On the afternoon of January 12, 2010, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have two announcements to start with.

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Heinz Fischer of the Republic of Austria will pay a state visit to China from January 19 to 22.

At the invitation of Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will attend the 4th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Forum on East Asia and Latin America Cooperation to be held in Tokyo, Japan from January 16 to 17.

Now, the floor is open.

Q: The DPRK yesterday called for talks on a peace treaty. Do you think the ROK should take part in that? Second, what is the purpose of China's anti-missile interception test? Is it related to the US arms sales to Taiwan? How will it affect the security of Northeast Asia?

A: On your first question, it is the common expectation of all parties to advance the process of the Six-Party Talks and fully implement the goals set in the September 19 Joint Statement. China is willing to work with all parties to promote an early resumption of the Talks. We will stay in contact with all parties on relevant issues.

On your second question, on January 11, China conducted a test on ground-based mid-course missile interception technology in its territory and the test has reached the expected goal. This test has not left any debris in space orbit and will not constitute a threat to the security of spacecraft in orbit. This test is defensive and not targeted at any country, thus is consistent with China's defense policy which is defensive in nature. Our position on missile defense remains unchanged.

Q: First, the Australian Government said yesterday that the Rio Tinto case has been transferred to Shanghai judicial authorities. Please confirm. When will these people be prosecuted? When will be the trial and what are their charges? Second, it is reported that the website Baidu was inaccessible this morning because of the attack by Iranian hackers. How do you comment?

A: On your first question, Shanghai police has concluded the investigation of the Rio Tinto case and transferred it to Shanghai procuratorate for prosecution. China has informed Australia of relevant information. The case has been handled in light of Chinese law, legal procedures and the China-Australia Consular Agreement. I believe the case will be dealt with according to law in a just manner.

I haven't heard the information mentioned in your second question. We always firmly oppose cyber crimes including hacking.

Q: The day before yesterday, David Petraeus, Chief of US Central Command said that the US has made plans to attack Iranian nuclear facilities during his interview by CNN. How do you comment? How will China react if the US should attack the Iranian nuclear facilities?

A: China always believes that the Iranian nuclear issue should be peacefully resolved through diplomatic negotiation so as to safeguard the effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime as well as peace and stability in the Middle East. China hopes that relevant parties step up diplomatic efforts, maintain and advance dialogue in a bid to vigorously seek for a comprehensive, long-term and proper settlement of the issue.

Q: The five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council and Germany will have a meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue. The Western countries are likely to propose more sanctions on Iran. What will the fresh sanctions be? What's China's view towards that?

A: On whether China will send officials to attend the political Director-Generals' meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue, I don't have any exact information.

We always adhere to a proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiation and dialogue. We don't believe sanctions could fundamentally solve the problem.

Q: Analysts and US officials are concerned that China and the US would have frictions over trade, Taiwan and Tibet-related issues this year. How does China comment on that? Second, reports in India said that China is now nibbling into India's border territory. How do you respond?

A: On your first question, the China-US relations have aroused wide interest recently. We have made our solemn position clear on the US arms sales on various occasions in the last few days. We strongly urge the US to fully recognize the gravity of arms sales to Taiwan, abide by the principles enshrined in the three Sino-US joint communiqués, especially the August 17 Communiqué, honor its commitment of respecting China's core interests and major concerns and take concrete actions to maintain and promote the sound and stable development of bilateral relationship. I'd like to stress that it is imperative for both sides to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as the core interests and major concerns of each other to ensure the stable development of China-US relations.

On your second question, I have not read such reports. China is committed to developing relations with India. We have been promoting friendship and cooperation in various fields with India in the spirit of equality, mutual-benefit and friendly cooperation. As to the border issue, China and India have reached a consensus that pending the final resolution, the two sides should work together to safeguard peace and tranquility along the border so as not to affect the overall cooperation between the two countries. China has always strictly honored its commitments.

Q: On the Guantanamo Chinese Uighur suspects. If the US has cleared them, why does China still hold they are criminals? Besides, Switzerland may accept some of Uighur suspects. How does China comment?

A: China is firmly against the US releasing those suspects on its own soil or transferring them to a third country. No country should accept them in whatever name, neither. These suspects are members of the terrorist group East Turkistan Islamic Movement, thus should be handed over to China under legal proceedings.

According to UN Security Council Resolution 1373, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, all states shall deny safe haven to those who finance, plan, support, or commit terrorist acts, or provide safe havens. All countries including Switzerland are obliged to fulfill their international obligations.

We hope that Switzerland fully recognize the grave threat those suspects pose to Switzerland itself as well as to China's national security, take seriously China's concerns proceedings from the overall situation of China-Switzerland relations, fulfill its international obligations and refuse to accept Guantanamo Uighur suspects.

Q: First question, why hasn't China decided to attend the P-5 plus 1 meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue yet? Second, you just said that China's anti-missile test yesterday has not left any debris in space orbit, does that mean China's weapons could reach the space? What kind of missiles can be intercepted by such test?

A: On your first question, I have not got any details yet, what I just delivered is an accurate message.

On your second one, I have answered that explicitly. China pursues a path of peaceful development and adopts national defense policy which is defensive in nature. China boosting defense building-up is to meet the legitimate needs of safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. Such test is defensive in nature and not targeted at any other country, thus it is consistent with our defensive national defense policy.

Q: China once expressed its opposition to Israel's separation wall on Palestine. What's China's position on recent separation walls built by Egypt on Gaza border and Israel on its border with Egypt?

A: As to the current situation in the Middle East, we hope parties concerned resume peace talks at an early date, which is the common aspiration of the international community. We also hope parties heed the appeal of the international community, stop acts hindering the resumption of talks, and take concrete measures to build mutual trust in a bid to bring back on the right track of resolution through political dialogue and negotiations.

Q: Mr. Ma Ying-jeou will stopover in the US en route to visit Honduras. Do you have any comment? Taiwan media reported that a Taiwanese company helped a mainland company to export equipments with Uranuim-enrichment applications to Iran, which is in violation of international rules. Could you confirm?

A: We oppose official exchanges and contact in whatever form between the US and Taiwan, and this position is consistent and clear. We urge the US to observe the principles of the three China-US joint communiqués and to handle relevant issues in a prudent and proper manner.

On your second question, I am not aware of the matter.

Q: If the DPRK launches negotiations on peace treaty of the Korean Peninsula with relevant sides, what position will China hold?

A: Safeguarding peace and stability of the Peninsula is in the interest of not only China, but also regional countries. Under the current circumstances, we hope parties join hands to promote an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks, to push forward the denuclearization process on the Peninsula and to safeguard peace and stability of the Peninsula.

If there are no further questions, thanks for coming! See you!