On May 4, 2012, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin held a press conference.
Liu Weimin started the press conference with the following announcement.
The Meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs will be held in Beijing on May 11. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will chair the meeting and foreign ministers of the SCO member states will attend the meeting at invitation. The meeting will discuss topics such as the preparation for the Beijing Summit of the SCO to be held in June and the future development of the SCO and will also exchange views on major international issues and regional situation. Secretary General of the SCO and Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-terrorism Structure will attend the meeting as well.
The meeting will sign multiple resolutions and submit a host of cooperation documents in the political, security and business fields to the SCO Beijing Summit. The meeting will also issue press releases. Participating foreign ministers will jointly meet the press. President Hu Jintao will meet with all the participating foreign ministers together. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts.
Q: It is reported that the Philippines said that there are now four Chinese maritime surveillance ships and ten Chinese fishing boats in waters off the Huangyan Island, making it a day in which China has the largest number of ships in that sea area since the standoff between the two countries over the Huangyan Island from April. The Philippines demands China to stop all actions that might worsen the situation. How does China react?
A: The Huangyan Island incident was completely caused by the Philippine warships' armed harassment of Chinese fishermen with no weapons at all. The Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory and waters off the Island is the traditional fishing ground of Chinese fishermen. What needs to be pointed out is that China remains committed to settling the current situation through diplomatic consultation. We strongly urge the Philippines to return to the right track of diplomatic resolution. Any words or actions that may complicate or magnify the situation can not help solve the issue.
Q: China said during yesterday's China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue that China and the US would not seek a G2 relationship to dominate the world, nor would they involve in confrontations or conflicts. Rather, the two countries should step up communication, coordination and cooperation. How do you comment?
A: At the opening ceremony of China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue yesterday, President Hu Jintao made the speech entitled "Promoting Win-win Cooperation and Build a New Type of Relations Between Major Countries".
He pointed out in the speech that to build the new type of relations between China and the US as major countries, we should think creatively, act in the spirit of mutual trust, equality and mutual understanding, take active actions and cultivate friendship. At present, mankind has entered the second decade of the 21 century. We need to advance with the times in our thinking, policy and action. We need to adopt innovative thinking and concrete actions to break the traditional logic that big powers are doomed to conflicts and confrontations and seek a new way of developing relations between major countries in the era of economic globalization.
Vice President Xi Jinping said in his meeting with US Secretary of State Clinton and Secretary of Treasury Geithner that China and the US are two big countries different in political system, history, culture and level of economic development. To build a new type of relations between them as major countries, they should not only have the resolve and confidence to "climb to the top of the Great Wall", but also the patience and wisdom of "crossing the river by feeling the stones".
Over the past four decades of China-US diplomatic relations, the two sides have been exploring a way of building relations between major countries who are different in social system, history, culture and development stage and discussing how to build a new type of relations between them as two major countries. An important consensus reached between China and the US is that they should not retake the old path of big powers entering into conflict. Instead, they should keep abreast of the times, reject the so-called "historical pattern" of inevitable conflict between big powers, step up communication, coordination and cooperation and seek a new type of relations featuring peaceful coexistence, close cooperation and common development.
Q: It is reported that Special Representative Wu Dawei of the Chinese Government on the Korean Peninsular Affairs met with the head of the ROK delegation to the Six-Party Talks on May 3. Please brief us on it?
A: Yesterday, Special Representative Wu Dawei of the Chinese Government on the Korean Peninsular Affairs met with Lim Sung-nam, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and head of the ROK delegation to the Six-Party Talks. China expressed its willingness to work with other parties concerned to uphold peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and make unremitting efforts to promote the Six-Party Talks process.
Q: Please brief us on Secretary General of the Arab League Araby's visit to China.
A: Nabil El Araby will visit China from today to May 9. As far as I know, he will go to Shanghai first and then arrive at Beijing next Monday. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will have talks with him and Chinese leaders will meet with him. The two sides will have in-depth exchange of views on the Syrian issue.
Q: It is reported that President Ghalioun of the Syrian National Council, an opposition group of Syria, will lead a delegation to China. Please confirm.
A: As far as I know, at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, President Ghalioun will lead a delegation to China from May 6 to 9.
Q: Please update us on President Ghalioun's itinerary in China. Will officials of the Chinese Foreign Ministry meet with him? Does his visit to China show that China has changed its attitude on the Syrian issue and toward the Syrian National Council in particular?
A: The visit of the delegation is arranged by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs. To my knowledge, relevant officials of the Chinese Foreign Ministry will meet with the delegation.
China's position on the Syrian issue has been consistent. We always uphold the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and basic norms governing international relations, maintain peace and stability of Syria and the Middle East and guarantee the fundamental interests of the Syrian people. China has stayed in contact and communication with the Syrian government and major opposition groups in Syria including the Syrian National Council in an effort to promote peace talks. We have done a great deal in relaxing tension in Syria. China is ready to continue to play an active and constructive role in the fair, peaceful and proper resolution of the Syrian issue at an early date.
Q: Could you update us on the attendees of the Meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs?
A: To my knowledge, foreign ministers of the SCO member states, Secretary General of the SCO and Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-terrorism Structure will attend the meeting at invitation.