On the afternoon of May 26, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan held a regular press conference.

Kong: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Before taking up questions, I'd like to start with several statements on visits.

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Alejandro Toledo Manrique of the Republic of Peru will pay a state visit to China from June 2nd to 6th.

The Second GMS (Greater Mekong Subregion) Summit will be held from July 4th to 5th, 2005 in Kunming, Yunnan. Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of China will attend and preside over the Summit.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation and Foreign Minister Kassymzhomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will attend the informal meeting between foreign ministers of China, Russia and India to be held in Vladivostok, Russia on June 2nd, and the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, capital of Kasakhstan, on June 4th.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker of the Republic of Chile will pay an official visit to China from May 29th to 31st.

Now, I'm glad to take up your questions.

Q: Could you brief us on the detailed agenda of Peruvian President's visit to China?

A: During President Toledo's visit to China, Chinese President Hu Jintao will hold a talk with him. Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo and Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao will meet with him. Their topics would include bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest. Aside from Beijing, President Toledo will also visit Shanghai, Xi'an and Guangzhou.

I would also offer you some background information, which might be useful for you. Peru is one of the earliest South American countries that established diplomatic relations with China. Over the past thirty-four years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have been developing bilateral relations smoothly and constantly enhancing the bilateral cooperation in all fields and political mutual trust. The total trade value between China and Peru in 2004 amounted to US$1.94 billion, with China's import and export value reaching US$ 1.5 billion and US$ 400 million respectively. What is more important, China and Peru announced that the two countries would establish a Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership. We are convinced that during his state visit, President Toledo will give strong impetus to the faster development of the mutually-beneficial cooperation between China and Peru on a new basis.

Q: Please brief us on the content of discussion between the Uzbek President and the Chinese side, especially the content of China-Uzbekistan Treaty of Friendship. What kind of progress have the two sides made in anti-terrorism cooperation?

A: The Heads of State of China and Uzbekistan held a talk yesterday afternoon. The Xinhua News Agency has run a comprehensive coverage on the talk, which covered a wide range of topics, including cooperation in politics, economy and trade, culture, science and technology, education and other fields. At the same time, the two sides also exchanged their views on regional and international issues of common interest.

You mentioned just now the Treaty of Friendly Cooperation Partnership between China and Uzbekistan, which was jointly signed by the two Heads of State. In the Treaty, the two sides express their earnest desire to further develop the mutually-beneficial friendly cooperation between the two countries, with specific reference to the concrete measures that the two sides would take to further strengthen their cooperation in relevant areas. The Treaty will serve as the political and legal basis for further consolidating the development of China-Uzbekistan relations and also indicate the governments of the two countries will, with the spirit and principle of the treaty as guidelines, further steadily broaden and deepen the mutually-beneficial and friendly cooperation on a more solid basis.

After signing the Treaty, the two Heads of State also attended the signing ceremony for over 10 cooperative documents including Agreement on Economic and Technologic Cooperation, Agreement of Customs Mutual Assistance and so on. This afternoon, Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will also meet with President Karimov.

Q: Some countries including Pakistan have applied to become observers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). What is China's position on the expansion of SCO? Is China in favor of Pakistan's wish to become an observer of SCO?

A: Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been active in external exchanges. As a matter of fact, SCO has signed Memorandum of Understanding with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and this manifests the wish of SCO in developing relations, building up mutual trust and promoting cooperation with other regional organizations and countries. We have noted that some countries, including Pakistan, hope to become observers of SCO and further develop their relations with SCO. The member countries of SCO now are taking serious consideration of it. We hope that an agreement will be reached on this issue at an early date through consultation based on SCO's agenda of deliberation.

Q: Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said he would make no more comments on Chinese vice Premier Wu Yi's urgent to China in order to avoid deterioration of Japan-China relations. He also said that Japan-China relation was important to Asia as well as international society and that's why Japan and China should stop accusing each other. What's your comment on this?

A: We have noted that both Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda and the spokesman of the Japanese Foreign Ministry voiced their hope to consider how to improve relations from the perspective of overall interests of Japan-China relations. China's attitude is: Listen to what they say and watch what they do.

As to the importance of China-Japan relations, I had made my remarks at the Press Conference on Tuesday. China's attitude is clear on this issue. We attach great importance to China-Japan relations and hope to develop a cooperative relations lasting from generation to generation with Japan on the basis of the three political documents between China and Japan and in the spirit of taking history as a mirror and facing towards the future.

Q: Has China ever though that inviting President of Uzbekistan to visit China after the event on May 13th may cause international criticism? Can you brief on the past and future counter-terrorism cooperation between China and Uzbekistan, such as joint military exercise? How many East Turkistan separatists are hidden in Uzbekistan?

A: China and Uzbekistan are friendly neighboring countries and we hope to develop friendly relations with Uzbekistan on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence especially under the current situation when central Asia region is facing the threat of terrorism, separatism and extremism and the task of enhancing the regional development. China and Uzbekistan share a lot of common points and interests. The further reinforcement of the bilateral relations between China and Uzbekistan will, on one hand, make the bilateral cooperation in politics, economy and trade, education, culture, science, customs and other fields more fruitful and on the other hand, be conducive to jointly safeguarding the regional peace and stability with and make joint efforts in regional development and prosperity.

The goal of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is to intensify the cooperation between countries in this region and jointly crackdown terrorism, separatism and extremism that undermine regional peace and stability. It is in this framework that the SCO launched some joint military exercise. As to when and how to have the next military exercise, the member countries of SCO will make an agreement through discussion.

East Turkistan separatists have made a number of terrorist cases in China. Uzbekistan fully understand and support China's position on this issue. We do hope that countries in this region will promote cooperation and jointly crackdown terrorism activities because they aim at not only a single country, but the whole region and even other countries in the world and international community.

