On the afternoon of October 30, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference and answered questions related to the Korean Peninsula, Iran, the Middle East and Darfur, as well as China-Canada relations.

Liu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I will start with an announcement.

At the invitation of Shukeyev, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and the Kazakhstan chair of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee, Vice Premier Wu Yi, Chinese chair of the Committee will attend the 4th meeting of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee in Astana on November 7, 2007.

Now the floor is open.

Q: The US Assistant Secretary of State Hill will arrive in Beijing today, and then he is going to the ROK and Japan. What will be discussed during his stay in Beijing? Is there any progress on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue recently?

A: As far as I know, Mr. Hill will be here in the coming hours. Officials from our Ministry will exchange views with him on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the Six-party Talks process and the work for the next phase. Currently the parties concerned are implementing the consensus agreed in the Talks smoothly and comprehensively. We hope relevant parties can continue to work on the process so as to translate into practice the important document reached on October 3 and press ahead with the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the normalization of the relations between relevant countries.

Q: The King of Jordan has launched his visit to China today. In what areas does China want to enhance the cooperation with Jordan? Besides, we have taken note that the King of Jordan said China's position on the Middle East issue shall be respected. The international meeting on the Middle East issue will be held in the US in November. What kind of role will China continue to play in promoting the Middle East peace process?

A: King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan arrived in Beijing yesterday for the state visit. President Hu Jintao will host a welcoming ceremony for him at 5p.m. this afternoon and then have talks with him. In recent years, the friendly cooperation between China and Jordan in various fields have been going on smoothly. The King of Jordan has visited China for several times. We hope his current visit can promote the cooperation between the two countries in all fields including the mutually-beneficial economic cooperation and enhance mutual trust politically. I believe that the two leaders will exchange views on the Middle East peace process as well.

China has all along been supporting the Middle East peace process, vigorously working on various parties and endeavoring to encourage peaceful negotiation. We have taken note of some new progress in the current Middle East situation. China is ready to make joint efforts with relevant countries to enhance communication and promote the Middle East peace process. China will continue to play its constructive role in this regard.

Q: It's reported by the Xinhua News Agency that, Kim Kye Gwan, head of the DPRK delegation of the Six-Party Talks arrived in Beijing today. Please confirm. Are the heads of the U.S. and the DPRK delegations going to meet in Beijing?

A: As far as I know, Kim Kye Gwan, head of the DPRK delegation of the Six-Party Talks has arrived in Beijing and started his work. As to whether the US and the DPRK will contact each other or not, you'd better ask them directly. I believe that the officials from my Ministry will exchange views with Mr. Kim Kye Gwan on the progress of the Six-Party Talks in due course.

Q:Some Chinese activists to defend the Diaoyu Islands who tried to approach the Diaoyu Islands were blocked by the Japanese side last weekend. The Japanese Government has made representation with the Chinese side. Do you have any comment?

A: Our position on this issue is, the Diaoyu Island and its adjacent Islands have been inalienable part of the Chinese territory from ancient times. China has indisputable sovereignty over the Diaoyu Island and its adjacent Islands. The actions taken by the Japanese side against the Chinese citizens have violated the international law, and  infringed on the China's sovereignty. China firmly opposes the illegal move.

Q: Can you comment on the meeting between the Canadian Prime Minister Harper and Dalai? The Chinese Ambassador to Canada said that the action of the Canadian side had undoubtedly undermined China-Canada relations. Do you agree with that? Secondly, more than 100 members of Parliament from the U.K. wrote to urge China to shoulder more responsibilities on resolving the conflict in the Darfur region and cease arms sale to the Sudanese Government. How do you comment?

A: China is all along opposed resolutely to any country or any individual trying to interfere with China's internal affairs by taking advantage of the Dalai Lama issue. Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. Issues of Tibet are totally internal affairs of China. The words and deeds of the Dalai Lama for the past decades make it evident that he is a political exile bent on engaging in activities aimed at splitting the motherland and devastating national unity under the robe of religion.

Turning a blind eye to China's repeated solemn representations, Canada insisted on permitting Dalai's visit there and arranged meetings with the leaders and other public activities for him, which gravely violated fundamental norms governing international relations and grossly interfered with China's internal affairs. China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition. The revolting move by Canada has severely hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and damaged the China-Canada relations.

China urges Canada to reflect on and correct its erroneous actions on the Dalai Issue, take effective measures immediately to undo the damage, cease supporting and conniving at the separatist activities of the Tibet Independence forces and stop interfering with China's internal affairs so as to avoid further damage to the China-Canada relations.

On your second question, it's witnessed by all that China follows the Darfur issue closely and plays a constructive role. Under the circumstances that the Darfur issue is still confronted with difficulties, we appeal for vigorously supporting and coordinating with the efforts of the UN and AU to implement the roadmap plan comprehensively and resolve the issue through political negotiations.

Each party involved in negotiation should cease any arms conflict in the Darfur region immediately, realize comprehensive ceasefire and create sound atmosphere for peace talks. All the major opposition parties should actively participate in political negotiation process and reach a single position in negation at an early date. Parties concerned should endeavor to reach comprehensive peace agreement on the basis of the "Darfur Peace Agreement" through dialogue and consultation in the spirit of mutual understanding and accommodation. China has all along adopted a constructive and responsible attitude towards the Darfur issue. We hope the international community can face at this squarely.

Q: Israeli Foreign Minister Livni said that she would persuade China to impose further sanctions on Iran. Will China rule out any further sanctions against Iran in the United Nations?

A: China has noticed the remarks by Livni. We believe it is the best choice and in the common interest of the international community to solve the issue peacefully through diplomatic negotiation. It's been China's position that sanctions should never be applied unbridled in international relations. At present, parties concerned are seeking to solve the issue through dialogue with Iran. In this context, sanctions should be avoided so as not to complicate things.

Q: Minister Liu Yunshan of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee started his visit to the DPRK yesterday. Whom will he meet with, and what will be discussed?

A: At the invitation of DPRK Worker's Party, Communist Party of Vietnam and Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Mr. Liu Yunshan, member of the Politic Bureau of CPC Central Committee, member of Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, pays a good-will visit to the DPRK, Vietnam and Laos from October 29 to November 2.The main purpose of his visit is to further improve relations between the Communist Party of China and the ruling parties in those countries, and promote China's friendly cooperation with these neighbors. During his visit, Mr. Liu Yunshan will exchange views with leaders of those countries on issues of common interest as well as the best practices in administration. He will also brief them on China's 17th Party Congress.

If there are no further questions, thank you!