Q: Please update us on the construction process of the Ebola treatment center built by China for Liberia.
A: The Ebola treatment center built by China for Liberia was put into service on November 25 in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia.
President Xi Jinping announced China's fourth round of assistance to West African countries in their fight against the Ebola epidemic on October 24, including the building of a treatment center for Liberia. Within just one month, the Chinese side has finished the planning, designing and constructing of the treatment center. A team of 163 medical workers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China was swiftly formed and sent to Liberia on November 15. Although a large majority of materials, equipment and other supplies have to be delivered from China, it takes us only one month to build the 100-bed modern hospital treating infectious diseases. It gives full expression to China's speed, standard and spirit, and the traditional friendship between China and Africa running through the past 50-odd years when we have been sharing weal and woe. More importantly, it is a vivid practice of the policy toward Africa put forward by President Xi Jinping featuring sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith. Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf attended the opening ceremony of the treatment center on November 25. She expressed her sincere gratitude to China for its selfless assistance, calling the treatment center a mark of amity between Liberia and China.
The international community is still fighting against the Ebola epidemic. The Chinese side is ready to work together with the international community and contribute its due share in helping relevant African countries and their people combat the epidemic.
Q: The Moroccan side said that King Mohammed VI has put off his state visit to China scheduled for November 27 and 28. Please give us more details.
A: The Chinese side has just been informed by the Moroccan side that King Mohammed VI of Morocco is suffering from a bad cold and high fever, and thus not able to set off to China in time. The Moroccan side regrets that and expresses the willingness to rearrange the King's visit to China at another time when it is convenient for both sides. The Chinese side sends its regards to King Mohammed VI and understands the decision of putting off the King's visit to China. We wish the King a speedy recovery.
Q: A fleet of Chinese coast guard vessels recently patrolled the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands. The Japanese side lodged representations with the Chinese side. What is China's comment on that?
A: The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands are inherent parts of China. The patrol by the fleet of Chinese coast guard vessels is a performance of duty exercising the sovereignty in accordance with law.The Japanese side should be cautious when making remarks. We request the Japanese side to refrain from saying or doing anything undermining China's sovereignty.
Q: Does China's dispatch of coast guard vessels to the waters off the Diaoyu Islands violate the four-point principled agreement reached between China and Japan?
A: I have made clear the principled position on relevant issue. The meaning and the spirit of the four-point principled agreement between China and Japan is clear, serving as an important basis for the improvement of China-Japan relations. We urge the Japanese side to keep its words, demonstrate sincerity, take concrete actions to uphold and implement the four-point principled agreement, properly deal with prominent problems in bilateral relations and make real efforts to push for the improvement and development of bilateral relations.
Q: When clearing the site of "Occupy Central", Hong Kong police met a lot of resistance from the protesters. Some representatives of the Hong Kong Federation of Students were arrested. What is China's comment on that?
A: The so-called "Occupy Central" in Hong Kong is an entirely illegal activity, which will not be allowed by any country. The central government of China firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR government in handling it in accordance with law.
