On April 16, 2012, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin held a press conference.

Liu Weimin started the press conference with the following announcement.

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan will pay a state visit to China from April 23 to 28.

During President Kiir's visit, the two sides will exchange views on how to further bilateral political trust, deepen practical cooperation across the board, as well as international and regional issues of common interest. Apart from Beijing, President Kirr will also visit Shanghai.

Q: It is reported that Security Council members reached a preliminary consensus at the Council consultation last weekend that the DPRK's satellite launch was against Security Council resolutions. What's China's position?

A: China stays in contact and communication with Security Council members including the US over this issue. China always believes and stresses that any move taken by the Security Council should help to safeguard peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, to promote all parties concerned to continue their contact and dialogue, and to further press ahead with the Six-Party Talks. China will continue its communication with other parties concerned over that.

Q: The Philippine Foreign Ministry reportedly said that a Philippine ship conducting archaeological studies in waters off the Huangyan Island was harassed by the Chinese side. How do you respond to that?

A: Currently the situation over the Huangyan Island has been eased thanks to the efforts made, and China and the Philippines are making further communication through diplomatic channels. According to relevant international conventions and Chinese laws, no organization or individual shall conduct such activities without the permission of the Chinese Government. China demands this archaeological ship to leave the waters off the Huangyan Island immediately.

Q: The new round of dialogue between Iran and P5+1 has just been held in Istanbul, Turkey. It is said that positive achievements have been made at the meeting. How does China evaluate this meeting?

A: Serious, beneficial and constructive, this meeting started a sustained process of dialogue and achieved positive results thanks to the efforts made by all parties concerned. All parties are willing to conduct dialogue and negotiation based on the principle of step by step and reciprocity as well as on the basis of equality and mutual benefit so as to gradually build mutual trust for the comprehensive, just and proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

China has made unremitting efforts for the resumption of the dialogue and achievements out of the dialogue. Prior to the meeting, we had kept frequent contacts with all sides, urging for a peaceful resolution and early resumption of negotiations. During the talks, we pushed all sides, in the spirit of looking forward, to show flexibility and sincerity, and take each other's concerns seriously so as to make the dialogue a success. China's efforts have been appreciated by all sides.

Given the complicated nature of the Iranian nuclear issue, we may encounter difficulties or setbacks of all kinds in the future. We hope that on the basis of the consensus built, all relevant parties will stay patient, enhance confidence, meet each other half way and sincerely cooperate with each other so as to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations. Ready to work with other parties, China will stick to negotiations and continue its constructive role in seeking a resolution of this issue.

Q: The Guinea-Bissau military has arrested acting President Pereira and former Prime Minister Gomes, claimed the coup was a self-defense against secretive agreements between the government and Angola, and announced that it would establish an interim government soon and hold a re-election. Recently, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries suggested a UN-mandated peace-keeping mission to Guinea-Bissau. The ECOWAS also expressed willingness to send a delegation there to mediate. How does China comment?

A; China condemns the use of force to seize power in Guinea-Bissau and expresses concern over the security situation there. We urge the coup soldiers to release government officials and restore normal constitutional and social order. The domestic conflicts in Guinea-Bissau should be resolved through dialogue and consultations.

Q: It is said Syrian Foreign Minister will visit China soon. Please confirm.

A: China has maintained contact and communication with Syrian parties concerned including the Syrian government. Relevant information will be released in due course.

Q: The Afghan national parliament building and foreign embassies in the diplomatic quarter were attacked by militants in Kabul, Afghanistan on April 15 and the Taliban claimed responsibility for those attacks. How do you comment?

A: China has taken note of the reports. According to my knowledge, the Chinese embassy, Chinese institutions and personnel there are safe. As a friendly neighbour to Afghanistan, we sincerely hope Afghanistan achieve peace and stability at an early date.

Q: What is the cause for the standoff between China and the Philippines in waters off the Huangyan Island still pending resolution? Besides, the Philippines and the US start military exercises in the South China Sea today. How do you comment?

A: On your first question, the Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory. The main cause of this incident is that the Philippine side harassed Chinese fishermen and fishing boats and infringed upon China's sovereignty. Currently the situation over the Huangyan Island has been eased thanks to the efforts made, and China and the Philippines are making further communication through diplomatic channels.

On your second question, we hope relevant countries do more things to promote security and mutual trust among regional countries as well as to enhance regional peace and stability. We believe the mainstream of this region is peace, development and cooperation and people in this region are aspiring to achieve more results in this regard. The military issue is not and shall not become the theme of the region.

Q: According to reports, China has invited Aung San Suu Kyi, who just won a Myanmar parliament seat, to visit China. Could you confirm?

A: I haven't read such reports. China is willing to carry out exchanges with figures from various circles in Myanmar who support China-Myanmar friendship and cooperation, so as to jointly push forward sound and stable development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples.