As agreed by China and the US, the sixth round of China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogues (S&EDs) and the fifth China-US High-level Consultation on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges will be held in Beijing from July 9 to 10. Special Representatives of President Xi Jinping, namely Vice Premier Wang Yang and State Councillor Yang Jiechi will join their American co-chairs, Special Representatives of US President Barack Obama, namely US Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew for the S&EDs. Vice Premier Liu Yandong and US Secretary of State Kerry will also co-host the High-level Consultation on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges. The two sides will have in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and other major issues of common interest. The Chinese side hopes that the two sides can pull together, increase strategic communication, promote cooperation and exchanges and properly deal with differences so as to keep advancing the new model of major-country relationship between China and the US.
Q: The Israeli army bombed the Gaza Strip controlled by Hamas on July 1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that military actions against Hamas will be expanded if necessary. What is China's comment?
A: The Chinese side has repeatedly expressed its position on what is going on between Palestine and Israel. We are concerned about the escalation of the tension and once again urge all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint, keep calm and prevent the situation from deteriorating.
Q: It is reported that Iran and the P5+1 will hold a new round of talks in Vienna on July 2. Who will the Chinese side delegate to the talks? What are China's expectations for the talks?
A: The P5+1 and Iran will hold the sixth round of talks in Vienna from July 2 to 15 to continue with the discussion on the comprehensive agreement to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. Director General Wang Qun of the Department of Arms Control of the Foreign Ministry of China will lead a delegation to the talks.
China supports the P5+1 and Iran in reaching an equitable, balanced, mutually beneficial and comprehensive agreement on the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue at an early date. To that end, all parties should respect and treat each other as equals. They should also act in good faith so as to build up mutual trust and exercise flexibility so as to dissolve differences. All in all, the Chinese side will enhance cooperation with all participants to the talks and continue to work for their shared goal.
Q: China has been active in regional diplomacy in the past several months, hosting the Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and other activities. Is this China's policy to counteract America's rebalancing in Asia?
A: With the view of realizing common development, common security and creating the community of common destiny with Asian neighbors, China stays committed to building friendship and partnership with neighbors, fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood and upholding the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We endeavor to deliver more benefits to other Asian countries in the course of our own development.
Dialogue and cooperation mechanisms for politics, economy and security in Asia are in full swing, which conform to the trend of development in the region and meet the aspiration of people in the region. In this connection, China will continue making unremitting efforts. We also believe that openness and inclusiveness serve as basic principles for the sound development of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. China is ready to work with other countries to create a bright future of Asia that is more stable and prosperous.
Q: The Spokesperson of the US State Department made some remarks yesterday about the demonstration in Hong Kong. What is China's comment on that?
A: Over the past 17 years since the return of Hong Kong, the principle of "one country, two systems" and the basic law have been implemented, and rights, interests and freedom that Hong Kong residents are entitled to under the laws have been fully guaranteed. The basic law and relevant resolutions passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress state that the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) can be elected by universal suffrage in 2017. The SAR government is working on that in a step-by-step manner according to law.
Constitutional development falls within China's domestic affairs. The Chinese government is firmly opposed to interference by any country in any form. We hope that relevant country will stop making irresponsible remarks on the internal affairs of Hong Kong.
Q: The DPRK today fired two more short-range rockets. What is China's comment?
A: I have noted relevant reports. We hope that parties concerned can do more to ease regional tension and jointly safeguard peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.
Q: Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly mentioned Russia-China relations when talking about international and diplomatic issues in a speech on July 1. What is China's comment on that?
A: The Chinese side highly values President Putin's perspective on China-Russia relations and his positive attitude on developing this relationship.
China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is built on equality, mutual trust, mutual support, common prosperity and long-standing friendship. It features non-alliance and non-confrontation and is not directed against any third party, setting a good example of peaceful co-existence, good-neighborliness, friendliness and mutually beneficial cooperation between major countries.
Likewise, China attaches great importance to developing relations with Russia. Together with Russia, China is ready to press ahead with the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries.
Q: What is China's comment on Japan's lifting of the ban on the right to collective self-defense by reinterpreting the pacifist constitution?
A: I made clear China's position on relevant issue yesterday. I want to reiterate that Japan's political move in the military and security field is directly related to Japan's path of development. It also has a bearing on the security environment of the region. Whether or not Japan follows the path of peaceful development is our concern. We hope that the Japanese side can be discreet in the military and security field, earnestly respect security concerns of countries in the region and refrain from actions that undermine regional peace and stability. With regard to Japan's lifting of the ban on the right to collective self-defense, the Chinese side has expressed its concerns to the Japanese side on many occasions, requesting that the Japanese side not harm China's sovereignty and security interests. China will continue to watch closely relevant moves by Japan and firmly uphold national security as well as regional peace and stability.
