On September 7th, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Kong: Good afternoon! Welcome to this afternoon's press conference.

First, on behalf of the Information Department of Foreign Ministry, I would like to extend welcome to the friends from the Angolan Information Delegation at today's press conference. They come from Angola's Ministry of Information, Angola National TV Station, National Public TV, Angola News Agency and other media units. You are sincere friends of the Chinese people, who came from a distant country. I hope your visits will present to the Angolan people how the Chinese people are building their own homeland and bring back to the African people, including your people, the friendship and greetings from our people.

Now, I have two pieces of announcements.

First, at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Fatos Nano will pay an official visit to China from September 13 to 19.

Second, at the invitation of Vice Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Zhukov, Chinese State Councillor Chen Zhili will visit Russia from September 11 to 14 and co-preside with Vice Prime Minister Zhukov over the Fifth Meeting of China-Russia Cooperation Commission on Education, Culture, Public Health and Sport.

I am ready to take up your questions.

Q: Today, the entire nation of Russia holds a one-day mourning for the victims in the September 3rd hostage incident. What view does the Chinese people have on this?

A: Since the breakout of the hostage incident in the North Ossetia of Russia, the Chinese leaders and people have been closely following the development of the incident and sharing the feelings of the Russian people. The terrorists committed cruel and heinous crime. We feel extremely indignant at their behavior. Chinese President Hu Jintao has sent a telegraph of condolence to Russian President Putin. He emphasized that the Chinese people stood firmly side by side with the Russian people and adamantly supported the efforts of the Russian Government and people to strike terrorism. Meanwhile, we also expressed our deep grief for the dead in the incident, our sincere solicitude for the injured and their family members and our hope for their early recovery.

Q: As far as I know, the preparation work for the next round of the Six-Party Talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula has encountered difficulties. Is there any progress on the time schedule of the fourth round of the Talks? Li Changchun will visit the DPRK this or next week. Can you brief us on his visit?

A: The talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula face difficulties. But the difficulties did not turn out only yesterday or today. All parties should show a patient, calm, self-restrained and pragmatic attitude and make joint efforts, so as to bring about the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks by the end of September as agreed by all parties at the third round of the Talks. All parties have come to the consensus that the nuclear issue on the Peninsula should be resolved step by step through peaceful diplomacy. We look forward to promoting the process gradually.

On the second question, Mr. Li Changchun, Standing Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee will visit the DPRK at the advent of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries. His visit will last from September 10th to 13th. It is another high-level meeting between China and the DPRK following the visit to China by the DPRK's leader Kim Jong Il in this April. During his visit, Li Changchun will meet with or hold talks with the DPRK leaders. They will have in-depth exchanges not only on the further consolidation and development of the China-DPRK traditional friendship, but also on the regional and international issues of common interest. I think the nuclear issue on the Peninsula will be touched upon.

Follow-up: Will Li Changchun encourage the DPRK side to return to the negotiation table as soon as possible?

To hold the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks by the end of September matters not only to one or two sides. The six parties reached consensus at the third round of the talks to hold the fourth round by the end of September. It requires the joint efforts of all parties to ensure the talks to be held as scheduled. China has always been actively promoting the talks and playing a constructive role. We also hope other parties can join us in playing such a role, demonstrate patience and pragmatism and overcome difficulties, so as to make sure the talks to be held by the end of September as agreed before. It is the expectation of the people in the region as well as the entire international community.

Q: On September 4th, Indian Prime Minister Singh said at a press conference that India will continue to promote the process of settling border issues with China through negotiation and establish stable relations of cooperation with China. What's China's position on his remarks?

A: On September 4th, Prime Minister of the new Indian Government Singh held the first press conference over the past 100 days since the inauguration of the new Indian Government. It is reported that this is the first press conference held by an Indian prime minister over a dozen years and thus attracted great interest of the international community. China also has great interest in it.

