问：据报道，25日，日本总务副大臣赤间二郎访问台北，并出席“日本台湾交流协会”主办的日本文化宣介活动。有报道称，赤间此访系1972年以来日本访台的最高级别官员。中方对此有何评论？日方此举是否将给中日关系造成负面冲击？
答：台湾问题是事关中日关系政治基础的重大原则问题。中方在台湾问题上的立场是一贯而明确的。日方现职副大臣访台明显违反日方只同台维持民间和地区性往来的承诺，严重背弃中日四个政治文件精神，中方对此坚决反对，已向日方提出严正交涉。
今年初以来，日方口头上声称遵守在台湾问题上的承诺，而在实际行动上却一再挑衅滋事，已给中日两国关系改善造成严重干扰。我要强调，台湾问题涉及中国核心利益，坚决不容挑战。日方应认识到问题的严重性，停止在涉台问题上“两面派”的作法，不要在错误的道路上越走越远。
Q: It is reported that Japanese Senior Vice Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Jiro Akama visited Taiwan on 25 March to attend an event promoting Japan's culture held by the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association. Reports say that Asaka was the highest-level Japanese government official to visit Taiwan since 1972. What is your comment? Will the visit bring a negative impact on China-Japan relations?
A: The Taiwan question is a major matter of principle concerning the political foundation of China-Japan relations. China's position on the Taiwan question is consistent and clear. An incumbent senior vice minister visiting Taiwan obviously breaches the commitment made by Japan to interacting with Taiwan only at non-governmental and local levels and seriously counters the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan. China is firmly opposed to the visit and has lodged serious representations with Japan.
Since earlier this year, Japan has repeatedly taken provocative actions with regard to the Taiwan question while it has verbally promised to honor its commitment. This has already caused grave disturbances to the improvement of China-Japan relations. Let me reemphasize that the Taiwan question concerns China's core interests and brooks no challenge in the slightest. Japan should be aware of the consequences, stop its duplicity approach to Taiwan-related issues and not go further down the wrong path.
问：据报道，有美国国会议员23日提出了一项跨党派决议草案，谴责中国对“萨德”采取报复措施。该草案指出，中国采取的一系列报复措施可能违反世界贸易组织的相关规定。中方对此有何评论？
答：我注意到有关报道。你提到个别议员在所谓的“提案”中表示“谴责”，这个词我们特别不喜欢。我不知道这几个议员对朝鲜半岛核问题了解多少，对“萨德”问题了解多少。但我知道的是，这个所谓“提案”对解决问题不具任何建设性意义。
我要重申，中方在朝鲜半岛核、“萨德”问题上的立场是明确的、一贯的。不存在所谓的“报复措施”。中方对中韩交流合作的民意基础受到“萨德”问题的影响表示遗憾。希望有关方面正视中方的利益和关切，真正倾听民意呼声，作出正确选择。
Q: It is reported that some US congressmen initiated a bipartisan draft resolution on 23 March to condemn China's retaliation for THAAD. The resolution pointed out that China's retaliatory measures might violate WTO rules. What is your comment?
A: I have seen the reports. You said certain congressmen, through the so-called resolution, "condemn" China. This word is what we dislike very much. I don't know how much these congressmen understand about the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the THAAD issue. But I do know that the so-called resolution is not constructive at all for resolving the issue.
I want to reiterate that China's position on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the THAAD issue is clear and consistent. There are not so-called retaliatory measures. China regrets that the public foundation for exchanges and cooperation between China and the ROK is affected by THAAD. It is hoped that relevant parties face up to China's interests and concerns, truly give heed to the voices of the public and make a right choice.
问：一名有澳大利亚永久居留权的澳大学副教授冯崇义近日在广州登机返澳时被禁止离境，澳大利亚政府正就此与中国政府有关部门进行沟通。请证实并介绍情况。他被限制出境的理由是什么？
答：我不了解有关具体情况，但我注意到有关报道中提到冯崇义是中国公民，持中国护照。
Q: The Australian government has been in contact with the Chinese government about the case of a university professor with Australian permanent residency Feng Chongyi who allegedly has been stopped at the Guangzhou airport from flying back to Australia. Can you confirm? Is there any information you can provide about the case? Why was he stopped from flying abroad?
A: I am not aware of the specifics. But I have noted the reports saying that Feng Chongyi is a Chinese citizen holding a Chinese passport.
问：据报道，外交部副部长刘振民在海南博鳌建议发起并组成南海沿岸国相关合作机制。你能否进一步介绍有关倡议的内容和考虑？
答：实现南海地区的和平稳定和发展繁荣，是南海各沿岸国的共同愿望和共同责任，符合各沿岸国和国际社会的共同利益。南海是典型的闭海和半闭海,沿岸国可积极借鉴世界其他地区的成功经验，发起与组成相关合作机制，在不妨碍各自主张的前提下，为增进互信、加强合作和共享利益搭建一个平台。中方认为，南海沿岸国可在防灾减灾、海上搜救、保护海洋环境和海洋生物多样性、海洋科学研究以及海上航行安全等领域进行具体、务实、机制化的合作。
近日，刘振民副部长在博鳌亚洲论坛年会南海分论坛就中方倡议发起和组成相关合作机制作了非常详细的阐释，表示目前推进南海沿岸国合作正当其时，按中国人的话说就是具备“天时、地利、人和”。所谓“天时”，指的是南海局势已经趋稳降温，各国重回通过谈判协商解决有关争议问题的正确轨道，在南海地区积极开展各领域海上务实合作大有可为。所谓“地利”，指的是在南海建立沿岸国合作机制有充足的国际法依据。《联合国海洋法公约》规定：闭海或半闭海沿岸国在行使本公约所规定的权利和义务时，应相互合作，尽力直接或通过适当区域组织协调海洋生物资源利用，保护海洋环境等。此外，包括联合国有关专门机构在内的许多重要国际组织均鼓励闭海或半闭海沿岸国建立机制、加强合作。比如与南海相似的闭海或半闭海，如加勒比海、地中海、波罗的海、黑海、里海等沿岸国家相继建立了沿岸国合作机制。相关机制补充并促进了区域合作格局，有利于增进沿岸国间的互信，缓解有关国家间的领土和管辖权争议。所谓“人和”，指的是南海地区人民世代友好，心灵相通。南海自古就是海上丝绸之路的重要组成部分。沿岸国环海而居、守望相助，人民血脉相亲、相互交融。
中方愿就有关合作机制与各方进一步加强沟通和协调，欢迎地区国家提出意见和建议。
Q: According to media reports, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin proposed in Boao to initiate and establish a cooperation framework among the coastal states of the South China Sea. Can you tell us more details and the considerations behind the idea?
