On December 11, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference and answered questions on the Six-Party Talks, China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting, China-France relations, and etc.

Liu Jianchao: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

I know you've been following closely the ongoing heads-of-delegations meeting of the Six-Party Talks, here is the latest information.

This morning, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with heads of delegations of the six parties at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

As Yang Jiechi stressed, the Six-Party Talks is an important mechanism to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsular peacefully through dialogue and consultation. Thanks to concerted efforts of all parties, the process of denuclearization on the Peninsular has made substantive steps and scored unprecedented major progress. These are hard-won achievements that deserve to be cherished by all parties.

Yang Jiechi added that the current heads-of-delegations meeting is held at a critical moment when the Six-Party Talks is ushered into a new stage, and is of significance for the realization of denuclearization on the Peninsular. After days of discussion, the six parties have reached some consensus, but there remain some differences. The Six-Party Talks is the process of overcoming difficulties and moving forward. We hope all parties could maintain confidence and patience, exert wisdom,demonstrate maximum flexibility, make persistent efforts to produce positive results out of the meeting and lay a sound foundation for further progress in the Six-Party Talks. China will continue to play a positive and constructive role.

Heads of the five delegations from the DPRK, Japan, the ROK, Russia and the US stated their respective positions. They agreed that realization of denuclearization of the Peninsular is the shared goal of all parties. They treasure the process of the Six-Party Talks, and will make full use of this opportunity, exert their utmost efforts to narrow down differences and expand common ground so as to push forward the meeting, maintain and promote the momentum of the Six-Party Talks. They appreciate China's unremitting efforts in pressing ahead with the Six-Party Talks.

Now the floor is open for your questions.

Q: How about the meeting this afternoon? Will the Six-Party Talks conclude today, or later?

A: The heads-of-delegations meeting of the Six-Party Talks is still underway in various forms, including bilateral meetings as well as plenary sessions. According to usual practice, it requires consultation among all parties concerned to decide in what form to carry on the meeting. At present, the meeting is still going on, and it depends on all parties to decide when to conclude. China will work hard with the other five parties to jointly promote the Six-Party Talks, exert utmost efforts to narrow down differences and expand common ground so as to achieve positive results.

Q: Yesterday, the Free Tibet Campaign issued a report, saying that torture prevails in Tibet because the local government deliberately ignores the law that prevents torture. Do you have any comment?

A: We have taken note of relevant report. We believe torture is an infringement on human rights. To prevent and punish torture is the common responsibility of all countries in the world. The Chinese Government resolutely opposes torture, and Chinese law prohibits torture. I wonder whether the organization you mentioned has any evidence to prove there is torture in Tibet. If there are specific evidences, we are ready to carry out investigation. But we don't accept groundless accusation.

Q: China-Japan-ROK summit meeting will be held in Japan the day after tomorrow, what are China's expectations? China and ROK are having their first strategic dialogue today. What has been discussed? What is the impact on the China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting?

A: On your first question,China, Japan and ROK are countries of major impact in East Asia. The cooperation of the three countries in the fields of economy, trade, investment, finance, culture and personnel exchanges is of great significance in maintaining regional peace and stability as well as promoting economic and social development. Against the backdrop of the current global economic and financial situation, the cooperation among the three is of special significance. We believe it is the right time to hold this important meeting. We hope that the three countries can work together to handle the financial crisis. Leaders of the three countries will also exchange views of regional and international issues in the meeting, which we believe will vigorously promote the tripartite cooperation and the development of relations among the three parties.

You are right in saying that the first high-level strategic dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries of China and the ROK was launched today. Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya and his ROK counterpart, Mr. KWON Jong Rak, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, preside over the dialogue. Since it is still under way, I do not have the details yet. Better bilateral exchanges, dialogue and cooperation between either two parties of the three will positively promote their trilateral cooperation. We believe that the three parties can work together and strengthen their cooperation so as to continuously intensify East Asia cooperation, and promote regional peace, stability and development in Northeast and East Asia.

 

Q: Reports said today that French Embassy's website was hacked, possibly triggered by the dissatisfaction of Chinese people with the French President's meeting with the Dalai Lama, Could you comment?

A: We have taken note of relevant reports, which currently are just speculations. The Chinese Government is opposed to cyber hacking. At the same time, we hope that the countries concerned, including the media covering these issues, do not make unfounded accusation against China before truth is revealed.

Q: French President said recently that his meeting with Dalai was not against China and he didn't want to harm China-France and China-EU relations. How do you comment on that?

A: I don't think this excuse can resolve the current difficulties in China-France relations. The French leader insisted on meeting with Dalai, which has interfered in China's internal affairs and undermined China's core interest. The French side should fully recognize the severity of the current situation,take seriously China's concerns and adopt concrete measures so as to create conditions for the healthy development of China-France relations.

Q: Polish President met with Dalai yesterday. What's China's reaction?

A: We have already made solemn representations with the Polish side, expressing China's strong dissatisfaction. We urge the Polish side refrain from doing anything detrimental to China's core interest or setting up obstacles to the development of China-Poland relations.

If there are no other questions, thank you for coming!