Q: Today the spokesperson of Japan's Foreign Ministry said that China and Japan will hold consultations over the issue of the East China Sea next week to solve the disputes between the two sides over exploring oil and natural gas in the East China Sea. Can you confirm the news? When will it be held? In Japan or China?

A: As far as I know, China and Japan have agreed to hold a fresh round of consultation over the issue of the East China Sea recently. We hope the two sides conduct dialogue and equal consultations on the basis of the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries in their Jakarta meeting and actively explore channels and ways to dissolve differences between the two sides.

Q: Can you introduce the latest development of establishing diplomatic relations between China and Vatican? What does China mean when it urged Vatican "not to interfere in China's internal affairs in the name of religious affairs"? Does that include Vatican's appointment of a pope for China? It is reported that, the Chinese side warned the DPRK not to conduct a nuclear test, for it will trigger a grave impact. Can you confirm the news?

A: Regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vatican, I don't have any new information to share with you. As I said last time, on the one hand, we are sincere about developing relations with Vatican; on the other hand, we have our own principles: first, there is but one China, Taiwan is a part of China, Vatican should sever its diplomatic relations with Taiwan; second, Vatican shouldn't interfere in China's internal affairs, including interfering in China's internal affairs in the name of religious affairs.

As for your second question, I understand you expect me to say some new words, but our position is clear on the issue. We oppose to any actions in violation of a nuclear-free Peninsula, which is a common goal of the six parties. On May 13th, the DPRK and US conducted a meeting in New York. We think this meeting is positive and helpful for both sides to strengthen communication and enhance understanding. We hope the two sides can further seek the favorable timing, release good-will on the basis of current positive momentum, enhance contact and communications and join hands in creating favorable conditions for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Follow-up: Do you mean you can't confirm the news?

A: I have already answered your question.

Q: The Japanese Government will award Japanese companies rights for exploiting the resources of oil and natural gas in the East China Sea. What comment do you have? Next week when China and Japan hold the consultation on the issue of East China Sea, will China offer the Japanese side data for exploiting oil and gas in the East China Sea?

A: As for the issue of East China Sea, our attitude is quite clear. China and Japan have differences over the demarcation of continental shelf of East China Sea. We always maintain that the two sides should seek a solution through diplomatic negotiations. We think such actions of the Japanese side constitute a provocation to China's rights and interests as well as the norms governing the international relations. We have lodged a protest to the Japanese side and reserve the right of further reactions. Meanwhile we also have to stress that, during the upcoming consultations between China and Japan on the issue of East China Sea, we hope the two sides can conduct equal consultations and dialogues on the basis of the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries at their Jakarta meeting, and actively explore a way to narrow down differences and finally lead to a solution of the issue.

Q: China's Chief of General Staff Liang Guanglie met with Indian Defense Minister and other military leaders. What comments does China have?

A: At the invitation of leaders from the Indian army, Chief of General Staff of People's Liberation Army Liang Guanglie paid an official friendly visit to India from May 23rd to 28th . During his visit, Chief of General Staff Liang Guanglie made an in-depth exchange of views with Indian state and army leaders on bilateral relations, especially on further enhancing the exchange of the two militaries. The visit is of great importance, as it is a direct exchange between the high-level military leaders of the two sides, when they have maintained a momentum for development of exchanges and cooperation. Such exchanges are conducive to enhancing mutual trust and understanding and the exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in the military field. We expect a complete success for the visit.

Q: Russian Federation Council has ratified China-Russia Additional Agreement to the Eastern Section of Boundary Lines. When will China ratify the Agreement? When will the demarcation be conducted?

A: Shortly ago, Russian State Duma approved the important agreement. We feel pleased that Russian Federation Council also ratified the agreement yesterday. Actually, the ratification work has been steadily underway at Chinese legislature and will be sped up. The two sides will make joint efforts to build the China-Russia border into one of peace, cooperation and friendship as well as a link of perpetual friendship for the peoples of both countries.

Q: please brief on the upcoming meeting of Greater Mekong Sub-region to be held in Yunnan.

A: The Greater Mekong Sub-region(GMS)economic cooperation mechanism was initiated by Asia Development Bank, with its major membership covering China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Since the date of its establishment, the mechanism has pooled funds from all sides roughly totaling 3.5 billion US dollars. It is mainly aimed at strengthening economic links among all countries and promoting an all-round economic and social development of the sub-region. We can say the cooperative mechanism has played an active and important role. Just now I said that, China's Premier Wen Jiabao will attend and preside over the meeting, which will focus on reviewing the development of cooperation and planning for the future cooperative direction and measures of future cooperation. As far as I know, all participant countries are preparing for the Leaders' Declaration expected to be issued at the meeting, when some documents on the fruits of sub-region cooperation will also be signed. We expect the meeting to yield substantial fruits and achieve a complete success.

Follow-up: Which officials will come to the meeting from various countries?

A: The registration work is going on. All sides demonstrated that they attach high importance to the meeting. Last meeting was held in 2002, when China's former Premier Zhu Rongji headed a delegation to attend the meeting. We believe the meeting will become a high-level one. All parties are earnest to participate.

Q: Will the existing problems between China and Japan affect the consultations on the issue of East China Sea to be held next week?

A: We don't want the meeting affected or disturbed by any other factor. Regarding some differences, we always maintain to seek a solution through equal dialogues. Besides, we are always opposed to any unilateral action in the disputed area. We expect the meeting to be held as scheduled and hope the Japanese side to work with us to materialize the consensus reached by leaders of both sides at their Jakarta meeting.

Thank you all, see you next time!