On the afternoon of March 2, 2010, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Qin Gang: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I have no announcement to make and now the floor is open.

Q: First question, the US Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg will begin his visit to China today. Who is he going to meet and what's China's expectation of the visit? Second question, has China provided any assistance to Chile since the earthquake there in late February? What's the condition of the Chinese citizens there now? Third question, the ROK and the DPRK held a meeting today in Kaesong Industrial Park. Is this meeting mainly about the resumption of the Six-Party Talks?

A: The US side recently proposed to send Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg and NSC Senior Director for Asian Affairs Jeffrey Bader to visit China from March 2 to 4 and exchange views with the Chinese side on issues related to the China-US relations. China has accepted the US proposal. We will keep you updated.

Regarding the current China-US relations, China has made its position known on various occasions. China is not responsible for the present situation of bilateral relations. We urge the US side to take seriously the concerns of China on relevant issues, earnestly honor the principles set in the three China-US joint communiqués and the China-US Joint Statement, respect China's core interests and handle sensitive issues properly so as to bring the bilateral relations back to the track of sound and stable development.

On your second question, the Chinese Government and people expressed deep sympathy and concern after the devastating earthquake in Chile. President Hu Jintao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi have sent messages of condolences to their counterparts respectively and expressed China's readiness to provide relief assistance. The Chinese Government has pledged emergency humanitarian relief of US$ one million in cash to the Chilean Government. The Red Cross Society of China has decided to provide emergency humanitarian donation of US$100,000 to the country. In light of the developments of the situation there, the Chinese Government will continue to provide multiple forms of humanitarian assistance to Chile. At the same time, the Chinese Government is very concerned about the safety of Chinese citizens there, including that of compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Embassy in Chile have launched contingency mechanisms respectively and will spare no efforts to find out the whereabouts of the Chinese citizens there. Up till now, we have not received any reports of Chinese casualties in Chile. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and relevant information will be released in a timely fashion. The Center of Consular Assistance and Protection has opened two 24-hour hotlines for families of Chinese citizens in Chile.

On your third question, China has always supported and maintained that the North and South of the Korean Peninsula should keep up dialogue so as to push forward the process of reconciliation and cooperation. We hope to see improvement of relations between the North and the South, which is conducive to both peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula as well as the region at large. We hope their dialogue make headway.

Q: Russian President recently said that since the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue have yielded little progress, Russia is leaning further toward sanctions on Iran, which makes China the last major country against sanctions on Iran. How do you comment?

A: China's position on the Iranian nuclear issue has been consistent and unequivocal. We firmly uphold the international non-proliferation regime and peace and stability of the Middle East and the Gulf Area. Based on that, we advocate and call for a diplomatic and proper resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue and believe there is still room for diplomacy. All parties concerned should intensify diplomatic efforts, maintain and press ahead with the dialogue and negotiation process towards a proper solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. China is ready to continue to stay in contact and consultation with other parties.

Q: Abdul Haq al-Turkistani, head of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement is reported to have been killed recently in a US drone operation in the tribal area of Pakistan. How do you comment?

A: I have seen such reports but I can not confirm whether they are true.

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

A: China has been participating in the preparation of this summit. We remain in consultation with other parties.

Q: An Israeli delegation visited Beijing last week and touched upon the Iranian nuclear issue during a meeting with State Councilor Dai Bingguo. Can you give us more details? What issues did the Israeli side bring up and how did China respond?

A: Vice Prime Minister of Israel Ya'alon recently paid a visit to China. During his visit, State Councilor Dai Bingguo had talks with him and they exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest. Mr. Ya'alon expressed concerns over the Iranian nuclear issue and the Chinese side reiterated its principled position, which is to uphold the international non-proliferation regime and ensure peace and stability of the Middle East and the Gulf Region. China stressed a diplomatic solution. As I said just now, we believe diplomacy is not exhausted and all parties concerned should step up diplomatic efforts, maintain and push forward dialogue and negotiation so that the Iranian nuclear issue can move in the direction of a comprehensive, long-term and proper settlement.

Q: It is reported that State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will meet with US Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg and others. Will higher level Chinese officials also meet with them?

A: I have no information to provide at present. If there is, it will be released in due course.

Q: The Toyota Company yesterday held a press conference in Beijing, how do you comment? Some of its cars sold in China also have accelerator problems and are being recalled. The Toyota Company may face punishment in the US. Will China do the same?

A: I will leave your question to the Ministry of Commerce.

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