Q: What is China's reaction to the footage released by Vietnamese TV showing the collision between Chinese vessels and Vietnamese ones in the South China Sea?
A: On the morning of June 23, the Vietnamese side organized vessels on the site to once again break through the cordon-off area where Chinese company operates. One of the towboats took the first move to ram into Chinese government vessels and caused damage to Chinese ships. China once again urges the Vietnamese side to immediately stop any form of disruptions and damages to China's operation, pull out all vessels and personnel from the scene and restore tranquility to the sea at the earliest possible date.
Q: An Egyptian high court sentenced three journalists from Al-Jazeera to prison. What is China's reaction to this?
A: I have noted relevant report. This is related to the current situation in Egypt. We hope that parties concerned in Egypt can push forward inclusive political transition through negotiation and dialogue so that stability can be regained as soon as possible.
Q: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko came up with a peaceful plan for the east of the country. What is China's position on this? As a strategic partner of Russia, will China encourage Russia to fully support this plan?
A: China has been following the Ukrainian situation. The continuous instability of Ukraine will affect security, stability and development of the region. Recently the conflicting parties in Ukraine declared ceasefire and parties concerned are conducting intensive contact on ceasefire and peace talks, which China welcomes. China hopes for the de-escalation of Ukraine's situation as soon as possible, welcomes all efforts that are conducive to defusing the tension in Ukraine, and expects parties concerned to jointly create favorable conditions for the political settlement of the Ukrainian issue. We encourage and welcome relevant parties to continue with their constructive efforts and carry forward the process of politically addressing the Ukrainian issue.
Q: Has China been in any contact with the Russian side on this plan?
A: We encourage, welcome and support related parties to make positive efforts to ease the tension and strive for the political settlement of the Ukrainian issue at an early date.
Q: Recently there has been some controversy about the vote-counting in Afghanistan's presidential election. How does China comment on this?
A: China has taken notes of the latest development in Afghanistan's presidential election. China hopes that parties concerned can properly address relevant issue through dialogue. China respects the choice made by the Afghans. We believe that the smooth and successful election of Afghanistan will help it get on the track of peace, stability and development at an early date.
Q: On June 23, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) declared that the final stockpile of chemical weapons in Syria had been shipped out of the country that afternoon, calling this a major landmark in this mission of the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons. How does China comment on this process? What efforts has China made in the shipment and destruction of Syrian chemical weapons?
A: On June 23, the last stockpile of chemical weapons in Syria has been shipped out of the Syrian territorial sea jointly escorted by warships from China, Russia, Denmark and other countries. The complete shipment of Syria's chemical weapons is a landmark achievement at the current stage of the transportation and destruction process of chemical weapons in Syria. China welcomes this move and commends the efforts made by all parties in the transportation and destruction process of chemical weapons in Syria.
China, together with all parties, actively participates in the international efforts of politically resolving the chemical weapons issue in Syria. China plays a proactive and constructive role in the political settlement of chemical weapons through sending experts, donating equipment and joining in the naval escort of chemical weapons shipment.
China hopes that all parties can cherish what has been achieved currently, continue with their communication and cooperation and maintain the process of politically resolving the chemical weapons issue in Syria.
