On July 5, 2012, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin held a press conference.
Liu Weimin started the press conference with the following announcement.
At the invitation of State Councilor Dai Bingguo, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice- President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton will visit China and attend the third round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue from July 8 to 10. The two sides will have in-depth exchange of views on the current international situation, China-EU relations and regional hot-spot issues of common interest. We believe the strategic dialogue will further enhance mutual understanding and trust between the two sides.
Q: What is China's expectation of the upcoming series of foreign ministers' meetings of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). What proposals is it going to put forward during the foreign ministers' meetings of 10+1, 10+3, the ARF and the EAS?
A: Currently, the world economic outlook is not certain. The European debt crisis is still unfolding. Some countries in this region are still economically and financially fragile, vulnerable to external impact. The series of foreign ministers' meetings of the ARF are an important platform of regional dialogue and cooperation. Under the current circumstances, all parties concerned should send a positive signal of stepping up cooperation through the meetings, build closer partnership and strengthen their capability to jointly tackle challenges.
China hopes that the foreign ministers' meetings will continue to uphold the basic principles of mutual respect, consensus based on consultation and mutual benefit, enhance mutual trust, boost cooperation and solidify the momentum of development in East Asia. China will continue to support ASEAN in playing a leading role in East Asia cooperation.
During the China-ASEAN (10+1) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, China will positively comment on the progress made in China-ASEAN relations, reiterate its commitment to developing good-neighborliness and friendship and boosting all-dimentional practical cooperation with the ASEAN as well as settlement of disputes through friendly consultation.
During the ASEAN-China, Japan, ROK (10+3) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, China will exchange views with all parties concerned on the implementation of the outcome of the 14th 10+3 Summit, furtherance of cooperation in the next stage and preparation for the 10+3 Summit in commemoration of its 15th anniversary to be held at the year-end.
During the EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, China will have extensive exchange of views with other parties on the major and strategic regional and international issues, and reaffirm that the EAS should stick to its nature of a "leaders-led" strategic forum, actively engage in cooperation in priority areas and make even greater contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
During the ARF Foreign Ministers' meeting, China will elaborate on its views of the Asia-Pacific situation. Thanks to many years of peace and stability, countries in this region have made significant achievements in economic development. We should all the more cherish this hard-won result. China looks forward to discussing with all participating countries how to step up mutual trust and enhance Asia-Pacific security cooperation in order to jointly uphold regional peace and stability.
Q: The giant panda provided by China to Tokyo's Ueno Zoo gave birth to a cub this afternoon. Does China have any expectation of the improvement of sentiments between Chinese and Japanese people?
A: This is good news. Giant pandas are envoys of friendship. We hope the pandas will continue to play a positive role for the improvement of sentiments between Chinese and Japanese people and China-Japan relations as a whole.
Q: The Taiwan authorities and the Japanese government have twice asserted their respective sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands to each other. The Taiwanese people who went to the Diaoyu Islands to assert sovereignty took specially with them a five-star national flag, calling on the two sides across the Straits to jointly safeguard sovereignty over the Islands. How does the Chinese Foreign Ministry comment? Will you support the action of the Taiwanese personnel involved?
A: I made clear China's position on this issue yesterday. China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely uphold its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands. It is the common wish and responsibility of compatriots across the Straits to safeguard the motherland's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Q: The expert-level talks between the P5+1 and Iran just concluded. How does China assess the outcome of the talks?
A: On July 3, the expert-level talks between the P5+1 and Iran was held. During the meeting, the P5+1 and Iran further clarified each other's position based on the Moscow Dialogue, had serious discussions and made some progress. Due to the complexity of the Iranian nuclear issue, it is natural that parties concerned are still very much. We hope all parties will continue to take a flexible and pragmatic attitude, adhere to the dialogue process and seek a comprehensive, long-term and proper resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue in a step-by-step manner. China is ready to continue to play a constructive role to this end.
Q: Raul Castro, Chairman of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of Cuba is on a visit to China. In recent years, Cuba has been following China's example in economic reform. What experience do you think Cuba should learn from China in economic reform?
A: The information regarding Chairman Raul's visit to China has been released. During the visit, the two sides will exchange views on issues of common interest. Since the founding of new China, especially over the past 30-odd years of reform and opening up, China has found a development path with Chinese characteristics. We would like to exchange with and learn from other countries across the world in areas such as economic and social development as well as governance for common development. However, it is up to countries themselves to decide which development road or model they should choose based on their national conditions.
Q: The first "Panda Awareness Week" was held in London recently, aimed at enhancing public awareness of protecting pandas. Does China think the campaign a success? Separately, you just said that all countries should exchange with and learn from each other. What has China learned from Cuba?
A: I saw this event on the TV and believe that such an activity will contribute to cultural exchanges, bring people together and enhance global awareness of protecting pandas. As for whether the campaign is successful or not, you should ask the organizer.
On your second question, every country has its own strengths that others can learn from. One should not always think that its own model is the most perfect one and should be applied in all other countries.
Q: The third "Friends of Syria" Meeting will be held in Paris tomorrow. Has China received an invitation? Will you attend?
A: China has received an invitation from France. We believe the political resolution of the Syrian issue is now at a critical juncture. The international community should focus on implementing the consensus reached in the foreign ministers' meeting of the Action Group on Syria. Meanwhile, the resolution of the Syrian issue also needs the joint participation and efforts of all parties concerned in Syria. At present, China considers not attending the meeting.
Q: China is having dozens of major cooperation projects with Cuba, playing a significant role in the economic development of Cuba. Will the Cuban leader sign new cooperation documents with China during his visit?
A: Since the establishment of China-Cuba relations, the two sides have made great achievements in their trade and economic cooperation. China has become the second largest trading partner of Cuba. Cuba has become the largest trading partner of China in the Caribbean. In 2011, bilateral trade reached nearly US$2 billion, up by 6.4% year on year. During the visit, the two sides will sign relevant cooperation documents.