Q: It is reported today that a Uighur man who attacked passengers with a brick at Xi'an Railway Station was shot by the police and died later on. Please confirm this.
A: We just noticed relevant reports. The railway police authorities in Xi'an have issued relevant information. I have no further details at the current stage.
Q: Reports say that Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga stated today that China's construction activities on the islands and reefs in the South China Sea would not make China's ownership of these islands and reefs a done deal. What is China's comment on that?
A: This kind of argument is not new to us. It is pointless for relevant people in Japan to continue to make an issue of this topic. I want to stress that China has indisputable sovereignty over relevant islands and reefs in the South China Sea, which does not need to be proven by the construction work.
Q: The Legislative Council of Hong Kong will vote on the electoral reform package. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment on that?
A: The affairs of the Hong Kong SAR are not diplomatic issues, but since you have mentioned this, I can brief you on this matter. On June 15, Wang Guangya, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, elaborated on the position of the central government on the upcoming vote by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR. The central government of China stays committed to supporting the Hong Kong SAR in electing its Chief Executive through universal suffrage in 2017 in accordance with the Basic Law and the decision made by the NPC Standing Committee. While maintaining its consistency, the universal suffrage system established by the Basic Law and the decision issued by the NPC Standing Committee on August 31 will be improved in practice in the long run based on the reality in Hong Kong, including the development of society and the building of public consensus. We sincerely hope that the over five million eligible voters in Hong Kong will fully grasp this opportunity so as to take an important step in advancing democracy in Hong Kong.
Q: First, the United States is concerned about China's plans for more construction activities in the South China Sea, including those for military defense. What is China's comment on this? Second, Donald Trump, a US presidential contender and real estate mogul, said that China is stealing US jobs through business practices. What is China's response to this?
A: On your first question, we have reiterated China's relevant position many times. China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and the adjacent waters. We are carrying out legitimate construction activities on our own territory to ensure the improvement of conditions in terms of personnel and facilities and strengthen our capabilities to provide adequate international public goods for the business activities of regional countries and relevant economies. It is beyond reproach. On the contrary, we hope that relevant countries, especially those outside the region, could do more things that will contribute to peace and stability of the region instead of things that might escalate, exaggerate, or even create tensions in the region.
On your second question, China-US economic cooperation and trade have reached a stage where we are highly interdependent and share win-win results, and this situation has brought tremendous benefits to both sides. I believe, though there are some frictions, they can be well handled through the existing channels. This economic and trade relationship could not have lasted so long without a good basis. Since it has been developing in such a sustained way, it is a sound relationship as a whole.
