Liu: I shall begin with an announcement. At the invitations of the Governments of the Republic of France, Swiss Confederation and Vice Premier of the Republic of Croatia Jadranka Kosor, Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan of the State Council will pay official visits to the above-mentioned three countries from June 7th to 19th.

Q: It's reported that British Prime Minister Blair voiced support to the proposal of France and Germany, calling for an early lift of EU's arms embargo upon China. What's your comment on that? Secondly, the US Department of Defense released its 2004 annual report on China's military power, what's your reaction to it?

A: On your first question, China hopes to see that the European side proceeds from the greater interest of China-European relationship to make correct decision at an early date to lift the arms embargo upon China so as not to let it influence the development of the China-European relationship. We welcome the positive efforts of the leaders of Europe and those with vision.

With respect to your second question, the report of Pentagon is full of cold war mentality and the cliché of the "China threat". It's out of ulterior motives for it to take pains to exaggerate China's military power and military expenditure.

Chinese people cherish peace. China adopts an independent foreign policy for peace and a national security policy for defense. China adheres to the path of peaceful development. As a sovereign state, China is definitely entitled to building its national defense to ensure national security and territorial integrity.

There's but one China in the world, with Taiwan part of it. The Chinese Government sticks to the principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems". We stand ready to exert the utmost sincerity and maximum efforts to strive for a prospect of peaceful reunification of the motherland. But we will never allow "Taiwan's independence". Nor will we allow anybody to separate Taiwan from China in whatever way. The separating activities of Taiwan's separatists are the most dangerous threat to the current peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. We urge the US to take concrete measures to live up to its commitment of adhering to the One China policy, abiding by the three Joint Communiqués and opposing to Taiwan's independence. The US should cease the sales of advanced weapons to Taiwan no matter they've been sold at what excuse so as not to send wrong signals to the Taiwan separatists.

Q: It's reported that China has reached an official agreement with Japan on the meeting between the abducted Japanese, Hitomi Soga and her American husband. But Soga would like to have the meeting in other places. What's your comment?

A: China stands ready to play a constructive role in the improvement of relationship between Japan and the DPRK, which is in the interest of peace and stability in the region. The specific matter you mentioned should be decided by Japan and the DPRK. China doesn't have a position on it.

Q: This Friday will be the 15th anniversary of June 4th turmoil. What impact does it have on China's relationship with the outside world? For instance, it's after 1989 that the EU imposed an arms embargo upon China. How do you assess the turmoil?

A: China's conclusion on the political turmoil on June 4th, 1989 has been very clear. The Chinese Government made resolute decision to stabilize the situation, which has played a decisive role in promoting China's economic growth, people's livelihood, democracy and human rights, legal system and diplomacy in the following days. Thanks to the stable situation, the Chinese Government and people are able to concentrate on development and to make due efforts to promote world peace and development. The policy of the Chinese Government has been recognized by more and more countries. They support China's independent foreign policy for peace and its efforts to develop economy, improve people's livelihood and promote human rights by focusing on economic growth.

With regard to EU's arms embargo upon China, we have stated on many occasions that it's a product of the cold war mentality. We hope to see an early lift so that the overall China-EU relationship can be better developed.

Q: Is it what you mean that it's because of the suppressive measures taken by the Chinese Government that the society was able to maintain stability and the economy was able to grow? Are you saying that without using forces, China's economic reform wouldn't be able to develop?

A: The stabilizing measures taken by the Chinese Government are to improve people's livelihood and to promote China's domestic economic growth so that China can have greater impact in the international arena and make greater contribution to world peace and development. Without a stable environment, none of these can be made.

Q: Chinese papers reported today that the third round of the Six-Party Talks will be held at the end of June. Can you tell us the specific date? Will there be any working group's meeting before that?

A: With regard to the Six-Party Talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear question and the working group's meeting, parties involved reiterated on the first working group's meeting two weeks ago their willingness to continue finalizing the consensus reached on the second round of the Six-Party Talks, which is to hold the third round of talks before the end of June and the second working group's meeting prior to it. At the moment, various parties are having consultations on the specific matters. As the host, China stands ready to make its own efforts for the process of the Six-Party Talks and relevant meetings. The specific date of the meeting will be decided by various parties on the basis of their consensus.

Q: China's Middle East Envoy, Ambassador Wang Shijie has arrived in the Middle East. We have taken note that his trip excludes Israel. What's the reason behind it? Is it because China voiced dissatisfaction over the recent activities of Israel or Israel rejects his visit because he will probably be meeting with Arafat?

A: Ambassador Wang Shijie's visit to the Middle East this time is of significance when the Middle East question is confronted with severe obstacles. He will exchange views with leaders and officials of Palestine, Syria and Jordan on the current Middle East situation. The purpose is to relax the situation and promote the development of the peace process. The specific arrangement of the trip is made in accordance with his agenda, which also applies to his visit to Israel.

Q: The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Shriver noted the other day that the US arms sales to Taiwan help to enhance the latter's confidence in defending itself and constitute a basis for the two sides across the Straits to negotiate on an equal footing, what's your response?

A: As I mentioned early, the Chinese Government adheres to the principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems". We stand ready to exert our utmost sincerity and maximum efforts to strive for a prospect of a peacefully reunified motherland. With respect to US sales of advanced weapons to Taiwan, we have reminded the US on many occasions that there are three Joint Communiqués between China and the US, August 17th Communiqué in particular. We urge the US to exercise caution on the arms sales to Taiwan, strictly abide by its commitment and stop sending misleading signals to Taiwan so that stability across the Taiwan Straits and Sino-US relationship won't be undermined.

Q: Six trespassers from the DPRK forced into German school in Beijing this morning. Can you give us more information?

A: We have been informed by the German Embassy that five unidentified people entered the German school in Beijing this morning. We are trying to get more information. Investigation is underway.

Q: I have taken note that China takes a strong position in its proposed amendments to the new UN resolution on Iraq. Does China know from the US which parts of China's version will be discussed by various parties? What's the reaction of the US to China's proposal?

A: China has made in-depth and extensive consultations with relevant countries on the draft resolution of UN on Iraq both in New York and through phone calls. China supports the Security Council to approve a new resolution on Iraq. We welcome the efforts of the US and Britain to propose a new draft resolution. At present the Security Council has had several consultations on the new resolution. China and other countries have made some proposals, which we hope can be seriously considered by those who proposed the draft. China hopes to see the resumption of Iraq's sovereignty in various fields including security, diplomacy, politics and economy. Iraq should have final say on its own resources, including economic and natural resources. In the meantime, we believe that the responsibility and term of the multi-national troops should be defined in a clearer language. More voices of Iraq should be heard. China continues to participate in relevant consultations in a pragmatic, serious and responsible manner, hoping to see an early consensus in the UN Security Council.

Q: China has been calling for greater role of the UN on the Iraqi question. How confident is China in the organization? Does China believe that it can play a role here?

A: The UN has an irreplaceable role in safeguarding world security, which is very visible on the Iraqi question. Prior to the war, full discussions had been conducted in the Security Council with vast majority members opposing the use of force against Iraq, demonstrating the role of the UN Security Council. After the war, relevant countries reiterated that the question should be settled within the framework of the UN. Now, facts have proven again that the final resolution relies on the role of the UN, which is a necessity and must under the current circumstances in Iraq. Consultations are going on at the moment on the new UN resolution on Iraq. The role of the UN is very significant and indispensable.