. China supports the continuous contact between the US and the DPRK. We believe that Mr. Hill's visit to the DPRK is helpful.

With the concerted efforts of all parties concerned, the Six-Party Talks have produced major progress and are facing important opportunities to move further ahead. It is the shared interest of all parties to press ahead with the Six-Party Talks continuously, realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and safeguard the regional peace and stability in Northeast Asia. China will maintain close communication and coordination with all parties and fulfill the second-phase action in a comprehensive and balanced manner to push forward the Six-Party Talks.

Q: It is reported that Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso will attend the Asia-Europe Meeting to be held at the end of the month in Beijing, and visit China. Has China received any notification from Japan?

A: The Asia-Europe Meeting to be held in Beijing this month is an important international event. Leaders and representatives of the 45 ASEM members will be present. China welcomes the presence of the Japanese Prime Minister. As for whether Prime Minister Aso will come to Beijing to attend the meeting and visit China, I can't confirm yet.

Q: The Nobel Prize committee is to award the prizes of the year. And the name list of medical-prize winners was released. What's China's general position toward the Nobel Prize? Are you for or against it? Secondly, a hearing will be held in the US Congress shortly to discuss the issue of releasing the Uygur Chinese detained in Guantanamo prison. What's your response?

A: Speaking of the Nobel Prize, I believe that the original intention of Mr. Nobel to set up Prize in his will was to promote world peace and human progress. Over the past century, many laureates were awarded the prize because of their important contributions to world peace, scientific and technological progress and the common development of mankind. But some prizes were not handed out in line with the original intention of Mr. Nobel. We hope the Prize be awarded to the right person.

Those terrorist suspects of Chinese nationality detained at the US military base at Guantanamo Bay are members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and other terrorist organizations, which are on the sanction list of the UN Security Council. They should be handed over to China for legal proceedings. Terrorism is a threat to all members of the international community. It is their common responsibility to combat it. There should not be any application of double standards. We have requested the US side to repatriate those terrorist suspects. We urge the US to take our position seriously and repatriate them at an early date.

Q: Will China's protest against US arms sale to Taiwan affect the relations across the Taiwan Straits and Chen Yunlin's planned visit to Taiwan?

A: Please refer the questions on cross-Strait relations to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

If there are no further questions, thanks for your attendance. See you next time.