On December 4, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference and answered questions on China-France relations, the Six-Party Talks, the relations between India and Pakistan, and etc.

Liu Jianchao: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have an announcement to make.

As agreed upon consultation, the China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting will be held in Fukuoka, Japan on December 13. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the meeting. Leaders of the three countries will exchange views on trilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of common interest.

Now the floor is open.

Q: President Sarkozy is going to meet with the Dalai Lama this week. How do you think will this affect China-France relations? Will there be anti-France protests like those earlier this year? Will this affect the two countries' business relations, such as your commercial contract with Airbus?

A: China has repeatedly and explicitly stated its position on the decision of the French leader, the rotating President of the EU, to meet with the Dalai Lama. France is well aware of our position. Here, I'd like to reiterate that the French side should take seriously our position and concern, create the atmosphere and conditions for the resumption of China-EU Leaders' Meeting, and take concrete measures to contribute to improving China-France relations and developing China-EU relations. Whether China-France relations can grow depends on the choice of France.

The French leader's decision to meet with the Dalai has aroused strong discontent among the Chinese people. China-France relations are important bilateral relations that China has been viewing and treating from a strategic and long-term perspective. We hope the French side could listen to the just appeal of the Chinese public and make earnest efforts to address the difficult situation. On the other hand, we hope the Chinese public could treat the present China-France relations in a calm and rational manner.

In terms of China-France business cooperation, as we stressed on many occasions, China attaches great importance to its business cooperation of mutual benefit with France. We hope France could create sound conditions for the bilateral cooperation in extensive fields so as not to affect the long-term development of bilateral relations or undermine the interest of people in the two countries.

Q: About the current India-Pakistan relations, as a friend of Pakistan, is China concerned about the stability of the country? Did you discuss the matter with the Pakistani Government?

A: Both Pakistan and India are friendly neighbors of China. China's position on anti-terrorism is resolute. We firmly oppose all forms of terrorism, and sincerely hope India and Pakistan could strengthen dialogue and cooperation to jointly safeguard peace and stability in South Asia, which is in the fundamental interest of both countries, conducive to regional peace and stability, and also the universal aspiration of the international community.

Q: Yesterday, the EU decided to ban import of Chinese-made bean products because they are found to contain melamine. Could you comment?

A: China sets great store by food safety, including safety of export food. We have had effective communication and cooperation with the EU and other relevant countries on this issue. I believe the two sides will discuss this issue and settle it through dialogue and cooperation.

Q: Indian Foreign Minister Mukherjee said that every country had the right to defend itself under terrorist attack. He also alluded that the Mumbai terrorists had Pakistan links, and US President-elect Obama seems to share this view. Do you have any comment?

A: I take note that India is conducting investigation on the Mumbai attack. We hope the investigation will illuminate truth.

As a friendly neighbor of both India and Pakistan, China hopes the two countries could settle their disputes through cooperation and dialogue so as to benefit the bilateral relations as well as regional peace and stability. We believe this is in the interest of people in both countries.

Q: Just now, you said that China attaches importance to its business relations with France. Does that mean the China-France business relations will not be affected by Sarkozy's meeting with Dalai?

A: I have just reiterated China's position on its relations with France. China attaches importance to its strategic partnership as well as business cooperation with France. These two elements go hand in hand. A sound and stable development of bilateral relations is essential for creating sound atmosphere and conditions for the two countries to cooperate in political, economic, and cultural fields as well as on international issues. Due to the erroneous position of the French leader, the China-EU relations are affected and China-EU Leaders' Meeting is postponed. We hope the French side could make positive efforts for the comprehensive, healthy and stable development of China-France and China-EU relations.

Q: The Prosecutor of International Criminal Court has notified the UN that the Sudanese President will be arrested on the charge of genocide. How do you comment?

A: China maintains that the Darfur issue can not be settled without the respect for Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As for the ICC prosecution of the Sudanese leader, we suggest that relevant measures by the ICC should be conducive to stability in Sudan and proper settlement of the Darfur issue. We hope parties could act prudently and solve disputes through consultation so as not to complicate the Darfur issue.

Q: Yesterday, the EU adopted the largest anti-dumping resolution against China in recent years. I would like to ask whether it is related to the recent tensions between China and the EU? Are you concerned that if things continue this way China's interests will be impaired? Secondly, Obama has named Richardson as his Secretary of Commerce which aroused the discontent among the Chinese in the United States because of his role in the Wen Ho Lee case. Do you have any comment?

A:About your first question, we always believe that economic and trade issues between China and the EU should be handled effectively through dialogue and consultation with adequate accommodation of each other's concerns on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. We don't want to see this issue affect the overall development of China-EU relations. About the specific issues in the field of economic exchange and trade, I suggest that you consult the Ministry of Commerce.

On you second question, who gets in the new cabinet of theUnited States is its own business. On the issue of Wen Ho Lee, we had already stated our position.

Q: The fifth Sino-US Strategic Economic Dialogue was held today. We usually saw a major rise of the RMB exchange rate before the SED previously. However, this time it is dropping. Can you comment on this matter? Do you think that it is because China might try to stimulate exports through the devaluation of the RMB?

A: I consulted my colleagues in the People's Bank of China on this issue. Since the RMB exchange rate formation mechanism reform started in July 2005, RMB exchange rate is two-way floating with increasingly better flexibility, and more pronounced interaction with the exchange rate of major international currencies. The ups-and-downs of the RMB is driven by market supply and demand, and a package of currencies. The fundamental role of market supply and demand in adjusting the RMB exchange rate is growing. As a next step,China will continue to improve the floating exchange rate regime which is based on market supply and demand, adjusted and managed in reference to a package of currencies. We will give further play to the fundamental role of market supply and demand with a view to maintaining the fundamental stability of the RMB exchange rate.

Q: The date of December 8 proposed by China is approaching, yet China hasn't released any information on the issue of the Six-Party Talks. Is China still waiting for the result of the meeting between the U.S. and North Korea in Singapore today?

A: We have informed parties of the date of the meeting proposed by China. What I can tell you is that China is making active preparation for hosting the meeting of heads of delegations of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the WTO, hasn't decided yet whether to start the Doha Development Round in Geneva this month. According to the current situation of discussions, does China believe that it is the right time to start the Doha Round of negotiations? If so, does China believe that the agreement can be reached by the end of the year?

A: The international community is intensifying the cooperation in addressing the global financial crisis. The G20 Summit and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held last month both send a strong message out on generating a model agreement out of the Doha Round by the end of this year, injecting new vitality to the negotiations. On the summit meetings, leaders of China have also reaffirmed China's position on active participation in the Doha Round. Participants of the meetings stated their commitment to the efforts for the success of the Doha Round at an early date.

China has recently sent a ministerial delegation to the WTO Senior Officials' Meeting, an evidence of the determination and the sincerity of China in promoting the negotiations. Although the mission to conclude the Doha Round by the end of this year seems arduous at present, as a responsible member of the international community and a major country, China always stands ready to actively participate in the negotiations and play a constructive role. China will make concerted efforts with all the parties to secure the achievement of the negotiations during the past seven years, and take a pragmatic approach on that basis with a view to harvesting comprehensive and balanced outcome out of the negotiations.

If there are no more questions, thank you for coming.