On September 29, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on Premier Wen Jiabao’s upcoming visit to the DPRK, the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, the Iranian nuclear issue and the Meeting of Council of Heads of Government of SCO Member States, etc.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I have three announcements to start with.

At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council, Prime Minister Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of the Russian Federation will pay an official visit to China from October 12 to 14. The two premiers will co-chair the 14th China-Russia Prime Ministers' Meeting and attend a conference marking the 60th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties as well as the closing ceremony of the "Year of the Russian Language". Prior to this, from October 11 to 12, Vice Premier Wang Qishan of the State Council will hold the 5th representatives' meeting on energy negotiation with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin, and the 13th meeting of the joint commission for the Prime Ministers' Meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov respectively in Beijing. State Councilor Liu Yandong will hold the 10th session of the China-Russia Committee on People-to-People Cooperation with Vice Prime Minister Zhukov in Dalian City on October 10.

At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council, Prime Minister Igor Chudinov of the Kyrgyz Republic will pay an official visit to China from October 15 to 17.

The Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States will be held in Beijing on October 14. At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council, leaders or representatives of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, the SCO Observers and relevant countries in the region will attend the meeting. They will have an in-depth exchange of views on the implementation of the Yekaterinburg Summit consensus, tackling the international financial crisis, and deepening regional economic and cultural cooperation and etc.

Now the floor is open for questions.

Q: It has been reported that Tibet has suspended handling applications from foreign tourists to visit the region. Is it true? If so, what is the reason behind it? When will Tibet open again to tourists?

A: We have learned from relevant authorities of the Tibet Autonomous Region that it is not true. The Autonomous Region has no special restrictions on foreign tourists visiting Tibet. During the National Day Holiday period, there will be a large increase in number of both domestic and foreign visitors to Tibet. Some travel agencies in Lhasa have received more reservations than the historical record of 2007. Certain travel agencies may have adjusted traveling dates of individual groups, but that is not restricting foreign visits to Tibet.

Q: Since acknowledging its second uranium enrichment plant, Iran has also launched several test missiles. Does China have any response to that? And can you tell us what expectations will China have at the P5+1 meeting with Iran on Thursday in Geneva?

A: Our position on the current Iranian nuclear issue and situation in the region is that we support maintaining the international non-proliferation regime and stand for a proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation so as to safeguard regional peace and stability. We hope that relevant parties can contribute more to easing the tension and solving the issue rather than the contrary. A proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue is in the interests of all parties. We hope the Geneva meeting can generate positive results.

Q: Who will attend the meeting between the six countries and Iran from the Chinese side? My second question is about the visit of US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg in China. Which Chinese officials will he meet with and what topics will be discussed?

A: Mr. Cheng Jingye, Director-General of the Department of Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will head the Chinese delegation to the Geneva meeting.

On your second question, US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg is visiting Beijing now. Vice Foreign Ministers Wang Guangya, Wu Dawei and He Yafei met with him separately this morning. Vice President Xi Jinping, State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will meet with him this afternoon. The military will release information on his meetings there. The two sides will exchange views on China-US relations and issues of common interest.

Q: Will President Ahmadinejad head the Iranian delegation to the SCO Meeting of Council of Heads of Government? And which Chinese officials will attend the IMF/WB Annual Meeting in Istanbul in October?

A: Prime Minister Gillani of Pakistan, First Vice President Rahimi of Iran, Mongolian Foreign Minister Batbold, and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Deora will attend the SCO Meeting on behalf of the four observer nations. Moreover, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan are also invited to attend as guests of the host nation.

On your second question, Finance Minister Xie Xuren and officials of the People’s Bank of China will attend the meeting.

Q: When Premier Wen Jiabao visits the DPRK, will he be taking any message with him from China, Japan, and the ROK ahead of the Trilateral Leaders’ Meeting?

A: Premier Wen’s visit is an important part of activities of the 60th anniversary of China-DPRK diplomatic ties and Year of Friendship, and to reciprocate DPRK Premier Kim Yong Il’s visit to China in March this year. During his visit, Premier Wen will meet and exchange views with DPRK leaders on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest. Premier Wen will also attend activities celebrating the 60th anniversary and Year of Friendship. China and the DPRK will take the visit as an opportunity to review the development of bilateral ties in the past six decades and map out the future of the relationship.

Q: Can you brief us on details of Pakistani Prime Minister Gillani’s visit to China?

A: I have learned that Prime Minister Gillani will pay a visit to China on the sidelines of the SCO Meeting of Heads of Government. China and Pakistan are communicating on relevant arrangement.

Q: You mentioned just now that China and the DPRK would sum up the past and map out the future. What expectations do you have for the future China-DPRK relations? Will the two sides discuss the resumption of the Six-Party Talks?

A: China hopes to work together with the DPRK to further promote the development of bilateral relations and bring the situation of the Korean Peninsula to a positive direction so as to jointly safegurad peace and stability in the region.

It is in the common interest of all parties to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. China has always stood for a peaceful solution to relevant problems through dialogue and consultation. The Six-Party Talks is an effective and practical way to ensure the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We hope that relevant parties can all make positive efforts to promote the course of the denuclearization of the Peninsula.

Q: During Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to the DPRK, will you sign any agreements on food and fuel assistance to the DPRK?

A: During the visit, China and the DPRK will sign some cooperative agreements on trade, education and tourism. China has always been providing assistance to the DPRK within its capacity to help the DPRK to develop its economy and improve the livelihood of its people.

Q: According to reports in the Chinese media, Myanmar has been circulating orders requesting Chinese citizens in North Myanmar to leave the Kokang region. Were you informed of that? Has China contacted Myanmar on that?

A: According to our knowledge, the reports are not true. The current situation in the China-Myanmar border are stable and in order. The exchanges between the two peoples are also normal. China has requested Myanmar to take effective measures according to law to protect the lawful rights and interests of the Chinese citizens in Myanmar.

Q: During Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to the DPRK, will he directly raise the issue of resuming the Six-party Talks to the DPRK? Second question, do you think Iran’s construction of a second uranium enrichment plant has breached relevant UN Security Council resolutions on sanctions against Iran?

A: On your first question, we hope that relevant parties can all make positive efforts to promote the course of the denuclearization of the Peninsula. We believe that the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue should be solved through dialogue and consultation. The Six-Party Talks is an effective and practical way to solve the issue.

On your second question, we hope that relevant parties can contribute to easing the tension and solving the problem, not the other way around.

Q: It is our feeling that the security measures taken by the Chinese Government for the 60th anniversary celebrations have somewhat gone to extremes. What are your concerns with such strict security measures?

A: A responsible Government will take certain necessary and appropriate measures to ensure security and safeguard law and order during the National Day Holiday. We hope that you would understand.

Finally, I have two notices.

Tonight at 6 o’clock, the Press Center for the National Day Celebrations will hold a National Day and Moon Festival reception for the media. You are all welcome.

In addition, according to the past practice, the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be suspended from October 1 to October 8 for the National Day Holiday and resumed on October 13(Tuesday). During the adjournment, correspondents can raise questions to the Spokesperson's Office by telephone.

Wish you a good holiday! Goodbye!