The 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Beijing from November 10 to 11 under the theme of "Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership". Leaders or representatives from APEC economies will attend the meeting upon invitation. President Xi Jinping will attend and preside over the meeting.
The APEC CEO Summit and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue with Leaders will be held in Beijing from November 9 to 10 with the attendance of invited leaders or representatives from APEC economies. President Xi Jinping will attend the meetings and deliver important speeches.
Q: How does China comment on the informal negotiations for a comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue held in Vienna on October 16? What does China think should be done to press ahead with the negotiations more effectively? Did China hold bilateral meetings with Iran and relevant parties during the negotiations?
A: On October 16, the P5+1 and Iran held informal negotiations for a comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue in Vienna. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton presided over the meeting. Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif, American Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov as well as officials-in-charge from the UK, France and Germany attended the meeting. Director General Wang Qun of the Department of Arms Control of China's Foreign Ministry attended the meeting.
During this round of informal negotiations, the P5+1 and Iran further exchanged candid and in-depth views on the core issues concerning a comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue.
The deadline set at November 24 for a comprehensive agreement is drawing near. Despite of difficulties faced by all parties, progress achieved during the negotiations should not be played down. What's the most important now is for all parties to have the whole picture in mind, inject more political willingness, impetus and creative thoughts into the negotiations, meet each other halfway, broaden consensus and strive for breakthroughs as soon as possible.
China is willing to work in concert with all parties and make constructive efforts for an early and win-win agreement that is comprehensive, fair and balanced.
During the meeting, Director General Wang Qun held bilateral meetings with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Majid Takht Ravanchi, and met with US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman as well as Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov respectively for full exchange of views on issues related to the negotiations on a comprehensive agreement.
Q: Some parties have started talking about the postponement of the negotiations in case that a comprehensive agreement failed to be achieved before November 24. How does China respond to this?
A: What is pressing now is for all parties to push vigorously ahead with the negotiations so as to reach a comprehensive agreement as scheduled. To realize this goal, it is fairly important for all parties to maintain the political momentum of negotiations and inject more political impetus and creative thoughts into negotiations. As long as there is one per cent of hope, all parties should make one hundred per cent of efforts. The Chinese side supports all thoughts and advice that can drive forward the negotiations, and will continue with our efforts for the conclusion of a comprehensive agreement as scheduled.
Q: It is reported that Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying accused external forces of being involved in "Occupy Central". What is your comment?
A: Activities done by some people in Hong Kong, namely occupying the main thoroughfares, defying the law enforcement of the police and putting social order in severe jeopardy, are entirely illegal. The central government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR government in performing its duties in accordance with law and safeguarding the rule of law and social order in Hong Kong.
Some foreign individuals and forces attempt to interfere in Hong Kong affairs, exert influence on Hong Kong's development and even side with or incite illegal activities such as "Occupy Central". We have repeatedly expounded on our solemn position on this. Hong Kong affairs fall entirely within China's internal affairs, and the Chinese side resolutely opposes the intervention in Hong Kong affairs by any external force in any form.
Q: Officials from the World Food Program welcome the continuous efforts made by the Chinese government to fight the Ebola epidemic, and expect Chinese companies and wealthy men to make more contributions. What is China's response to this?
A: I have not seen such reports. China has briefed in great details on the efforts made by the Chinese government to deal with Ebola. The rampant epidemic of Ebola has become a public health problem which requires the synergy of the international community to combat it. The Chinese government and Chinese people keep a close eye on the epidemic, and have provided relevant African countries and international organizations with 3 batches of assistance. A new round of assistance to Western African countries plagued by Ebola will soon be in place. China will continue with its assistance and support in line with the latest development of the epidemic and actual requirements of relevant countries. We hope that the international community can work in concert, scale up the assistance and help African countries combat Ebola and tide over difficulties.
Q: Please give us more details about the first meeting of the China-Japan-ROK cyber security consultation mechanism to be held tomorrow.
A: The first meeting of the China-Japan-ROK cyber security consultation mechanism will be held in Beijing on October 21. The three parties will exchange views primarily on their respective cyber policies, and discuss topics such as the international rule-making in cyber space and Internet governance. Relevant information will be released in due course.
Q: According to Australian media, the Australian police has agreed to cooperate with relevant Chinese departments to extradite corrupt Chinese officials who fled to Australia and seize their illicit assets. Can you brief us more on this?
A: The Chinese government pays great attention to anti-corruption and the campaign of tracing fugitives and retrieving illicit money from overseas. When it comes to cracking down on corruption, we have the resolve to fight every corrupt phenomenon and punish every corrupt official. No matter where the corrupted flee, we must bring them to justice.
China is active in sealing bilateral judicial assistance treaties with other countries. Up to last September, China has signed treaties with 63 countries including Australia concerning judicial assistance, extradition and transfer of the sentenced. China hopes to carry out cooperation on tracing the fugitives and retrieving illicit money with relevant countries including Australia and make concerted efforts to combat corruption crimes.
Q: It is reported that the meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs was held in New Delhi the other day. Can you give us more details?
A: According to the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, China and India held the meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs in New Delhi from October 16 to 17. Ouyang Yujing, Director General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and his Indian counterpart Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Head of the East Asia Division of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs exchanged in-depth views on bilateral border affairs. Representatives from diplomatic and defense authorities of the two countries attended the meeting.
The two sides spoke highly of the proper handling of stand-offs in the western part of China-India boundary through amicable coordination. They agreed to carry out closer cooperation on maintaining peace and tranquility of the border area with the overall interests of bilateral relations in mind and create a favorable atmosphere for further developing bilateral ties.
Through candid, amicable and constructive consultation, the two sides reached multiple consensus on measures to maintain peace and stability in the border area. The agreements are as follows: setting up a regular meeting mechanism between the army headquarters, adjacent military commands and border troops of the two countries; building additional border meeting points in the border area; starting a hot line between the army headquarters; making telecommunications available between front-line border troops of the two sides, etc. Relevant consensuses give full expression to the strong willingness and positive attitude of the two countries in handling disputes and maintaining border stability in a cooperative way. Measures mentioned above will further enhance the connection and communication of the two armies and border troops in particular, boost mutual trust and cooperation and contribute to timely and proper handling of the border issue.
The stable and positive development of China-India relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples. China is poised to work together with the Indian side, properly handle border-related issues through amicable negotiation, jointly uphold peace and tranquility of the border area and maintain the good momentum that Sino-Indian relations currently enjoy.