On the afternoon of May 4, 2010, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I have no announcement to start with. Now, the floor is open.

Q: It is reported that the DPRK leader Kim Jong-il began visiting China yesterday. Please confirm.

A: On the information in which you are interested, I don't have anything to provide at present.

Q: Could you summarize China's policy towards the DPRK?

A: China and the DPRK are close neighbors to each other and we endeavor to develop good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation with the DPRK.

Q: Firstly, how do you comment on the current situation in Nepal? Secondly, on the margins of the SAARC Summit last month, Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan held a meeting and reached agreement on the resumption of dialogue. Do you have any comment?

A: On the situation in Nepal, the Chinese Government adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. As a friendly neighbor, China sincerely hopes that all political parties in Nepal proceed from national interest and the overall situation, seek political common ground and properly handle internal differences through dialogue and consultation so as to jointly press ahead with the hard-won peace process and achieve political stability and economic development at an early date. This is conducive not only to the fundamental interest of Nepal, but also to regional peace and stability.

On your second question, both India and Pakistan are neighbors of China as well as countries of major impact in South Asia. The improvement and development of India-Pakistan ties not only benefits South Asia, but also contributes to peace, stability and development of Asia as a whole. We are glad to see that Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan held a meeting on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit, displaying positive willingness to improve ties. China supports and welcomes India and Pakistan to properly handle their disputes through dialogue and cooperation with the aim of realizing common development.

Q: I heard that US Assistant Secretary of State Blake is in Beijing for a visit. What are the topics of his meeting with his Chinese counterparts?

A: US Assistant Secretary of State Blake for South Asian Affairs held consultation over South Asian affairs with his Chinese counterparts in Beijing today.

Q: Premier Wen Jiabao paid a visit to the DPRK last year. Is China's invitation for Kim Jong-il to come to China still valid?

A: China and the DPRK maintain the tradition of high-level exchange of visits, and we are willing to further develop our good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation with the DPRK.

Q: Does China believe that the DPRK should address the ROK's concerns that the Cheonan ship might be torpedoed by the DPRK? Or do you think it would be wiser for the ROK to drop its concerns and not to dig further?

A: On the Cheonan incident, we have answered your questions from this podium for many times. Following this incident, we note that the ROK has said on many occasions that it is carrying out a scientific and objective investigation into that. Since the investigation is underway, we hope this issue could be properly handled.

Follow-up: If the ROK raises this issue to the UN Security Council, will China support its move?

A: Given the ongoing investigation and pending result, I could not answer this hypothetical question.

Q: The US White House Spokesperson Gibbs recently said that the US would continue to seek new sanctions on Iran after the NPT Review Conference. How do you comment?

A: Our position on the Iranian nuclear issue is consistent and clear. We hold that dialogue and negotiations are the best way to resolve the issue. Discussion among the P5+1 countries is still going on. We hope relevant actions will help promote a proper settlement of this issue through dialogue and negotiations.

Q: China once expressed its hope that the Six-Party Talks could resume before this July. Are you still optimistic about this goal?

A: It is in the interest of all parties to promote the Six-Party Talks and achieve the goals set in the September 19 Joint Statement, which calls for joint efforts from all parties.

Q: What do you expect from the first director general-level contact on the East China Sea issue between China and Japan today?

A: China's position of attaching great importance and adhering to the principled consensus on the East China Sea issue is consistent. We are willing to stay in communication with the Japanese side through director general-level contact so as to jointly create favorable conditions and atmosphere for the implementation of the principled consensus.

Q: The US Defense Department revealed figures of its nuclear arsenal today. Is China ready to also disclose similar details of its stockpile?

A: I have noted relevant information.

China follows a defensive nuclear policy, exercises utmost restraint on the development of nuclear arms and always maintains its nuclear arsenal at the lowest level for its national security needs.

The 8th NPT Review Conference is now being held in New York. All parties should push for positive results out of the conference so as to advance international nuclear disarmament, strengthen international non-proliferation regime and promote peaceful use of nuclear energy and relevant international cooperation.

If there are no more questions, I'd like to welcome you to the press briefing on President Hu Jintao's attendance to the Ceremony of the 65th Anniversary of Victory in the Russian Patriotic War to be held here at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Thanks. See you!