On March 2, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao held a regular press conference.

I have an announcement here. On 26 of last month, Macedonian President Trajkovski died in an air crush. The Chinese Government was deeply grieved. Chinese President Hu Jintao has sent to the Macedonian side a telegraph of condolence. The funeral of President Trajkovski will be held in recent days. At the invitation of the Macedonian Government, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government and Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun will go to Macedonia to attend the funeral of President Trajkovski.

Now the floor is open.

Q: The US Congress will hold a hearing this Friday discussing the democracy in Hong Kong. They've invited four democrats from Hong Kong, including Martin Li, member of the Legislative Council. What's the comment of the Foreign Ministry on this?

A: Hong Kong affairs are the internal affairs of China. We resolutely oppose any interference from other countries into the affairs of Hong Kong.

Q: It's reported that upon invitation of the US Treasury Secretary Snow, Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju will pay a visit to the United States and discuss financial issues including the exchange rate of Chinese RMB Yuan. Can you confirm that?

A: Sino-US relations enjoy a good momentum of development for the time being. The two sides have normal exchanges on different levels, including frequent exchanges of high-level visits. China and the United States are making contacts for the visit of Vice Premier Huang Ju to the United States. There is no definite information at present. I will release the information in due course.

Q: How does China view the UK's spying activities on UN Secretary-General Annan? What's China's comment?

A: We also noticed the relevant reports. China will feel regret and express its opposition if the contents of those reports are proved to be true. We hold that the work of the United Nations should go on smoothly without being interrupted.

Q: Recently the United States has decided to start an anti-dumping investigation on shrimp exports of some countries, including China and Vietnam. What's you comment?

A: I think that it is not strange that certain countries might have some differences in international trade. These issues should be handled under the principles of WTO and on the basis of equality and fairness. As to the specific question you asked about, you can enquire the Ministry of Commerce. I think they know better about it and will provide you a comprehensive answer.

Q: Just now you mentioned that Hong Kong affairs are the internal affairs of China. I want to ask a related question. Yesterday the Information Office of China's State Council released a report on the human rights records of the United States in 2003. Isn't it interference into the internal affairs of the United States? If yes, isn't it true that China should refrain from doing so?

A: China has held very positive dialogues on an equal footing with many countries including the United States on the human rights issue. We maintain that all countries should promote mutual understanding through dialogues on an equal footing, and we are not for the practice of blaming other countries by exerting pressure. Through the report on the human rights record of the United States, we wish to remind the United States of its own unsatisfactory human rights records. We hope the United States could resolve and narrow the differences on human rights issue with other countries through dialogues on an equal footing.

Q: About the participation of Hong Kong's democrats in the US Congress hearing, I'd like to ask whether the Foreign Ministry deems it a behavior undermining the One Country Two Systems policy?

A: Just now I've elaborated our position on the relevant question. The Hong Kong affairs are the internal affairs of China. We resolutely oppose any interference by other countries in this field. That position is clear-cut. Meanwhile I'd like to stress that the Chinese Government is resolute in implementing the One Country Two Systems policy, and the policy should be universally respected.

Q: A follow-up question about China's report on the human rights record of the United States in 2003. Do you mean if the United States stop blaming the human rights situation in China, China will no longer release any annual report on the United States' human rights?

A: As I've said, it does not serve the purpose of promoting understanding and narrowing differences to exert pressure when we talk about human rights issue. And we hope the United States would have dialogues with China on human rights issue on the basis of equality and mutual respect. That is a method that can effectively resolve or narrow the differences on human rights issue between the two countries.

Q: A meeting on bird flu between China and ASEAN is being held in Beijing now. Will the participants sign any relevant agreements? Will China conduct international cooperation in other fields recently?

A: The meeting is being held in Beijing at the moment. As far as I know, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu attended the meeting this morning. Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with the representatives of ASEAN countries to the meeting in the afternoon. The meeting is very helpful to strengthening cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in preventing and treating bird flu. The meeting is sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, so you can ask the Ministry of Agriculture for details. As the meeting goes on, relevant information will be available.

China has always attached great importance to the cooperation with neighboring countries and the international community in preventing and treating diseases. We are ready to cooperate with other countries to prevent and treat those diseases that are threatening the health of the mankind, so as to benefit both the Chinese people and all other people in the world.

Q: It will soon be the first anniversary of the America-led war in Iraq. China criticized the war in Iraq in the past, so what's China's comment on the situation in Iraq over the year?

A: China has made clear for many times its position on the war in Iraq that happened about a year ago. During the past year the situation in Iraq has went through major changes. We also noticed that there is some progress in the political and economic situation in Iraq. However the security situation is still worrying. We hope the situation in Iraq could stabilize and Iraq could embark on the road of political and economic reconstruction as soon as possible. It is also our hope that the Iraqi people could administrate their own country at an early date, so as to make further progress in the political and economic reconstruction, and to let the Iraqi people live in peace and stability.

Q: Talking about people running their own country, what's your comment on the situation in Haiti?

A: China has always observed closely the development of the situation in Haiti. China holds that the Haiti crisis should be resolved politically. China appreciates the efforts made by the international community to resolve the Haiti crisis, and support the positive role played by the United Nations, Organization of American States, and Association of Caribbean States. We welcome that the parties concerned are going to lay down their weapons and to cooperate with the international community.

At the request of the acting President of Haiti Alexandre, the UN Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the dispatch of multinational troops. China voted for the resolution. China stands ready to work together with the international community to make its contribution to the realization of lasting peace, stability and development in Haiti.

(The end)