Q: China-US relations have always fluctuated because of the Taiwan Question. What role will Vice President Hu's visit to the US play in addressing the problem?

A: Taiwan Question is the most important and sensitive issue at the heart of China-US relations. We have demanded on many occasions that the US side should strictly abide by the One China Policy and the three Joint Communiques, properly handle the Taiwan Question so as to ensure smooth and healthy development of China-US relations. During his visit, Vice President Hu will exchange views in an in-depth manner with leaders of the US. We will continue to demand the US side to strictly abide by the One China Policy and the three Joint Communiques.

Q: If I may, I'd like to ask the same question I asked here last time. An editorial of the Xinhua News Agency said that Israeli's actions against Palestine are the same as the Nazi German's prosecution of the Jewish people. What's your comment? Does that editorial represent the position of the Chinese Government?

A: The position of the Chinese Government on the current Middle East situation is that China expresses deep concern and worries over the continuous tensions between Palestine and Israel and the stalled peace process. China opposes and condemns Israeli's military invasion into the Palestinian territories. This position has been reiterated on many occasions. The international community follows closely what's happening in Jenin. The writer of the article you mentioned expresses his personal feeling over it. The Security Council of the UN held an emergency meeting for the issue on April 19, on which Resolution 1405 was approved unanimously in deciding to send a mission there. We hope that relevant parties can cooperate actively so that the mission can be there to make an objective and just assessment.

Q: Do you believe it's just the personal opinion of the writer, or it represents the position of the Chinese Government?

A: I'd like to reiterate the position of the Chinese Government on the current Middle East crisis. Recently, the violent conflicts between Israel and Palestine have severely escalated, leading to graver tensions in the region. China expresses deep concern and worries over that, opposing and condemning any invasion of Israel to the Palestinian territories. China hopes that the Israeli side should implement the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, withdraw its troops completely from the Palestinian territories and lift the siege of President Arafat. Efforts should be made to eradicate violent conflicts and create favorable conditions for restoration of trust and restart of the political dialogue between Israel and Palestine.

Q: It's reported that China and India held counter terrorism dialogue recently. Did the two sides discuss the new developments in the South Asia? Is there any similar consultation between China and Pakistan? What's your comment on President Musharraf's new measures of combating terrorism and religious extremism?

A: I briefed you last time on the developments of the counter terrorism consultation between China and India. The mechanism is conducive to furthering mutual understanding and cooperation. I'd like to highlight that China and Pakistan are very friendly to each other. The two countries have always maintained very close consultation and cooperation. If necessary, there is no difficulty at all for the two sides in establishing such similar counter-terrorism mechanism.

On the question concerning the measures against terrorism and religious extremism adopted by President Musharraf and the Government of Pakistan, we have taken note that these measures have fully demonstrated the courage and determination of the President and the Government and they have won popular support and endorsement of the Pakistani people. The international community, China included, has responded in the affirmative.

Q: Will Mr. Zeng Qinghong pay a visit to Japan as scheduled? What's the goal of his visit? Besides, will Vice Premier Wen Jiabao also pay a visit to Japan?

A: So far as I know, Mr. Zeng Qinghong, Alternate Member of the Political Bureau and member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of CPC arrived at Oita Prefecture of Japan this afternoon. At the invitations both of the Association of Members of Houses to Commemorate Successfully the 30th anniversary of Normalization of China-Japan relations and the Oita Prefecture, he heads a good-will delegation of the Communist Party of China to attend the ceremonial activities marking the 30th anniversary of normalization of China-Japanese relations, jointly hosted by the Association and the Oita Prefecture. He will also attend the exchange activities between Shaanxi, Jiangxi Provinces and the Oita Prefecture. On your second question, we haven't give any consideration to that at present.

Q: Can you disclose the schedule of Vice President Hu's visit to the US? Will he meet with President Bush and Ramsfield?

A: Vice President Hu will be in the US for a visit from April 27 to May 3. My knowledge is that he will meet with President Bush, Vice President Cheney and some senior officials there. Besides, during his visit, he plans to meet with Secretary General Kofi Anan and President Wolfensohn of World Bank.

Q: The US military officials are now in Nepal to discuss how to strike on the Maoists. Is China worried about the military existence of the US in the surrounding places of China? Besides, has Mr. Sun Yuxi left for Kabul?

A: China follows closely the developments in Nepal. As a friendly neighbour, China wishes to see a stable Nepal.

My knowledge is that Ambassador Sun Yuxi left Beijing for Kabul this Monday. He might be arriving there today or tomorrow.

Q: We very much appreciate the assistance we have got from the Chinese Foreign Ministry and other departments of the Chinese Government. However, some departments and their policies are overlapping. During the 2008 Olympic Games, there will be a lot of correspondents coming from various countries to China. They will by no means accustomed to these policies. Will there be any change to China's policy on news coverage and interview then?

A: Foreign correspondents in China have been getting full assistance from the relevant departments of China so that they can better understand China. Among others, Foreign Ministry holds regular Press Conferences, organizes and assists the correspondents to cover all kinds of news. We have various ways to facilitate the work of foreign correspondents. We will intensify the facilitating efforts and enhance our communication with them so as to let them have a comprehensive and objective understanding of China. With 2008 approaching, we'll further improve our work and intensify the efforts. Your proposals are welcome at any time.

Q: Can you tell us who will accompany Vice President Hu in his visit to the US?

A: Among the entourage, there will be Madam. Liu Yongqing, wife of Vice President Hu, Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, China's Ambassador Yang Jiechi to the US, Deputy Director-General Liu Jiang of the State Commission of Development and Planning, Deputy Director-General Ling Jihua of the General Office of the Central Committee of the CPC, Vice Minister Li Xueyong of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Vice Minister Ma Xiuhong of MOFTEC and Deputy Director-General Zheng Xinli of the Office of Policy Research of the Central Committee of the CPC.