On February 10, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on President Hu Jintao’s visit to five countries in Asia and Africa, China-US relations, China-France relations, and etc.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have an announcement to start with.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will pay a visit to China from February 20 to 22. They will exchange views on bilateral relations and other major issues of common interest.

Now the floor is open.

Q: Yesterday, Dalai received two important awards in Rome and Venice. Will this affect China-Italy relations?

A: China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition over some Italian lawmakers’ meeting with Dalai and the city council of Rome’s awarding him “honorary citizenship” on February 9 in disregard of China’s solemn representation, which strongly offended the Chinese people.

Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The Tibet issue is purely an internal affair of China. China firmly opposes any country, organization or individual interfering into China’s internal affairs by making use of the Dalai issue. What he said and did in the past few decades has made it clear that Dalai is not simply a religious personnel, but a political exile bent on separatist activities under the pretext of religion.

China and Italy are comprehensive strategic partners whose relations enjoy sound development momentum. We hope the Italian side could take seriously China’s concern, take concrete and effective measures immediately to eliminate negative impact and safeguard a sound and stable development of bilateral relations.

Follow-up: What do you mean by “concrete and effective measures”?

A: As you all know, Tibet-related issue bears on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and relates to China’s core interest. The Dalai issue is not a human rights issue, nor an issue of religion and ethnicity, but a major issue that relates to national sovereignty and territorial integrity. When it comes to such issues, the position of the Chinese Government and people is unswerving. We hope the international community could adequately understand, respect and support the Chinese Government’s efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty, people’s interest and social stability, rather than interfere into China’s internal affairs by using the Dalai issue.

Q: What is your expectation over Secretary Hillary’s visit to China?

A: This is Madam Hillary’s first visit to China as the U.S. Secretary of State. It’s also an important high-level exchange between the two countries since the new U.S. Administration took office. We hope through this visit, the two countries could have extensive and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations, the international financial crisis and other international and regional issues of common interest. We hope the two countries could strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual trust and expand cooperation in a bid to promote a sound and stable development of bilateral relations in the new era.

Q: President Obama said yesterday that he was seeking for direct contact with Iran. Does China welcome this? Will this be discussed when Secretary Hillary visits China? Secondly, do you have any comment on the Canadian Government giving a job permit to Lai Changxing, who is the most wanted fugitive in China?

A: I answered your first question already last week. We hope the US policy on the Middle East could help ease the tension in the area and promote the peace process there. During Secretary Hillary’s visit, the two countries will have in-depth exchange of views in a broad range of areas.

We responded to Lai Changxing case last weekend. I’d like to reiterate that China is gravely concerned about Canada’s decision. The Chinese Government’s position is firm and consistent that Lai Changxing should be repatriated to China and put on trial. We have made solemn representation to the Canadian side.

Q: There have been media reports in the past couple of days that Chinalco is in talks to increase its stake in Rio Tinto. I am wondering if China looks favorably upon such a deal. Has the Chinese Government been in discussions with the Australian Government about the deal? If the Australian Government blocks the deal, could there be ramifications on China-Australia relations?

A: Actually this question is not related to foreign policy. I suggest you consult relevant company or competent authorities.

In principle, I can tell you that the Chinese Government supports Chinese companies engaging in equal cooperation of mutual benefit with their foreign counterparts in light of international market rules.

Q: President Hu Jintao is leaving today for his trip to five countries in Asia and Africa. Do you have updated details on any potential energy or other resource deals that China might strike with the countries he visits in Africa and Saudi Arabia? Also China told the UN yesterday that it would come up with a Human Rights Action Plan. I am wondering if you have any details on that? In coming up with the plan, is that some sort of admission that China feels the current human rights situation here is not the best?

A: President Hu Jintao left Beijing this morning for Saudi Arabia and four African countries. The visits are aimed at enhancing political relations with the four African countries, expanding bilateral friendly cooperation in various areas, strengthening China’s coordination and consultation with these countries over international and regional issues and promoting the in-depth development of bilateral relations. During the visits, cooperation documents will be signed. At present, relevant documents are under preparation and consultation. The Chinese delegation will release information to the media in due course.

