On the afternoon of June 24, 2010, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have three announcements to start with.

At the invitation of the Government of the Philippines, Yan Junqi, Special Envoy of President Hu Jintao and Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, will attend the inauguration ceremony of the new President of the Philippines on June 30.

Upon invitation, Jiang Weixin, Special Envoy of President Hu Jintao and Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development will attend the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 30.

At the invitation of State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Gia Khiem will co-chair the fourth meeting of the Guiding Committee for China-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation with State Councilor Dai Bingguo from June 29 to July 3.

Now, the floor is open.

Q: According to historical records including declassified documents of the Foreign Ministry of the Soviet Union, the DPRK invaded the ROK on June 25th, 1950. Tomorrow marks the 60th anniversary of the eruption of the Korean War, how do you comment?

A: I already answered this question at the last briefing. I'd like to stress that history is history, thus is irreversible and what we can do is to learn from it. The most important lesson we should draw from what happened 60 years ago is that hard-won peace, tranquility and stability should be cherished. We hope countries concerned in this region proceed from the overall peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, continuously boost exchanges, mutual-trust and cooperation so as to promote long-lasting stability and common development of the region. As a peace-loving country, China is willing to join hands with relevant parties to work towards that goal.

Q: The Nuclear Suppliers' Group is holding a meeting in New Zealand. Will the China-Pakistan civil nuclear energy cooperation be discussed? Besides, are there any developments in China's providing civil nuclear technologies to Pakistan?

A: I don't have any information on the NSG meeting in New Zealand. However, I'd like to reiterate that China and Pakistan, following the principle of equality and mutual benefit, have been cooperating on nuclear energy for civilian use. Our cooperation is consistent with the two countries' respective international obligations, entirely for peaceful purpose and subject to IAEA safeguard and supervision.

Q: It is learnt that a Chinese Ambassador from the Foreign Ministry is visiting Kyrgyzstan. Could you tell us the purpose, mandate and schedule of his visit? Is China engaged in political mediation?

A: Kyrgyzstan is a friendly neighbor of China and a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and China is closely following the situation there. After the unrest in Osh region, southern Kyrgyzstan, China's Foreign Ministry sent Ambassador Gao Yusheng as head of a delegation to visit Kyrgyzstan on June 16 and the delegation is still there. Ambassador Gao, once acting as Chinese Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine and deputy Secretary-General of the SCO, is familiar with Central Asian affairs and has rich diplomatic experience.

After the arrival, the delegation met with leaders and officials of the interim government including Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Civil Affairs and Chair of National Security Commission, important figures of various circles and diplomatic missions from Russia and US. The delegation expounded China's position of hoping Kyrgyzstan restore stability, in particular, southern areas including Osh and Jalal-Abad restore normal social order at an early date. The delegation also stressed that China, highly valuing its relations with Kyrgyzstan, is ready to strengthen cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in politics, economy and trade, transport, security, culture and etc, to provide aid to Kyrgyzstan within its capability including humanitarian material aid, and to enhance communication and coordination in a bid to concretely safeguard and promote peace, stability and development of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia as a whole.

Q: Today, the Ministry of Public Security said it had broken up a major terrorist group, three of which had fled to other countries. Which countries are they in? Is China considering having them repatriated? Besides, what measures has China adopted to apprehend the heads of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement? Where do you believe the East Turkistan forces are based?

A: I'll leave the first question to the Ministry of Public Security which is in charge of the case.

On the second one, recent years have seen a surge of activities by the Three Forces, posing threats to stability and tranquility of the region and some Chinese provinces. Cracking down upon terrorism including the East Turkistan Islamic Movement is a consensus reached among the international community, especially regional countries. Over the years, China has boosted communication, coordination and cooperation with relevant countries and organizations through bilateral channels and within multilateral framework including the SCO. We hope to further cement cooperation in cracking down upon East Turkistan forces both at home and abroad according to law.

Q: China's Foreign Ministry said at the end of last year that around 20 Chinese suspected of engaging in terrorist bombings were repatriated by Cambodia. Is this the same case released by the Ministry of Public Security today?

A: I suggest you refer to the Ministry of Public Security for more details.

Q: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd resigned today and Deputy Prime Minister Gillard has been sworn in. How does China evaluate Kevin Rudd? What's your expectation of the new Prime Minister?

A: Changes in leadership are internal affairs of one country. Developing relations with China in an active manner is the common understanding of the Australian Government and various circles, which serves the common interest of both countries. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been committed to developing friendship and cooperation with China during his office, which is appreciated by us.

We congratulate Ms. Gillard on becoming Australian Prime Minister. At present, China-Australia ties are enjoying a sound momentum of development. China is ready to work together with Australian Government and all circles to press ahead with China-Australia comprehensive cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples.

Q: It is reported that on June 22, while making remarks on the relocation of the Futenma military base in Okinawa, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said that the US troops in Japan are deterrence. He also said that serious attention must be paid to China's military build-up. How do you comment?

A: We express concerns over relevant remarks of the Japanese side. China,unswervingly following the path of peaceful development, does not pose any threat to anyone, nor does it accept the so-called deterrence of others. As a bilateral arrangement, Japan-US alliance should not exceed the bilateral range, let alone targeting a third country.

Q: China and the DPRK signed the Treaty of Friendly Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Beijing on July 11, 1961. Analysts say that the Treaty embodies the blood and flesh alliance between China and the DPRK. Is China considering to revise or abolish the Treaty in order to maintain peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula?

A: The China-DPRK Treaty of Friendly Cooperation and Mutual Assistance signed under that historical circumstances has played a positive and significant role in promoting bilateral relations and maintaining peace and stability of the Peninsula over the past years. I haven't heard of any plan to revise the Treaty.

I'd like to emphasize that relevant countries in the region should look into the future and learn from the history so as to better cherish and maintain peace as well as to promote peace, stability and common development of the region. China follows a foreign policy of good-neighborliness and friendship and always makes friends and makes peace with neighboring countries. We are willing to work with both the DPRK and the ROK to develop good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, strengthen mutual trust and cooperation so as to achieve common safety, common development and shared prosperity.

Q: The US Secretary of Commerce Gary Lock said recently that the RMB is still undervalued despite the People's Bank of China's (PBC) decision to further advance the reform of RMB exchange rate formation mechanism. He also said that President Obama will raise the issue at the upcoming G20 Summit in Toronto. Does China support to raise the issue at the G20 Summit?

A: On the RMB exchange rate issue and whether it will be discussed at the upcoming G20 Toronto Summit, the PBC spokesperson and I have made very clear of China's position on many occasions.

I'd like to stress that the RMB exchange rate issue is not the principal reason for the China-US trade imbalance which resulted from international industrial division of labor against the background of economic globalization. Meanwhile, another important reason is the US restrictions over high-tech products exported to China. The RMB appreciation can neither redress the China-US trade imbalance nor resolve the issues of over-low savings rate, credit-consumption or unemployment in the US.

We hope the US reflect on the problems in its own economic structure instead of accusing and pressuring others.

We attach great importance to China-US economic and trade relations significant to both countries and the world at large. Following the principle of mutual benefit when developing economic and trade relations with the US, China never pursues trade surplus on purpose. Over the past years, we have taken active measures to expand imports from the US, which are proven to be effective. We hope the US join us to take an active and constructive attitude and steps so as to push for balanced bilateral economic and trade relations rather than politicize the RMB exchange rate issue. It is untenable and detrimental to both sides to accuse and pressure one another on this issue or even resort to trade protectionism.

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