FM press conference on March 1 (Full Text)

Q: In his policy speech to the Japanese Diet on February 28, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that China's changes to the status quo by the use of force will justify nothing. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said in his foreign policy address that China's opaque military buildup and frequent maritime movements are major regional concerns. Meanwhile, they both stressed that since Japan-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relations to Japan, they would push forward Japan-China strategic relationship of mutual benefit based on overall interests. What is China's comment?

A: The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times. China has indisputable sovereignty over them. All actions that Japan has taken over the Diaoyu Islands are based on its illegal occupation of the Chinese territory, therefore, Japan's so-called "status quo" has been illegal and invalid since the very beginning. The Japanese side should give up illusions, face up to history and reality, and make concrete efforts for the proper management and settlement of the issue.

Japan's actions of deliberately hyping "China threat", creating regional tension and misleading international opinions do no good to resolving the issue but will only bring further damage to China-Japan political and security mutual trust. If Japan sincerely hopes to improve bilateral relations, it should immediately stop all words and deeds which intend to smear China and make concrete efforts to improve and develop bilateral relations.

Q: What is China's comment on the ROK President Park Geun-hye's remarks of adopting a flexible policy towards the DPRK and urging the DPRK to show sincerity?

A: China appreciates President Park Geun-hye's proposal of starting a "trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula", supports the South and the North in holding dialogue and improving relations and will continue to work for the lasting peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

Q: Shinzo Abe said on February 28 that it is reasonable for Japanese leaders to pay homage to the "spirits of heroes" at the Yasukuni Shrine. What is China's comment?

A: The aggression war launched by Japanese militarists during World War II has brought untold sufferings to people of China and other Asian neighbors. The Yasukuni Shrine worships those Class A war criminals of World War II who were directly responsible for the aggression. This issue is about whether Japan is willing to face its history of aggression and respect the feelings of people from the victimized countries including China. We hope Japanese leaders could earnestly honor their statements and commitments made so far on the historical issue, be discreet in word and deed and properly deal with relevant issue so as to win the trust of people from the victimized Asian countries.

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