Shortly after Russia raised its proposal for the
oversight/destruction of chemical weapons in Syria, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs held a routine press conference dealing with a number of issues, tackling
a number of questions on Syria, the Six Party Talks on North Korea, and the
South China Sea. Hong Lei’s responses
are rather brief (and typical of the MoFA’s press conferences, but I’ve
included some background information / notes following some of his responses).
Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses
its position on the Russians proposal on the Syrian conflit
September
10, 2013, 6:23 PM Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website
September 10, 2013, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson
Hong Lei hosts a routine press conference
Hong Lei first released the following statement:
Chairman Xi Jinping would like to announce
that the King of Bali, the Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, will conduct a formal visit to
China from September 14th to the 16th. Through negotiations between China and ASEAN,
the sixth high level official meeting and ninth cooperative work group will
meet for the “Multilateral Nanhai Conduct Declaration” in Suzhou, Jiangsu. During the meeting, all parties will
implement the Declaration, strengthen the Shanghai Cooperation, and exchange
ideas, while discussing the “Nanhai Code of Conduct”.
Q:
According to reports, on September 9th, Russian foreign minister
Lavrov suggested that Syria hand over its chemical weapons for inspection, and
eventual destruction, by the international community, thereby avoiding military
strikes. Does the Chinese government
believe this proposal to be feasible and offer its support?
A: We both welcome and support the proposal
Russia has raised. So long as it helps
alleviate the current tense situation in Syria, helps solve the Syrian crisis
politically, and helps maintain the peace and stability in Asia and the region,
the international community should actively consider this option.
[Russia’s motivation for intervening in the
Syria crisis is fairly apparent. Russia’s
military bases in Syria are the last remnants of the Soviet legacy in the
Middle East. A regime change would most
likely result in the eradication of these bases, and Russia being short yet
another bargaining chip in its relations with the US. If that was not enough, Russia knows that any
vacuum of power in the Middle East would quickly be filled by NATO.]
Q: At
the Six Party Talks on the 10th, the US and South Korea stated that
if North Korea does not change its stance on the nuclear problem, the Six Party
Talks will not resume. How does the
Chinese government comment?
A: China has always held that the Korean
peninsula should be disarmed, upholding a peaceful and stable Korea, and
solving relevant problems through dialogue.
Under present conditions, all those concerned should focus on the bigger
picture, take more action that will help alleviate the situation, work together
to create conditions conducive to resuming talks, and stick to solving problems
within the framework of the Six Party Talks.
[Both the US and South Korea have taken a
harder line on North Korea, especially since the change of regime and Kim
Jong-un’s provocative statements earlier this year. Under present circumstances, there is little
reason to hope for a revival of the Six Party Talks. If a change occurs that will signal a
positive turn in relations, it will involve the reopening of the Kaesong
Industrial Complex on the border. There
is little reason to believe that North Korea will state that it is even considering
relinquishing its nuclear weapons program.]
Q: It
has been said that China will receive groups from the Syrian opposition within
the next few days. Please verify and
introduce any relevant information.
A: As the Chinese People’s Institute of
Foreign Affairs revealed, six members of the Syrian opposition came to China
today to represent the “National Alliance for Dialogue”. During their visit, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and relevant persons will meet with the team of representatives and
exchange ideas on the situation in Syria.
The Chinese government has continuously
believed that a political solution is the only viable way out of the crisis in
Syria. Under the present circumstances,
it is more important than ever to not waver from this position. China has continuously and positively worked
for Syria and all those involved in a balanced manner, doing everything we can
to push for a political solution in Syria.
Welcoming the team of representatives from the “National Alliance for
Dialogue” is another part of this hard work.
Q:
First, since the Japanese government’s “purchase” one year ago, Sino-Japanese
relations have experienced a number of contradictions with regards to the
Diaoyu Islands, affecting both sides. Does
the Chinese government have any comment?
Second, on the 10th, seven Chinese ships patrolled the area
around the Diaoyu Islands. Is this
related to the one year anniversary of the “purcahse”?
A: With regards to the first question, Japan
illegally enacted a so-called “nationalization” project on China’s territory,
the Diaoyu Islands, seriously encroaching on China’s territorial sovereignty,
and leading to serious problems in relations between China and Japan. We urge the Japanese government to face history
and the facts, to correct their mistakes, and stop all provocative activities,
working to remove barriers to improving bilateral relations.
With regards to the second question, the
Chinese government’s resolution and determination to protect the sovereignty of
the Diaoyu Islands is immovable. At the
same time, we will work to solve the conflict through balanced dialogue. Official Chinese vessels’ patrolling the seas
around the Diaoyu Islands is a typical, jurisdictional activity.
[This territorial dispute has smoldered for
over a year now, and it is likely that tensions will continue to rise as the
September 18th anniversary of the Mukden Incident approaches. Right-wing Japanese politicians have been
more than happy to use the ‘China Threat’ to fuel nationalism and win votes,
and the Chinese government seems to be fanning the flames of China’s own
nationalist feelings. Many are hoping
that, after the outbreak of violence and riots last year, both sides will avoid
another bout of brinksmanship. However,
looking over statements from both sides, both governments seem willing to take
risks, and are quite confident in their ability to judge where the line is.]
Q:
According to reports, on the 10th, the head of Japan’s Cabinet
stated that in order to strengthen its “concrete control” of the Diaoyu
Islands, one of its options is to send workers to stay on the island. Does the Chinese government have any comment?
A: We would like to express our serious
concern with these statements. The
Chinese government’s resolution and determination to protect the sovereignty of
the Diaoyu Islands is immovable, and will not allow the Japanese government to
escalate its violation of China’s territorial sovereignty. If Japan purposely provokes us, they will
need to bear all of the consequences.
Q: On
the 9th, American media reported that Wikileaks materials show that Syria’s
chemical weapons system and missiles came from Russia, Iran, and China. How does the Chinese government comment?
A: I would like to point out that the Chinese
government signed the “Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons”, strictly
adheres to each obligation of the agreement, and was investigated by the OPCW
at the time of signing. We have
continuously opposed the use of any sort of weapon that is classified under the
wide category of chemical weapons of mass destruction.
Q: On
the 9th, U.S. President for National Security Affairs Condoleezza
Rice said that America’s military strike against Syria will have wide reaching effects,
and would serve as a warning to Iran’s nuclear weapons program. How does the Chinese government comment? How does the Chinese government see the
spillover effects of America’s strike on Syria?
A: The Chinese government has continuously
opposed the use of threats and force in international relations. Bypassing the Security Council and launching
unilateral military strikes violate international law and the basic standards
of international relations, and will cause further complications and unrest in
Syria. We call on all sides to exercise
restraint, and stick to finding a political solution to the situation in Syria.
[Overall, China’s position on Syria is a
typical endorsement of its ‘respect sovereignty’ and ‘non-intervention’
policies. China supports neither
intervention nor unilateral military action, stressing the authority of the UN
Security Council, where it can veto resolutions.]
Original Chinese: http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2013-09/10/c_117313421.htm
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