Q: According to media reports, commander of the US Navy seventh fleet Robert Thomas has urged ASEAN countries to form a joint maritime force to patrol areas around the South China Sea, which would gain support from the seventh fleet. What is China's response to this?
A: China holds a consistent and clear position on the South China Sea issue. Disputes over the South China Sea should be resolved through negotiation and consultation by parties directly concerned, and peace and stability of the South China Sea should be jointly maintained by China and ASEAN countries. This is the "dual track" approach advocated by China and ASEAN countries in handling the South China Sea issue.
What the US side has said does no good to peace and stability of the South China Sea, nor does it contribute to properly resolving relevant disputes. We hope that the US side can honor its commitment of not taking sides on issues concerning territorial sovereignty, stop making irresponsible remarks and do more things to enhance mutual trust and regional peace and stability.
Q: How many Myanmar border residents are still in China? And how long will this situation last?
A: Since the mid of February, the continuous conflicts in some parts of Myanmar have driven large numbers of Myanmar border residents to come to China for the sake of security. By March 7, there have been a total number of 60,000 border-crossings by Myanmar residents. In the spirit of humanitarianism, the Chinese side provided them with necessary assistance and proper settlement. We hope that parties concerned in Myanmar can exercise restraint, relieve the current tension, and restore normal order to the border area so that the border residents can return to their homes as soon as possible.
Q: Which countries has China invited to the commemorations celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression? Which countries have replied to the invitation? What activities will be held in addition to the military parade? Is there any country expressing concerns about the military parade?
A: China has communicated through diplomatic channels with major participating countries in the Second World War, Asian countries and countries in other regions as well as international organizations including the UN on inviting their leaders to attend relevant celebrations in China marking the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The commemorations include rally, reception, cultural gala and military parade. China, together with all participating parties, would like to represent to the world that we have conquered fascism and opened up a peaceful era, and we are willing to inject more positive energy to the peace and development endeavor of all human beings.
The UK, France, Russia and many other countries all have the tradition of holding military parades celebrating the victory of the Second World War every five and ten years. By drawing upon the common practices of these countries, China will hold a military parade as part of the commemorations.
Q: Shinzo Abe becomes the first Japanese Prime Minister in history to be invited to address the joint session of the US congress. It is understood that he will talk about enhancing US-Japan military relations in his speech. What is your response to this?
A: We have taken note of relevant report.
Q: It is reported that US congressmen expressed dissatisfaction over China's construction in the South China Sea, and called on the US government to take corresponding measures against this. How do you respond to this?
A: Foreign Minister Wang Yi has answered a similar question when meeting the press during the NPC and CPPCC Sessions. He said that China is not like some countries, who engage in illegal construction in another person's house. And we do not accept criticism from others when we are merely building facilities in our own yard. We have every right to work in the South China Sea which is sensible, justified and lawful.
Q: Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Fiance Minister Taro Aso today said that Japan will not rule out the possibility of joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) once the financing review mechanism is ensured. What is China's comment on this?
A: We have noted such a report. As I have put it, the AIIB is built to provide service for Asia's infrastructure building and economic development. Its primary purpose is to enable Asia to develop further and Asian people to live a better life. The AIIB is built in the spirit of openness and inclusiveness, and we welcome all countries that intend to join it. At the same time we also emphasize that the AIIB will follow high standards, widely draw upon the good practices from existing international development banks and avoid alike problems they have encountered, so as to make sure that the AIIB can operate efficiently and become an effective platform for financing and investment and a multilateral development bank.
Q: The Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito party of Japan agreed on a draft outline of the new security legislation prepared for the day when restrictions are removed on the collective self-defense right, and overseas actions by self-defense forces are likely to expand. What's your comment on this?
A: We have repeatedly elaborated on our position regarding Japan's military and security policy adjustment in recent period. We hope that Japan can earnestly respond to its Asian neighbors' concerns on this issue, commit itself to peaceful development and make constructive contributions to regional peace and stability.
Q: First, the Russian side announced that President Putin will attend activities held by China in September commemorating the 70th anniversary of victory of the Second World War. Can you confirm this? Second, media reports say that China will offer 10 billion dollars' worth of loans to Venezuela. Please confirm this. Third, Japan has expressed interest in joining the AIIB, and the ROK and Australia also made similar remarks. What is your response? Do you welcome this?
A: On your first question, we have briefed you multiple times that as the main theaters of the Second World War in Asia and Europe, China and Russia have made momentous contributions and enormous sacrifices to the victory over the fascism and Japanese militarism and the winning of the Second World War. The two countries will hold relevant commemorations this year, and the two leaders will attend each other's celebrations. Sergei Ivanov, chief of staff of the Russian presidential office said again yesterday that President Putin will attend the commemorations held by China to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and we welcome this.
On your second question, financing cooperation between China and Venezuela is commercial cooperation between financial institutions and companies of the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefits. Relevant fund will be used on economic and social development projects of Venezuela in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture and energy as well as cooperative projects between the two countries. Relevant cooperation is running smoothly and playing a positive role in deepening bilateral pragmatic cooperation and advancing economic and social development of the two countries.
China and Venezuela are each other's important cooperative partner of economy and trade. On the basis of equal footing and mutual benefits, China will continue to carry out pragmatic cooperation with Venezuela in all areas including finance and deliver benefits to the two peoples.
On your third question, recently the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Luxembourg have expressed their willingness to join the AIIB as prospective founding members, and we welcome their decisions. Their participation best explains the openness and inclusiveness of the AIIB. The ROK, Japan and Australia said they would positively consider this issue, and we are open to their decisions whatever they may be.
Q: The foreign ministers' meeting among China, Japan and the ROK will be held in Seoul tomorrow. What does China expect from it? Will the history issue be covered in this meeting? How does China view the prospects of holding a trilateral leaders' summit?
A: Upon consultation, China, Japan and the ROK will hold their first foreign ministers' meeting tomorrow in two years. Foreign ministers will retrace the progress in trilateral cooperation, and exchange views on the principles and future development of trilateral cooperation.
Sound bilateral relationship serves as the solid foundation for trilateral cooperation. In the past few years, the history issue has become the chief obstacle baffling China-Japan and ROK-Japan relations, and the main reason why there was no high-level meeting among the three countries in the past two years. The history issue must not be shelved during the foreign ministers' meeting which is resumed after two years. China hopes that the three foreign ministers can seize this opportunity to candidly exchange views on the history issue by learning from history and looking to the future, and make efforts to improve bilateral relations and strive for the sound and stable development of trilateral cooperation.
This foreign ministers' meeting will talk about the possibility of a trilateral leaders' meeting. But proper political atmosphere is required for a leaders' meeting to happen.