On September 22, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on President Hu Jintao's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, UN Climate Change Summit, Security Council Summit on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting, East Asian Community and the Six-Party Talks, etc.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Let's begin our press conference. Now, the floor is open.

 

Q: Could you confirm that Premier Wen Jiaobao is going to visit the DPRK in early October? It's reported that a DPRK military delegation arrived at Beijing today for visit. Could you confirm that? What issues will they discuss with the Chinese side?

A: On your first question, I don't have any information to release at this stage.

On your second question, I haven't heard of such a visit. You can refer to the Ministry of Defense.

 

Q: It's reported that Russian Prime Minister Putin will visit China after the National Day Holiday in early October. Do you have any relevant announcements to make?

A: We will release the information in due course. This year marks the 60^th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations. The two sides will celebrate the event in October. Preparation is underway. President Hu will have a bilateral meeting with Russian President Medvedev in the U.S. on 23^rd.

 

Q: Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama recently said that he would attend China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting. Several weeks ago you said that this meeting would be held in China. Could you update us on the date, venue and agenda items? Second question is that Prime Minister Hatoyama again talked about his vision of East Asian Community in his meeting with President Hu in New York. What's China's comment? The third question is that the DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il recently expressed to the Chinese delegation his willingness to have bilateral or multilateral talks, which is different from his previous statement. What's China's reaction to that? Will the Six-Party Talks be resumed? If so, when will it be resumed?

A: On China-Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting, we will release information shortly and please follow closely. The three parties are discussing the specifics of the trilateral leaders' meeting and we will make the announcement in due course.

I would like to brief you on the just concluded meeting between President Hu and Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama in New York. During the talks, President Hu pointed out that China-Japan relations are one of the most important bilateral relationships to each other. Bilateral relations are now presented with important opportunities to develop on a higher level with broader prospect. China has always viewed and developed China-Japan relations from a strategic height and a long-term perspective. We will continue to pursue the policy of China-Japan friendship and work together with the Japanese side to achieve the greater goal of peaceful coexistence, friendship from generation to generation, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development to further deepen China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit.

President Hu also made a five-point proposal on bilateral relations: first, step up high-level contact for more political mutual trust; second, strengthen business cooperation for stronger common interests; third, deepen people-to-people friendship for greater public support; fourth, advance cooperation in Asian affairs for more coordination in international affairs. President Hu also said that as two major countries in the region, the two countries should jointly push for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and peace and stability in Northeast Asia. The two sides should also have dialogue, negotiation and cooperation on global challenges such as international financial crisis, climate change, environment and energy; fifth, properly handle disputes and uphold larger interests of the friendly relations. President Hu stressed that it's natural to have problems and disputes in bilateral relations. The two sides should bear in mind the larger interest and prudently handle these issues so as to prevent them from undermining the larger interest of bilateral relations.

President Hu emphasized that issues of history and Taiwan concern the political foundation of China-Japan relations. China hopes that Japan will honor its commitment, proceed from larger perspective and prudently handle relevant major issues.

I responded to your question of East Asian Community last Thursday. We wish to deepen cooperation with countries in the region including Japan for the long-term goal of building an East Asian Community.

On your third question, you may have noticed relevant information we have released. State Councilor Dai Bingguo visited the DPRK as special envoy of President Hu and delivered the President's letter to the DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il. The two sides agreed to step up bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields and constantly promote China-DPRK friendly relations. They also exchanged views on the Korean nuclear issue. The DPRK side said that it would stick to the goal of denuclearization for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and it was ready to resolve relevant issues through bilateral and multilateral talks.

I want to stress that as a close neighbor of the Peninsula, China follows closely the developments there. It's the consistent position of the Chinese Government to realize denuclearization on the Peninsula, maintain and promote peace and stability of the Peninsula and Northeast Asia and settle relevant issues peacefully through dialogue and negotiation. The Six-Party Talks is a realistic and reliable way to resolve the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation. At present, the situation of the Peninsula and Northeast Asia has eased. We are ready to work with all parties to strengthen communication, get the Korean nuclear issue back to the track of dialogue at an early date and push forward the denuclearization process.

 

Q: President Hu will meet with Russian President Medvedev in the US. What issues will they discuss?

A: China and Russia are strategic partners of coordination. Leaders of the two countries maintain close communication and contact. I believe the two sides will have in-depth exchange of views on the current situation, future development of bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common interest.

