On November 27, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on China-France relations, China-EU relations, the Six-Party Talks, explosive attacks in Mumbai, situation in Thailand and etc.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to start with an announcement.

At the invitations of Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and Foreign Minister U Nyan Win of the Union of Myanmar, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will pay official visits to Nepal and Myanmar from December 2 to 5.

Now the floor is open.

Q: It's reported that a series of explosive attacks rocked the Indian city of Mumbai late November 26, causing at least 80 dead and 250 wounded. Do you have any comment?

A: The Chinese Government strongly condemns the series of attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai. We firmly oppose terrorism of all forms. We express deep condolences to the victims and sincere solicitude to their families and the wounded.

Q: The political situation in Thailand is once again getting intense. Could you comment?

A: Thailand is a friendly neighbor of China. China is concerned about the situation in Thailand, and sincerely hopes the country could enjoy national stability, social harmony and sustained economic development.

Q: Today China announced its decision with explanation to postpone the China-EU Leaders' Meeting. Till what date do you plan to postpone the meeting? What conditions must France meet so China would agree to resume the meeting?

A: When the 11th China-EU Leaders' Meeting will be held depends on when France, as the rotating President of the EU will take concrete measures to create necessary and friendly conditions and atmosphere for the meeting. China stays committed to developing a comprehensive and strategic partnership with the EU. This policy remains unchanged. We stand ready to work with the EU to safeguard and promote the sound and sable development of China-EU relations.

Q: The US and some other countries have asked China not to execute Wo Weihan, a medical researcher who was convicted of espionage, saying that he didn't get a fair trial, and that he deserves a second chance rather than the death sentence. How do you respond?

A: Wo Weihan is a Chinese citizen who has broken China's laws, and was put on trial by the Chinese judicial authorities according to law. The trial is a fair one in which the defendant's litigation rights are fully guaranteed. I'd like to stress that China is a country under the rule of law. The Chinese judicial authorities perform their duties independently. Everyone is equal before the law. Wo Weihan cannot enjoy privileges simply because he has foreign relatives.

Q: Will the China-EU exchanges in other fields be affected, such as China's cooperation with Airbus? Secondly, western leaders including Merkel, Brown and Bush all have met with Dalai over the past 12 months, why can't Sarkozy do the same?

A: China and the EU share broad common interest. To strengthen and develop China-EU relations is in the interest of both sides and the world at large. The current circumstances particularly call for closer cooperation between China and the EU to address the international financial crisis, food and energy security, climate change, among other global challenges. China always sets great store by its relations with the EU, and is ready to make joint efforts with the EU on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit to safeguard and promote dialogue, communication and cooperation between the two.

I have to emphasize that the Tibet issue is at the core of China's interest as it bears on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese Government and people resolutely oppose Dalai's engagement in separatist activities overseas in whatever capacity, and foreign leaders' contact with him in whatever form. This position is clear, consistent and firm. On issues that relate to China's core interest of sovereignty and territorial integrity, China has made every necessary response.

Over the past years, thanks to joint efforts of both countries, China-France relations have been taking the lead in China's relations with other developed countries. We expect France to proceed from the overall interest of bilateral relations and honor its commitment by taking China's concern seriously, respecting, and positively responding to it, so as to play a positive and constructive role in safeguarding and promoting long-term, healthy and stable development of China-EU and China-France relations.

Q: A delegation of the European Parliament is in China this week. When will the Chinese leaders meet with the delegates, and will you talk about postponing the China-EU leaders' meeting?

A: To my knowledge, a delegation of parliamentarians from the Council of Europe is now in China at the invitation of the NPC foreign affairs committee. We'd like to maintain contact with EU legislative authorities on regular basis, strengthen dialogue and enhance mutual understanding and cooperation so as to promote healthy and smooth development of China-EU relations.

Q: Can you give us some information about the arrangement of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's visits to Nepal and Myanmar? Whom will he meet with? What is the purpose of his visits to these two countries, especially that to Myanmar? Will the political situation in Myanmar be discussed? The second question is about the China-EU summit. On what conditions will China resume the normal contact with France, for example, an apology from the French President Sarkozy, or his promise of not meeting with Dalai any more? The third question is that France has a lot of investments in China, especially in the field of nuclear power. Why does China treat France this way? Why haven't these investments been affected?

A: The main purpose of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's visits to Nepal and Myanmar is to consolidate and promote good-neighborly relations of friendship and cooperation between China and these two countries. Minister Yang is looking forward to the exchange of views with his counterparts on pressing ahead with the good-neighborly friendship and cooperation between China and the two countries as well as the international and regional issues of common interest. Meanwhile, he will also meet with the leaders of the countries respectively. We will release information of the visit in due course.

You mentioned Myanmar's domestic situation. As a good neighbor of Myanmar, China hopes that parties in Myanmar can achieve national reconciliation through dialogue and bring stability, democracy and development gradually to the country. We also believe that the international community should offer constructive assistance for a proper solution of Myanmar's problem under the condition of respecting Myanmar's sovereignty. We will continue to support the mediation efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy and the constructive role of ASEAN on the issue. China is ready to work with the international community to play a positive role in resolving the issue properly.

With regard to the Sino-French relations, as we say in China, ask those who started the trouble to shoot it. It is not China that causes the current difficult situation in China-France relations, nor should it be held responsible for that. China always values its relations with France. We are ready to make active efforts to promote the bilateral ties as always. We hope France do the same, especially abide by its relevant commitments, respect China's principled position on the relevant issues and handle them properly, so as not to hurt the feelings of the Chinese people or to undermine the foundation of bilateral cooperation, and ensure the sustained, healthy and steady development of bilateral relations. This is not only in the interests of both sides, but also of Sino-European relations and the world's peace and stability.

You mentioned also some major cooperation projects between China and France, and why China treats France this way since France has significant interest in China. In fact, this is exactly the question you should refer to the French side. Given its significant interest in China, and the statement made by its government and leaders on many occasions in regarding China as an important strategic cooperation partner, why are they still doing such a thing? This is exactly why the Chinese Government and Chinese people feel confused and express strong dissatisfaction.

Follow up: If President Sarkozy meets with the Dalai Lama, will it undermine French investment in China?

A: I have just stressed that China highly values the cooperation with France. Meanwhile, we hope to see France also making efforts to maintain and intensify the foundation of the cooperation.

Q: I have two questions. First, you said the day before yesterday that China had proposed to hold the next round of the Six-Party Talks on December 8. Do you have any update on that? Second, many western leaders have met with the Dalai Lama, President Bush meeting with him at least twice. Can you explain the difference between the US and France in meeting with him? Why they are treated differently?

A: For your first question, as I said last time, China had proposed the date for the next talk to the other five parties. We stay in contact with them on the specific arrangement at present.

For the second one, I don't know whether you have understood my response to your colleague or not. The position of the Chinese Government is resolute and clear-cut on issues of major principles, including those involving China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, its national core interest and the feelings of the Chinese people. We resolutely oppose Dalai's separatist activities in any country in whatever capacity, and his contact with foreign governments and leaders in whatever form. There is absolutely no exception. As a comprehensive strategic partner to China, France should have better understood China's concerns and core interests and play a leading role in developing relations with China. Man struggles upwards while water flows downwards. We should always aim high.

Q: With Polish Radio. The Dalai Lama is going to visit Poland and deliver a speech in the Polish Parliament. How will this affect the relations between China and Poland?

A: I wish to convey the message to the Polish Government through your radio that the Chinese Government and people resolutely oppose Dalai's separatist activities in Poland and his contact with Polish leaders in whatever form.

If there are no more questions, thank you for your attendance. See you next time!