Q: EU officials said they were discussing the possibility of asking China either to contribute directly to the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) or through the IMF. Is China considering it? How is bilateral consultation going?

A: We have been following the latest developments in the recent European debt crisis and noted that the EU is working to find solutions. We hope the EU measures will effectively address the sovereign debt problems in some countries so as to boost market confidence and promote stability and growth in Europe.

The European financial market has been one of China's major investment markets. We are ready to engage in broad-based exchanges and cooperation with the EU, tap potential and meet challenges together in a bid to push forward the cooperative partnership of mutual benefit and common development.

You may refer to competent authorities for your specific question. I believe they are open toward discussing with the EU side active and effective means of cooperation.

On IMF financial resources, we believe that quota increase holds the key to expanding the Fund's resources. We urge the parties concerned to implement the goals of quota reform based on the requirements of the Seoul Summit as soon as possible.

Q: During the US House of Representatives' recent discussions on the RMB exchange rate issue, former US Treasury Secretary Paulson said it was not a right approach for one sovereign nation to threaten another with a punishment. House Speaker Boehner also said on a previous occasion that pushing for the RMB-related bill at this moment in time poses a very severe risk of a trade war and unintended consequences could come as a result. However, some people in the US continue to put pressure on China. What is your comment?

A: I have noted that some far-sighted people in the US oppose playing up the RMB exchange rate issue and putting pressure on China, considering it not the correct approach to solve US domestic economic problems. I have also taken note of some western media comments that as the second largest economy in the world, China will not bow to external pressure.

Since the reform of the RMB exchange rate regime, the RMB has greatly appreciated against the US Dollar by 30% in cumulative terms and is now at an adaptive and equilibrium level.

The Chinese Government's policy is consistent with the country's national conditions and conducive to world economic and financial stability and development. We will continue to steadily further the reform of the exchange rate regime. However, it is a gradual process and large appreciation in the short term is not a reasonable request. A slowing Chinese economy will only reduce the total global demand and does nothing but harm to the world economy.

The sound and stable development of China-US economic relations is in the common interests of the two countries. Issues arising from rapid development need to be appropriately addressed through equal consultation. Politicizing economic and trade issues will not help solve US domestic problems, but will only harm bilateral economic cooperation. The two sides should promote the healthy development of bilateral economic ties and trade through dialogue and cooperation.

Q: How do you comment on the report that Israel and Egypt reached a prisoner swap deal recently?

A: We welcome it. Both Egypt and Israel are important countries in the region. The improvement of relations between them is conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East.

Q: Please update us on Vice Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the ROK. Separately, the UN General Assembly have passed a resolution to urge the US to lift its embargo against Cuba for 20 years in a row. What is your comment?

A: Vice Premier Li Keqiang arrived in the ROK for an official visit. He met with President Lee Myung-bak and will hold talks with Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik. His delegation will release information in a timely way.

On your second question, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution to urge the US to lift its economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba with an overwhelming majority for 20 years in a row. China voted for it.

Regrettably, the resolution has never been effectively implemented over the years, which has seriously impeded the Cuban people's efforts to realize economic and social development and reach Millennium Development Goals.

We hope the US will, by upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions, lift its embargo against Cuba and constantly improve bilateral relations in a bid to promote stability and development in Latin America and the Caribbean region.

China maintains with Cuba normal economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges, with constant development of friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation across the board, which conforms to the aspirations of the two peoples and contributes to Cuba's economic and social development.

Q: The Japanese House of Representatives, Foreign Ministry and some diplomatic missions abroad claimed recently to have come under cyber attacks. According to reports, some attacks originated from China. How do you comment?

A: The Chinese Government's position on this issue is explicit. We are firmly opposed to and prohibit any cyber attacks. Being a victim of cyber attacks as well, China is ready to continue to strengthen cooperation with the international community in a joint fight against cyber crimes.

However I would like to point out that cyber crimes are transnational and anonymous. Claiming that attacks originate from a certain locality without investigation is neither professional nor responsible. There were such claims against China in the past, but competent Chinese authorities have not received requests from these countries for assistance in investigation.

Q: How does China view the second high-level dialogue between the DPRK and the US?

A: We welcome the progress made in the DPRK-US dialogue. China stays in close communication with relevant parties. It is in the interests of all parties to resume the Six-Party Talks as soon as possible. China will continue to work with relevant parties towards this end.

Q: How does China comment on the report that the Yemeni Government reached a ceasefire deal with the opposition on October 25?

A: We welcome the ceasefire deal and hope the parties in Yemen resolve differences through dialogue, consultation and other political means, launch political dialogue as soon as possible and restore national stability.

Q: What is China's expectation of the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting?

A: The 19th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Hawaii, the US next month. Themed under "Toward a Seamless Regional Economy", the meeting will focus on deepening regional economic integration, expanding trade, pushing for green growth, strengthening regulatory cooperation and other topics.

China hopes the meeting will achieve practical results in the following areas. The APEC Leaders' Growth Strategy adopted at the Leaders' Meeting last year should be implemented to push for the balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth of the Asia-Pacific economy. Second, continued efforts should be made to promote regional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in an all-round way based on the Bogor Goals to enhance economic and technical cooperation and realize common development and prosperity of all members. Third, cooperation should be enhanced to elevate the green growth capacity of all members, developing members in particular. Fourth, economic restructuring and regulatory cooperation will be strengthened to build in the region a fully vibrant, efficient and more open policy environment conducive to trade and investment development.

China is ready to work with the parties to push for APEC's own reform and institutional building in line with the evolving situation to strengthen effectiveness of cooperation, improve APEC's relevance, pertinence and timeliness in addressing major international economic issues and consolidate and elevate its status and influence in regional cooperation.

Promoting Asia-Pacific harmony, development and stability is in the common interests of all members in the region and a long-term goal in regional cooperation. APEC should make best of its advantage in line with the new situation of international economic development and trade and investment, playing a unique role in supporting its members' efforts to change their economic development mode, deepening regional economic integration and promoting investment and trade liberalization and facilitation.