Q: Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj in New York. Swaraj said that the issue of boundary standoff between China and India has been resolved. Can you provide further information?
A: On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Indian Foreign Minister Swaraj. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that President Xi's recent historic visit to India enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between the leaders of the two countries, and brought closer the people of the two nations. China-India relations are ushering in an important period of opportunity for development. The two sides should take concrete measures to implement the strategic plans the leaders mapped out for the development of bilateral ties, and jointly forge a closer partnership for development. Foreign Minister Swaraj said that President Xi Jinping was genuinely welcomed by the Indian people, and his visit, which gives a strong boost to bilateral practical cooperation, is a huge success. India stands ready to coordinate closely with China to create a new chapter for China-India relations.
One important consensus reached by the two sides is to push forward friendly consultation and seek a resolution to the boundary issue that is fair, reasonable and acceptable to both parties. Pending final settlement, both sides should properly manage and control disputes, and work together to maintain peace and tranquility of the border area. There exist a series of working mechanisms covering border affairs for consultation and coordination, so that two sides can communicate with each other in a timely fashion and properly manage and control the boundary issue. At present, the situation is under proper control, and the border area is in tranquility. We will continue to work with India to jointly uphold peace and tranquility of the border area.
Q: Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers met in New York on September 25. Can you provide further information?
A: On September 25, Foreign Minister Wang Yi had an informal meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at the request of the Japanese side on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The two sides exchanged views on the current China-Japan relations and existing problems.
Q: How many Chinese citizens are now living and working in South Sudan? How many peacekeepers will China send there? Does China take this move to protect its oil investments there?
A: There are Chinese peacekeepers, diplomatic personnel, employees of Chinese enterprises as well as Chinese citizens living and working in South Sudan. I do not have the exact number at present.
As I have said before, China will send a 700-strong peacekeeping infantry battalion to the United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in response to the call from the UN. The purpose of sending this battalion is to act upon the resolution passed by the UN General Assembly, assist in safeguarding peace and stability of South Sudan, protect civilians and provide humanitarian support under the command of the UNMISS. China is now in consultation with the UN to finalize the specific arrangements for China's peacekeeping troops.
Q: Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers had an informal meeting. Does this signal the thawing relations between China and Japan? Japanese Prime Minister said many times that he wanted to improve bilateral ties. So what kinds of conditions are required for that to happen?
A: Our position on improving and developing China-Japan relationship is consistent and clear. What is getting in the way of normal development of bilateral ties is clear for all to see. We hope Japan can show sincerity, and take concrete actions to remove the political stumbling blocks impeding normal development of bilateral ties.
Q: What does China think of Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy's visit to China?
A: Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy is now in China for a visit. Later this afternoon, he will meet with President Xi Jinping and Chairman of the National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang respectively.
Yesterday afternoon, Premier Li Keqiang held a very fruitful meeting with Prime Minister Rajoy during which both sides spoke highly of Sino-Spanish relations. Premier Li Keqiang said that China and Spain are partners that respect and trust each other politically, pursue mutually beneficial and win-win results economically, and learn from each other culturally. The Chinese government attaches great importance to developing its relationship with Spain, and stands ready to sustain the momentum of high-level exchanges, continue to understand and support each other's core interests and major concerns and further deepen practical cooperation. Prime Minister Rajoy said that Spain-China relations have always been good, and bilateral cooperation in various fields has been delivering satisfying results. Spain is willing to expand its mutually beneficial cooperation with China, and play a positive role in moving forward China-Europe relations. I believe Prime Minister Rajoy's visit will be a success which is of positive significance to the future development of China-Spain relations.
Q: Germany made some criticism about China's trial of Ilham Tohti. Will this shadow Sino-German relations?
A: An important principle for any countries to develop state-to-state relations is to respect and accommodate each other's interests and concerns. It is also a spirit that must be followed. The details of Ilham Tohti's case have been released. The facts leading to his indictment are clear, and China's judicial authorities ruled his case in accordance with the law. We oppose interference in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty by any country under the pretexts of "democracy" and "human rights". Under the current circumstance, it serves the interests of both sides for China and Germany to push forward relations of mutual respect and win-win cooperation. We hope Germany can discard its bias and "double standards" on this issue, approach and handle bilateral ties with a larger picture in mind, instead of letting individual case disrupt the trend of China-Germany relations.
