On November 25, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang held a regular press conference and answered questions on the Six-Party Talks, China-US relations and etc.

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

As agreed upon consultation, the fifth China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue will be held in Beijing from December 4 to 5. As special representatives of President Hu and President Bush respectively, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and US Treasury Secretary Paulson will co-chair the meeting. Senior officials from relevant departments in both countries will attend.

With the theme of "building blocks for an enduring China-US economic partnership", the two countries will discuss strategies to manage macro-economic risks and promote a balanced economic growth, efforts to intensify cooperation in energy and environment, measures to address trade challenges, so as to create an open environment for trade and international economic cooperation.

We understand that many foreign journalists wish to cover this event. Foreign journalists other than those from the US could access the IPC website for application notice, and email their applications to the Information Department, Foreign Ministry. US journalists based in China can file their applications through the US Embassy in China. Specific arrangement will be released on IPC website within this week, please stay informed.

At the invitation of Mr. Sar Kheng, the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister and Mr. Le Hong Anh, Vietnam Minister of Public Security, Mr. Meng Jianzhu, the Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security will pay official visits to Cambodia and Vietnam from November 28 to December 6.

Now I'm happy to take your questions.

Q: "Guns and Roses", a US band, has released a new album, "Chinese Democracy". What do you think of it?

A: So far as I know, not many people are fond of this kind of music because it's too loud and noisy. Besides, you are a mature adult, aren't you?

Q: Have you finalized the date of the next round of the Six-Party Talks?

A: China has proposed to hold the next round of meeting for the heads of delegations of the Six-Party Talks on December 8. The proposal is now under consultation. We hope that all parties concerned will work together and make the meeting a success in order to fulfill the remaining tasks of the second-phase action in a comprehensive and balanced manner at an early date and make new progress in the process.

Q: During his visit to Australia earlier this month, US Vice Admiral Jay Donnelly voiced concern over China's build-up of submarine fleet, saying that the biggest concern of the US submarine fleet in the Asia-Pacific region is China's increasing military expenditure and rising armed forces. Further to that, he said the US navy is moving 60% of its submarine fleet to the Pacific in order to respond to any contingencies that may arise at the Taiwan Straits, and overawe the underwater forces of China and Russia. Do you have any comment?

A: China unswervingly follows the path of peaceful development. We pursue an independent foreign policy and a national defense policy, which is defensive in nature and advocate a new concept of security featured with mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation. We would like to strengthen dialogue and build trust with relevant countries to jointly safeguard regional and world peace and security. China's development and national defense building does not pose a threat to any other countries.

Q: On another topic, Christmas is coming, and a lot of people overseas will be looking for toys. Many of these toys come from China. Given the record of Chinese-made toys over the last 12 months, what guarantees can you give foreign customers that the presents they buy for their children are safe and will not harm them in any way?

A: China is a major producer of toys. Chinese-made toys are exported to countries around the world, bringing lots of fun to children and even adults abroad. The quality of toys has been a high priority for the Chinese Government. We always request toy manufacturers to adopt high standards of quality control and enhance quality checks all the way through the production process. In the meantime, China's quality inspection authorities have been increasingly tougher in examining the quality of toys for export. Toys that fail the quality examination are not allowed to leave the country.

As for some incidents in recent years that concern toy quality and safety, on the one hand, we shall take it seriously and take actions accordingly; on the other hand, we should have objective, just and scientific analysis. For instance, some exported toys are made according to designs provided by foreign clients, which later are found to be problematic. For this reason, domestic toy manufacturers are requested to take a closer look at designs from their overseas clients while enhancing quality and safety control. Orders with problematic designs that are potentially risky should be rejected. Toy safety calls for comprehensive measures.

Yes, Christmas is approaching, and I wish children around the world a Merry Christmas.

Q: US President-elect Barack Obama has just named his economic team. What is China's reaction to the make-up of the team? Obama has also urged the US Congress to adopt an economic stimulus package. Do you have any comment?

A: We have taken note of President-elect Obama's appointment of some secretaries of his future cabinet and members of his consultant team. We congratulate them. We are ready to strengthen cooperation with them and press ahead with the two countries' constructive relations of cooperation in a broad range of fields.

We believe that every country should take active and effective measures according to its own national conditions so as to stabilize financial market, restore market confidence and ensure healthy and stable economic development. Since the US is the largest economy in the world, its economic development and financial stability have a bearing on the stability and development of the world's economy. We hope that the measures the US has adopted can take effect as soon as possible. Sustained economic growth and financial stability in the US will benefit the whole world including China. China will strengthen communication, coordination and cooperation with the US as always on how to deal with the current financial crisis.

Q: Last Friday, the UN Committee against Torture issued its concluding observations on China's compliance with UN Convention against Torture. I know you have already made a statement on your website, but can you explain why China is against the conclusion of the report?

A: I have already made a comprehensive response to this issue last weekend. We believe that such observations as a whole are not objective, just nor fair. Some committee members with deep-seated bias against China chose to ignore the efforts and achievements made by the Chinese Government in protecting human rights and opposing torture in recent years, add hearsays even groundless utterances into the observations. This is unacceptable.

Let's take a look at some groundless accusations, vicious attacks and unreasonable demands to the Chinese Government in the observations. According to the observations, somehow, the Chinese Government "suppresses" the Tibetans and Uyghur people, there is "overused armed forces and mistreatment" by the Central Government and the local government of Tibet in March 14 incident in Lhasa and the "reincarnated soul boy of Panchen Lama" designated by Dalai Lama was forced to disappear. These are nothing but utterly lies and interference in China's internal affairs. We are discontented to see such stuff squeezed into the concluding observations.

If there are no more questions, thank you for your attendance. See you next time!