Q: There are reports that Premier Li Keqiang will visit Germany in October. Do you have further information? Will he visit other European countries?
A: China attaches importance to developing its relations with European countries, and has maintained close high-level exchanges with them. We will release information about Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Germany and other European countries in due course.
Q: Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy started his visit in China and will meet with Chinese leaders today. What are China's expectations for his visit? Is China willing to reduce the trade deficit that Spain has with China?
A: We regard Spain as a friendly partner inside the EU, and welcome Prime Minister Rajoy's visit. This afternoon, Premier Li Keqiang will have a meeting with him, and then hold a welcome ceremony and a welcome banquet. Tomorrow, Prime Minister Rajoy will meet with President Xi Jinping and Councilor Zhang Dejiang respectively. Both sides will have in-depth exchanges on further developing China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership.
You mentioned trade imbalances. Trade surplus is not something we are after. We are willing to work with Spain to expand bilateral trade volume, upgrade bilateral trade level, and strike a dynamic balance amid enlarging and deepening cooperation.
Q: There are reports that China plans to send additional peacekeepers to South Sudan. Can you give us further information?
A: At the invitation of the UN, China plans to dispatch an additional 700-strong peacekeeping infantry to the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). In light of the domestic situation in South Sudan, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to expand the scale of the UNMISS. China's peacekeeping troops will act upon the mandate of the Security Council resolution, assist South Sudan with maintaining security and stability, protect civilians, and support humanitarian rescue efforts. China is now in contact with the UN to push forward relevant implementation work.
At present, the UN has 9 peacekeeping operations in Africa. China takes part in 7 of them. It represents another major step taken by China to support UN peacekeeping missions by sending a peacekeeping infantry to the UNMISS. China will continue to actively support and participate in the UN peacekeeping missions, and make contributions to international peace and security, including those of Africa.
Q: Vice Premier Wang Yang of the State Council met with the Japan-China Economic Association delegation. China and Japan also held a high-level consultation on maritime affairs. Could this pave the way for better ties between China and Japan?
A: Japan-China Economic Association visited China upon the invitation of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and met with Vice Premier Wang Yang. China and Japan are each other's major cooperation partner for economy and trade. China attaches importance to maintaining and expanding economic and trade ties with Japan. We expect Japanese people from all walks of life, including the economic circle, to play a positive role in improving and developing China-Japan relations.
China-Japan High-Level Consultation on Maritime Affairs was held from September 23 to 24 in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Both sides exchanged views on the East China Sea issue and maritime cooperation, and agreed in principle to restart consultations on maritime liaison mechanism between defense departments. Both sides also agreed in principle to hold a new round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs at the end of this year or the beginning of next year. China-Japan High-Level Consultation on Maritime Affairs was established in January, 2012, with an aim to have a broad exchange of views on various areas of the East China Sea issue, enhance mutual trust and cooperation, manage and control crisis, and explore ways to properly resolve these issues. This round of consultations will contribute to the efforts made by both sides to manage and control maritime frictions and crises.
As for improving and developing China-Japan relations, our position is clear and consistent. We believe what is pressing now is that Japan should show sincerity, take concrete actions, and make earnest efforts to remove the political obstacles that are impeding normal development of bilateral ties.
Q: When will China send these peacekeeping troops to South Sudan? When will they arrive in South Sudan?
A: As I have said before, China is now in consultation with the UN to finalize the specific arrangements for China's peacekeeping troops to the UNMISS. Relevant implementation is underway. We will release information in due course.
