On the afternoon of March 16, 2010, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I have five announcements to make.

First, at the invitation of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, Liu Yandong, State Councilor and chairperson of the organizing committee of the Chinese side for the Language Year, will visit Russia and attend the opening ceremony of "the Year of Chinese Language" in Russia from March 21 to 25.

Second, at the invitation of the secretariat of the League of Arab States, Wu Sike, special representative of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and China's special envoy on the Middle East affairs, will attend the opening ceremony of the 22nd Arab League Summit in Libya on March 27.

Third, at the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Hamid Karzai of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will pay a state visit to China from March 23 to 25.

Fourth, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Tonio Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malta will pay an official visit to China from March 23 to 26.

Fifth, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Murray McCully of New Zealand will pay an official visit to China from March 23 to 25.

Now I am ready to take your questions.

Q: Please brief us on the latest development of negotiations between Google and the Chinese Government. If Google pulls out of China, will China worry that this might send a pessimistic signal to other foreign companies in China?

A: The competent authorities of China and international internet operators have regular contact and communication.

Regarding the impact of Google's possible withdrawal, I think it is simply an individual business act. It will not affect the investment environment of China or change the reality that most of the foreign companies, American companies included, have been doing well and making profits in China. China is firmly committed to opening-up. Be it domestic companies or foreign firms, they should all respect China's laws and regulations when doing business in China.

Q: Could you brief us on the itinerary of Afghan President Karzai's visit to China?

A: China warmly welcomes and attaches great importance to the visit of President Karzai. During his visit, President Hu Jintao will have talks with him. Chairman Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with him. The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations, their cooperation in various fields as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest. We hope this visit of President Karzai will further advance China-Afghanistan good-neighborly and friendly relations.

Q: The Indian Foreign Secretary said in Washington today that despite border disputes, China-India relations have been in good shape and continued to move forward. How do you comment on the prospects of China-India relations and which new areas may the two countries focus on in future cooperation?

A: China and India are important neighbors and major developing countries. Enhancing China-India good-neighborly and friendly cooperation is not only in the fundamental interest of both peoples, but also conducive to peace and development of the region and the world as well as the lofty ideal of common development of humanity.

The Chinese Government highly values its relations with India. In recent years, the two countries have maintained exchange of high-level visits and enhanced exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as business, trade, science and technology, environment and culture. The two sides are both committed to their strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity. We are ready to work with the Indian side to press forward bilateral relations so that we can always be good neighbors, good friends and good partners.

It's undeniable that there are pending issues between China and India. The two governments and leaders of the two countries have reached the consensus to properly handle the issues through friendly consultation on an equal footing based on the agreed political parameters and guiding principle between them. Pending a final resolution of the border issue, the two sides will make joint efforts to ensure peace and tranquility in the border area. We believe, with the continuous development of China-India relations, the border issues will gradually be settled in a proper way.

Q: Today China and Britain will hold the strategic dialogue. What issues will the two sides mainly discuss?

A: In order to enhance strategic communication between China and Britain and push forward the bilateral relations, the two sides recently decided to upgrade the Sino-British Strategic Dialogue Mechanism to discuss important, long-term and strategic issues of mutual interest and overall significance. This evening, State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Foreign Secretary Miliband will meet for the strategic dialogue. We will keep you updated.

Q: During the talks between Foreign Minister Yang and Foreign Secretary Miliband, did China agree to sanctions against Iran?

A: During the talks this morning, the two sides discussed the Iranian nuclear issue and expressed concern over it. In the joint press conference after the talks, the two sides also touched upon the issue. Foreign Minister Yang reiterated the consistent position of the Chinese Government. China hopes that, under the current circumstances, relevant parties will all make constructive efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation.

Q: What measures has China adopted to rescue the abducted Chinese citizens in Cameroon? Are you negotiating on ransom?

A: Recently, two fishing boats of a Chinese fishing company were attacked in the waters between Cameroon and Nigeria and seven Chinese fishermen were taken hostage. The Chinese Government has been very concerned about the incident. The Foreign Ministry, Chinese missions in relevant countries and other competent authorities launched rescue effort immediately. Currently we are following the developments closely and hope relevant countries will provide full support to ensure the safety of the abducted Chinese fishermen.

Q: Which Chinese official will attend the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington in April?

A: China has been actively participating in the preparation of the summit. As for which Chinese official will attend, I have no information now.

Q: Please brief us on the itinerary of Prime Minister Hasina of Bangladesh. Whom is she going to meet and what issues will be discussed? As far as I know, a Chinese company is considering building a deep-sea port in the Chittagong Port of Bangladesh. Could you give us more details?

A: We have announced the visit of Prime Minister Hasina. During her visit, President Hu Jintao and Chairman Wu Bangguo will meet with her and Premier Wen Jiabao will have talks with her. The two sides will exchange views on enhancing China-Bangladesh friendly and cooperative relations as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.

As for the Port construction you mentioned, it is up to the Chinese company involved to decide whether to participate or not. The Chinese Government has always encouraged and supported Chinese companies to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries including Bangladesh.

Q: Japan recently claimed that China supports its call for the ban on bluefin tuna. Please confirm.

A: I have not heard of such a statement from Japan. The meeting on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is being held in Doha. The Chinese Government acts in strict accordance with relevant international conventions on endangered species.

Q: About a meeting during the Copenhagen Conference, last Sunday, Premier Wen Jiabao said in a press conference that the Chinese delegation had not received any notification to attend the meeting and were still waiting for response from relevant parties. Whom has China made representations to? Has China received any response from relevant parties since that press conference?

A: We know who the relevant countries are, but the Chinese way of dealing with things is to leave space for others. I will not point out exactly whom, please understand.

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