Q: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has wrapped up his visit to China. What consensus has been reached by the two sides? How does China comment on the outcomes of the visit?

A: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda rounded off his official visit to China. During his visit, President Hu Jintao, Chairman Wu Bangguo met with him respectively, and Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with him. The two sides had an extensive and in-depth exchange of views on China-Japan relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest, arriving at important consensus.

Chinese leaders stated that on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties, the two sides decided to deepen China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit and follow through on the path of peaceful co-existence, lasting friendship, win-win cooperation and common development in light of the principles enshrined in the four China-Japan political documents as well as a host of significant agreements reached between the two sides based on the spirit of taking history as the mirror and looking forward to the future. It serves not only the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples but also contributes to peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world at large.

Chinese leaders also said that the two sides should seize the opportunity and take concrete and effective measures to enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation across the board, especially in the fields of green economy, energy conservation and environmental protection, finance as well as high and new technology, take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary commemorating the normalization of diplomatic ties to make the Year of China-Japan National Exchange and Friendship a success and strengthen exchanges in culture, education, media and the youth. The two sides should also intensify cooperation in regional and international affairs, accelerate China-Japan-ROK cooperation and regional cooperation in East Asia so as to jointly tackle challenges in the world economy.

According to Prime Minister Noda, China's development presents opportunity to both Japan and the world. The past four decades since the normalization of diplomatic ties witness the development of Japan-China relations in leaps and bounds. Bilateral trade volume and personnel exchanges enjoy substantial increase. The two governments strive to push forward bilateral relations in the spirit of the four Japan-China political documents. The two sides reached important consensus on deepening bilateral strategic relationship of mutual benefit during President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan in 2008. Both sides should seize the opportunity of the 40th anniversary marking the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations next year to reinforce political mutual trust and high-level interactions, promote exchanges between the two peoples, upgrade bilateral mutually beneficial economic relations and step up cooperation in trade, environment, finance and tourism in a bid to boost peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and constantly deepen Japan-China strategic relationship of mutual benefit.

On the Korean Peninsula issue, the two sides share the view that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula serves the common interests of all parties concerned and meets the widespread aspiration of the international community. The two sides should work with all parties concerned to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and realize enduring peace and harmony of the Peninsula and Northeast Asia.

The two sides also signed cooperation documents on energy conservation and environmental protection as well as exchanges of the youth during this visit.

Q: Two recent blasts that hit Syria's capital reportedly caused heavy casualties. Meanwhile, the Arab League's mission made up of 50 observers has arrived in Syria. What is China's comment?

A: China opposes terrorism in all its manifestations. China condemns in strong terms the above bomb attacks and hopes that the investigation will reveal the truth as soon as possible. This incident shows once again the importance and urgency of resolving the Syrian crisis through peaceful dialogue. China hopes to see the Arab League and Syria enhancing coordination and achieving substantial progress in earnestly implementing the observer mission protocol and ceasing violence so as to create conditions for the resolution of the Syrian crisis within the framework of the Arab League.

Q: Can you brief us on the meetings between State Councillor Dai Bingguo and Pakistani Government and military leaders during his recent visit to Pakistan?

A: Representative of President Hu Jintao and State Councillor Dai Bingguo visited Pakistan from December 23 to 24. He attended and addressed the closing ceremony that marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan and the Year of China-Pakistan Friendship. State Councillor Dai met with President Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and Foreign Minister Hina respectively. The two sides reviewed the experience of the development of bilateral relations in the past six decades, discussed the future of bilateral ties and exchanged views on how to push forward practical cooperation across the board as well as other issues of common interest.

State Councillor Dai also met with Pakistani Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Wynne and Chief of Army Staff Kayani.

Dai said that China regards Pakistan as a sincere and reliable friend and strategic cooperative partner. China is committed to China-Pakistan strategic partnership of cooperation, and the determined policy will not change despite international vicissitudes. China firmly supports Pakistan upholding national sovereignty, security, independence and territorial integrity. We also support Pakistan's efforts to safeguard national stability, develop its economy and improve people's livelihood, maintain and create a sound external environment as well as its bigger role in regional affairs. We believe Pakistan has the wisdom and capacity to appropriately handle relations with relevant country in a bid to safeguard its interests.

Pakistani leaders stated that the friendship deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples has emerged even more solid despite the fluid domestic and international landscape in the past six decades. As Pakistan's all-weather friend, China has provided a large amount of assistance to Pakistan's national and economic development over the years, which the Pakistani Government and people hold dear. Friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign strategy. Pakistan is ready to continue to support China unswervingly on all issues concerning China's core interests and work with China to promote bilateral traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation of mutual benefit and enhance coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues with a view to elevating bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to a new high.