Q: First, what is China's comment on the fifth round of China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue? Second, the US said that it was disappointed with China on the Snowden case. How does China respond? Third, reports say that the US side would cooperate with internet companies to counter China's cyber spies. What is China's comment?
A: The fifth round of China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue has concluded. President Xi Jinping's special representatives, Vice Premier Wang Yang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi co-chaired the dialogue with US President Barack Obama's special representatives, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew. The two sides had candid and in-depth discussions and reached broad consensus on implementing the outcomes of China-US presidential meeting at the Annenberg Estate and building the new model of major-country relationship between China and the US. The dialogue yielded important and positive results.
The two sides had candid and in-depth discussions on overarching, long-term and strategic issues concerning the economy of the two countries and the entire world during the economic dialogue. They also had a candid, in-depth and constructive strategic dialogue on advancing the building of a new model of major-country relationship, increasing strategic trust, forging sound interactions in the Asia Pacific, and expanding cooperation on such global issues and regional hotspots as climate change, the Middle East, and South Asia. The two sides believe that the China-US relationship has reached a new starting point and that each has a stake in the other's success. Both sides are of the view that positive actions should be taken to advance the building of a new model of major-country relationship in an all-round way.
Please refer to the press release about the dialogue.
On the second question, China has repeatedly stated its principled position on the issue. The central government of China has always respected the Hong Kong SAR government's handling of cases in accordance with law. The Hong Kong SAR government has handled the Snowden case in accordance with law, and its approach is beyond reproach. Others should respect this.
China has repeatedly expounded its principled position on cyber security recently. You may refer to the press release about the first cyber working group meeting between China and the US under the framework of the strategic security dialogue. The two sides had candid and in-depth discussions on institutional building of the cyber working group, bilateral cyber relations and international rules in the cyber space. They also put forward some constructive proposals for cooperation and agreed to hold another cyber working group meeting within the year.
I would like to emphasize again that cyber security is a common problem and challenge facing both the two countries and the international community. Blaming each other does not help solve the issue. We hope that all parties could actively engage in dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect and trust, work out relevant international rules in the cyber space under the framework of the UN and jointly uphold peace and security of the cyber space.
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