On June 14, 2012, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin held a press conference.

Q: Please brief us on the bilateral consultation between China and Russia on the Iranian nuclear issue in Moscow. What is China's expectation of the Moscow Dialogue?

A: Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov held a consultation in Moscow on June 13, having in-depth exchange of views on the Iranian nuclear issue, particularly the upcoming Moscow Dialogue.

The process of dialogue and negotiations is now at an important stage. China hopes that all relevant parties can seek mutual tolerance, accommodate each other's concerns, commit themselves to making progress at the Moscow Dialogue and adhere to the general direction of dialogue and negotiation. Long committed to promoting peace talks, China will continue to make joint efforts with other parties to promote the peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic means.

Q: French Foreign Minister Fabius recently said that he would bring to the UN Security Council the proposal of making Special Envoy Annan's six-point proposal enforceable under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. What is China's comment?

A: China has always been in communication and coordination with relevant parties over the Syrian issue. China holds that relevant actions of the international community should be conducive to easing tensions in Syria, promoting the political resolution, and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East. Under the current circumstances, the international community should all the more support Special Envoy Annan's mediation, urge all parties concerned in Syria to immediately and fully implement relevant Security Council resolutions and Annan's proposal, actively cooperate with the work of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria, stop all violence and protect civilians through concrete measures in a bid to ease tensions as soon as possible. China disapproves of one-sided sanctions or pressure.

Q: Some foreign companies complained recently that China's investment environment is worsening and they are unfairly treated in China. What is China's response?

A: As far as I know, the number of foreign companies investing in China is rising rather than falling. Their decision to invest in China is based on their objective judgement of China's investment environment, which speaks for itself. Committed to reform and opening up and pursuing an opening-up strategy of win-win, China has been striving to create favorable environment for foreign investment. Taking foreign companies' concerns about doing business in China seriously, China makes efforts to address the concerns.

All foreign companies registered in China according to law enjoy national treatment and there is no so-called "discrimination". As a matter of fact, foreign companies have been treated favorably rather than unfairly for a long time. With Chinese companies growing stronger, foreign companies should adapt to the new situation of a level playing field with their Chinese counterparts.

Q: Which Chinese leader will attend the UN Conference on Sustainable Development? What is China's expectation of the Conference?

A: Relevant information will be released in due course about Chinese leader's attendance at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. We hope to make contribution to global sustainable development through our active participation in the important meeting. Promoting sustainable development is a basic state policy of China. At the Conference, China will present the case of its efforts for sustainable development and discuss and explore with other parties the ways to promote global sustainable development.

Q: What is China's attitude towards Russia's proposal of hosting an international conference on the Syrian issue and Annan's initiative to create a contact group on the issue?

A: China is positive and open to the proposals of hosting an international conference and creating a contact group on the Syrian issue. We hold that the international community should adhere to the general direction of seeking political resolution, give full support to Special Envoy Annan's mediation so as to earnestly implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions and Annan's six-point proposal. China is willing to keep communication with all parties concerned over the above proposals.

Q: Russia once said that it would accept the stepping down of Syrian President Bashar. US Secretary of State Clinton also said that Special Envoy Annan's mediation should have made progress by July. What is China's comment? Secondly, Philippine President Aquino remarked recently that China-Philippine relations are mutually beneficial and bilateral cooperation should be strengthened. The two sides are now committed to peacefully resolving the Huangyan Island incident through diplomatic means. Philippine laws and international law clearly define the Philippine territory and waters. China and the Philippines should respect each other's sovereignty according to international law. How does China respond?

A: On the first question, China has no intention to favor any party on the Syrian issue. The development path and political system of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people independently. China is open to a political resolution that is agreed upon by all parties concerned in Syria through political dialogue and universally accepted by the international community. China hopes to see more progress in Special Envoy Annan's mediation efforts. However, since the Syrian issue is quite complex, we need to keep patient and not to lose hope just because of the current difficulties. The pressing task for the international community is to work in unison and fully support Special Envoy Annan's mediation.

On the second question, China has noted President Aquino's remarks of valuing China-Philippine relations. Attaching importance to developing relations with the Philippines, China hopes that the Philippine side can work with the Chinese side to push for a sound and steady development of bilateral relations.

China has stated its position on the Huangyan Island incident many times. At present, Chinese fishing boats are operating normally in waters off China's Huangyan Island and Chinese government vessels are continuing their management and services to Chinese fishing boats and fishermen. The situation in the area tends to relaxation in general. China hopes that the Philippines refrain from taking actions that may complicate or magnify the situation, and meet the Chinese side halfway to properly handle relevant issue through diplomatic channels.

At the same time, I would like to stress that according to Philippine laws, the Philippine authorities admitted many times that the Huangyan Island is not within the scope of Philippine territory. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is not the international law or rule to determine territorial ownership. Therefore, there is no doubt about China's sovereignty over the Huangyan Island.

Q: It is reported that the US, Japan and the ROK will stage a joint naval exercise south of the Korean Peninsula. What is China's comment?

A: China believes that the international community, Asia-Pacific countries in particular, should do more for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, instead of the contrary.

Q: Chinese fishing boats are still operating in waters off the Huangyan Island. Doesn't it contradict with China's fishing moratorium?

A: I suggest you study the specifics of China's fishing moratorium which includes a limited scope of fishing and does not prohibit all types of fishing operation. The Chinese fishing boats' operation off the Huangyan Island does not breach the fishing moratorium.