Q: The Chinese side announced that there would be a fishing moratorium on the South China Sea from May 16 to August 1. The Foreign Ministry of Vietnam voiced its opposition and accused China of violating Vietnam's sovereign rights and jurisdiction. How does China respond?
A: The Chinese side holds a clear and consistent position on the issue of the South China Sea. Competent authorities of China impose fishing moratorium on waters under China's jurisdiction in the South China Sea at summer time every year. That is a regular administrative measure taken by China to protect living marine resources in the relevant waters and a proper act to fulfill China's international obligation and responsibility.
Q: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to China, announced the provision of e-visas for Chinese tourists, in order to attract more investment and tourists from China. How does China view this? Is China going to reciprocate it?
A: Prime Minister Modi has just concluded a successful visit to China. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman Zhang Dejiang met and held talks with him separately for in-depth exchange of views on the bilateral relationship and issues of mutual interest. The two sides reached important consensus on deepening China-India strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity. Leaders of the two countries witnessed the signing of 24 cooperation agreements, and cooperation deals struck by companies from the two sides totaled US$ 22 billion. All these give full expression to the progress in developing a closer partnership of development between the two countries.
With the concerted efforts of China and India, the visit has further enhanced political and strategic mutual trust between the two sides and yielded fruitful results. The Chinese side will work in tandem with the Indian side to translate consensus reached by leaders of the two countries into concrete results and bring China-India relationship to a new high.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi announced that India would issue e-visas to Chinese tourists. We welcome that. The Chinese side is ready to work with the Indian side to put forward more measures facilitating personnel exchanges between the two sides in keeping with the national conditions and domestic laws and regulations of the two countries, so as to create favorable conditions for the two peoples to build up mutual understanding and carry out cooperation in different fields.
Q: First, an Egyptian court sentenced former President Mohamed Mursi and others to death. What is China's comment on the decision? Second, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that he discussed with the Chinese side possible sanctions against the nuclear program in the DPRK. Do you have more details?
A: On your first question, the Chinese side believes that the domestic affairs of Egypt should be decided by the Egyptian people themselves. We hope that Egypt will continue with the process of political transition, and realize social stability, economic growth and improvement of people's livelihood.
On your second question, China's stance on the Korean nuclear issue is consistent and clear. We always call for commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, peace and stability of the Peninsula, as well as a peaceful settlement of the issue through dialogue and consultation. The current situation on the Peninsula is complex and sensitive. We hope that more efforts will be made to ease the tension and resume the Six-Party Talks.