At his press conference, Prime Minister Singh clearly expressed his government's positive attitude towards the development of India-China relations. We have said for many times that India is an important neighbor of us. It is also the sincere wish and set policy of the Chinese Government to steadily deepen China-India long-term constructive partnership of cooperation. China is ready to maintain the good momentum of the development of our bilateral relations under the guidance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Prime Minister Singh also mentioned the territorial dispute between our two countries, which is a fact out there. We believe the early solution of border issues serves the shared interest of China and India. As long as the two sides proceed from the overall interests of China-India relations and follow the principles of equal consultation, mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, we will definitely find a fair and just solution acceptable to both sides. All in all, we are fully confident in the development of China-India relations.

Q: Mr. Kong, so nice to meet you again after the long summer break. The Director of the International Press Institute in Vienna wrote to Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on September 3rd, asking the Chinese side to make explanation on the recent detention of two foreign journalists. Did the Foreign Ministry reply the letter from the Institute?

A: Only one question today? Not quite like your way. (Laughter among the audience)

It's nice to meet you too. And I noticed that you almost attended each of the nine press conferences held by the Information Office of the State Council during the break of our regular press conference. Thank you for your interest in what happens in China.

As for the question of the two resident journalists in Beijing, it is in fact not a complicated one. Ten days ago, two foreign tourists came to China for the purpose of tourism. However, they displayed the slogan of "Tibet independence" at a public site. We wish them, as foreign tourists, to enjoy the beautiful landscape in China to their hearts' content and understand how the Chinese people are building our homeland and how we long to develop friendly relations with other countries. But the two people displayed such a slogan out of ulterior motive and pre-meditation, which was very wrong and contravened China's law and regulation. Yet right at the moment, two foreign journalists posted in Beijing came for on-spot interview. Asked by Chinese policemen on whether they have applied for interview as stipulated in the relevant regulations, they said they just passed by coincidently. People can't help feeling odd. When a sudden incident flashed out in Beijing, a city with over ten million people, the two journalists right stood there for interview by chance What an unbelievable coincidence! Facts certainly deny their story. Instead of detention, the Chinese police asked them to leave after inquiry and reminded them that they should interview with permission of relevant authorities in advance, as provided for in the current law of China. As a matter of fact, we have provided much facility for overseas journalilsts' interviews in China and done our utmost to protect their legitimate rights and interests. The Information Department organized three large-scale interview trips during the summer break of one month and a half, respectively to Tibet, Guang'an in Sichun Province and Ningxia and Gansu, including Jiuquan Launching Base. In total, 76 journalists from 55 foreign media units entered for the trips. During the same period, the Information Office of the State Council held nine press conferences focused on particular themes involving different areas of today's Chinese society. Meanwhile, our Spokesperson's Office has been answering questions through telephone, totaling 566 questions. We should say, our concrete moves satisfied journalists. I have no idea of the letter you mentioned. If there is such a letter, we cannot accept it, because the detention of journalists in the letter is unfounded and unjustified.

Follow-up: If I want to make interviews, do I have to get permission from the Foreign Ministry in advance?

You have been posted in China for three years, or at least, have been a journalist for the UPI for three years. Aren't facts proving that your interviews were not obsessed by any obstacle and you made the interviews as your expected?

Q: At the time when China's Special Envoy Wang Shijie visits the Middle East, the Israel-Palestine situation again falls in tension. Israel waged another strike against the Gaza Strip, killing 14 Palestinians and injuring several dozens. What comment does China have on the current situation there? During his three previous visits to the Middle East, he failed to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon. Will he meet with Sharon this time?

A: The latest developments in the Middle East situation are worrisome. Both sides continue to escalate violence against civilians, causing great casualties to the local people. We have been all along calling on both sides to immediately end the moves featuring trading violence with violence and return to the negotiation table as soon as possible. We also call for greater attention from the international community to the question of the Middle East and its greater efforts to broke peace. Guided by such ideas, China's Special Envoy Wang Shijie started his visit to the Middle East. Yesterday, he met with Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Moussa, during which he expressed China's position on the question of the Middle East and China's willingness to vigorously seek ways to ease the current tension in the region. In addition, he will visit Lebanon and Israel. As far as I know, during his trip in Israel, he will meet with Israeli Foreign Minister and the acting Director-General of the Foreign Ministry. As for whether Prime Minister Sharon will meet with him, it will be decided according to the arrangements of both sides. But there is one thing for sure, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible member of the international community, China is ready to make its own efforts to re-launch the peace process in the Middle East and promote the peace and stability in the region.

