Q: Please brief us on the meetings between President Jiang and leaders of Pakistan and India in Almaty. Do you believe that some improvements have been made during the CICA summit and related meetings in maintaining peace and stability in South Asia?

A: There has been full coverage of President Jiang's presence in CICA summit and his meetings with Pakistani and Indian leaders. Still, I'd like to give you some further information here.

In recent days, tensions have been running high between India and Pakistan. As the largest neighbour of both India and Pakistan, China follows closely with the current developments. China has always held that India and Pakistan should proceed from the maintenance of peace and stability in South Asia and practice restraints so as to settle their disputes through peaceful negotiation and dialogue. This will not only serve the fundamental interests of both India and Pakistan but also benefit peace and stability of the region and the world at large.

Proceeding from this position, China has joined countries in the region and the international community in making unremitting efforts to reduce tensions in South Asia. In attending CICA summit, President Jiang met with Pakistani President and Indian Prime Minister respectively on June 4, expounded on China's principled position on Pakistani-Indian relations, expressed China's sincere aspiration of encouraging and promoting the two sides in making peace and thus played a positive role in reducing the current tensions. Before that, Foreign Minister Tang visited Pakistan and had phone conversations with his counterparts of India, the US and Great Britain respectively on relaxing the tensions in South Asia. On June 5, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Assistant Minister Zhang Yesui met with Ambassadors of India, Pakistan, the US, Russia, Great Britain and France to China and briefed them on the meetings between President Jiang and leaders of Pakistan and India, making another round of peace-encouraging efforts in Pakistani-Indian situation. China appreciates and welcomes any positive efforts of the international community in preventing wars and promoting peace and will continue to make its due efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the region.


Q: UN Secretary General Kofi Anan said that leaders of India and Pakistan failed to seize the opportunity of CICA to reduce tensions in South Asia. Does China agree with him?

A: As close neighbour and friend of both India and Pakistan, China is concerned with the current relations between India and Pakistan. The question between the two countries is by no means a new one. It takes time to solve such a complicated problem. China hopes that the two sides can ease tensions through peaceful dialogue and it stands ready to join the international community in making unremitting efforts to relax the tensions between the two countries.


Q: What's your comment on the suicide bombing in North Israel on June 5?

A: China opposes and condemns the suicide bombing, hoping that Israel can maintain restraints and avoid overacting. China reaffirms its appeal to Israel and Palestine, calling for active coordination from the two sides with the mediating efforts of the international community and putting an end to all violent clashes so as to find a political solution to the conflicts through negotiation.


Q: What's your comment on the results of CICA and the role of Kazakhstan as the host to the meeting?

A: Since its launching ten years ago, CICA has offered a useful venue for Asian countries, Central, West and South Asian countries in particular, to conduct communication and dialogue as well as promote understanding and trust. The first summit meeting of CICA has just convened in Almaty, on which the Almaty Act and CICA Declaration on Eliminating Terrorism and Promoting Dialogue Among Civilizations have been adopted. It's a reflection of the good wishes of CICA members in promoting peace, security and stability.

As a member of CICA, China has attached great importance to the meeting. President Jiang attended the meeting and delivered an important speech titled "Strengthening Dialogue and Cooperation, Promoting Peace and Security", calling upon Asian countries to proceed from the fundamental interests of themselves as well as peace and development of the region, strengthening their cooperation and joining their hands in creating a beautiful community. President Jiang also met with leaders of other countries. China stands ready to work with the rest of Asian countries in making continuous efforts to promote regional peace and security.

During the CICA summit, President Jiang met with Kazakhstani President Nazarbayev. He noted that it was under the initiation and promotion of President Nazarbayev himself that CICA was able to take shape and develop, from which we can see the political ideal and passion of the President and his government in promoting peace and stability in Asia. As a member of CICA and friendly neighbour of Kazakhstan, China has taken an active part in all the activities of the process from the very beginning and has played a constructive role in its development. China will as always make its due contribution to promote the process of CICA in the future.


Q: The Defense Secretary of the United States will visit India and Pakistan this week. What's China's comment? The Loya Jirga is to be held in Afghanistan. How does China assess its role in maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan?

A: For your first question, China understands and supports the efforts made by the international community in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan. For your second question, according to Bonn Agreement, the Loya Jirga is to be held shortly. We sincerely hope that the meeting can proceed smoothly and a well-represented transitional government can be elected after full negotiation. It will not only serve the fundamental interests of all the people in Afghanistan but also conform to the realization of long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region at large.


Q: The summit meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization will be held in Saint Petersburg. How do you assess the role of it in maintaining peace and stability in Asia and promoting Asian economic growth?

A: Shanghai Cooperation Organization is going to have its summit meeting. President Jiang will discuss with his counterparts on future construction and development of the organization and exchange views in an in-depth manner on major international and regional issues of common interest. During the meeting heads of states will sign three important legal and political instruments, the Charter for SCO, Agreement of SCO Member States on Regional Anti-terrorism Regime and the Summit Declaration of SCO. The meeting is of great significance in enhancing multi-lateral cooperation between member states, furthering SCO's development and promoting regional and international peace and stability. China believes that regional economic cooperation is a possible and necessary long-term goal for SCO, to which China adopts a positive attitude.


Q: US State Department released a report on trafficking of women and children. China is not listed among those having serious problems, although it is believed to have such cases. What's your comment on the report? What measures is China going to take to improve the situation?

A: I'm not aware of the details of the report. But China has been quite serious in cracking down trafficking of women and children. Strict measures have also been taken. The Chinese Government has made great efforts and will continue to resolutely fight against the social evil.


Q: It's reported that a high-level military delegation of the US will visit China in the mid of this month. Please brief us on the details.

A: The United States proposed the other day to send its Assistant Defense Secretary Rodman to China in the mid of June. We welcome his visit. By then, officials from our military will meet with him, relevant departments will have talks with him. The details of this visit are still under discussion between the two sides.


Q: Russian President Putin has invited leaders of India and Pakistan to visit Moscow, as part of the mediating efforts. Iran and Turkey have also expressed the same wish. What's China's comment?

A: Russian President Putin met with Indian Prime Minister and Pakistani President respectively during the CICA summit in Almaty. We welcome the diplomatic mediating efforts made by Russia, hoping that positive efforts can be achieved. At the same time, China is also playing its own constructing role in reducing tensions in South Asia. We welcome the efforts made by the international community in this respect.


Q: It's reported that the US will have the 17th sub-critical nuclear test on June 7. What's your comment?

A: It's our hope that each nation can abide by CTBT.


Q: It's reported by Russian Press that China would rent or buy some intelligence equipment on some islands of Cuba. Can you confirm that and what's your comment?

A: The report is ridiculous. There's no such case.