On the afternoon of September 9, 2010, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions.

Jiang Yu: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. The press conference now begins. I am ready to take your questions.

Q: On the collision near the Diaoyu Island, after the detaining of the Chinese captain, China has explicitly demanded that Japan release the crew. However, Japan seems to take a hard-line position. What further specific steps will the Chinese Government take? Moreover, Myanmar will hold its general election in November. However, it is reported that there seems to be some tensions on the border between China and Myanmar. What efforts does China hope Myanmar to make to maintain peace on the border?

A: The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands are inherent territories of China. It is absurd, illegal and invalid that Japan applies its domestic law to Chinese fishing boats working in those waters, and absolutely unacceptable to China. It is imperative that Japan release the crew and the boat immediately so as to avoid further escalation.

On the issue of Myanmar, Chairman Than Shwe of the State Peace and Development Council and his delegation are now visiting China. President Hu Jintao held talks with him yesterday. The two leaders agreed to work together to safeguard peace, stability and order in the border region, which serves the common interest of both sides.

The general election in Myanmar is its internal affairs. A smooth election in Myanmar is in the fundamental interest of the Myanmar people and contributes to regional peace and stability. China respects the Myanmar people’s independent choice of the country’s development path and wishes Myanmar a smooth general election and constant progress with democracy and development.

Q: Will the collision near the Diaoyu Island affect future China-Japan relations and the dialogue on the joint development of the East China Sea?

A: Disputes over territory and sovereignty are highly sensitive, improper handling of which will have a serious impact on the overall interest of China-Japan relations. Japan should have a clear understanding of that.

Q: The Foreign Ministry website released an alert yesterday, warning overseas Chinese nationals of safety hazards. What are the considerations behind the alert and what consular protection measures will the Foreign Ministry take?

A: As you may know, the safety of overseas Chinese nationals has been under threat recently in some areas, with individual cases of attacks and kidnappings. Attaching great importance to this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions overseas have launched emergency mechanisms to coordinate with relevant parties immediately and effectively, and solve the issues properly. The alert is to remind Chinese nationals overseas to pay attention to their safety situation, raise awareness and ensure their own safety.

Q: After the collision near the Diaoyu Island, some Chinese activists expressed the wish to go to the Island and assert sovereignty. What measures will the Chinese Government take to ensure their safety? Besides, please brief us on the latest developments of the Philippine hostage case and the communication between China and the Philippines.

A: Japan’s illegal detaining of the Chinese fishing boat and its crew in the Diaoyu Island waters has met strong reaction from the Chinese public. Japan should face up to the seriousness of the issue and release the crew and the boat immediately and unconditionally so as to avoid further deterioration and escalation.

Our position is consistent and clear-cut on the Diaoyu Island issue. Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have been China’s inherent territory since ancient times, and China owns undisputable sovereignty over them. The Chinese Government is unswerving in its determination and resolve to maintain sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is an objective fact that China and Japan have disputes over the sovereignty issue of the Diaoyu Island. We uphold a proper settlement of the issue through negotiations on the basis of respecting the facts.

On your second question, the investigation is under way at present. China and the Philippines have stayed in close communication. The pressing task is that the Philippines conducts a comprehensive, just and thorough investigation of the issue to draw an immediate and clear conclusion and properly handles the aftermath.

Q: It’s been three days since the collision happened. Under what conditions will China take “further response”?

A: Over the past few days, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Chinese Embassy in Japan have made solemn representations with the Japanese side on several occasions, expressing strong protest against its illegal detention of the Chinese boat and fishermen in the Diaoyu Island waters. We urge the Japanese side to release the crew and the boat immediately and guarantee the safety of the Chinese fishermen. The Chinese Embassy has already sent a working group to visit them. At present, they are safe and in good condition and also have contacted with their families.

Q: It is reported that China has sent a fishery law-enforcement ship to the Diaoyu Island waters. Please confirm. Is this relevant to the collision?

A: China has sent fishery law-enforcement ship to relevant waters to conduct fishery administration activities according to Chinese laws, with an aim to safeguard fishery production order as well as the safety of Chinese fishermen’s lives and property.

Q: Is the fishery law-enforcement ship sent because of the collision or after it?

A: I suggest you refer to competent authorities for details.

Q: How do you comment on the ROK warning that the DPRK's possession of nuclear weapons will produce nuclear domino effects across the globe? Second, how do you respond to the ROK’s imposing new sanctions on Iran?

A: I haven’t heard of what you mentioned. China’s position on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is consistent and clear.

On your second question, we oppose unilateral sanctions against Iran and hope relevant parties continue diplomatic efforts so as to find an effective solution of the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation.

Q: The Japanese Government said recently that China’s purchase of its government bonds had stimulated the appreciation of the yen and Japan would stay in contact with China over this. Please confirm.

A: We are not the competent authorities to take this question. However, I can tell you in principle that China operates its foreign exchange reserve according to the principle of security, liquidity and good value. Our investment is diversified and will be decided based on needs.

You can refer to relevant financial authorities for details.

If there are no more questions, thanks for your presence. See you!