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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Regular Press Conference on March 13, 2019

2019-03-13 23:10

Q: The new US ambassador to Australia said today China is using "payday loan diplomacy" to exert influence in the Pacific. How do you respond to this?

A: Similar questions have been asked a lot recently. Cooperation between China and Pacific countries, in particular Pacific Island countries, is mutually beneficial. Such South-South cooperation that benefits both sides is well received by Pacific countries.

We have noted that some US officials keep finding fault with the mutually beneficial cooperation China is conducting with others, including Pacific Island countries. We hope that these people could adjust their mindset, bear in mind the long-term development needs of these developing countries, and contribute to their development instead of constantly making troubles out of nothing.

Q: Yesterday President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro announced that he would ask the United Nations, Russia and China to investigate the cyber attacks against Venezuela's electricity system. Does China have any plan to take part in this investigation and if it is true, when will Chinese specialists go to Venezuela?

A: The Chinese side noted that the massive blackout has lasted for several days in Venezuela, causing much inconvenience to the work and life of the Venezuelan people. Reports say that the blackout was caused by cyber attacks on Venezuela's power grid. The Chinese side is concerned over this and hopes that the Venezuelan side will identify the cause and restore normal power supply and social order as soon as possible. The Chinese side stands ready to provide assistance and technical support to the restoration of power in Venezuela.

Regarding what you asked about sending specialists, I have nothing to announce at this moment.

Q: The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized China in an international energy conference yesterday for preventing regional countries from accessing more than $2.5 trillion in energy reserves in the South China Sea. Does China have any comment on this?

A: China and relevant countries have disputes over maritime delimitation and territorial issues on islands in the South China Sea. China believes that countries concerned need to settle relevant disputes in a fair and reasonable manner through friendly consultation on the basis of international law, and pending a settlement of the issues, countries concerned should shelve differences and explore ways of joint development. China has been in contact with countries concerned via diplomatic consultation mechanisms and internal discussion channels.

It serves the interests of regional countries that those countries can manage and handle differences in their own way, and jointly uphold regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. Meanwhile, some non-regional country has repeatedly stirred up troubles in an attempt to ruin the harmony. Such attempts are irresponsible to regional countries.

Q: I have a question on the Korean Peninsula situation. We noted that on March 12, some DPRK media carried articles clarifying the DPRK's stance on complete denuclearization. They said that it is the country's firm position to establish a new type of DPRK-US relations, establish a peace mechanism to ensure lasting stability of the peninsula, and achieve complete denuclearization. There are also reports quoting special advisor to the ROK President Moon Chung-In, saying that the US should seek to realize denuclearization of the peninsula step by step, because the "denuclearization at one go" strategy will not help break the impasse over the negotiations. What is your comment?

A: China always believes that the Korean Peninsula issue can only be solved peacefully through political dialogues. After the Hanoi summit, as you may have noticed, the DPRK and the US both expressed willingness to continue dialogues. We look forward to seeing concrete actions from the two sides.

Regarding the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue, experience teaches us that the key to keeping up and advancing dialogue is to accommodate all parties' legitimate concerns in a balanced way, build up mutual trust and consensus, take phased and synchronized steps, and start with easier moves so as to create favorable conditions for a political settlement.

China will continue to play its due role along with other parties.

Q: We are all closely following the recent Ethiopian Airlines accident. Do you have more information about what has been done for the follow-up matters of the Chinese victims?

A: We talked about how the follow-up work was going on here the other day. According to what we've learned further, the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia has contacted the employers and families of the eight Chinese citizens killed and coordinated with the Ethiopian Airlines to arrange for the families' trip to and accommodation in Ethiopia. As far as I know, some of the families have arrived in Ethiopia. The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia has put in place three special hotlines and set up a liaison office in a hotel near the airport to assist the families.

We noted that the Ethiopian side has set up an investigation committee. You may have also learned from the media that the two black boxes from the aircraft have been found and the cause of the accident is still under investigation. The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia will continue to closely follow relevant progress and coordinate with relevant parties in Ethiopia to provide full assistance to the families of the Chinese citizens in handling the follow-up matters.

Q: An international rights activist wrote an op-ed outlining the detention conditions Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor face. Does China have any comment on the op-ed?

A: I remember answering your question yesterday. I want to reiterate that after Chinese state security authorities  took compulsory measures against these two Canadian citizens in accordance with law for activities endangering China's national security, the Chinese side has ensured their legal rights and interests in accordance with law.

Q: The United Nations Human Rights Council is going to adopt the report for China's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva on March 15. Do you have more details?

A: On March 15, China will participate in the session of the UN Human Rights Council on the adoption of the review report for China's third UPR. China attaches high importance to the adoption of the report and will send a high-level delegation headed by Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng and comprised of representatives from ministries of the central government, the Xinjiang and Tibet Autonomous Regions, and the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. China will give feedback to the recommendations it received in the 3rd UPR in November last year and have constructive exchanges with various parties.

Q: The European Commission and EU foreign policy chief published