On November 18, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on President Hu Jintao attending the 16th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, the China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue and etc.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Since I have no announcement to make, I'd be happy to take your questions.

Q: A Chinese-born American named Shu Quansheng has pleaded guilty in the US court to exporting US military space data to China and offering bribes to Chinese officials. How do you comment on this?

A: It's ridiculous to suggest that China steals space technology from the US. It is out of ulterior motives and will be in vain.

Q: While the Chinese Government keeps assuring that the melamine issue has been brought under control, the US made a decision last week to widen its ban on dairy products from China. Could you comment on this latest restrictive measure taken by the US?

A: Since the Sanlu incident, the Chinese Government took it seriously, and has taken effective measures. When problems occur with export food, we take measures immediately to take relevant products off the shelf, recall and destroy them. We have strict examination over all export products to make sure they meet the standard of safety and hygiene as well as the request of importing countries. On the other hand, we hope the US could view and handle relevant issue in an objective, calm and fair manner. For those issues that concern the US, the two countries can totally work them out within the framework of China-US Agreement on the Safety of Food and Feed. We express deep regret over the unilateral measure taken by the US that will inevitably exert adverse impact on bilateral trade of relevant products at a time when China's measures to address the melamine issue have already taken effect. We hope the US side could take our grave concern seriously, and lift the restrictive measure with no delay.

Q: Tomorrow, the FDA of the US will establish its representative offices in several Chinese cities. Is this at the request of China? What are the specific areas for future cooperation between the two countries?

A: The US decides to send its FDA officials to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. This is based on the agreement between the two countries. Likewise, China will also send its officials with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and State Food and Drug Administration to the US. Such arrangement will promote the two countries' exchanges and cooperation in product quality, medical service and food safety.

Q: The APEC Economic Leader's Meeting will be held soon. Is there any arrangement for President Hu Jintao to meet with the representative of Chinese Taipei? In what form will the meeting be?

A: I don't have the relevant information. Please wait and see.

Q: The "Prime Minister" of the "Tibetan Government in-Exile" said that Tibetan leaders would push for Independence if they decide to drop the Dalai Lama's middle way approach at end of the meeting this week. What's your reaction to this?

A: The Chinese Government's position on the Tibet issue is very clear and resolute. Any attempt to split Tibet from the Chinese territory is doomed to failure. Not a single country in the world recognizes the so-called "Government in-Exile", because no country acknowledges Tibet as an independent state.

Q: About the meeting of "Tibetans in-Exiles" in Dharamsala, India, what is your expectation of the Indian Government's attitude towards this meeting?

A: We take note that the Indian Government has repeated on many occasions its commitment of no-tolerance of anti-China political activities by Tibetans on the Indian territory. We hope and believe that such commitment will be honored.

Q: What is President Hu's specific timetable at the APEC summit? Up till now, how many leaders has he decided to have bilateral meetings with?

A: About President Hu Jintao's timetable at the APEC meeting, I suggest you check up the official website of APEC, where all the major events of the meeting are listed. Besides taking part in these events, President Hu will also have bilateral meetings with leaders from some countries, which as far as I know, include the United States, Russia, Papau New Guinea, and Columbia. Specific arrangements are still under consultation.

Q: I have two quick questions. First, the British Prime Minister told the US Council on Foreign Relations that he believed China could send troops to Afghanistan in support of NATO. What is your comment on the suggestion? Second, the Financial Times reported comment by a Chinese general that even if China were to build an aircraft carrier, the outside world should not regard it as a threat. Does it mean that China is planning to build an aircraft carrier for its navy?

A: Your first question is not a quick one, but quite slow. I already stated our position yesterday, you can check it on our website. I can also repeat it here, if you like. The Chinese Government always supports the efforts of Afghan Government and people to maintain stability, develop economy and realize peaceful reconstruction. China's position on the issue of Afghanistan has not changed a bit. Except for the UN peace-keeping missions approved by the UN Security Council, China never sends a single troop abroad. It's out of the question to send Chinese troops to ISAF in Afghanistan.

About the second question, I would like to stress that China will follow the path of peaceful development, pursue an independent foreign policy of peace and a defensive national defence policy.

As for the comment you quoted from the official with Ministry of National Defence, I suggest you refer it to the very Ministry for clarification and further information.

Q: US Labor Secretary Elaine Chao is in Beijing right now. She said that the next Sino-US Strategic Economic Dialogue would be held in December in Beijing. She also said that she was not sure if President-elect Barack Obama would retain this event. What is your comment about that?

A: China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue is an important achievement of the development of the constructive and cooperative relations between China and the U.S. in recent years. It serves as an important platform to promote sound and stable development of trade and the overall bilateral relations. Through the four rounds of dialogues in the past two years, China and the U.S. have enhanced mutual understanding and trust, reached a series of important consensus and achieved positive results. We hope that the two countries can retain this mechanism, continue their dialogue on issues of overall, long-term and strategic importance and strengthen cooperation. This is in the interests of both sides. I believe that pressing ahead with the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries is vital under the present situation, no matter who rules the White House and which party is in power. One of the important messages Mr. Obama sent to President Hu Jintao over their telephone conversation is that, he values cooperative relations with China in broad range of fields.

Q: A question about the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It's reported that Congolese rebel leader Laurent Nkunda made a list of demands to the U.N. special envoy to Congo, among which he demanded all the contracts between Congo Government and Chinese companies be reviewed. What is your comment?

A: Firstly, China is highly concerned about the continuous tension and worsening situation in the eastern area of the DPC recently. We hope that relevant parties could find a political solution to resolve differences through negotiations and dialogues, so as to restore regional peace and stability at an early date

China's business activities and investment programs in DRC are based on the principle of equality, mutual benefit and joint development. Chinese companies, apart from operation in sectors like mining and natural resources, are also engaged in non-profit undertakings like infrastructure, health and medical service, which contribute to social and economic development of DPC, and benefit the local people. We hope that these mutually beneficial cooperation programs will continue to move forward.

Q: Dose President Hu Jintao plan to meet Fidel Castro during his visit to Cuba?

A: So far as I know, relevant meeting is under arrangement.

If there are no more questions, thank you for coming. See you!