On February 17, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on US Secretary of State Clinton’s visit to China, China-US relations, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and etc.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have no announcement to start with. I’d like to open up the floor for questions.

Q: The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission is meeting right now to determine China’s role in the origins of and response to the global economic crisis. What is your assessment regarding these two issues?

A: Chinese leaders and relevant government authorities have already expounded the Chinese Government’s position on the global financial crisis on many occasions. We believe that the international community should work together to tide over the difficulties, strengthen cooperation and join their hands in addressing the global financial crisis. The Chinese Government have taken a number of vigorous measures, including a proactive fiscal policy and a moderate and easing monetary policy to maintain economic growth, boost domestic demand, deepen reform and open up wider to the world. We hope that smooth and rapid development of the Chinese economy can contribute to promoting world economic growth and maintaining stability of the global financial market. At the same time, we have actively taken part in the international cooperation on the financial crisis with a responsible attitude.

Follow-up: The answers were all forward-looking in regard to China’s role in responding to the crisis. Can you comment on China’s role in the origins of the financial crisis?

A: The international community has reached consensus on the origins of and response to the global financial crisis. We hope countries in the world can strengthen communication and coordination on macro economic policies, pay more attention to development issues, establish a fair, equitable, inclusive and orderly international financial system so that developing countries can have a greater voice and better representation. China is ready to work with the international community to push for more positive results out of the London Financial Summit.

Q: I’ve got two questions about Vietnam. Today marks the 30th anniversary of the start of the border war between China and Vietnam. How does China plan to mark this event? Secondly, there are currently Vatican officials visiting Vietnam with the intent of perhaps establishing formal diplomatic ties. But some people say that Vietnam will not establish ties with the Vatican until China gives its approval first to the Vietnamese. Can you comment on that?

A: Chinese and Vietnamese leaders reached consensus on putting behind the past and opening up the future many years ago. The current China-Vietnam relations are developing well, with increasingly closer exchanges and cooperation in various areas. We will continue to make friends and make peace with neighboring countries. We stand ready to work together with Vietnam to constantly develop bilateral good-neighborly and friendly cooperation.

China and Vietnam established comprehensive strategic partnership last May, and bilateral relations entered into a new stage of development. There have been frequent contacts between leaders of the two countries, and growing economic and trade cooperation. The land border demarcation and setting up of border markers have been completed on schedule. Exchanges and cooperation in various areas are growing in new depth and breadth. It serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples to develop smooth and friendly relations, and contributes to peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large. We are confident of the future China-Vietnam relations.

On your second question, China has never interfered in the internal affairs of other countries. We wouldn’t do anything like what you mentioned. On China-Vatican relations, our position is consistent and explicit.

Q: US Secretary of State Clinton started her trip to Asia. According to US media reports, her visit will mainly focus on China. How do you comment on Clinton’s visit to China? Can you brief us on detailed arrangement of her visit? Will she sign any agreements?

A: At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Secretary Clinton will visit China from February 20 to 22. The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common interest. We will update media on covering the event in advance as usual, and release information in due course.

We have noted Secretary Clinton’s recent speech on the US Asia-Pacific policy. She stressed that the US and Asian countries need to cross the river peacefully together when in a common boat, and open a new era in bilateral cooperation. We welcome the US playing more of a constructive role in peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region.

We also commend Secretary Clinton’s position that the US is committed to a positive, cooperative relationship with China. China believes that a sound China-US relationship serves the interests of the two countries and peoples and contributes to peace and development of Asia-Pacific and the world. We are ready to work together with the US to strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and promote the healthy and stable development of China-US relations in the new era.

Q: What’s on the agenda for economic and trade issues during Hillary Clinton’s visit? Will she be meeting with Wang Qishan?

A: I haven’t got the final agenda for Secretary Clinton’s visit to China. We will release information in due course. You may also apply to cover the event.

Q: During the visit of Hillary Clinton to Beijing, do you expect two issues to come up for discussion? One is the attack on Mumbay by terrorist groups. Second is the nuclear deal signed between the US and India.

A: China and the US will exchange views on a broad range of issues of common concern, including international and regional hotspot issues. I cannot predict what issues will be covered in the talks.

On India-Pakistan relations, we welcome any measure conducive to easing tension between India and Pakistan, and hope that India and Pakistan can properly settle relevant issues through dialogue and consultation. We have noted that the two sides have conducted cooperation recently on relevant issues. Both emphasized their resolution on combating terrorism. As a common friend of both India and Pakistan, we sincerely hope that they can proceed from the overall interests of peace and stability in South Asia, endeavor to maintain regional stability and promote the peace process in South Asia.

On US-India nuclear cooperation, our position remains consistent and unchanged.

Q: Two questions. I want to know more details on the topics of meetings between China and the U.S. during Secretary Clinton’s visit to China. Will the two sides talk about human rights, trade, and the RMB exchange rate? Secondly, today the Finance Minister of Japan said he will resign because of his negligence in his job. This is a domestic issue of Japan. But I’m still wondering if you have any comment on that?

