On the afternoon of September 30, 2010, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have one announcement to make.

Ambassador Wu Sike, China's Special Envoy on Middle East will visit Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Turkey and Egypt from October 11 to 23 and exchange views with parties concerned on the latest development of the Middle East issue and encourage peace talks.

Now the floor is open.

Q: Recently, some senior officials in Japan express wish to improve relations with China, meanwhile they also blame China for the current situation. How do you comment?

A: The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times. Japan's illegal detention of Chinese fishermen and fishing boat has seriously violated China's territorial sovereignty and human rights of the Chinese nationals.

China has fully expounded its solemn position in the Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing the Chinese Government's determination to safeguard national territory and state sovereignty as well as its sincerity to develop China-Japan relations.

The Japanese side knows very well about the causes and effects of the incident and the accountabilities, and the international community will have a fair opinion on the matter. I hope the Japanese side proceed from the fundamental interest of the two peoples, stop making irresponsible remarks and take concrete actions to safeguard the overall interest of the bilateral relations.

Q: Xinhua News Agency said this morning that China has released three out of the four detained Japanese citizens, but the fourth one remains in detention. Could you give us more details?

A: Competent authorities have already released the information. To my knowledge, the case is yet to conclude. The Japanese citizen you mentioned needs further investigation. I believe competent authorities will deal with the case in a just way according to law.

Q: On September 29, the US House of Representatives adopted the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, which could open the door for the US industry or companies to file anti-subsidy litigation against Chinese exports to the US on the basis of undervalued the RMB. How do you comment? Will this cast shadow on the trade relations between the two countries?

A: China has stated its principled position on the RMB exchange rate on many occasions. We firmly oppose the US Congress adopting the Act. Exercising protectionism against China on the excuse of the RMB exchange rate will only cause severe damage to China-US trade relations and exert a negative impact on the two countries' economies and the recovery of the world economy.

We urge the US Congressmen to realize the importance of China-US economic relations and trade and resist protectionism so as not to hurt the interest of the two peoples and that of the people in the world.

Q: It is said that the former acting director-general of Japan's Democratic Party paid a secret visit to China. Could you give us more details? Is that the reason for China to release the three Japanese citizens? Secondly, there have been frequent diplomatic contacts between China, the ROK and Russia, could you tell us more about it? Is it possible for the Six-Party Talks to be resumed in the near future?

A: On your first question, I don't have any information. China handles relevant case according to law.

On China-Japan relations, I'd like to stress that it is in the fundamental interest of people from both China and Japan that the two close neighbors to press ahead with the strategic relations of mutual benefit. We hope the Japanese side, in an effort to meet with China half way, take concrete measures to eliminate the negative impact on the bilateral relations caused by Japan's illegal detention of Chinese fishermen and the fishing boat and prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Foreign Ministries of China and the ROK have recently held the 3rd High-level Strategic Dialogue. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, the situation on the Peninsula as well as international and regional issues of common interest. Speaking highly of the comprehensive, rapid and profound development of the bilateral relations, the two sides agreed to further strengthen dialogue, communication, exchanges and cooperation, seek for common development and prosperity and play a constructive role for the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of the Russian Delegation to the Six-Party Talks Borodavkin also paid a recent visit to China. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with him. China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination not only includes cooperation in various fields, but also coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues.

As for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks, we hope parties concerned could build up mutual trust through more contacts and dialogues and exert joint efforts to ease the situation on the peninsula so as to create conditions for the resumption of the Talks.

Q: About the three Japanese citizens released today, what charges were they accused of and why are they released now? What charges the fourth Japanese citizen is facing?

A: You'll find answers to most of your questions from the news released this morning. To my knowledge, they violated Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Military Installations. Competent authorities deal with the case in accordance with law.

Q: Recently, some right-wingers in Japan threw some self-made inflamers to Chinese consulate generals in Nagasaki and Fukuoka. Some even besieged a bus carrying Chinese tourists. How do you comment on this anti-China sentiment in Japan? Will you communicate with the Japanese Government about it?

A: We firmly oppose these hostile and even illegal acts. We have already made representations to the Japanese side. We hope the Japanese side take concrete measures to ensure the safety of Chinese missions, institutes and personnel in Japan.

Q: Japan reportedly urges China not to make unilateral development of the oil-and-gas field in the East China Sea. How do you respond?

A: China's position on the East China Sea issue is solemn and serious. Not wishing to see any escalation of the situation, we ask the Japanese side not to make any new barriers by making an issue of the matter. I have reiterated on many occasions that China owns complete sovereignty right and jurisdiction over the Chunxiao oil-and-gas field. China's activities there are completely reasonable and lawful.

Q: How do you comment on the China-France Strategic Dialogue held in Beijing last weekend? Is President Hu Jintao going to visit France?

A: Last week, State Councilor Dai Bingguo had a working consultation with French President's Diplomatic Advisor Levitte in China. The information has already been released. At present, China-France relations enjoy a sound development momentum. During President Sarkozy's successful visit to China in April, the two heads of states reached major consensus on building a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring enduring stability, charting the future direction for our relations. Viewing and developing China-France relations from long-term and strategic perspective, we will work with France to implement the major consensus reached by the two heads of states for further progress in the bilateral relations.

As for the visit you mentioned, I don't have any information yet. I believe the two countries will continue to maintain high-level exchanges.

Q: Tomorrow will be October 1, could you give us a general idea about the Chinese National Pavilion Day at the Shanghai World Expo?

A: China will be holding the Chinese National Pavilion Day at the World Expo Center, Shanghai Expo Park on October 1. Chairman Wu Bangguo will be present. Nine foreign political leaders will attend, including President Topi of Albania, King Sihamoni of Cambodia, President Bozize of Central African Republic, President Nailatikau of Fiji, etc..

Q: In the context of the Diaoyu Island collision, will China and Japan start consultation on fishing around East China Sea islands?

A: The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times. China has indisputable sovereignty over these islands. The waters off the Diaoyu Island are traditional fishing grounds for Chinese fishermen. China holds that China and Japan should resolve problems in their relations through dialogue and consultation for the benefit of overall relations. But when it comes to issues bearing on territory and sovereignty, the Chinese Government and people are resolved in their position and will.

If there are no more questions, I'd like to make a notice. Starting from October 12, Tuesday, when the first press conference after the National Holiday will be held, our press conference hall will be moved to the Blue Hall on the third floor of the South Building of the Foreign Ministry. The time for the press conferences will be adjusted to 15:00 every Tuesday and Thursday. In order to help you get familiar with the facilities, we will open the Blue Hall to the media from 10:00 to 11:00 am on October 8. You are welcome to come and experience. For more information, please check on the IPC website.

Wish you a very happy holiday!