On April 21, 2009, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions on the UN World Conference against Racism, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi's visit to four Middle Eastern countries and Russia, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sechin's visit to China and etc.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have no announcement to make today, the floor is open.

Q: Could you comment on Iranian President's remarks at the World Conference against Racism? Did China send delegates to the meeting? And how did they react to those remarks?

A: The Review Conference of the UN World Conference against Racism is being held in Geneva. We hope all parties could step up dialogue, remove divergences and try to reach consensus so as to speak with one voice and fight more effectively against racism around the world.

China attaches importance to this meeting and has taken an active part in related work. Chinese delegation headed by Ambassador Li Baodong to the UN Office in Geneva attended the meeting.

In our view, anti-racism is by no means easy now that new forms of racism keep cropping up. The meeting thus has great practical importance. We hope all parties could implement the "zero tolerance" policy towards racism at national and international level, integrate resources and strengthen the effect of the follow-up mechanism of the Durban conference.

We regret over some countries' decisions not to attend the conference.

Q: A couple of questions. Firstly, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi today starts his seven-day visit to the Middle East and Russia, please give us more details. Secondly, Vice Director Xie Zhenhua of the NDRC will attend the G8 Environment Ministers Meeting in Italy and the preparatory session of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate. What does China expect out of the two meetings?

A: Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi left Beijing this morning for his official visits to Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Syria and Russia. During the visit, he will talk with his foreign counterparts and meet with leaders of the five countries.

The Middle East issue will be one of the major topics in the discussion, since the first four countries are all major players in the Middle East. China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political solution to the issue.

We always believe that parties concerned on the Middle East issue should follow the UN resolutions and the principle of "Land for Peace", and properly settle their disputes through political and diplomatic means so that Palestine and Israel as "two states", and the Arabian and Israeli people can live together in peace. I believe Foreign Minister Yang's visit will help strengthen the political exchanges, mutually beneficial cooperation and bilateral relations between China and the five countries.

On your second question, as I understand from the NDRC, Vice Director Xie Zhenhua has left Beijing for Italy to attend the G8 Environment Ministers Meeting, and Washington afterwards to attend the preparatory session of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate.

The G8 meeting will mainly focus on climate change and bio-diversity, while the Washington meeting is to prepare for the leaders meeting in July. We believe the two meetings should contribute to the success of the Copenhagen Conference due to be held at the end of this year. The meetings will be a platform for communication, cooperation, and trust-building, rather than a place for negotiation on substantive matters, nor a replacement to negotiations under the UNFCCC. China hopes that these meetings could send a positive political signal to negotiations under the UNFCCC.

Q: I have two questions. Firstly, the US Treasury Department yesterday announced to bar the financial transactions with Abdul Haq, head of the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Party (ETIP). Do you have any comment? Secondly, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso presented a spring offering at the Yasukuni Shrine. How do you comment?

A: On your first question, Abdul Haq, commander of the ETIP, has been listed as a terrorist for his participation and leading role in the terror group, recruitment of new members, and engagement in inciting, plotting and organizing terrorist attacks. Identified as a terrorist group by the Chinese Government and the UN Security Council, the ETIP has for a long time committed rampant terrorist attacks of violence, causing heavy civilian casualties and property losses. It poses severe threat not only to China's social stability but security and stability in other countries and regions.

With a clear anti-terrorism position, the Chinese Government has taken an active part in the international anti-terrorism efforts. To combat the ETIP is an integral part of this process which is not only in the interest of China, but in the common interest of the international community, including the US. China will continue to strengthen anti-terrorism exchanges and cooperation according to the principle of "mutually beneficial cooperation on an equal footing", and join with other countries to strive for further progress with a view to safeguarding regional and world peace and stability.

On your second question, the Yasukuni Shrine is an issue of major political sensitivity in China-Japan relations. We hope Japan earnestly observe the consensus between the two countries on overcoming the political obstacles to bilateral relations and on promoting sound development of friendship and cooperation, and tackle relevant issues in a proper and cautious manner.

Q: Will China attend the Somalia Donors' Conference and discuss humanitarian and capital assistance to Somalia with other parties? What's China's expectation for the meeting?

A: China always supports the international community to add input into the Somali issue as well as the upcoming Somalia Donors' Conference hosted by the UN, AU and the EU in Brussels. Senior officials from China's mission to the EU will take part in the Conference. China hopes to see positive results out of the Conference as substantial support to the political process in Somalia.

China stands by the international community in conducting cooperation to combat Somali pirates according to international laws and relevant Security Council resolutions. We also call for further attention be addressed to the root cause of piracy for early achievement of peace and stability in Somalia.

Q: Yesterday, IAEA Director General ElBaradei said he would meet with Foreign Ministry officials today. Has the meeting been held yet? Which topics were discussed during the meeting? Did that include the Korean and Iranian nuclear issues?

A: IAEA Director General ElBaradei and OECD Secretary General Guria are now in Beijing for the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century. They met with Deputy Foreign Minister He Yafei this morning at the Foreign Ministry. I haven't got any details yet, but I believe they have exchanged views on issues of common interest.

Over 800 representatives and observers from 68 countries and 8 international organizations attend the Conference. Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang of the State Council delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

Q: I have two questions. First, the Nepalese Government recently announced that the Nepalese Maoist forces would be integrated into the national army. What is your comment on this? Second, the Sri Lankan Government gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the leaders of the Tamil Tigers, calling for the LTTE to surrender. What is your comment on the current situation of Sri Lanka?

A: Nepal and Sri Lanka are both friendly neighbors of China. We have all along supported the efforts made by the two Governments to safeguard their sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and to maintain national stability and economic development.

Q: Vice Premier Wang Qishan of the State Council held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Sechin of Russia today. Can you brief us on the meeting, particularly the details of the energy cooperation agreements between China and Russia?

A: At the invitation of Vice Premier Wang Qishan, Deputy Prime Minister Sechin of the Russian Federation is visiting China from the 20th to 21st to sign the governmental oil cooperation agreements with China. During his visit, he will also meet with Chinese leaders and exchange in-depth views with them on further expanding bilateral energy cooperation.

The signing of the package agreement of oil cooperation on pipeline construction projects, crude oil trading, upstream and downstream oil industry and financing between China and Russia will bring mutually beneficial and win-win outcome to both countries. It is also a substantial step of energy cooperation between the two countries. We are ready to work together with Russia to further promote the development of relevant cooperation.

If there are no more questions, thanks for coming. See you next time.