US Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew will pay a visit to China from March 30 to 31 as the special representative of US President Barack Obama. The Chinese leadership will meet with him, and heads of relevant departments will hold talks with him.
At the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Lundeg Purevsuren will pay an official visit to China from March 31 to April 3.
Q: Leaders of many countries have confirmed to attend the funeral of former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Who will represent China at the funeral?
A: Mr. Lee Kuan Yew is a world-revered Asian statesman and strategist, and the builder and founder of China-Singapore relations. The Chinese side deeply mourns the passing of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Chinese leaders have sent messages of condolence to Singaporean leaders and gone to the Singaporean Embassy in China to pay tribute and lay wreaths. We will soon release the information about the Chinese leadership's attendance at the funeral of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.
Q: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly said at a meeting with officials of the Liberal Democratic Party on March 24 that China's military expansion goes faster than expected, and that Japan must not fall behind but should have necessary budget measures in store. Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force commissioned its largest destroyer Izumo on Wednesday. What is China's response?
A: China sticks to the path of peaceful development and the defense policy that is defensive in nature. China's strategic intention is open and transparent, so it is with the process of examination and approval of China's defense budget as well as the total volume and composition of China's defense expenditure. It is justifiable for China to pursue national defense modernization commensurate with its level of economic development.
Due to historical reasons, moves taken by Japan in the fields of military and security are always something on the mind of its Asian neighbors and the international community. Japan's population is only about 1/10 that of China, and its size about 1/26 that of China. However, the per capita defense spending in Japan is around five times that of China. Given this situation, we cannot help but wonder why Japan is making an issue of China's normal defense efforts, and whether there is some other agenda. We hope that the Japanese side would draw lessons from history, adhere to the path of peaceful development, stop playing up the so-called "China threat" and make contributions to regional peace and stability.
Q: Saudi Arabia has launched air strikes against Yemen's capital Sanaa in coalition with other Gulf countries. Does China call for calm and restraint of all parties?
A: The Chinese side has noticed that and is deeply worried about the situation in Yemen that is getting worse. We hope that all parties will act in accordance with relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, initiatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council, outcome documents of the national dialogue conference as well as the Peace and National Partnership Agreement, bridge differences and resolve the current crisis through political dialogues, and restore national stability and order at an early date.
It is learned that the Chinese-funded institutions and people there are safe.The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Embassy in Yemen suggest that Chinese citizens call off their visits to Yemen for the time being. We will continue to monitor the situation in Yemen.
Q: It is learned that China and ASEAN countries will soon hold the 13th Joint Working Group Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in Myanmar. Please give us more details.
A: As agreed by China and ASEAN countries, the 13th Joint Working Group Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC will be held in Rangoon, Myanmar from March 30 to 31. The Chinese side attaches great importance to this year's first working group meeting. The Chinese side will exchange views with all relevant parties to fully and effectively implement the DOC, enhance maritime practical cooperation and speed up consultation on the code of conduct in the South China Sea (COC). Officials of competent authorities and experts from all participating countries will also meet to discuss navigation security, joint maritime search and rescue and other fields of practical cooperation.
