China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation was launched in 1995 as an important annual political consultation mechanism for the two sides. During the upcoming meeting, views will be exchanged in an in-depth manner on the deepening of China-ASEAN strategic partnership for peace and prosperity as well as international and regional issues of common interest. The meeting will also make preparation for the informal Foreign Ministers' meeting between China and ASEAN and the China-ASEAN Summit at the end of this year.

China-ASEAN relationship has been developing rapidly in recent years. With the issuance of the Joint Declaration between China and Member States of ASEAN on the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, China became the first non-ASEAN state to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South East Asia. It signals the new height of bilateral ties and opens up fresh prospect for further development.

Secondly, Ambassador Wang Shijie, China's Special Envoy on the Middle East question will visit Palestine, Jordan and Syria starting from June 1^st to exchange views with the three on the relaxation of the current tensions in the Middle East and promotion of the peace process.

With that, I'm happy to take your questions.

Q: It is reported that China has succeeded in its application for the status of permanent observer to the Organization of American States. Please brief us on the motives and significance of China's accession to this organization.

A: As the most important political organization in the Western Hemisphere, the OAS plays a positive and significant role in maintaining regional stability and security, promoting peace and development and pushing ahead regional integration. The Chinese Government has attached great importance to the organization. In recent years, cooperation between China and the OAS states in politics, economy, trade, social areas and culture has been developing rapidly with a broad prospect for further development. We sincerely hope that our strengthened ties with the OAS will promote our friendly cooperation with all its member states on all the fronts.

On May 25^th, the OAS accepted China as its 60^th permanent observer through consultation and consensus, thus setting up a good platform for the two sides to work together for the above goals. We feel pleased about this development and wish to express heartfelt thanks to all the countries that supported our application. China stands ready to take active and concrete moves to further enhance cooperation with all American states and promote  common development.

Q: It is reported that Dalai Lama will meet Prince Charles during his tour to Britain. What comment does China have on this? The annual meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group is scheduled on 27-28 May in Sweden. Do you think this meeting will smoothly approve China's application for membership?

A: We have repeatedly made clear to the British side that China is opposed to the activities of Dalai and his followers in the international arena aimed to split China and sabotage ethnic unity. We also stand against any invitation to or meeting with Dalai made by government figures of any country, in whatever names or forms. We express our regret and dissatisfaction with the above arrangements made by the British side in disregard of China's repeated representations.

China supported the positive role, goals and purposes of the NSG in the area of non-proliferation. We stand for strengthened efforts in the international export control and hope to make our own contributions to the international non-proliferation work through our membership in the NSG. We look forward to the NSG's favorable consideration of our application.

Q: How much of Iraq's debt to China has been forgiven? According to reports, two Chinese companies, respectively based in Shandong and Jiangsu, received administrative penalties by the Chinese Government for MTCR violations. Can you offer more details, such as the names of the companies and the illicit exported components? Brazilian President Lula proposed a strategic partnership with China during his visit. Can you tell us the nature of the strategic partnership? A partnership at political, economic or military level? How does China wish the strategic partnership to be materialized?

A: As for your first question, China has made contacts and consultations with the countries concerned on Iraq's debt to China. We have declared that we would actively consider a large-scale reduction of Iraq's debt. With regards to Iraq's debt to Chinese enterprises, The Chinese Government is willing to do coordination work among the parties concerned. The above decisions  were made out of our deep sympathy for the sufferings of the Iraqi people and our earnest wish to make our own contributions to the reconstruction of Iraq. We hope that the situation in Iraq can be soon stabilized and the Iraqi people will soon govern their own country, so as to create conditions for political and economic reconstruction in Iraq.

Regarding your second question, I have read the relative reports. But I don't have clear details at hand and advise you to refer to the Ministry of Commerce. I believe this move has clearly proved that China has adopted strict supervision and control measures on implementing rules and regulations on export of sensitive items and rigorously enforced our laws.

Now turn to your third question. China and Brazil established their strategic partnership over ten years ago, which covers now various areas such as politics, economy, science, technology and international cooperation. China is the largest developing country in the world, while Brazil the largest one in the Western Hemisphere. Facing similar stages in their development, the two countries share common concerns and hold identical or similar stances on international affairs. President Lula has just concluded his visit to China. The two sides reaffirmed that they would take steps to deepen the China-Brazil strategic partnership. They held in-depth talks on cooperation in political, economic, trade and other areas, and set forth four principles for future development of bilateral relations. Also during the visit, the two sides issued a joint communiqué, comprehensively expounding the views of China and Brazil on bilateral relations and international and regional issues. As two developing countries with important influence, China and Brazil share the common aspiration to develop our bilateral relations. Over the past three decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties, in particular the ten years since the formation of China-Brazil strategic partnership, in-depth progress has been made in our bilateral relations. We expect to step up cooperation with Brazil in such fields as agriculture, trade, economy, science and technology, space flight, aircraft manufacture and infrastructure construction and enhance coordination in international affairs. Such a strategic partnership will not only benefit both China and Brazil, but also serve the common interests of developing countries and world peace and development.

