On November 10, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions.
Qin Gang: Good Afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First, I have an announcement to make. At the invitation of the Director-General Jacques Diouf of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu will attend the World Food Security Summit to be held in Rome, Italy from November 16 to 18.
At the invitation of the Syrian Vice Prime Minister Abdullah al-Dardari, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu will pay an official visit to Syria from November 18 to 20.
Now, the floor is open.
Q: Last night President Obama had a TV interview and said he will discuss the currency exchange rate issue with China during his visit. Do you have any comment on that?
A: We have made our stance clear on the RMB exchange rate issue on many occasions. We will continue to improve the managed floating RMB exchange rate regime in a proactive, controllable and gradual way. We will give full play to the role of the market supply and demand and increase the flexibility of the RMB exchange rate so as to keep the RMB exchange rate basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level. This is our policy on the RMB exchange rate.
At the same time the United States is the No.1 economy and a major issuing country of reserve currency in the world and its economic development has great influence in the world. The financial situation of the US will affect the development of its exchange rate and its economy. So we hope that while overcoming the impact of the financial crisis, the US will pay more attention on its fiscal deficit and keep long-term and mid-term sustainability of its fiscal policy. This will be conducive to the stability of the US dollar exchange rate and good for China and the world as well.
Q: Has China made representations with the Indian Government on Dalai Lama's visit to the so-called Arunachal Pradesh last weekend?
A: China is firmly opposed to Dalai Lama's visit to the disputed area of the eastern section of the China-India boundary region. Dalai Lama's visit to the region fully exposed his nature of splitting the motherland. His attempt is doomed to fail.
The Indian side disregarded China's solemn representation and allowed Dalai Lama to visit the disputed area of the eastern section of the China-India boundary region. China expresses its strong dissatisfaction to that.
Q: At the meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) earlier this week, Premier Wen Jiabao committed to provide $ 10 billion favorable loans to African countries. In what fields will the loans be used? How much will be devoted each year? Which Chinese bank will be involved? What projects will be covered? I want to know how China uses these loans to help the development of Africa.
A: At the opening ceremony of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the FOFAC two days ago, on behalf of the Chinese Government, Premier Wen announced eight new measures to support the development of Africa in the coming three years, one is to provide $ 10 billion favorable loans. If you have a careful study of the loans and other measures, you will find that the main purpose is to satisfy the current needs and to serve the long term interests of African countries. Currently, it will help to improve people's livelihood and help the African countries to overcome the impact of the international financial crisis. In the long run, it will enhance their capability of developing on their own and in a sustainable way. We also have key areas like infrastructure construction, agriculture, education, health, and communication. The development in these areas will meet the current needs and serve the long term interests of the African countries. I think the $ 10 billion will mainly flow to these fields. As for the specific use of the loans, it still needs our further communication and consultation with related African countries. We would like to listen to the suggestions and ideas of the countries and then confirm how to use the loans according to the different national conditions of relevant countries.
Q: The Chinese media reported that recently the Chinese Government executed nine criminals involved in the July 5 incident in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Can you confirm?
A: The individuals you mentioned are the criminals involved in the July 5 grave violent crime. The judicial authorities of China handled the cases in accordance with law.
Q: How do you see the current China-US economic and trade relations? Is there any progress compared with last year? Second, do you have any reporting restrictions in Kashgar, Xinjiang concerning foreign journalists accredited in China?
A: China-US economic and trade relationship is one of the major pillars in China-US ties. Unprecedented progress has been made in recent years. Back to 30 years ago when China and the US established diplomatic relations, the bilateral trade volume was almost zero. But the current volume has reached $ 300 billion. China and the US are important trading partners to each other.
So on the current China-US economic and trade relations, I have to say that the connection, integration and interdependence between the two economies are ever closer. We two are close partners and the development of the bilateral trade has brought tangible benefits to our peoples.
Second, the trade frictions and disputes between our two countries are mainly because of our different national conditions and the adjustment of the division of labor brought by the globalization. But compared with the huge common interests between us and the great benefits brought to our two countries and peoples by our bilateral economic and trade ties, these frictions and disputes are the minor part. That is not to say we disregard the matters. We hold that the frictions and disputes need to be properly handled through communication and consultation based on equality and mutual respect. China and the US need to take into consideration each other's interests and concerns. Under the current circumstances, we particularly need to oppose trade and investment protectionism of all forms.
We call for the US to make joint efforts with China to properly solve the frictions and problems in China-US economic and trade relations, including to recognize the full market economy status of China and to stop any practice of trade protectionism. This will be conducive to the healthy and smooth development of China-US economic and trade relations, and serve the interests of both China and the US.
On the reporting activities in Kashgar by foreign journalists accredited in China, the reporting work of the foreign journalists in China needs to follow the relevant laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are applicable in Kashgar, Xinjiang, just as in other places of China.
Q: During President Obama's visit to China, will China and the US sign any joint statement or other document?
A: President Obama's visit to China will be of great significance to the future development of China-US relations. China attaches great importance to his visit. It is our hope that by the visit our two countries can further confirm the new stance of the affirmative, cooperative and comprehensive China-US relations in the 21 century set by our two leaders and enrich it with more strategic content. China is looking forward to having comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views with President Obama on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of mutual interest so as to increase mutual trust and promote cooperation between us.
China and the US are having communication and consultation with each other on the preparation work of the visit. We hope the visit will generate more affirmative achievements and promote the healthy and stable development of our bilateral ties. As for the specific achievement, we will know only after the visit is concluded.
Q: Does China hope to issue a specific statement on Tibet or Taiwan question during President Obama's visit here?
A: No matter on the Taiwan question or on the Tibet-related issues, China and the US have already got three joint communiqués. Specified regulations and commitments have already been included in the communiqués. This is an important political foundation for the development of our bilateral ties. To ensure the healthy, stable and smooth development of our relationship, the three joint communiqués must be abided by and our respective major interests and concerns must be respected.
Q: It is reported that a HK ship was attacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, but now it has escaped from danger. Will China strengthen the efforts to combat pirates, like protecting the Chinese ships including ships from HK? Besides, at the international conference in Beijing last week, China expressed the will to have more say in the international coordination work on anti-pirates. Do you have any comment on that?
A: Your first question made me feel tense and then released. I felt tense because you said a ship from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was hijacked by pirates and what made me released is that the ship has already escaped from danger. If what you said is in line with the fact, we will express our solicitude to the ship-owner and the crew members of the HK ship. The purpose of sending our navy forces to escort the Chinese ships in Aden Gulf and the waters near Somalia is to ensure the safety of Chinese ships going by the sea area. The HKSAR is part of China and the Chinese navy forces will give the HK ships necessary protection and assistance when it is necessary. If any HK ship which will go by the sea area needs the help of Chinese navy forces, it can communicate with competent authorities through relevant channels.
To combat pirates is a major concern and common responsibility of the international community. The Chinese Government is ready to enhance cooperation with other countries on the issue so as to jointly maintain the regional security and stability.
Q: It is reported that President Obama postponed his visit to Asia because of the shooting case in the US. Is there any change concerning his visit to China? What is the fixed schedule of his visit?
A: The preparation work on President Obama's visit to China is pressing ahead step by step. At present, there is not any adjustment.
If there is no more question, thank you and bye-bye!