On the afternoon of June 16, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Qin Gang: Welcome to the press conference. I have several announcements to start with.

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Abdullah Gul of the Republic of Turkey will pay a state visit to China from June 24 to 29.

At the invitation of Mongolia, President Hu Jintao's special envoy, Vice-Chairman Jiang Shusheng of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will attend the inauguration ceremony of Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj on June 18.

Mr. Wu Sike, China's special envoy on Middle East will visit Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Russia from June 20 to July 4 and exchange views with parties concerned on the current situation in the Middle East.

Now, the floor is open.

Q: India has deployed four Sukhoi 30 fighter jets along its border with China after stationing 60,000 troops there, at a time when President Hu Jintao and Indian Prime Minister Singh agreed to jointly safeguard peace in border areas prior to a resolution of the border issue during their meeting. Do you view the military move a contravention of the leaders' consensus?

A: It is a consensus reached by leaders and governments of the two countries as well as the common aspiration of the two peoples to advance China-India strategic partnership of cooperation and bilateral good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation. China's position on border-related issues is consistent and clear. We hope China and India join hands to nail down the important consensus reached in an earnest manner and safeguard peace and tranquility along the border, so as to create favorable conditions for a proper, fair and reasonable resolution of the issue and development of bilateral relations.

Q: According to Asahi Shimbun reports, quoting unnamed sources, Kim Jong-un, the youngest son of Kim Jong-il visited China last week and met with Chinese leaders including President Hu Jintao. His assistant told the Chinese side that Kim Jong-un had been appointed as the heir and acting at a significant post in the Workers' Party. Could you confirm? How do you comment?

A: We are not aware of the information.

Q: US State Department Spokesman Laine said on June 13 that the US expressed concern over China's Labor Law enforcement shortcomings regarding working conditions and the lack of written contracts of workers. And he went on to say that the US would continue to engage with a range of stakeholders to ensure that the global financial crisis is not used as a pretext to weaken labor rights or other human rights. How do you comment? Are you worried that the labor rights issue will have an impact on China-US relations? Second question. Four countries including China cut buying US Treasury bonds in April. Do you have any comment? Will China cut or continue buying US bonds?

A: On your first question, I am wondering from which podium the US spokesman was speaking. The Chinese Government always places emphasis on safeguarding lawful rights and interests of workers and exercises a minimum wage guarantee system in line with the Labor Law. We have approved four out of eight core conventions of the ILO, namely Equal Remuneration Convention, Minimum Age Convention, Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention and Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention. What I'd like to remind you is the US only ratified two out of the eight conventions. We are actively studying the ratification of other conventions.

The Chinese Government has taken a series of measures in terms of law enforcement and executive administration to effectively protect labor rights. Nowadays, given the negative impact of the international financial crisis on China's economy and employment, the Chinese Government immediately adopted stimulus package to boost domestic demand and to ensure stable and relatively rapid economic development, with positive effect already been witnessed. The fundamental purpose of the concept of "ensuring growth, people's well-being and stability" is to safeguard the essential rights and interests of the Chinese people, which embodies the principle of "putting people first and governance for the people" of the Government. We resolutely oppose and will not accept the groundless allegations from the US.

Of course, as a developing country, China needs to catch up with western countries including the US in workers' welfare and salary. We will raise the level of rights and interests enjoyed by Chinese workers while promoting economic development and social and cultural undertakings.

The paragraph you quoted from the spokesman may sound impressive. However, I suggest you think over where this financial crisis originated from. I took part in lots of functions and heard lots of people complaining about the serious impact of the crisis on their economies and cost them enormous jobs. Who are the stakeholders? It is those jobless around the world who fell victims of the crisis. I wonder what the US spokesman wants to say to them.

On China's foreign reserve, we always follow the principle of ensuring safety, liquidity and good value pursuant to our need. These principles determine how much we buy and when we buy.

Q: Given your answer just now, do you believe the US should apologize to workers around the globe for the international financial and economic crisis?

A: People may differ in their views on the same thing. But, if you made a mistake, at least you don't have reasonable grounds to lecture others.

Q: The DPRK expressed strong dissatisfaction against the Security Council Resolution 1874, in particular against the sanctions. The Resolution calls on Member States to inspect all cargo vessels to and from that country to prevent them from carrying materials which could be used for the DPRK nuclear program. But the DPRK threatened to declare war on the countries conducting the inspection. How do you view the DPRK's move? Will China inspect the cargo according to the Resolution?

A: We hope parties involved maintain calmness and restraint, resolve relevant issues through dialogue and consultations and not take any move that may lead to further escalation of tension so as to press ahead with the denuclearization on the Peninsula and safeguard peace and stability of the Peninsula and Northeast Asia.

On the onboard inspection of the vessels, Resolution 1874 has explicit stipulation over that. China will implement the Resolution in an earnest way.

Q: Several questions. You just said you were not aware of Kim Jong-un's visit to China. Is it possible that he met with officials from the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC? Did the DPRK Defense Minister visit China recently? Do you have any comment on the just-concluded Iranian election and the subsequent unrest?

A: On your first question, I'd like to reiterate that we are unaware of the information.

On your second question, China and the DPRK have normal people-to-people exchanges. Please refer to the Defense Ministry for details.

On the situation in Iran, we respect the choice of the Iranian people and hope to see Iran maintain unity and stability.

Q: Over the past days, the statement of the Foreign Ministry has stopped using the word of "the Six-Party Talks". The remarks made after the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution also referred to dialogue rather than the Talks. Does that indicate a policy change on the Korean nuclear issue? Secondly, ROK media reported that an assassination against Kim Jong-nam, the oldest son of Kim Jong-il, was foiled within China. Could you confirm?

A: On the first question, I want to stress that the Korean nuclear issue could only be solved peacefully through dialogue and consultations, among other political and diplomatic means. China is willing to work together with other parties so as to push the issue back to the track of peaceful resolution through dialogue and consultations.

On your second question, we do not have the information.

Q: Could you brief us on President Hu Jintao's visit to Slovakia and Croatia? Will any cooperative agreements be signed?

A: After his visit to Russia, President Hu Jintao will visit Slovakia and Croatia. During the visit, President Hu Jintao will meet with leaders of these countries. This visit is also an indication of the importance the Chinese Government attaches to developing relations with the two countries. We believe that the visit will enhance the political mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation between China and them. As far as I know, some cooperative agreements in trade and economy will be signed and relevant information will be released in due course.

Q: It is reported that the European Union has agreed to take some terrorist suspects held in the Guantanamo Bay, including several Chinese Uigurs. How do you respond?

A: We firmly oppose the transfer of East Turkistan terrorist suspects in Guantanamo to any third party. They should be handed over to China under legal proceedings.

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