Q: Apart from "consolidating traditional friendship", what other main topics and regional issues are included on the agenda of Li Changchun's visit to the DPRK? Will he meet with DPRK's leader Kim Jong Il? Which government department does he represent in his visit? Second question. What progress has been made in China's investigation on the 29 unidentified people's intrusion in a Japanese school? For example, their nationality, their motives behind the intrusion, etc. How does China plan to handle them?

A: As for your first question, Li Changchun is a Standing Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and he will head a delegation of both the Party and the Government. He will exchange views with the leaders of the DPRK's Party and Government on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues. "Consolidating traditional friendship", as an important topic, refers to further deepening and expanding bilateral cooperation in the new situation. It involves bilateral political relations as well as cooperation in trade, economy, culture, education, sport and other fields. "Regional issues" is also easy to understand. The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is both a regional issue and one of widely shared interest. Other major international issues are well possible to be touched upon during the exchange of views by the leaders of two Parties and countries.

I have expected that my friends here might be interested in your second question. So I checked up relevant information before coming here. But I am very sorry to tell you only that the incident is still under the process of investigation and handling. I have no further information to release.

Q: The Chinese side arranges an interview trip to Xinjiang on September 11 for overseas journalists. What's your purpose for this interview trip? Why do you choose September 11?

A: Since you are newly posted in China, perhaps you don't know things around here. Every year, the Information Department of the Foreign Ministry help the resident journalists in China to make trips outside Beijing for interviews on questions they are interested in. Here in China stationed over 430 foreign journalists from 240 plus organizations of 42 countries. They have interest in everything in this country. Besides dozens of interview activities in Beijing each year, we organize interview trips to other provinces and cities at the request of foreign journalists. Last year, 13 such trips were organized. Before organizing interviews, we will solicit opinions from journalists and coordinate with the provinces and cities concerned on the interview schedules on the basis of their interest. We can't guarantee that each of the journalists' requirements will be met, but we will do our utmost to make a nice arrangement. We arrange the Xinjiang trip because many journalists hope to go there. As for the date, we don't have special consideration. If you don't like September 11, we might as well shift to September 12. But we cannot assure you of the airplane tickets on that day.

Q: Have you read the report on the ROK's nuclear experiment? What's China's position on it? Do you think it will affect the Six-Party Talks?

A: We have been officially informed by the ROK side and the ROK has informed the IAEA. The team sent by the IAEA has ended its investigation in the ROK. We expect the IAEA to handle the issue properly and the ROK Government to cooperate with the IAEA in this process. We also hope that the question will not affect the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks that should be held by the end of September according to the consensus reached by all parties.

Q: I have two questions. The first one is according to reports, Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei will accompany Mr. Li Changchun in his visit to the DPRK. Please confirm. Second, who will be the Chinese representative to the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks?

A: I have no idea whether Vice Minister Wu Dawei will join the delegation headed by Li Changchun. But I'd be glad to check it up right after the conference.

On your second question, I am not authorized to announce the head of Chinese delegation to the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks. What I can tell you is Mr. Wu Dawei is the vice Foreign Minister in charge of Asian affairs.

Q: I want to ask about the energy development in the East China Sea. Japan holds a different position on China starting to develop natural gas in the East China Sea. Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry repeatedly made representations to the Chinese side and required China to provide proper data, yet without getting any clear response from China. Please tell us China's position on this question.