A: Realizing peace, stability, development and prosperity in the South China Sea meets the shared desire and responsibility of its coastal states and serves the common interests of these coastal states, among other members of the international community. Given that the South China Sea is a typical enclosed and semi-enclosed sea, its coastal states can draw upon the successful experience of other regions, and without prejudice to the parties' respective claims, work together to initiate and establish a relevant cooperation framework, which could serve as an effective platform for enhancing mutual trust, strengthening cooperation and promoting shared interests. China believes that the South China Sea coastal states can conduct practical and institutionalized cooperation in such fields as disaster prevention and reduction, maritime search and rescue, protection of marine environment and bio-diversity, marine scientific research and navigation safety.
At the recent session on the South China Sea of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Meeting, Vice Minister Liu Zhenmin elaborated on the cooperation framework that China proposed to initiate and establish. He said that now is the right time to launch cooperation among South China Sea coastal States. To quote a Chinese idiom, it is "of the right time, in the right place and with the support of the people."
It is of the right time because the situation in the South China Sea has been cooling down. With countries returning to the right track of settling disputes through negotiation and consultation, much can be achieved in practical maritime cooperation. It is in the right place because there is solid international legal ground for setting up such a cooperation framework. According to the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), States bordering an enclosed or semi-enclosed sea should cooperate with each other in the exercise of their rights and in the performance of their duties under UNCLOS. They shall endeavor, directly or through an appropriate regional organization, to coordinate the utilization of the living resources of the sea, and protect and preserve the marine environment. Moreover, many international organizations, including specialized agencies of the United Nations, have encouraged the coastal States bordering an enclosed or semi-enclosed sea to establish mechanisms of cooperation. The coastal States of many closed or semi-closed seas like the South China Sea, such as the Caribbean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, have established cooperation mechanisms. These mechanisms broadened and enriched regional cooperation. They have been helpful in enhancing mutual trust among coastal States and mitigating territorial and jurisdictional disputes. Such a framework is supported by the people because people in our region enjoy a time-honored friendship and have forged close cultural bonds. As a vital part of the maritime Silk Road since ancient times, the South China Sea has borne witness to mutual help and common progress of all coastal States.
China stands ready to further enhance communication and coordination with all parties on the relevant cooperation framework. We welcome ideas and suggestions from countries in this region.
问：据了解，中国政府已对巴西肉类制品重新开放市场，你能否证实？中方在如此短时间内取消禁令有何考虑？
答：近期巴西国内部分肉类产品出现质量问题后，中巴两国政府有关主管部门保持了密切沟通和有效磋商。日前，巴方正式向中方通报，决定暂停涉案企业对华出口，并承诺将采取更加严格措施，确保输华肉类产品安全可靠。鉴此，中方已解除有关预防性、临时性保护措施，恢复正常检验检疫工作。
中巴互为重要贸易伙伴，中方愿同巴方共同努力，在确保食品安全的基础上，继续推动中巴经贸合作持续健康发展。
Q: Can you confirm that the Chinese government has decided to reopen the market of Brazilian meat imports? Why was the decision taken so fast after the ban was imposed?
A: Relevant authorities of the Chinese and Brazilian governments have been in close communication and effective consultation in the wake of the quality issue of some Brazilian meat products. Brazil has recently notified China of its decision to suspend exports to China from the involved enterprises and promised to take stricter measures to ensure safe and reliable meat exports to China. With that, China has removed the preventive and temporary measures of protection and resumed normal inspection and quarantine efforts.
China and Brazil are each other's important trading partners. China wants to work with Brazil to further push for sound development of bilateral trade and commerce on the basis of food safety protection.
问：据报道，日本文部科学省近日审定的日本高中教科书多次将钓鱼岛称为日本“固有领土”。中方对此有何评论？
答：钓鱼岛及其附属岛屿是中国的固有领土，中方维护领土主权的决心坚定不移。无论日方说什么，做什么，都改变不了钓鱼岛属于中国的事实。我们要求日方尊重历史和现实，正确教育年轻一代，停止在有关问题上制造事端。
Q: According to media reports, the senior high school textbook recently approved by Japan's Education Ministry describes Diaoyu Dao as Japan's inherent territory. What is your comment?
A: Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory. China's resolve to uphold its territorial sovereignty is unwavering. Whatever Japan says or does, the fact that Diaoyu Dao belongs to China cannot be changed. We urge Japan to respect history and reality, instill the right knowledge into the young generations, and stop stirring up troubles on the relevant issue.
