Ma Zhaoxu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Before we start, I'd like to extend welcome to our guests, a group of young diplomats from Caribbean countries. Now I have two announcements to make.

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Koroma of the Republic of Sierra Leone will pay a state visit to China from May 24 to 30.

At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem of Vietnam, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will head a delegation to attend the Ninth ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

This meeting will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam from May 25 to 26. With the theme of "strongly enhancing Asian-European partnership to face with world's financial-economic crisis and other global challenges", the meeting will focus on international financial crisis, response to global challenges, international and regional situation, dialogue among different cultures and civilizations, and future development of the ASEM among other issues.

Against the background of ongoing international financial crisis, China hopes that the meeting will materialize the consensus and achievement of the ASEM7 in Beijing last year and send a strong message to the world that Asia and Europe stand side by side to combat the crisis. Meanwhile, we expect the meeting to further enhance the mutual trust and cooperation between the two continents and boost the Asian-European partnership.

Now the floor is open.

Q: The civil war in Sri Lanka has exacerbated the humanitarian situation in part of the country. Do you have any comment? Secondly, it's reported that Xu Chaofan and Xu Guojun, former bankers of the Bank of China branch in Kaiping of Guangdong Province, who fled to the US after committing a big embezzlement have now been convicted by a US court and sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment. How would you comment?

A: On your first question, as a friendly neighbor, China has been following the development of situation in Sri Lanka. It is our sincere hope that Sri Lanka could realize national reconciliation, social stability and economic development at an early date through its own effort. In order to help the Sri Lankan Government to settle the displaced civilians in the northern part of the country, the Chinese Government has offered one million US dollars in cash as urgent humanitarian assistance and 20 million yuan worth of tents. The first chartered plane carrying the tents has already arrived in Sri Lanka.

On your second question, the Chinese side takes note that the US court has recently made its first instance judgement regarding four defendants including Xu Chaofan and Xu Guojun, former bankers of the Bank of China branch in Kaiping of Guangdong Province, who fled to the US after committing a big embezzlement.

Their conviction in the US is another positive progress in the two countries' cooperation in the field of law enforcement. China welcomes this verdict. Facts prove that no matter where and how long corruption culprits may hide, international criminal and judiciary cooperation will ultimately bring them to justice.

China hopes the US could help recover the stolen properties and repatriate or extradite the culprits to China as soon as possible.

Q: Prague will host the eleventh China-EU Leaders' Meeting tomorrow. What is your expectation of the meeting? Also which military official will China send to attend the Shangri-la Dialogue on Asian security to be held in Singapore next week?

A: On your first question, I have already released the relevant information. As agreed by China and the EU, Premier Wen Jiabao will leave for Prague on May 20 to attend the eleventh China-EU Leaders' Meeting.

The China-EU Leaders' Meeting is the highest-level mechanism of political consultation between the two. During the upcoming meeting, leaders from the two sides will have in-depth exchange of views on China-EU relations as well as major international and regional issues of common interest. A series of cooperation documents will be signed. China expects and hopes that this meeting will further enhance our mutual trust, deepen our cooperation of mutual benefit and give a boost to the China-EU relations. We look forward to working with the EU to seize the opportunity and make new progress in developing our comprehensive strategic partnership.

Premier Wen Jiabao's attendance to the meeting in itself reflects China's sincerity and great attention towards China-EU relations. Under the current circumstance, in-depth and close communication and exchanges between the leaders from both sides on long-term development of China-EU relations as well as issues of common interest will contribute to China-EU cooperation, help tackle global challenges through joint efforts and promote world harmony and sustainable development.

As for your second question, please refer it to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense.

Q: The US House of Representatives recently submitted the Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011, which contains several China-related clauses. Do you have any comment on this? Secondly, it is reported that in the recent riots in Lae, the second largest city in Papua New Guinea, Chinese-run shops were rooted and Chinese nationals were attacked. Do you have any comment on this?

A: On your first question, the China-related clauses by the US House of Representatives are a breach of the fundamental norms governing international relations, the principles of the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués and relevant commitments by the US side, and are an interference in China's internal affairs, including Taiwan, Tibet and Hong Kong. The Chinese side resolutely opposes to them and has made solemn representations to the US side.

The Chinese side urges the US to handle relevant issues prudently and properly, delete the above-mentioned clauses, so as not to undermine the overall interest of cooperation between China and the US.

On your second question, in the past few days, cities of Lae, Madang and Goroka of Papua New Guinea (PNG) witnessed looting of foreign-owned business by the locals. According to our embassy in the PNG, nine Chinese-run shops were looted, causing economic loss but no casualties.

