Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei's Regular Press Conference
At the invitation of Vice
Chairman Ricardo Cabrisas of the Cuban Council of Ministers and Vice
President Michel Temer of Brazil, Vice Premier Wang Yang of the State
Council will visit Cuba and Brazil from June 25 to 27, and chair the
fourth meeting of China-Brazil High-level Coordination and Cooperation
Committee.
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
comment on that? How will it affect the external exchanges of the Hong
Kong SAR?
A: The spokesperson of
the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council has stated
fully and clearly the stance of the central government of China on this.
I want to reaffirm that
to unswervingly advance Hong Kong's democracy in accordance with the
Basic Law and the relevant decision of the NPC Standing Committee 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. Both
the central government and the SAR government have made tremendous
efforts for that. The universal sufferage proposal made by the Hong Kong
SAR government is constitutional, lawful, rational and down-to-earth.
It has won the support of the majority of Hong Kong residents. Aiming at
obstructing the development of democracy in Hong Kong, some legislators
voted against the proposal. They should take the historical
responsibility for depriving Hong Kong of the important opportunity to
elect its Chief Executive through universal suffrage.
"One country, two
systems" is a basic state policy of the Chinese government that will be
upheld for a long time. The Chinese government will continue to
unswervingly adhere to the principles of "one country, two systems",
"Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy,
support the law-based governance of the Chief Executive and the SAR
government, support the gradual and orderly development of democracy in
Hong Kong in accordance with the Law and the realization of universal
suffrage. We are fully confident about the future of Hong Kong.
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. The central
government of China will continue to support Hong Kong SAR in conducting
exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries, and protect foreign
countries' interests in Hong Kong according to law. Foreign countries
are welcome to maintain and develop their relations with Hong Kong in
economy and trade, culture, tourism and other areas. 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: Given the
territorial disputes in the South China Sea, what's China's expectation
for the Strategic and Economic Dialogue with the US next week?
A: The seventh round of
Strategic and Economic Dialogue and the sixth High-level Consultation on
People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges will be held in the US. This is
an important event in building a new type of major-country relations
between China and the US. We stand ready to work with the US to promote
strategic communication, win-win cooperation and people-to-people
exchanges through the Dialogue and Consultation so as to furhter advance
China-US relations.
We have recently informed
the US on multiple occasions of the development regarding China's
construction activities on islands and reefs in the South China Sea. I
would like to point out that construction activities on some of the
Nansha islands and reefs fall within China's sovereignty. The main
objective is to better fulfill China's international responsibilities
and obligations, provide better services and guarantee in maritime
search and rescue, disaster prevention and mitigation and navigation
safety. As the Chinese saying goes, just as distance tests a horse's
strength, time will prove a person's sincerity. China has been and will
always be an important force for regional peace and stability.
Q: During Vice
Premier Wang Yang's visit to Cuba and Brazil, which leaders will he
meet? What are the major purposes of the visit?
A: Vice Premier Wang Yang
will pay a visit to Cuba on June 25. He will hold talks with Vice
Chairman Ricardo Cabrisas of the Cuban Council of Ministers, meet other
Cuban leaders and exchange views with them on bilateral relations as
well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. The visit
coincides with the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between China and Cuba. We hope this visit will help further
strengthen friendship, deepen mutual trust, promote mutually-beneficial
cooperation and inject new impetus to the development of China-Cuba
relations.
Vice Premier Wang Yang
will pay a visit to Brazil from June 26 to 27. During his visit, Vice
Premier Wang Yang will co-host the fourth meeting of China-Brazil
High-level Coordination and Cooperation Committee with Vice President
Michel Temer of Brazil. We hope this visit will intensify high-level
exchanges, deepen political mutual trust and advance bilateral practical
cooperation in various areas.
Last July, President Xi
Jinping paid a successful historic visit to Brazil. This May, Premier Li
Keqiang also paid an official visit to Brazil. China stands ready to
work with Brazil to fully implement the important consensus reached
between leaders of the two countries on the development of China-Brazil
relations, and continue to enrich the comprehensive strategic
partnership between China and Brazil.
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?
At the invitation of
State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will
co-host the eighth meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for
Bilateral Cooperation with State Councilor Yang Jiechi in China from
June 17 to 19.
At the invitation of
Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Bert Koenders, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands will pay an official visit to China from
June 18 to 19.
