On the afternoon of November 4, 2010, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei held a regular press conference.

Q: There are recently some mixed reviews on China's relationship with its neighboring countries. Some believe it is getting tense, others think it's gaining mutual trust. How would you describe the current relationship between China and its neighbors? Secondly, according to the reported preliminary result of the US midterm election 2010, the Republicans have secured a majority in the House of Representatives, while the Democrats retained the Senate with a slim lead. Do you have any comment? What impact will the result have on China-US relations?

A: This year, China and its Asian neighbors have remained frequent and dynamic high-level exchanges. With the theme of "Year of Friendship", China and its neighboring countries including India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar have carried out various activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations. The traditional friendship, good neighborliness, mutual trust, mutually beneficial cooperation and generations of friendliness between China and Asian neighbors are gaining increasing popularity.

This year, China-ASEAN relations continue to forge ahead. At the recently concluded China-ASEAN Summit, Premier Wen Jiabao and leaders from ASEAN countries all believed that China-ASEAN relations are the most pragmatic, extensive, comprehensive, dynamic and fruitful strategic relations ever. They agreed to continue to pursue peaceful development through friendly cooperation, pay more attention to sustainable economic development, all-dimensional connectivity, social and cultural exchanges and the integration building in East Asia for the benefit of all peoples in China and ASEAN countries, thus contributing to peace, stability, development and prosperity of Asia.

You may have noticed that Asian countries, no matter in bilateral exchanges or at multilateral regional meetings, have delivered the same following message. The rapid growth of China's national strength and influence has made major contribution to promoting peace and prosperity of Asia, world economic growth and international financial system reform. Asian countries' new type of partnership with China has withstood the test of time and vicissitudes of international situation. It is their unswerving policy to strengthen good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation with China, which is of special importance to development of Asian countries as well as peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

In conclusion, China's relations with its Asian neighbors have been moving forward, which is a fact that no one can reverse.

On your second question, the midterm election is the internal affair of the US. A long-term, stable and healthy development of China-US relations is in the fundamental interest of two countries and two peoples and also conducive to world peace and development. This is also believed to be the consensus of the two parties and various circles of the US. We stand ready to work with the US to advance the positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-US relations in the 21st century.

Q: What measures have China and other Asian countries taken this year to address the international financial crisis and pull economic growth in Asia and the world at large?

A: Over the past two years since the international financial crisis broke out, Asian countries have worked together to tide over difficulties. While adopting their respective economic stimulus measures, Asian countries have strengthened coordination and enhanced regional cooperation, making Asian economy the first to take a turn for the better and East Asia a major engine for world economic growth.

In the first nine months of this year, the aggregate trade volume between China and Asian countries exceeded 640 billion dollars, increasing by 38% over the same period of last year. China's import from Asian countries stood at 361.3 billion dollars, up by 44%. As the largest export market in Asia, China suffered a trade deficit of 79.6 billion dollars against Asian countries.

This year is the first year of complete establishment of China-ASEAN free trade area. As the largest FTA for developing countries, the China-ASEAN FTA has remarkably enhanced the flowing efficiency of production elements including capital, resources, technologies and human resources, creating an unprecedented favorable environment for expanding cooperation in trade and investment. According to statistics, in the first nine months of this year, China-ASEAN trade volume reached 211.31 billion dollars with a year-on-year increase of 43.7%. China, Japan and the ROK have also set up the goal of completing the joint study on China-Japan-ROK FTA involving the government, industry and academia. We will also work with East Asian countries to oppose trade protectionism and minimize the impact of international financial crisis.

The Chinese Government encourages competitive enterprises to expand investment scope, enhance investment level and conduct extensive cooperation with Asian countries in a broad range of fields such as infrastructure, finance, science and technology, energy and environmental protection.

Apart from that, China has taken an active part in post-disaster reconstruction in Pakistan, post-war reconstruction in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and offered immediate condolences and assistance to earthquake-and-tsunami-hit Indonesia as a token of Chinese people's friendship.

Development is the common task and common interest for China and Asian countries. At present, the international financial crisis is far from over and Asia still faces many risks and challenges in economic development. We pursue the opening-up strategy of mutual benefit and win-win scenario and will work with Asian countries to help each other out and promote economic recovery and development in Asia.

Q: What is China's expectation of the Myanmar election due to be held on November 7?

A: China believes that to safeguard domestic stability and ensure a smooth election is in the fundamental interest of the Myanmar people and also in the common interest of regional peace and prosperity. China respects Myanmar people's independent choice of development path and hopes to see a smooth election as well as continuous progress in democracy and development in Myanmar.

Q: It's reported that former Russian Prime Minister Chernomyrdin passed away on November 3. Could you comment? How do you comment on Mr. Chernomyrdin?

A: Mr. Chernomyrdin was an outstanding politician and diplomat of Russia and also a good friend of the Chinese people. China speaks highly of his major contributions to promoting China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination as well as cooperation in various fields. We express deep regret and sorrow over his death and extend sincere to his family.

Q: What results does China expect the G20 Seoul Summit to achieve? What efforts do you think countries should make to ensure the Summit a success?

A: The Seoul Summit is the first G20 summit to be held in Asia and an emerging market country, holding great importance for the future development of Group 20. China expects the Summit to fully demonstrate development experiences of Asian countries and achieve positive results in promoting a resilient, sustainable, balanced growth of the world economy, boosting development, pushing for reform of international financial institutions, strengthening financial regulation and opposing various forms of protectionism. G20 cooperation should focus on how to continue unity, solve the fundamental cause of the international economic and financial crisis as well as consolidate the momentum for a world economic recovery.

Q: Hot-spot issues arise one after another in China's neighboring areas. As a responsible major country, what efforts has China made in maintaining regional peace and stability?

A: China holds that the region should establish a new security concept with mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation at its core, discarding the old security concept and security logic featured by alliance, might, threat and power, while recognizing, respecting and surpassing differences in ideology, values, social systems and development levels. This is China's position that can be reflected in its practices. China is actively committed to playing a constructive role on hot-spot issues as well as peacefully resolving disputes over territory, territorial waters and maritime rights and interests through friendly negotiation.

Q: Premier Wen Jiabao will visit India later this year. Which Indian leaders will he meet with? Following a recent CPC delegation's visit to India, how do you assess current China-India relations? Besides, US President Obama will start visiting India and some other Asian countries this week. How do you comment on his trip?

A: On your first question, I don't have any information at present.

On China-India relations, with each country boasting a long history and a population bigger than others, the cooperation and development of both can have an important influence on the whole world. There is enough room in the world for China and India to develop at the same time and sufficient areas for bilateral cooperation. China is ready to work unswervingly with India to maintain friendship, enhance political mutual trust and constantly deepen bilateral strategic cooperative partnership.

On your third question, we have noted President Obama's upcoming visits to Asian countries including India. As a member of the UN Security Council and the Asia-Pacific region, the US bears important responsibility in promoting peace, development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. We hope the US play a positive role in Asia.