On May 15, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue held the regular press conference. Zhang Qiyue: Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. First I have a piece of announcement to make: At the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Swiss Federal Councilor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Micheline Calmy-Rey will visit China on 23rd, May. Now the floor is open.

Q: Today the ROK President Roh Moo-Hyun and the US President Bush issued a joint declaration, expressing their confidence of the peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue. What is the comment of the Chinese side? Besides, When will the second round of the Beijing talks on the DPRK nuclear issue be held? Will China invite the ROK and Japan to attend the talks? Did China contact with the DPRK side on the second round of talks? What is the reaction from the DPRK side?

A: We have taken note of the joint declaration issued by the Presidents from the US and the ROK as well as their remarks at the press conference. This demonstrated the consensus of the international community, namely, standing for the peaceful and diplomatic solution to the current DPRK nuclear issue. Since the DPRK nuclear issue stood out once again last October, it escalated the situation in the Korean Peninsular and aroused wide concerns of the international community. China has made its own efforts to push for the peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue, inviting the ROK and the US to China for the Beijing Talks from April 23rd to 25th. This is a beneficial meeting. During the talks, on the current DPRK nuclear issue and the situation in the Korean Peninsular, the relevant parties expounded their respective stands, voiced their concerns and enhanced mutual understanding. At present, the parties concerned are still evaluating the outcome of the Beijing Talks.

We believe that the talks have already turned out to be a good start for the peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue and that the dialogue should continue. As for the role of other countries, we believe that the relevant countries should play a constructive role in promoting the peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue, and welcome the countries concerned to play an active role. Now it is imperative to keep the momentum of dialogue so that the Beijing Talks will continue. China maintains diplomatic contacts with the parties concerned, and is ready to work with the countries concerned and the international community for a peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue.

Q：Premier Wen Jiabao proposed to hold an international meeting on the prevention and control of SARS in Beijing at the special summit on SARS between China and ASEAN. When will the meeting be held and what will be discussed?

A: On April 29th, Premier Wen Jiabao attended the special summit on SARS between China and ASEAN, and made practical proposals on the cooperation with the ASEAN countries. The summit was concluded with a joint declaration of the special summit on SARS between China and ASEAN. To follow up the joint declaration, a high-level international symposium on SARS of China, Japan, the ROK and the ASEAN countries (10+3) will be held in Beijing from June 3rd to 4th. The theme of this meeting is: to exchange information and experiences on the prevention and control of SARS, especially on the epidemiological investigation, clinical treatment, diagnosis reagent and medicine research etc., so as to seek more international cooperation on the prevention and control of SARS. Besides the participants from 10+3 countries, experts and scholars from other countries and regions will also attend this conference.

Q: Could you brief us on the latest development of President Hu Jingtao's attendance at the G8 summit meeting held in Evian. Besides, will China attend the Microsoft meeting held in Washington at this weekend? Thirdly, How does China view Taiwan's attempt to join the World Health Organization?

A: French President Chirac has formally invited President Hu Jingtao to attend the informal leaders' dialogue meeting between the South and North in Evian, France, on June 1st. It is very important for the leaders of the South and North to exchange views on the major international economic development issues. China endorses this initiative and is now giving active consideration. I will give you an update on that in due course.

As for the meeting held by the Microsoft, it is a professional meeting and I am not aware of the relevant information.

Concerning your third question that is a very serious one, I have already made remarks on that. The World Health Organization (WHO) is a special UN Agency to which statehood is required. As a province of China, Taiwan is not entitled to joint the WHO or participate in the WHA as an observer.

So far, the exchanges and cooperation across the straits have always been quite smooth. Since the outbreak of SARS in Taiwan, the Chinese government has been attaching great importance to that, with great concerns about the health and personal safety of our Taiwan compatriots. We have always been sharing the information on SARS with Taiwan. In late this April, the relevant medical and health institutions of the mainland and Taiwan health institutions held a symposium on the prevention and control of SARS across the straits. On May 9th, the two sides across the straits held another symposium on SARS via videophones. Experts in Taiwan also went to Guangzhou and Beijing for the inspection to learn about the prevention and control of SARS in the mainland. The two sides across the straits maintained good cooperation in jointly combating SARS. Therefore, there is no reason for Taiwan to use SARS as an excuse to join any international organization. We are resolutely opposed to Taiwan's attempt to join the WHO in any capacity.
　
Q: Japan's parliament will review the relevant war-contingency bills today. What is the comment of the Chinese side?

A: We have noted that Japan's parliament will review the relevant war-contingency bills today. China is concerned about this issue. It conforms to the long-term national interests of Japan and serves the peace and stability of the Asian-Pacific region for Japan to continue to adhere to the policy of defense limited to its own territory and coastal waters.