A: The question of the East China Sea that you mentioned is a very important one. Actually, dispute has long been in existence on the delimitation of the Sea and no such work has been done by China and Japan. The Japanese side has proposed a medium line, which is no more than a unilateral claim by Japan. The line did not come out of contact or negotiation of the two sides and China has never accepted and will never accept it. We hold that the dispute over the East China Sea should be resolved through peaceful consultation by our two sides. We believe that it would serve the interests of both sides to maintain a stable East China Sea, avoid escalation of the dispute and achieve a win-win solution. You just said that Japan had required China to provide some data and materials. According to what I know, China's exploration is all conducted in the offshore area near to our coastline. In that case, Japan's requirement on providing data and materials is made on the basis of its unilaterally proposed medium line and thus completely groundless. Therefore, I would like to solemnly point out here that we have never accepted such a medium line. Our basic position is to settle the issue through consultation and negotiation and to shelve differences in the East China Sea and seek joint development. China's position can be summed up in the above two points.

Q: Another question on journalists. During the final of the Asian Cup, a photo journalist from the AFP and another from the AP were physically abused by Chinese policemen. Can you tell us the result of the investigation on the question?

A: I understand your concern over this question. After the final of the Asia Cup on August 7, some soccer fans around the stadium got much agitated. We did not get the news until after the incident that one AP journalist and one AFP journalist were pushed and shoved, with one of them injured. We attached great importance to the complaint on the incident and immediately informed the police in Beijing, requesting them to investigate. Meanwhile, I sent my aids to convey our solicitude to the two journalists. After receiving letters from the people in charge of the AP and the AFP, I replied them right away to clarify our attitude. First, the site of the incident was in chaos. We deeply regret over the incident and, in particular, express our solicitude to the AP journalist injured on the head. We wish him an early recovery. By the way, I learned that he has recovered rather fast and joined the recent interview trip to the Launching Base in Jiuquan. Second, I told them the Chinese Government, Foreign Ministry and the MFA Information Department will spare no efforts to guarantee journalists' right to legal interview in China. And we will do our best to facilitate their interviews and help them learn about China within our capacity. In the same time, the Police called in heads of the AP and the AFP in Beijing and expressed regret over the incident. They also said they need time to make careful investigation due to the chaotic site of the incident at that time. They would give a serious answer to the journalists. In addition, they also hoped that the journalists could respect the necessary measures taken by the police in chaotic circumstances, including those on evacuation and calming down over-agitated people. This incident is a misfortune. We hope such incidents could be avoided in the future. I would like to take this opportunity to send once again my solicitude to the journalists.

Follow-up: Can you tell us the exact date of your letter to the offices of foreign media in Beijing? Did Foreign Ministry or Beijing Municipal Police Bureau apologize on the incident or just expressed regret?

After receiving complaints from the journalists, I immediately informed the police of the incident and gave prompt reply to the heads of AFP and AP offices in Beijing. In an equally prompt way, I sent my aids to visit the two journalists, who in turn recognized and appreciated our steps. As for apology, as far as I know, the investigation is still underway and we are keeping contact with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Public Security. They told us the competent authorities attached great importance to the incident, which they deemed regrettable. Whatever result falls out of the investigation, they are educating their policemen through this incident on appropriately enforcing law in accordance with law.

Q: The general election in the US will come within two months or so. Recently, the US Department of Commerce took more and more anti-dumping moves against China, especially the anti-dumping action against China's textile products last week. How does China view these moves and what response will you make?

A: Thank you for posing me this question, but I can not finish your analysis work on the question, since it's your job. However, I want to clarify that we hope to resolve differences on anti-dumping through consultation. More importantly, we'd like to emphasize that China and the US are conducting mutually beneficial and win-win trade and economic cooperation, rather than gifts or bestowment from one side to another. Under the joint efforts of our two sides, China-US trade and economic cooperation has made remarkable progress in recent years. For instance, in the first half of this year, our cooperation took a further stride on the basis of last year's rapid growth, with the bilateral trade volume reaching US$ 76.9 billion, up 36.5%. China's export increased by 35%, and our import from the US rose by over 38%. The growth rate of import exceeds that of the export, illustrating a narrowing trade deficit for the US. In the process of development, problems of this or that type are only natural to be seen. China hopes the two sides can treat these problems calmly, do not politicize them and seek proper solutions through calm-minded consultation, so as to steadily expand and deepen China-US relations on trade and economy to the benefits of our two peoples.

If no more question are waiting, I would like to call it a day. Thank you!