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On May 30, 2012, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin held a press conference.
Q: Some western countries expelled Syrian diplomats in response to the massacre of civilians in Syria. Will China expel Syrian ambassador and diplomats in China?
A: The Chinese side has made clear its position on the massacre of civilians in the Syrian town of Houla. China believes that a thorough investigation should be launched to find out the truth about the incident as soon as possible. The United Nations is also investigating into the incident. Special Envoy Annan is now visiting Syria. We hope his visit will help ease tensions in Syria, push parties concerned in Syria to earnestly honor their ceasefire commitment and implement Annan's six-point proposal and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, so that the political dialogue process can be started at an early date.
As far as I know, the Syrian Embassy in China is functioning normally.
Q: There is analysis that Russia may change its position on Syria given the massacre of civilians in Syria. Will China follow suit and impose sanctions on the Syrian authorities?
A: China always decides its foreign policy independently based on its own judgement and principles on international issues including the Syrian issue. We have maintained communication and coordination with members of the international community including Russia on the Syrian issue and we are clear about each other's position. The pressing task is that the international community continues to support Special Envoy Annan's mediation effort and the work of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria, urge the Syrian Government and opposition to fully implement relevant Security Council resolutions and Annan's six-point proposal and earnestly honor their commitments of ending violence in order to launch the political dialogue process at an early date. It is also the fundamental way of resolving the Syrian issue.
Q: It is reported that Li Chunguang engaged in business activities in Japan while serving as first secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Japan. The Japanese police also suspected Li of engaging in espionage activities in Japan. What is China's response?
A: Li Chunguang is a scholar who has long been engaged in Japan studies. He was later seconded from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to the economic section of the Chinese Embassy in Japan. He has returned to China after the end of his term. The so-called press report of Li Chunguang engaging in espionage activities is totally groundless. With regard to other aspects of the information, competent Chinese authorities will verify them.
Q: Please brief us on the recent meeting between the Chinese and Philippine Defense Ministers in Cambodia. The Philippine Defense Secretary said the two sides agreed to scale down tensions over the Huangyan Island incident. Please confirm.
A: Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie met with Philippine Defense Secretary Gazmin on the sidelines of the China-ASEAN Defense Ministers' Consultation. The Ministry of National Defense has already released relevant information. Minister Liang Guanglie fully elaborated on China's position on the Huangyan Island issue.
The Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory and there has never been a dispute over that. China is resolute in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty. The Chinese side demands the Philippine side to respect China's territorial sovereignty in real earnest and withdraw its ships from the Huangyan Island as soon as possible. At the same time, the Chinese side stays committed to solving the current situation through bilateral diplomatic consultations. We hope the Philippine side can meet the Chinese side half way. At present, the two sides are maintaining normal communication and dialogue.
Q: Will China allow the UN Security Council to carry out military intervention in Syria?
A: China is opposed to external armed intervention in Syria or pushing for the so-called "regime change". The fundamental way of resolving the Syrian issue is that parties concerned in Syria immediately, fully and earnestly implement relevant Security Council resolutions, support and cooperate with Special Envoy Annan's mediation efforts, stop all acts of violence, and take concrete measures to protect civilians with a view to easing tensions and solving the issue through political dialogue as soon as possible. The resolution of the Syrian issue should, in the final analysis, be decided by the Syrian people.
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