Q: Which Chinese leader will attend the East Asia Leaders’ Meetings?
A: Relevant information will be released in due course.
After the press conference, a journalist asked the following question: IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano submitted a report to the UN General Assembly on November 5 which said that Iran failed to provide more information of its nuclear activities at the request of the Agency. The Agency would continue to enhance dialogue with Iran and hoped that an agreement could be reached soon. How does China comment?
Hong Lei replied as follows: China always believes that dialogue and cooperation is the only correct way to properly resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. The pressing task now is that the P5 plus one countries and Iran continue and promote dialogue between them and the IAEA and Iran step up their cooperation and make early progress so as to seek a comprehensive, long-term and proper settlement in a step-by-step manner. The Iranian nuclear issue is complex and sensitive, but as long as all parties concerned push forward dialogue and cooperation in a flexible and practical manner, there will be a solution.
Another journalist asked the following question: the United Nations Disarmament Commission adopted by vote a resolution sponsored by Japan on the destruction of nuclear weapons today, calling on all countries to gradually build a “nuclear-weapon-free world”. It is learned that China abstained. What is China’s consideration?
Hong Lei answered as follows: on nuclear disarmament, China always stands for and actively advocates the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. China believes that nuclear disarmament should follow the principles of “maintaining global strategic stability” and “undiminished security for all”. Part of the resolution you mentioned which calls for “united action toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons” is inconsistent with the above principles and goes beyond the Final Document reached at the 8th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). That’s why China abstained.
Another journalist asked for China’s comment on the swearing-in of the Dutch coalition government formed by the Liberal and Labour parties on November 5 and the reelection of Mark Rutte, head of the Liberal Party, as Prime Minister.
Hong Lei replied as follows: China congratulates the Netherlands on forming its new government and Mr. Rutte on his reelection. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the ambassadorial diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands. Bilateral relations have been in good shape. The Chinese government values its relations with the Netherlands. Taking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity, we are ready to work with the Dutch side in the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit to constantly deepen political mutual trust, push forward practical cooperation across the board and enhance communication and coordination in international affairs in a bid to push for new development of bilateral relations.