On energy cooperation, China and Saudi Arabia conducted friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation in many fields, including energy cooperation. Saudi Arabia is the largest oil exporter to China. We value Saudi Arabia’s status and role in international energy fields, and stay ready to further strengthen cooperation with Saudi Arabia in energy fields so as to achieve win-win outcome of mutual benefit and contribute to a stable international energy market.

China-Africa energy cooperation is part of China’s extensive cooperation with Africa. However, at present, China’s energy cooperation with Africa lags far behind that of countries in Europe and the US in terms of scale. In 2007, among Africa’s total oil exports, 31.8% are shipped to the US, 31.5% to Europe, and only 12.5% to China. In the meantime, China follows the win-win principle of equality and mutual benefit in its energy cooperation with Africa. We hope that the cooperation will help Africa to turn its rich resources into development advantage, as Africa exports 79% of its oil. Through China-Africa energy cooperation, we also hope to help Africa to build its oil industries and enhance its self-reliance capactiy. At the same time, relevant companies are actively engaged in public welfare projects, helping the local people to build hospitals, roads and other infrastructure. Following the principle of equality and mutual benefit and international rules, China-Africa energy cooperation is open and transparent and does not affect any third party’s cooperation with Africa. Therefore we believe that it is totally unnecessary to be wary of China-Africa energy cooperation.

On your second question, the Chinese Government is committed to protecting and promoting human rights. While developing the economy, China is also striving to build a society under the rule of law and making unremitting efforts for the development of China’s human rights cause. It is fair to say that historical progress has been made in China’s human rights cause. At present, China achieves sustained economic development, constant improvement of democracy and rule of law, greater social openness and prosperous development of diversified cultures. Chinese citizens enjoy extensive rights and freedom in accordance with law. However, China is still at a primary stage of socialism. We face many difficulties and challenges in human rights cause and there is room for improvement. We will continuously endeavour to promote the constant development of China’s human rights cause.

We have always adopted a positive attitude in international human rights cooperation. We hope to conduct human rights dialogue and exchanges with countries in the world so as to learn from each other and make joint progress on the basis of equality and mutual respect. We have acceded to 25 international human rights conventions, conscientiously fulfilled obligations under these conventions, and held more than 70 human rights dialogues and exchanges with nearly 20 countries and regions.

In the session of Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council yesterday, Ambassador Li Baodong fully elaborated the Chinese Government’s position on relevant issues. China and over 10 other countries are subject to the Review this month. The delegation of the Chinese Government conducted open and candid dialogue with various parties on promoting and protecting human rights. We are willing to continue constructive dialogue and exchanges in the international human rights field.

Q: What potential deals might be reached during Vice President Xi Jinping’s visit to Latin America?

A: Vice President Xi Jinping’s delegation will release news of his major activities during the visit in due course. He is visiting Mexico at the moment.

Q: Which Chinese leader will meet with the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, during her visit in China?

A: The Chinese leaders will meet with her. The specific arrangements are still under intensive consultation between China and the U.S.. As usual, we will invite the press to cover the events on the spot, inform the press of the relevant events in advance and release related news.

Q: Former French Prime Minister Raffarin is now in Beijing and he will meet with some top Chinese officials. Will the current difficulties in the China-France relations come up? Do you expect his visit to help moving things forward?

A: At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, former French Prime Minister Raffarin will lead a France-China friendship delegation to visit China from February 8 to 14. During his stay in Beijing, Vice Foreign Minister Li Hui and Deputy Minister Zhang Zhijun of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee met with him. Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with him this afternoon. Mr. Raffarin also attended the seminar commemorating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties of the two countries organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries yesterday. Mr. Raffarin is an old friend of the Chinese people. He has long been dedicated to the China-France friendship and made active contributions to the development of the bilateral relationship. Under the current circumstances, we believe the visit of Mr. Raffarin and his delegation will be conducive to deepening mutual understanding and promoting the friendship between the two peoples.

China has always attached importance to its relationship with France. We believe maintaining the healthy and stable development of the China-France relationship not only serves the common interests of both countries, but also contributes to peace and development of the world. We hope to see France take seriously China’s core concerns, adopt concrete and effective measures in a positive attitude to meet China half way, and bring the bilateral relationship back to the normal track at an early date.

Thank you for coming. See you next time.