On October 23, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on the ASEM 7, the international financial crisis, and etc.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I'd be happy to take your questions.

Q: President Bush is to hold an international financial summit next month. Has China received the invitation? Will you accept it?

A: China believes that the international community should jointly address the current international financial crisis and safeguard the stability of world economy and finance through consultations on equal footing and closer cooperation. China sets store by relevant proposal to hold an international financial summit. We shall give it serious consideration, and keep communication and coordination with relevant parties.

Q: Indian Prime Minister is arriving in Beijing tonight. Will Premier Wen Jiabao have separate meeting with him to talk about China-India relations? Secondly, do you think the ASEM 7 will unite Asian and European countries to reduce the influence of the US and Wall Street on the international financial market?

A: Indian Prime Minister Singh will arrive in China today to attend the ASEM 7 to be held shortly. China extends its welcome. Chinese leaders will meet with him to exchange views on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest, which will help the two countries maintain political dialogue, enhance mutual trust and promote cooperation in a wide range of fields.

About your second question, the ASEM 7 is held against the background of a deteriorating and expanding international financial crisis. It would be impossible for any country in the world to stay out of this financial crisis, or if you prefer, the "financial tsunami" and remain intact. Therefore, the international community should have closer cooperation and seek for counter-measures. During this ASEM meeting, the current international financial situation will definitely become a topic of discussion. As the host country, China has made corresponding arrangement. We hope leaders from Asia and Europe will make full use of this opportunity to exchange views on how to strengthen coordination and cooperation in order to jointly cope with the crisis, and make a difference in the process.

I must point out that many of those attending the meeting are from developing countries, which are exposed to great risks and lots of difficulties brought by the international financial crisis. This deserves the attention from the international community, especially the developed countries. We hope the international community, in dealing with this crisis, could take full consideration of the concerns and interests of developing countries and safeguard stability of their economy and finance.

Q: Did China write a letter to the EU, warning it not to issue its annual human rights award to Hu Jia? What will be the consequence if this happens? Could it affect the ASEM 7?

A: China's position on human rights is clear. We oppose interfering in other's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. Hu Jia is a criminal convicted of inciting subversion of the state regime by Chinese judiciary authorities. To issue such an award to a criminal is interference in China's judiciary sovereignty, defiance to human rights, and disgrace to the award itself. China has made solemn representations to the EU side.

Q: About Japanese Prime Minister Aso's visit to China. You called Prime Minister Abe's visit in 2006 an "ice-breaking" journey, and Prime Minister Fukuda's visit in 2007 a "spring-herald" journey. How would you position this visit by Prime Minister Aso?

A: Whatever you name this visit, it is an important event. We welcome Prime Minister Aso to the ASEM 7. The Chinese leaders look forward to meeting with him, and have in-depth exchange of views on promoting the bilateral strategic relations of mutual benefit as well as the two countries' cooperation in a broad range of fields. We wish Prime Minister Aso a successful visit, and hope the bilateral relations between China and Japan as two close neighbors will continue to improve, develop and score progress.

Q: Just now you said that the international community should take full consideration of developing countries' concerns and interests in dealing with the international crisis. Will China propose any specific initiative on how to safeguard their interests at the ASEM meeting and other international meetings?

A: Developed and developing countries should strengthen cooperation and jointly address the international crisis. Such cooperation should be based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. During the ASEM 7, leaders from developed and developing countries will have extensive exchange of views on the international economic and financial situation. As requested by relevant parties, we will hold a breakfast meeting tomorrow among ASEAN countries plus China, Japan and the ROK. At the meeting, leaders will have informal and freestyle exchange of views on the current international economic and financial situation. Actually, the international community has come up with a lot of proposals and propositions on how to address the current international crisis. For instance, it's proposed that an international financial summit should be held among G20 leaders. China sets store by the proposal, and is considering taking part. We hope countries will work together in a spirit of consultation on equal footing and practical cooperation so as to make the meeting a success.

Q: What is China's position on establishing a multilateral currency swap mechanism on the basis of "Chiang Mai initiative"? Will this be discussed at the ASEM 7?

A: I guess you mean the initiative of establishing a reserve-pooling mechanism under the framework of 10+3. As you said, this is a step to extend the "Chiang Mai initiative" multilaterally under the framework of 10+3. Relevant parties have basically reached a consensus on this proposal targeted mainly at helping countries in urgent need when there is international financial fluctuation and low liquidity. China is positive towards this proposal. We are ready to have more discussion with relevant parties.

If there are no more questions, thanks for coming. See you.