Q: According to
the British media, the UK had to remove some of its agents after China
and Russia cracked top-secret files leaked by Edward Snowden. What is
China's comment on that? Has China cracked those files?
A: I am not aware of that.
Q: The Chinese
side has recently met with some of the other negotiators of the
Six-Party Talks for discussions on resuming the Talks. Has China's
position on the resumption of the Talks changed? Does China believe it
is possible to restart the Talks without first neutralizing the nuclear
facilities in the DPRK?
A: We have released
information about the separate meetings of the Chinese side with nuclear
negotiators from the US, Japan and the ROK. I have nothing more to add.
China's stance on the Korean nuclear issue remains unchanged. We stay
committed to realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,
safeguarding peace and stability of the Peninsula and properly resolving
relevant issues through political means such as dialogues and
consultations of all parties.
Q: Media reports
say that China and Venezuela signed an economic deal in 2007. How does
China view the progress of relevant cooperation? Some people criticize
that the relevant deal is more in China's favor to obtain energy
resources. What is your comment on this?
A: Venezuela is a very
important economic partner of China in Latin America. In recent years,
following the principles of equality, mutual benefits and common
development, the two countries have carried out extensive and pragmatic
cooperation on energy, infrastructure, high technology, manufacturing
and financing. A collection of projects on public housing, emergency
power plants, building materials factories, automobile factories,
cellphone manufacturing and others have been set up or put into
operation, creating a total number of nearly 3 million jobs in
Venezuela. The pragmatic cooperation between China and Venezuela is
large-sized, wide-ranging and productive, creating good social and
economic outcomes and bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.
China is willing to work with Venezuela to extend the bilateral
pragmatic cooperation in various fields and benefit the two peoples.
Q: US officials,
who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that hackers linked to China
have gained access to the sensitive background information submitted by
intelligence and military personnel for security clearances. The
Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid also said that the hack was carried
out by the Chinese. What is China's comment on that?
A: There have been so
many anonymous remarks spreading through the grapevine. We have no time
to make comments on each of them. In response to what Senator Harry Reid
said, I want to point out that what the international community has
heard and seen the most over recent years are revelations about the
engagement of the US in a large amount of illegal cyber activities. The
US has long been conducting massive and organized cyber espionage,
wiretapping and surveillance against foreign political figures,
companies and individuals in defiance of the international law and the
basic norms governing international relations, inviting criticism from
countries around the world and denunciation of the public. Relevant
people from the US should not forget that the US still owes the
international community an explanation on issues concerning cyber attack
and theft. It is impossible to muddle through by diverting people's
attention. Maybe it is better to clarify one's own matters before
rushing to make unfounded accusations against others, so as to make
oneself sound more convincing.
Q: The DPRK reportedly test-fired three missiles yesterday. What is China's comment on the move taken by the DPRK?
A: The situation on the
Korean Peninsula is still rather complex and sensitive. We hope that all
parties concerned could refrain from actions that may further strain
and complicate the situation, meet each other halfway, and take more
actions that will help ease the tension and facilitate the resumption of
the Six-Party Talks.
Q: Tens of
thousands of Japanese took to the streets the other day in Tokyo to
protest the Abe administration's attempt to push through the security
bills at the Diet in disregard of the constitution. What is China's
comment on that?
A: The war of aggression
launched by the Japanese militarism last century brought untold
suffering to China and other Asian countries. The Japanese people were
blindfolded in Japan's pursuit of militarism, falling victim to the war.
It is understandable that
the ordinary Japanese and men of conscience and insight who do not want
to see the country repeat its mistake stay on high alert against
changes to the Japanese government's policy on military and security and
ask the Japanese government to stick to the pacifist constitution.
Q: The European
media said that China is willing to invest in the EU initiated
infrastructure investment fund. Can you confirm that and give us more
details?
A: The Chinese side is having discussions on the relevant issue.
Q: According to
Chinese media reports, some Chinese airlines have cut the number of
flights to the ROK in response to the outbreak of the Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome(MERS) in the country. Can you give us more details
on what China has done to prevent the outbreak of MERS in China?
A: I haven't heard about
the reduction of flights as you mentioned. Last week, my colleague has
briefed you on the measures taken by China to cope with MERS . The
Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry and the Chinese
diplomatic missions in the ROK have asked Chinese citizens in the ROK
and those planning to visit the ROK to take necessary precautions.
Meanwhile, we have also taken necessary steps at the border crossings
with a responsible attitude to citizens of China and other countries.
