On the afternoon of June 8th, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference.

Liu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! First of all, I would like to announce a piece of news. At the invitation of Vice President Zeng Qinghong, Vice President Alphonse-Marie Kadege of the Republic of Burundi will pay an official visit to China from 13 to 19 June.

Now, I am ready to take up your questions.

Q: The former US President Reagan passed away recently. What's China's official comment on Mr. Reagan's contributions to China-US relations? China and the US have signed three joint communiqués, among which the Communiqué of August 17 was signed during President Reagan's tenure. How important does China regard this communiqué in terms of China-US relations? Who will represent the Chinese Government at the state funeral for Mr. Reagan in Washington this Friday?

A: During his presidency, Mr. Reagan made efforts to promote the improvement and development of China-US relations. China and the US issued the Communiqué of August 17 in 1982, in which they set forth the principles for the solution of US' arms sale to Taiwan. Mr. Reagan's state visit to China in 1984 in his capacity of US president enhanced exchanges and cooperation of our two countries in various fields.

After Mr. Reagan passed away, President Hu Jintao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing respectively sent telegraphs to President Bush and Secretary of State Powell to convey their condolences and their solicitudes for Mrs. Reagan and her family members.

As one of the three guiding communiqués for China-US relations, the Communiqué of August 17 issued 22 years ago remains a very important communiqué guiding the development of China-US relations today. We hope that this communiqué will be earnestly observed.

As for China's representative at Mr. Reagan's funeral, we are trying to get relative information. We will inform you once we get it.

Q: The US and Britain have submitted to the UN Security Council their fourth draft resolution on the Iraq issue and the Security Council will deliberate on it today. What's China's final attitude towards this draft? Though having attended last year's G8 Summit, China is not invited this year. Last G8 Summit discussed the Iraq issue, on which, however, great changes have taken place. How does China view this G8 Summit?

A: It is consistent with the common wishes of all parties that the Security Council adopt a resolution to help restore the full sovereignty of Iraq, stabilize the security situation there and push forward the process of reconstruction. China believes that the new resolution on Iraq of the Security Council should fully reflect the principle of "Iraqi people governing Iraq" and clearly define the multinational troops' responsibilities, tenure of mission and relations with the Iraqi interim government. Iraq should have adequate say on the security issue. The Iraqi Government should be entitled to the command of Iraqi troops and police. The multinational troops should observe international humanitarian law and strengthen their coordination with Iraqi Government.

We have noted that the US and Britain had made several revisions on their draft Security Council resolution on the Iraqi issue. Compared to the first draft, the latest revised text has made many improvements. China welcomes this development. At present, different parties of the Security Council are conducting intensive consultations on the draft resolution. We hope that the US and Britain will continue to step up their consultation with other parties and heed rational opinions from all sides, so as to seek the broadest consensus.

As for your second question, China commits itself to maintaining world peace and promoting common development, and will continue to play a constructive role in this regard. We attach importance to consultation, dialogue and exchange with G8. In the era of globalization, the settlement of major international issues demands stronger cooperation among all parties. As an organization with significant influence in international affairs, G8 is supposed to take full account of the concerns and interests of all parties in the process of policy coordination and take concrete measures to help developing countries solve their real difficulties, so as to facilitate common development of all countries. We hope that this year's G8 Summit will make due contributions in this connection.

Q: President Hu Jintao starts his visit to the four European and Asian countries today and will attend the Summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tashkent. It is the first visit of a Chinese top leader to this region after the EU enlargement. Can you brief us on the purposes of President Hu's visit? Will the two sides reach agreements on trade, economy and culture? The Tashkent Summit symbolizes the advent of a stage of practical cooperation for the SCO. Will there be any substantive moves taken at this Summit?

A: Just as you said, today, President Hu Jintao has left Beijing for a state visit to Poland, Hungary, Romania and Uzbekistan and will attend the SCO Summit in Tashkent. This visit is an important one as well as the first one paid by President Hu to these countries after his assumption of the presidency. As China's friendly partners, all these countries have sound cooperation with us in the political, economic and other fields as well as in international affairs. This visit will further enhance our mutual understanding, deepen our friendship, expand cooperation and move ahead friendly relations and cooperation between China and these countries.

The Tashkent Summit is the first summit of the SCO that concludes its preliminary stage and enters into a new phase of development and it is of important significance to establishing its future direction, planning specific work in all fields and promoting further role of the organization in regional and international affairs. The purpose of this summit is to deepen pragmatic cooperation in security, economic, trade and other fields. During the meeting, heads of states of six countries will make important decisions on SCO's pragmatic cooperation in diplomatic, security, economic, transportation, humanitarian and other fields. They will sign Tashkent Declaration, Cooperation Agreement among Members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Fighting against Narcotics, Mental Drugs and their Precursors and will approve Regulation on Observers of SCO.

This is a very important meeting. The Chinese side will, in a positive and constructive manner, conduct close consultation with all sides concerned on strengthening pragmatic cooperation.

Q: The recent humanitarian crisis in the region of Darfur to the west of the Sudan has arouse wide international concern. What is your comment?

A: We have taken note of the positive efforts made by the Sudanese Government to solving this question. The Chinese side welcomes it. We hope that all parties concerned make concerted efforts to solve question through negotiation and to achieve peace, stability and development of the region.

Q: It is reported that the US will reduce its troops stationed in the ROK. Since the Chinese side has urged the US adopts flexible attitude on the nuclear question, do you think it a positive step to the settlement of the question?

A: In principle the Chinese side is not in favor of military presence in foreign countries. We have taken note that, due to specific historic reasons, there is foreign military presence in the region. This is bilateral arrangements between relevant countries. We hope that relevant side can do more things that are conducive to building of trust between relevant sides and peace and stability in the region. We also hope that relevant steps will be conducive to the peaceful settlement of the nuclear question on the Korean Peninsula.

Q: India and China will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence. Please comment and do you think it is still relevant till today?

A: In 1954 China advocated with India and Myanmar the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence. As an important norm governing international relations in the past 50 years, it has played an important role in governing state-to-state relations, handling questions existing between states and international and regional issues. In today's world, the Five Principles still have pragmatic significance. It has been 50 years since its birth. The Chinese and Indian sides will host important commemoration activities. Relevant academic and research institutes will also host seminars to explore how to make it, as an important norm governing international relations, can be carried on and continue to play its important role in the establishment of a fair and just international political and economic order.

Q: The US announced last week that it would conduct a military exercise around June to August. The site of exercise will include west Pacific where Taiwan and China are located. What is the comment from the Foreign Ministry?

A: We have taken note of some of US military arrangements and moves in the region and hope that it can play a constructive role for peace and stability in the Asia Pacific, instead of the contrary.

I would like to reaffirm here that Taiwan is a part of China and the question of Taiwan is China's internal affairs. No foreign force has the right to interfere. The US side should honor its words of adhering to One China Policy and the three Sino-US Communiqués and opposing Taiwan's independence. Only this will be conducive to stability across the Taiwan Straits and common interests of both China and the US.

After the press conference, Liu was asked about the Fourth Regular Meeting between China and ROK Economic Ministers. Liu said: The meeting will be held in Seoul on 11 June. Minister Ma Kai of the National Development and Reform Commission and Minister Lee Hyun-zea of Finance of ROK will head the Chinese and ROK delegations to the meeting. The two sides will have wide and in-depth discussion and exchange on macro-economic situation, industrial policies and cooperation projects between the two countries. The meeting will further promote mutual understanding, trust and further economic exchange and cooperation between the two countries.