Q: The US State Department published on its website the Hong Kong Policy Report. What is China's comment on this?
A: Hong Kong affairs fall entirely within China's domestic affairs, in which other countries have no right to interfere. China urges the US side to abide by its commitment to the Chinese side, and stop intervening in China's domestic affairs in any form lest the China-US relations be disturbed and undermined.
Q: First, business communities from the US, Japan and Europe expressed their concerns over China's new banking information technology rules, and asked China to suspend them. How does China respond to this? Second, President Aquino of the Philippines will visit Vietnam next week, and the two sides will step up defense and security cooperation. Does China take the Philippines-Vietnam cooperation as a challenge to China, especially on the South China Sea issue?
A: On your first question, the China Banking Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology enacted guidelines on strengthening the security of information technology products of the banking industry, in a bid to protect the information security of the banking industry and the general public. Upon heeding opinions from all sides, relevant departments of China are making amendment and improvement to the guidelines.
The opening-up policy and the commitment to abide by the WTO rules upheld by the Chinese government will not change. It is utterly necessary for China to enhance information security of the banking industry, and many countries have adopted laws and regulations to improve cyber and information security. It is hoped that all parties would understand and respect China's efforts to step up the security of information technology products of the banking industry.
On your second question, we hope that bilateral exchanges and cooperation between relevant countries can contribute to regional peace, stability and security.
Q: Russian president Vladimir Putin lifted a ban on supplying Iran with S-300 air defense missile systems on April 13. Does China have any comment on this?
A: We have noted the relevant report.
Q: Has China invited the DPRK leader Kim Jong-un to the commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression? Has the DPRK side accepted the invitation?
A: As we have briefed you recently, this year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and relevant commemorations will be held by the Chinese side. We have sent invitations to leaders of all relevant countries, and we welcome their attendance at these activities. We are now in communication with countries concerned.
Q: First, a US military official said that the DPRK is able to mount a nuclear weapon on a missile that could threaten the US mainland, but the ROK side dismissed this argument. What is China's view on this? Are you worried that the DPRK has already possessed such capability? Second, media reports say that two Chinese citizens are detained in Turkey on suspicion of joining the "Islamic State". Can you confirm this?
A: On your first question, we stick to safeguarding peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, realizing denuclearization of the Peninsula and resolving relevant issues through dialogue and consultation. It is hoped that relevant parties would work in concert to resume the Six-Party Talks at an early date and push for the settlement of the relevant issue through dialogue.
On your second question, I'd like to emphasize that the East Turkestan terrorist forces represented by the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) have posed grave dangers to the security and stability of regional countries and even the world for not only plotting terrorist attacks within China, but also ganging up with international terrorist forces and sending personnel to war zones. Clamping down on the ETIM is an integral part of the global fight against terrorism. China is willing to enhance cooperation with the international community including Turkey on combating terrorism and safeguarding security and stability of the region and the world.