A: With regard to Secretary Clinton’s agenda, I think the two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. On the human rights issue, China and the U.S. have different historical backgrounds, cultures, social systems in their respective development stages. It is normal that the two countries differ on human rights. Since 1990, China and the U.S. have held several rounds of human rights dialogues, which play a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding, narrowing differences, expanding consensus and making joint progress. We would like to continue to have human rights dialogues with the U.S. on the basis of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs and push for positive results out of the dialogues. Other topics including trade and the RMB exchange rate will be touched upon if they are of common interest. I suggest you contact the competent authorities for further information regarding issues about Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations.

On your second question, just as you mentioned, it is Japan’s domestic issue, I will not comment on any internal issues of other countries.

Q: I have two questions. First, what is China’s response to media reports on the DPRK’s plan of a long-range missile test? The second question is Cambodia is holding a genocide trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders. Is China supportive of this process? What is China’s response to human rights groups’ accusations that China’s support for the Khmer Rouge regime enables them to commit these war crimes?

A: With regard to your first question, we hope that relevant parties can realize that peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula is in the common interest of the relevant parties. We hope that relevant parties can settle their mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation, improve relations, build mutual trust and work together for peace and stability of the Peninsula.

On your second question, the trial of former leaders of Democratic Kampuchea is the internal affairs of Cambodia. We hope that the international community can respect the choice of the Cambodia Government and people.

Q: I have two questions on the DPRK. Do you think that the missile test of the DPRK violates the principle of solving the Peninsula issue through peaceful dialogue? Yesterday was Kim Jong-Il’s birthday, does China extend any congratulation to him?

A: With regard to your first question, I have already clearly explained our position. We hope that the relevant parties can work together to ensure peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, which is in the common interest of the relevant parties, and also the shared aspiration of the international community.

With regard to your second question, yesterday was General Secretary Kim Jong-Il’s birthday and we wish him a happy birthday. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the DPRK. It is the China-DPRK Year of Friendship as well. China and the DPRK will take this opportunity to promote the friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries through a series of exchange activities. We would like to work with the DPRK together to promote new progress in bilateral relations.

Q: Pakistani President Zardari will visit Hubei and Shanghai this weekend. Will he discuss Pakistan’s debt to China during the visit? Will China consider writing off Pakistan’s debt to China?

A: President Zardari will visit Hubei Province and Shanghai from February 20 to 23. This is President Zardari’s second visit to China since his state visit last October. The visit will focus on China’s development in water conservancy, agriculture and the financial sector in order to promote bilateral cooperation in these areas.

At present, China and Pakistan maintain sound cooperation. There has been frequent high-level exchange of visits, and smooth bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, agriculture, communication, energy and other fields. Last year, bilateral trade volume reached US$6.98 billion. The two sides are maintaining close coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. The cooperation between China and Pakistan is not only in the fundamental interests of the two sides, but also conducive to peace, stability and development in the region. China attaches great importance to President Zardari’s visit, and believes that it will consolidate the all-weather friendship and deepen the all-directional cooperation between China and Pakistan.

China has been providing help, within its own capability, to Pakistan’s economic and social development. At the moment, I haven’t got any information on your specific question. We hope that Pakistan maintains stability, and achieves economic development and social harmony.

Q: I have a follow-up question on the trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders. Just now, my colleague asked a question on a human rights group accusing China of its support to the Khmer Rouge regime. Do you have any comment?

A: China always develops friendly relations and cooperation with neighboring countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. This kind of relations is normal.

China has maintained normal and friendly relations with all legitimate Cambodian governments including that of Democratic Kampuchea on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. It is well known that the government of Democratic Kampuchea was a legitimate member of the United Nations, and established extensive diplomatic relations with more than 70 countries.

We hope the international community fully respects the choice of the Cambodian Government and people.

Q：I have two questions. First, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo will visit Czech and Slovakia. Can you tell us something about this visit? Will he be discussing the issue of China-EU Summit? The second question, President Mugabe of Zimbabwe will purchase a house in Hong Kong or he has already done so. Is the Chinese Government concerned with this? Does China support or oppose this purchase?

A: About your first question, Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo will visit the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Albania and Greece to conduct bilateral political consultations from February 15. We look forward to implementing the consultation mechanism and enhancing the cooperation with the Foreign Ministries of the above-mentioned countries and promoting the in-depth development of the friendly cooperation between China and the above-mentioned countries through this visit.

Regarding your second question, I know little about what you have mentioned, neither will I comment on speculating reports.

Q: Mr. Wang Jiarui, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of CPC will visit several Latin American countries including Argentina and Costa Rica. Currently Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping is also visiting some Latin American countries. Can you provide some information about this visit, including the purpose, agenda and meeting arrangements? Will some economic agreements be signed during the visit?

A: I have not been informed of the visit you mentioned. I suggest you inquire relevant authorities. China’s Vice President and Vice Premier are currently visiting Latin America. We have updated you on the details of their activities.

China and Latin American countries are all developing countries, facing the common task of development. China and Latin American countries have broad common interests on the issues of peace and development. We are ready to work with Latin American countries to establish the comprehensive partnership of cooperation featuring equality, mutual benefit and common development.

Thanks for coming. See you.