On the afternoon of March 31, 2011, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference.
Q: Myanmar's elected President U Thein Sein appealed to western countries for cooperation with his country after its general election at his inauguration ceremony yesterday. Does China think western countries should lift their sanctions against Myanmar?
A: We congratulate Myanmar on its democratic process and inauguration of the newly elected leader. China respects the development path chosen by the Myanmar people based on its national conditions and hopes Myanmar will maintain stability, steadily push forward its democratic process and finally achieve democracy and development.
When it comes to international relations, China has always upheld respecting the development paths chosen by the peoples and disapproved imposing sanctions or exerting pressure. We hope the international community will create a lenient environment for Myanmar's national reconciliation and economic development.
Q: Google and three companies linked to it are reportedly under investigation by Chinese taxation authorities on alleged charges of tax evasion. Please confirm and provide details.
A: Please refer to competent authorities as your question is beyond our responsibilities. As a general rule, companies should abide by local laws and regulations while operating abroad.
Q: IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano proposed to have a high-level meeting on nuclear safety in Vienna next week. Will China attend the meeting? Will the meeting discuss how to strengthen global cooperation on nuclear safety after Japan's Fukushima nuclear accident?
A: The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the nuclear safety issue and supports the IAEA playing an active role in pushing for enhanced international cooperation on nuclear safety. We have taken note of Director General Amano's proposal to convene a high-level meeting on nuclear safety and are carefully studying it with relevant Chinese departments. We will stay in close communication with the IAEA.
Q: Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology released newly approved textbooks on March 30, which described the Diaoyu Islands and Dokdo Island as Japanese territory, while China and the ROK claim sovereignty over them respectively. What is China's comment?
A: I would like to reiterate that the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times. China has indisputable sovereignty over them. Any attempt to change that fact by word or deed is futile.
Q: President Hu Jintao and French President Sarkozy touched upon the Libya issue during their meeting yesterday. Could you give us more details? Is China of the view that the coalition military actions against Libya violate the UNSC Resolution?
A: We have released relevant information about the meeting between President Hu Jintao and President Sarkozy, to which you could refer.
We believe that the purpose of the UNSC to adopt the Resolution on Libya is to put an end to violence and protect civilians. It is against the original purpose of the UNSC Resolution, if the military actions cause any collateral damage to innocent civilians and greater humanitarian crisis.
What is pressing now is to cease military conflicts and resolve the current crisis in Libya through peaceful means. China supports the active role by the UN, AU, Arab League and other international and regional organizations in the political settlement of the crisis in Libya.
Q: Some countries have recognized the Interim National Council of Transition (INCT) set up by the opposition in Libya. Does China also plan to contact the INCT?
A: We believe that the state affairs and the future of Libya should be determined by the Libyan people independently. We maintain that the current crisis in Libya should be addressed through dialogue and other peaceful means and hope Libya will restore stability as soon as possible.
Q: We have learned that President Hu Jintao will attend the Annual Conference of Boao Forum for Asia to be held in Hainan in April. What is the significance of President Hu's attendance at that meeting?
A: We will release information on Chinese leaders' attendance at BFA Annual Conference as soon as we can.
The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2011 will be held in Hainan Province from April 14 to 16 with the theme of "Inclusive Development: Common Agenda and New Challenges". Leaders from several countries will be present.
The world economy is making a slow recovery, but risks still linger. Countries in the world are facing the shared challenge of striving for a coordinated and balanced socioeconomic development and achieving sustainable growth through inclusive development. Annual Conference 2011 will provide a platform for parties to discuss how to achieve inclusive development. China will enhance its exchanges and cooperation with other countries through the forum with a view to realizing common development.
Over the past decade since its establishment, the Boao Forum for Asia has pooled collective wisdom on addressing practical and long-term issues of Asian development on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, cooperation and win-win outcome, and played an active role in promoting regional economic cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship among participating countries. As the host country, we are glad to see the Forum's growth and achievement and will continue to support the Forum within our capability.