Q: GlaxoSmithKline's former British investigator Peter Humphrey said in an interview that he was extorted a confession when serving the sentence in China. What is China's comment?
A: So far as I know, what you just quoted is not true.
We have learned from relevant Chinese authorities that Peter Humphrey and his wife Yu Yingzeng pleaded guilty, showed repentance, abided by laws and regulations and the prison regulations, and accepted education and reform during the term of imprisonment. The executing organ of China submitted a recommendation to the relevant court for commutation. The court, after the examination, affirmed that they met the legal conditions for commutation and granted commutation in accordance with the law .
Q: China recently signed free trade agreements with Australia and the ROK respectively. What is China's comment?
A: Recently, China signed free trade agreements with the ROK and Australia respectively, which we believe will bring greater benefits to China, Australia, the ROK and the region. China has established a free trade area with ASEAN, signed a free trade deal with New Zealand, initiated the process of building the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing last November, and signed free trade agreements with the ROK and Australia respectively. From the above, we can see that China stays committed to fostering an open and fair regional environment for investment and trade, working with regional countries to realize "prosperity through free trade ", and bringing benefits to people of the region. We are glad that these endeavours could overcome obstacles and make steady and constant progress..
I also want to add that Asia is an important engine driving the economic growth of today's world and a significant support for China's development and prosperity. We uphold a neighborhood diplomacy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefits and inclusiveness, and always act in the spirit of win-win cooperation. We proposed the Belt and Road Initiatives, launched the Silk Road Fund, and embarked on establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). We also vigorously advocate and advance the economic integration of the Asia-Pacific region. It needs to be specially pointed out that, judging from the practice over the past two years or so, we can see what the overwhelming majority of countries in the region care most is still the issue of development and how to expand cooperation for growth and prosperity so as to better benefit the people of regional countries.
Q: As you just mentioned the AIIB, we have noticed that some more countries have recently expressed their willingness to join the AIIB while some others voiced their concern about its labor and environmental protection standards. What is China's comment?
A: The purpose of the AIIB is to help developing economies in the region to overcome some practical difficulties they are faced with and lead the region to achieve common development and prosperity. We believe, when dealing with the practical problems confronting the regional countries, the right attitude is to put our heads together to find solutions instead of finding fault with efforts to solve those problems.
Many countries in Asia are developing countries, having both immense demand for infrastructure and major financing bottleneck and gap in infrastructure investment. It is good to provide them with more platforms for investment and financing and more financing options for common development. We have received most regional countries' responses and support in preparing for the establishment of the AIIB. 57 countries within and beyond the region, including China, stand ready to discuss how to find a good way to promote regional development. We are glad to see more countries are willing to join the AIIB, and we also understand those who choose not to join at the current stage. But if some countries, who themselves are not willing to join, keep carping about others' efforts to solve problems, then that is not quite desirable.
Q: On June 18, the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR voted down the proposed electoral reform package for Hong Kong. What is the Foreign Ministry's response to and comment on that?
A: Firstly I want to emphasize that the affairs of Hong Kong are China's internal affairs and are not diplomatic issues.
I want to reaffirm that to unswervingly advance Hong Kong's democracy and work for the goal of electing its Chief Executive through universal suffrage is not only the longstanding position of the central government of China, but also the common aspiration of Hong Kong compatriots. The central government of China and the Hong Kong SAR government have made tremendous efforts for that. The result that there will not be universal suffrage for the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in 2017 is not something that we wished to see.
Hong Kong is an international financial, trade and shipping center. To maintain prosperity and stability of Hong Kong does not only serve China's interests, but the interests of foreign investors as well. I also want to stress that Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, the affairs of Hong Kong belong to China's domestic affairs, and no foreign country can interfere.
Q: We saw DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong at Beijing airport. Does China know about this? Will the Chinese side meet with him?
A: I am not aware of that, and I don't have the information for you at the moment.
Q: The spokesperson for the US Department of State expressed the concern of the US over China's activities in the South China Sea, saying that the US urges China to stop militarizing relevant islands and reefs. What is China's comment on this?
A: I have answered this question many times. The Chinese side is conducting normal construction on its own territory. It is beyond reproach.
Q: Reports from the KCNA say that the rural area across the DPRK is facing the worst drought in a century. The grain production has been affected. Will the Chinese side provide food and other assistance to the DPRK?
A: We have noticed relevant reports. We express our sympathy to the DPRK for the severe drought, and hope that the DPRK government and its people could overcome difficulties caused by this disaster at an early date. The Chinese side stands ready to help according to the need of the DPRK.
Q: During Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong's visit to the US, was any military cooperation agreement signed between the two countries?
A: Relevant information has been released as Fan Changlong, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission concluded his visit to the US. In recent years, militaries of the two sides have been expanding and deepening exchanges and cooperation across the board, and much progress has been made.