 

Q: Last Friday, two journalists of the Kyodo News were beaten when covering the National Day rehearsal. Those who attacked them were in plain clothes, but their badges showed that they were from the parade and behind them were police in uniform. How can China protect the interests of foreign journalists? In addition, our news agency did not receive instruction not to cover the rehearsal. It seems that the instructions given to foreign news agencies were inconsistent. With another rehearsal coming this Saturday, are there any rules for coverage?

A: we understand your interest and wish to cover more about the National Day activities and have been actively coordinating parties concerned to facilitate your coverage.

During major events, it is indisputable international common practice to adopt temporary measures. We had notified international media in advance, reminding you not to film or cover the rehearsal. Most of the media have shown understanding and collaboration, which we appreciate. But regrettably, the Kyodo News Agency did not heed our words. Whatever reason there is, we regret the occurrence of such an unpleasant thing. We wish to work with the international media to do a good job of report and coverage of the relevant National Day celebrations.

 

Q: Will the attackers be punished?

A: we have conveyed the concerns of the Kyodo journalists to relevant municipal authorities. Since I haven't received any briefing on the issue, I cannot make judgments on what happened at that moment. Just now I have made our view clear. Kyodo journalists had been informed in advance. Our message is fairly clear, we are talking about all rehearsals. What's more, I heard that Beijing Hotel has sealed off balcony of the room where they stayed and posted a notice requesting them not to go outside to the balcony for coverage of the rehearsals. However, those journalists tore the seal, fractured iron wires and forced their way into the balcony for coverage. We hope all journalists can comply with China's rules and communicate patiently with the police. If it's necessary, you can always contact us for assistance. I also hope that the police and public security officials on patrol during the National Day Holiday can be friendly to foreign journalists, enforce law in a civilized way and present a good image.

 

Q: President Hu will attend the UN conferences during his visit, including the UN Climate Change Summit and Security Council Summit on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. What's China's expectation of the two conferences?

A: On the morning of 22^nd New York time, the UN Climate Change Summit will be held at the UN Headquarters. President Hu will attend and address the opening ceremony. The Chinese Government values the positive role of the UN in climate change cooperation. We are at a crucial time of Bali Roadmap negotiation. The international community looks forward to the positive outcomes of the Copenhagen Meeting scheduled at the end of this year. At this critical juncture, we believe the summit will further build political consensus, boost cooperation incentive and provide impetus to the Copenhagen Meeting. In an active and constructive spirit, China will have full and frank exchange of views with all parties to inject new vitality into the international cooperation on climate change.

On your second question, Security Council Summit on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament is the first of its kind to be held and is of great significance. The summit will mainly discuss nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. We hope the summit will build more international consensus and explore effective ways to promote non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful use of nuclear energy in a balanced way.

 

Q: The Obama administration will make a new proposal of rebalancing the world economy, which will involve the IMF doing a report every six months on the economic situation of countries across the world to suggest what economic policies they should adopt. Is China interested in such a plan?

A: The world economy is now stabilizing and turning for the better. But there will be a long and arduous journey for complete recovery and it calls for stronger coordination of macro-economic policies and deeper cooperation. China's economy is at the critical time of rebound. We will continue to enforce the proactive fiscal policy and a moderately easy monetary policy and will fully implement and improve our package plan against the international financial crisis.

 

Q: Are the Kyodo journalists the only journalists who have violated the rules of National Day coverage? Will they get punished?

A: We reminded you not to cover the rehearsals with a view to saving the best pictures for the day of the celebration. Most of the journalists have shown understanding and collaboration, which we appreciate. As for what punishment they will receive, we do not want to do so. But we need good cooperation and trust between us and I am sure you can fully understand China's consideration.

 

Q: Today's China-Japan summit is the first summit since the new Japanese administration took office. How do you comment on the significance and outcome of the summit?

A: President Hu congratulated Prime Minister Hatoyama on his election and spoke highly of his positive role in improving and developing China-Japan relations. He hoped that during his term as Prime Minister, China-Japan relations will embrace stronger momentum of development. The summit is very important. I suggest you follow closely the information released by the delegation for details.

 

Q: Former head of Pakistan nuclear program recently made public that he helped China get enrichment technologies in return for atomic bomb blueprint. Can you confirm it?

A: As a member of the NPT, China is committed to its international obligations of non-proliferation and firmly opposes any forms of proliferation of nuclear weapons.

 

Q: Recently, some foreign news agencies in China received email viruses which were clearly targeted at news assistants employed through the Diplomatic Service Bureau. They are worried that their email addresses may be leaked. Have you heard about this?

A: I haven't heard about this and can check it up for you.

 

If there are no other questions, thank you for your coming. See you next time!