On the afternoon of June 4, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions.

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

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Spanta of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will pay an official visit to China from June 9 to 12.

Now, I'd like to take your questions.

Q: Could you brief us on the arrangement of the first round of China-US Strategic And Economic Dialogue (SAED) due to be held in late July?

A: During their London meeting on April 1, President Hu Jintao and US President Obama agreed to set up the SAED mechanism. Vice-Premier Wang Qishan and State Councillor Dai Bingguo will chair the economic dialogue and strategic dialogue respectively as President Hu's special representatives. US State Secretary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Geithner will be their counterparts respectively. As agreed by both, the first round of SAED will be held in Washington in late July.

Establishing the SAED meachanism is a significant step to develop China-US relations in the new era. During the first round, the two sides will exchange in-depth views on strategic, overall and long-term issues of common interest with an aim to enhancing mutual understanding, trust and cooperation. At present, the preparation is underway.

Q: Russia has announced that the first round of the BRIC summit will be held on June 17. What are your expectations of the summit? Which Chinese officials will take part? Second question. What consensus will China and Japan reach during the upcoming China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue?

A: On your first question, China, Russia, India and Brazil, as major emerging economies, are playing increasingly greater role on the international stage. Given their common interests and concern, the four countries should strengthen dialogue, coordination and cooperation in a bid to enhance the impact and strength of the emerging markets and developing countries as a whole and promote world peace, stability and common development. We will release information on China's participation in the Summit in due course.

On your second question, the forthcoming Second China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue is an outcome of the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries as well as a major move to build up bilateral strategic relations of mutual benefit. We hope that through the Dialogue, the two sides boost understanding and cooperation and discuss how to intensify mutually-beneficial cooperation in trade and economy, environmental protection and energy, among others and joinly tackle the international financial crisis.

Q: On Malaysian Prime Minister's visit, does China expect to sign any agreement with Malaysia in finance and economy? Prime Minister Najib said yesterday that the two sides would consider using the RMB and Malaysian ringgit for bilateral trade settlement. Was this discussed during the meeting? Is China supportive of that?

A: Yesterday, Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Prime Minister Najib and signed four documents including the China-Malaysia Joint Action Plan on Strategic Cooperation. This important document will, for a long time to come, chart the course for the bilateral mutually-beneficial cooperation in a wide range of areas. We are willing to make concerted efforts with Malaysia.

As to the currency swap, as the financial crisis deepens and expands, China and Malaysia should join hands to fend off the crisis. You must be aware of the Chiang Mai Initiative within the framework of ASEAN plus 3. We stand ready to further the multilateral application of the Chiang Mai Initiative, and study with Malaysia to discuss the feasibility and scale of the currency swap according to the respective needs and developments of the situation. We are open to that.

Q: Since Russia has announced the exact date, June 17 for the BRIC summit, could you confirm?

A: China will release relevant information in due course.

Q: Could you give us the itinerary of Afghanistan Foreign Minister in China? Will you discuss China's aid to Afghanistan?

A: China places importance to and welcomes another visit by Foreign Minister Spanta. During his stay, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will hold talks and exchange views with him on bilateral relations, economic reconstruction in Afghanistan and international and regional issues of common interest. I believe this visit will further the development of China-Afghanistan comprehensive partnership of cooperation.

As a friendly neighbor, China supports and takes an active part in the peaceful reconstruction in Afghanistan. Since 2002, China has pledged US$170 million in aid to Afghanistan. Last year, we provided another RMB50 million assistance gratis. We will continue to honor our commitments and provide further assistance within our capacity as our due contribution to Afghanistan peaceful reconstruction.

Q: Flight AF447 of Air France is confirmed to have crashed. How do you respond? Nine Chinese citizens are known to be onboard, what measures have the Foreign Ministry taken and what do you plan to do next?

A: On the tragic accident of Flight AF447, we express deep condolences to the victims. It is confirmed that there are nine Chinese citizens onboard. We also express deep condolences to the Chinese victims and sincere solicitude to their families.

Upon getting the information of the missing flight, the Foreign Ministry immediately launched the emergency mechanism and instructed the Chinese embassies in France and Brazil and the Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro to double-check with the competent authorities in those two countries, Air France as well as relevant travel agencies and to contact the relatives and companies of the Chinese citizens. The center of consular protection of the Foreign Ministry has opened up a 24-hour hotline.

We will stay in close contact with relevant parties, closely follow the developments in search and rescue operation and help the bereaved families and relevant parties to properly handle the aftermath.

Q: The two journalists who were detained by the DPRK for making coverage at the border between China and the DPRK will go under trial this afternoon. How do you comment on it?

A: I am not in a position to answer this question.

Q: There were two recent editorials in US newspapers about the DPRK nuclear test. The one in the Washington Post put forth the theory that China had agreed to the DPRK's actions. And the one in the New York Times said that the DPRK was trying to send a message to the US that it was getting tired of China. How do you comment on both of these theories?

A: China's policy towards the DPRK is clear and known to all.

On the DPRK nuclear test, we have issued a statement, clearly elaborating our position. Under the current circumstances, we urge relevant parties to set store by the overall situation, exercise calmness and restraint, stick to resolving relevant issues properly and peacefully through dialogue and negotiations and refrain from making any remarks or taking any action that may further deteriorate the situation. China will continue to make unremitting efforts to realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, oppose nuclear proliferation and maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

Q: According to some media reports, DPRK leader Kim Jong-il has chosen his third son Kim Jong-un as his successor, and notified the Chinese Government of the arrangement. Please confirm. How do you comment on DPRK leaders coming from the Kim family for three successive generations?

A: I am not aware of what you just mentioned.

Q: Can you brief us on the recent telephone conversation that President Hu and President Obama had? Did the two leaders talk about the North Korean nuclear issue? What was the substance of that conversation? Second question, Mr. Stern, U.S. special envoy on climate change will visit China soon with the mission to press China to commit to hard numbers on emission reductions. What's your response to this?

A: During the phone conversation between President Hu and President Obama, the two leaders exchanged views on further promoting China-U.S. relations. They also discussed about the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. President Hu explained China's consistent position on this issue, while the U.S. also noted their concerns. The two sides agreed to maintain communication, coordination and cooperation so as to work together with other relevant parties to promote the goal of a nuclear free peninsula and maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

Mr. Stern, U.S. special envoy on climate change is expected to visit China soon. Climate change is a very important issue in our bilateral relations as well as a new area and growth point of our future cooperation. We will explain our position and concerns during Mr. Stern's visit. We stand ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the U.S. so as to jointly promote the global effort on climate change.

I suggest you inquire the department hosting Mr. Stern's visit for his itinerary and topics.

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