Q: What progress has been made in the consultations between China and the US on the visa interview appointment call center? The US embassy has uttered their hope for early reopening of the center. Why hasn't China up to now approved the US application? Report says Brazil expects China to support its bidding for the permanent membership in the UN Security Council. What's your view on this?

A: Since the Shanghai Xin'an Co. Ltd was investigated and punished in accordance with law, the Foreign Ministry has informed the US embassy of the relative developments and required it to urge Xin'an to operate in conformity to law. The Department of Consular Affairs of the MFA has also done a lot of coordination work. It is said that Xin'an has come to recognize its problems and is going through the application formalities at the competent authorities. Now the MFA is closely following the developments on this question.

Brazil is the biggest developing country in the Western Hemisphere. The Chinese side supports the positive role played by Brazil in the UN and other multilateral international organizations.

Q: Please tell us whether China and Brazil have intent on nuclear power cooperation. Reports say that China has sent people to Guantanamo and interrogated some of the prisoners there. Can you confirm?

A: The Brazilian side expressed their wish in this regard during President Lula's visit. They said Brazil owned advanced energy technology, including the technology of substituting alcohol for gasoline, and enjoyed advantages in nuclear power. They hoped to step up cooperation with China in this area. On the whole, China takes a positive attitude towards China-Brazil energy cooperation. Those specific questions will be discussed between the competent agencies of China and Brazil.

As for the Chinese suspects jailed at Guantanamo, China has stayed in contact with the US. We will handle the relative issues in accordance with international law and China's domestic laws and regulations.

Q: Can you brief us on the upcoming visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Badawi to China?

A: This year, as the Year of China-Malaysia Friendship, marks the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. China attaches great importance to the visit by Prime Minister Badawi. Tomorrow afternoon, Premier Wen Jiabao will hold talks with Prime Minister Badawi and President Hu Jintao will meet with him on the afternoon of the day after tomorrow. Vice Premier Huang Ju will also meet with him. Also, the two sides will have other bilateral activities. China and Malaysia are friendly neighbors and have enjoyed sound momentum in the development of our bilateral relations, which are moving forward in a new era of comprehensive and rapid development. The trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has expanded fast, especially in the areas of agriculture, high technology, resource development, infrastructure construction and tourism. Last year, our bilateral trade volume topped US$ 20 billion and Malaysia has ranked number one among the ASEAN trade partners of China for two straight years. Over one million visits have been exchanged between our two sides and 13,000 Chinese students study in Malaysia. In addition, our two countries coordinate and cooperate well with each other in promoting China-ASEAN relations, deepening regional cooperation in the Southeast Asia and consolidating the solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. We hope that the visit of Prime Minister Badawi will further deepen our bilateral relations.

Q: The UN is discussing the new draft resolution on the Iraq issue proposed by the US and Britain. China put forward its own amendment to the draft, requiring the multinational troops to withdraw before next January. Can you tell us why China actively promote the revision of the draft?

A: China supports the UN Security Council in adopting a new resolution on the Iraq issue. Regarding the issue of multinational troops, China believes it is necessary to send multinational troops to Iraq. Meanwhile, China stands for setting a time limit and scope of authorization for the troops in the relative resolution and believes that opinions of Iraq should be fully heeded.

Q: The Amnesty International issued a report recently, alleging that China has sent people to Guantanamo, interrogated Chinese Uygur suspects and tortured them. Can you confirm it and provide detailed information? Can you tell us how many Uygur suspects in total are imprisoned there? Are there any other Chinese prisoners in Guantanamo?

A: China and the US are keeping contacts on the East Turkestani elements in Guantanamo. I have no further information for you.

The report of the Amnesty International, which accuses China of abusing Uygur suspects at Guantanamo, is a sheer libel against China. Abusing prisoners and extorting their confession by torture do not conform to our policy and are forbidden by our law. China will never do such things in other countries or regions. The abject accusations of the Amnesty International against China are completely groundless and filed out of ulterior motives.

Q: Does China plan to hold activities to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping's birth? My second question is that given the collapse accident at the Charles de Gaulle International Airport, will China re-examine the project of China's National Theater designed by the same architect?

A: As for the first question, I am not aware of the specific and need to make some inquiries.

As for the collapse accident at the airport in Paris, investigations must be made to find out the causesin the first place and relative questions should be handled with a scientific attitude. Regarding whether we will make another safety assessment of the project of our National Theater, I suggest you consulting the competent department of China. This question should also be dealt with in a scientific manner.

(The end)