Ma Zhaoxu: Good afternoon! I have no announcement to start with. I am glad to take your questions.

Q: Mr. Ma Ying-jeou will visit Latin American countries and stop over in the US. Given the recent improvements in cross-strait relations, will the mainland China oppose his stopover in the US?

A: I'd like to reiterate that the Chinese Government always adheres to the One-China principle and opposes any country having any official exchanges with Taiwan. This position remains unchanged.

Q: The UNEP released a report, claiming that dams built by China and some Southeast Asian countries might pose threat to the future of the Mekong River. How do you respond to that?

A: Placing equal importance to the development and protection of cross-border rivers, the Chinese Government adopts a balanced policy. Taking the possible environment impact very seriously, competent authorities have held several seminars to solicit the advices from local authorities and experts. As to the hydropower development of relevant rivers, the Government will make decisions upon careful assessment of environmental protection and the actual situation there.

Q: The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference will be held this year. The EU and India have already issued documents of their respective positions on the negotiations. Could you brief us on China's position?

A: Recently, the Chinese Government released Implementation of the Bali Roadmap--China's Position on the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, expounding China's position and proposition on the Copenhagen Conference and demonstrating China's willingness and determination to promote positive results out of the Conference. For your information, the document has already been posted on the official website of the National Development and Reform Commission.

I'd also like to brief you on the key elements of the document. It stresses that the results of the Copenhagen Conference should adhere to the framework of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, strictly follow the authorization of the Bali Roadmap and the principles of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and sustainable development, and give equal priority to mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and financial support. The document also notes that the objective of the Copenhagen Conference is to further enhance the full, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol. It reiterates that by 2020, as a mid-term target, developed countries as a group shall cut their emissions by at least 40% from the 1990 level.

China will always unequivocally follow the path of sustainable development so as to make unremitting efforts to combat global climate changes.

If there are no more questions, thank you for coming! See you!