On the afternoon of January 11, 2011, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei held a regular press conference.

Q: Please brief us on the Chinese observation mission in Sudan. What is your view of the referendum vote in the past couple of days?

A: After arriving in Sudan, the Chinese observation mission has embarked on its work in Khartoum, Juba and Wau. They have met with officials from the North and South respectively and head of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission. They also had contact with observation mission chiefs of the United Nations, African Union and Arab League. As is observed, the voting is run in a stable and orderly manner. It's our hope that this sound momentum could be maintained.

Q: Has China made its decision to accept or decline Iran's invitation to visit its nuclear facilities?

A: I already shared relevant information at the last press conference and have nothing more to add.

Q: Indian media says that Chinese border guards intruded into India-held territory last September to stop Indian construction workers from their work. Do you have any comment?

A: China notes that the Indian side has made clarification on relevant report. Always adhering to the two agreements between the two countries on maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas, the Chinese border personnel have never cross the Line of Actual Control.

Q: It's said that China will send peace-keeping troops to Côte d'Ivoire at the request of the UN. Please confirm.

A:I have not heard of that. At present, China has six military observers with the UN operation in Côte d'Ivoire. Under the current circumstances, we support the UN mission playing a positive role in resolving relevant issues in the country peacefully.

Q: Since the new year began, the DPRK has repeatedly offered to talk with the ROK side, but the latter accused the former of lacking sincerity and demanded an apology on Cheonan incident and Yeonpyeong Island shelling incident. How do you comment on the attitude of either side?

A: China always upholds that dialogue and consultation is the only effective approach to resolve Peninsula-related issues. We support relevant parties having contact and dialogue and making active interactions so as to jointly steer the situation towards a desirable direction.

We believe the Six-Party Talks is the effective approach to realize denuclearization on the Peninsula and safeguard regional peace and stability. We hope relevant parties exert joint efforts to resume the Six-Party Talks at an early date and materialize the goals set in the September 19 Joint Statement in a comprehensive manner.

Q: China suspended military-to-military exchanges with the US following US arms sales to Taiwan last year. Will China do the same in the future over similar arms sales?

A: I would like to point out that China-US military ties are an important part of and a sensitive area in bilateral relations, involving quite a few complicated factors. The development of bilateral military ties entails building and maintaining a reliable political foundation, namely, mutual respect of sovereignty, security and development interests. It is hoped that defence departments of the two countries take effective measures to maintain the political foundation for military-to-military ties in an effort to ensure the healthy and stable development of bilateral military ties.

Q: It is reported that China might be involved in the Renault espionage case. How do you respond?

A: We have noted the report. As for so-called Chinese involvement in the case, we consider the accusation totally groundless, irresponsible and unacceptable.

Q: US Assistant Secretary of State Campbell is in China for a visit. Please brief us on the meeting arrangements and topics for discussion.

A: US Assistant Secretary of State Campbell is in China to have further communication with the Chinese side over the political preparation for President Hu Jintao's visit to the US.

Q: It is reported that China's J-20 stealth fighter has made a test flight. How do you comment? Why did such a test flight coincide with US Secretary of Defence Gates's visit to China?

A: I already responded to that question last week.

I would like to point out that China is committed to a path of peaceful development and a national defence policy that is defensive in nature, and poses no threat to any other country. As science and technology advances, it is normal that countries upgrade their weaponry in keeping with the needs of national defence. China's development of weaponry is completely based upon its security and defence needs. The purpose is to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, rather than aiming at any country or specific target.