The Chinese Government places great importance on the safety of Chinese institutions and citizens in the PNG. Following Foreign Ministry's instruction, our embassy in the PNG has made representations to the high-level officials of the PNG Government, urging them to increase the police presence to better protect Chinese enterprises and nationals, bring the perpetrators to justice and take measures to prevent reoccurrence of such incidents. The embassy has also warned Chinese enterprises, foreign aid experts and Chinese nationals to raise their awareness of safety. Officials from the Consular Department of Foreign Ministry have also made representations to the PNG Ambassador in China, urging the PNG side to take effective measures to control the situation and safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals and enterprises in the country.

The PNG Government took our concern seriously by promptly sending more police to maintain order and protect Chinese nationals and enterprises. It is understood that most foreign-owned shops in the area are back to business.

Q: Brazilian President is in China. What agreements will be signed?

A: Brazilian President Lula has started his state visit to China. This afternoon, President Hu Jintao will host a welcoming ceremony in his honor and chair talks with him. They will have in-depth exchange of views on how to deepen our strategic partnership, expand pragmatic cooperation in various fields as well as regional and international issues of common interest. Also documents of cooperation will be signed. This visit is expected to further strengthen our friendly relations of cooperation and deepen our strategic partnership. Relevant information will be released after the visit.

Q: Could you update us on the Chinese children missing in the UK?

A: I have stated China's view and position on the issue before. China is firmly against the criminal act of child trafficking. The Chinese Government takes this case seriously. Our embassy in the UK has made representations to the UK side, urging it to find out what happened, and keep us informed. Relevant information will be released in due course.

Q: The EU and the U.S. have strongly condemned Myanmar for the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi. Will the Chinese Government exert pressure on the Government of Myanmar to get Aung San Suu Kyi released?

A: I'd like to point out that internal affairs of Myanmar should be left to its own people to decide. As a neighbour of Myanmar, we hope relevant parties in Myanmar could realize reconciliation, stability and development through dialogue.

Q: The DPRK Foreign Minister has stopped over Beijing. Which Chinese official did he meet with?

A: I have not got information in this regard.

Q: I have two questions. Firstly, the Six-Party Talks have come across some difficulties. I learn that China has been working hard to resume the Six-Party Talks. Does China plan to send a special envoy to the DPRK? Secondly, US President Obama has nominated Mr. Huntsman as the new Ambassador to China. What's your comment on this?

A: I'd like to take your second question first. The US side has officially solicited China's opinion on the above-mentioned nomination through diplomatic channel. China is processing the case according to international practice and relevant procedures. We expect the new US Ambassador to China to play a positive role in promoting the development of China-US relations and the friendship between the two peoples in the new era.

On the Six-Party Talks, we have stated our position on different occasions. We hope relevant parties could jointly maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and make efforts to push forward the Six-Party Talks process. China will as always make its due efforts.

Q: The US-China Working Group of the US House of Representatives has recently introduced four bills to foster closer relations with China on matters like trade, energy cooperation, diplomatic and cultural exchanges. There's no lack of some details including increasing the number of diplomats in China. What's China's comment and response to this?

A: We have taken notice of the relevant bills. At present, the China-US relations maintain a sound momentum of steady development. The two countries are making earnest efforts in implementing the major consensus reached by the two heads of states on working together for a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-US relationship in the 21st century. Believing in strengthening mutually-beneficial cooperation with the US in various fields including trade, energy, climate change and culture, we welcome and hope the US Congress members could play an active role in the development of bilateral ties in the new era.

Q: With the cases of influenza A H1N1 increasing sharply in Japan, will the Chinese Government tighten entry-exit inspection and quarantine measures? Will you provide any protection or special arrangements for the Chinese citizens in Japan? Will there be any travel restrictions against Japan?

A: Right after the breakout of influenza A H1N1, the Chinese Government responded decisively and took a series of measures promptly. Relevant authorities will continue to follow closely the development of the epidemic and take relevant measures according to the latest suggestions by the WHO to its member states and the actual domestic need for epidemic control. As for the specific measures you mentioned, I suggest you check the websites of both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Q: It is reported that a preparatory meeting for the BRIC countries' summit in June will be held next week in Russia. What proposals will China make at the meeting? Who will be attending the preparatory meeting and the summit on the part of China?

A: China feels positive about the proposed BRIC countries' summit. With the same or identical views on many international issues and political will for dialogues, exchanges and cooperation, China, Russia, India and Brazil are all important emerging powers and major forces for the shared growth of the world. In recent years, the four countries have exchanged views through various channels on issues of common interest over world economy and development. Such dialogues are conducive to multilateralism and the resolution of global issues, which are in the common interests of the four countries and the international community. The dialogue and cooperation among the four countries are transparent, open and not targeted at anyone else.

We will release in due course related information on the preparatory meeting you mentioned.

If there are no more questions, we shall conclude. Thanks for coming.