On the afternoon of September 14, 2006, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang held a regular press conference.

Qin: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! Please allow me to begin with two announcements:

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Valdas Adamkus of the Republic of Lithuania will pay a state visit to China from September 23 to 28.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Gyurcsany of the Republic of Hungary, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Reynders of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Government of Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway, Vice Premier of the State Council Zeng Peiyan will pay official visits to the four countries from September 19 to 28.

Now, the floor is open.

Q: The US White House Spokesman Snow said that all parties were making efforts to bring the DPRK back to the table of the Six-Party Talks. But it is up to the DPRK whether to come back to the Talks or not. The DPRK expects the US to drop its financial sanction. What measure by all parties concerned does China deem necessary for the next step?

A: We believe that the only choice is the peaceful solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through negotiation and consultation and the Six-Party Talks is a way of real effects. Given that the Six-Party Talks consists of six, all of them should make joint efforts. For the time being, all parties should contribute concerted and constructive efforts to removing the obstacle in the way of the Talks, so as to resume the talks at an early date. The fundamental issue is to build mutual trust among the principal parties concerned and create favorable conditions for resuming the talks.

Q: The new Japanese prime minister is going to be elected soon. Is it possible to realize the summit between Chinese and Japanese leaders on the sideline of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vietnam in November? If the new prime minister expresses his hope to visit China, will China accept?

A: China has always attached great importance to China-Japan relations. We are willing to develop a good-neighborly relations and friendly cooperation with Japan in line with the principle of "taking history as a mirror for the benefit of future development" and the three political documents between the two countries. And we commit ourselves to seeking peaceful coexistence, friendship lasting for generations, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development. The foremost task now is to remove the political obstacle to the restoration and normal development of bilateral relations. We are willing to work with Japan to bring China-Japan relations back on the track of normal development as soon as possible. But I have nothing to share with you on whether the leaders of the two countries have plan to meet or exchange visits in the months to come.

Q: It is reported by ROK media that Kim Jong-il might visit China. Please confirm. It is also reported that the upcoming sixth plenary session of the 16th CPC Central Committee will possibly discuss on amending the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. Please confirm.

A: On your first question, I haven't heard of any such arrangement to this point.

On your second question, we haven't considered amending the treaty so far.

Q: It is reported that when Hill visited Beijing shortly ago, he offered to hold bilateral talks with the DPRK, only to be rejected by the DPRK. Please confirm. Why did the DPRK reject this proposal?

A: The report you mentioned is inaccurate. China encourages and supports the US and the DPRK in their direct contact, through which they can have an in-depth exchange of views on their own concerns. We hope the US and the DPRK will show a flexible and practical attitude, so as to find a proper solution.

Q: The US Congress decided to confer on Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal. What's China's comment? Venezuelan President Chavez said that China would support Venezuela in its bid for the non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in October. Please confirm.

A: The US Congress insisted on passing the resolution of conferring on Dalai Lama the so-called "congressional gold medal" in defiance of China's repeated representations. It sent a severely wrong signal to the "Tibet-independence" forces, grossly interfered with China's internal affairs and undermined China-US relations. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition. Tibet is an inseparable part of China's territory, which is the consensus widely recognized by the international community, including the United States. What Dalai said and did over the past decades has testified that he is a political exile who has long engaged in secessionist activities under the cover of religion. He has never stopped his splittist activities for "Tibet independence". China is firmly opposed to the interference in China's internal affairs by any country or any individual by playing up the Dalai question. Our resolve to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity is unswerving.

When Venezuelan President Chavez visited China shortly ago, he talked with China about Venezuela's bid for the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council, and China is supportive of this effort. Now, China and Venezuela share good relations, with close contact and cooperation on international and regional affairs.

Q: Shortly ago, Chinese Government convened the Conference on Oceanological Science and Technology and set forth the comprehensive strategic guideline for protecting China's rights and interests in its offshore waters. Is it convened to address the disputes between China and other countries on resources in the East China Sea and surrounding waters of Nansha Islands? How will China's frictions with other countries over maritime rights and interests affect China's future energy policy? Secondly, recently, the East China Sea Fleet of Chinese navy set up 10 stone boundary markers on the East Chinese islands which mark the base points of its territorial sea. According to the PLA Daily, the purpose is to protect China's maritime rights and interests. Can you tell me the specific location of these markers? Do they encompass Diaoyu Island and its adjacent islets?

A: Chinese Government is staunchly determined to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have disputes with some neighboring countries over maritime demarcation. We maintain that the disputes should be resolved through friendly consultation in a fair, reasonable and proper way, abiding by the universally-recognized international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and taking consideration of specific conditio