On May 3, 2012, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin held a press conference.

Q: Recently, Mali's coup military exchanged fire with the guards loyal to former President Toure, causing casualties from both sides. On May 1, the coup military made a statement via the Malian national TV station that the situation was under control and the counter coup staged by Toure's guards had been foiled. How does China comment on the current situation in Mali?

A: China follows closely the situation in Mali and is worried about the recent exchange of fire in the Malian capital. China hopes that all parties in Mali will exercise restraint, properly handle their disputes by peaceful means including dialogue and consultation, and jointly safeguard constitutional order, so as to ensure a smooth political transition.

Q: Arab League Secretary General El Araby will visit China soon. Please brief us on his schedule and meeting arrangement. Will the two sides discuss the Syrian issue?

A: At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Secretary-General Nabil El Araby of the League of Arab States will visit China from May 4 to 9.

During the visit, Vice President Xi Jinping will meet with Secretary-General El Araby, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will have talks with him. The two sides will discuss deepening China-Arab strategic cooperation and the preparation for the upcoming 5th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, and exchange in-depth views on international and regional issues of common interest, which will surely include the Syrian issue.

Q: The Hague Conference on Private International Law decided to set up its Asia-Pacific office in Hong Kong. How does China comment?

A: Recently, the Hague Conference on Private International Law decided to set up its Asia-Pacific office in Hong Kong in this year. China welcomes that decision, and will actively cooperate with and support the office's work, along with other Asia-Pacific member states of the Conference. We believe the establishment of the office will further enhance international private law cooperation in civil and commercial cases.

Q: Could you brief us on the visit of Deputy Secretary Bagheri of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council to China? Did the two sides exchange views on settling the Iranian nuclear issue?

A: On May 1, Deputy Secretary Bagheri of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council came to China for a working visit. Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu held talks with him, exchanging views on the Iranian nuclear issue as well as other international and regional issues of common interest.

China always holds that dialogue and negotiation is the right way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. At present, there is a positive momentum of the dialogue between P5+1 countries and Iran. We hope all parties, based on the consensus already achieved, make greater efforts to meet each other half way and carry out sincere cooperation in order to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue peacefully. China will continue its constructive role in that process.

Q: Indian Defense Minister Antony told the upper house of the Parliament that Chinese helicopters flew into Indian airspace twice in March. Please confirm. Has India notified China of relevant information?

A: I have read such reports and need to get more information. China's position on the China-India border issue remains unchanged. We hope the two sides will make joint efforts to resolve their border disputes through negotiations and consultations. Pending the resolution of the issue, we hope both sides will stay committed to safeguarding peace and tranquility along the border areas.

Q: The Security Council adopted a resolution demanding Sudan and South Sudan to stop all armed conflicts immediately and withdraw troops to their own territory unconditionally. The two Sudans must submit written commitments to the African Union and the Security Council within 48 hours and start peace talks within two weeks, otherwise the Security Council will take non-military sanction measures in light of relevant stipulations of the UN Charter. What's China's attitude?

A: China pays great attention to the situation in Sudan and South Sudan and is deeply worried about the ever-worsening relations between them. We hope the two countries will adhere to the path of peace, cease all hostilities and violence immediately, and fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other. Both sides should implement the agreements already signed in earnest, resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and negotiation, and restore peace and stability of the border area as soon as possible in a bid to build good-neighbourliness and friendship featuring equality, mutual trust and mutual benefit.

We applaud and support the unremitting efforts of the AU to promote the resolution of the issue, and welcome the roadmap put forward by the AU. We hope Sudan and South Sudan will actively cooperate with the mediation efforts of the AU and the international community, take positive steps, implement the AU roadmap concretely, so as to properly address relevant issues at an early date.

China took part in the Security Council consultations and voted for the resolution based on the above principles as well as consideration of the AU position and demands. China will continue to work with the international community to play a positive and constructive role in pushing for a proper resolution of the issue.

Q: The standoff between China and the Philippines in waters off the Huangyan Island has lasted for more than 20 days. Some Chinese media held a survey showing that nearly 80 percent of respondents believe that China should respond militarily to provocation in the South China Sea. How does China comment?

A: China has repeatedly made its position clear on the Huangyan Island situation which was caused by the Philippine side's infringement on China's sovereignty and harassment of Chinese fishermen and fishing boats. We hope the Philippines will work together with China and resort to diplomatic means to address the current situation rather than make continuous remarks or take petty actions to amplify, complicate or internationalize the situation. On the South China Sea issue, China is committed to resolving disputes with directly-involved countries through negotiations and friendly consultations.

Q: Please brief us on the latest developments of the clash between Chinese fishing boats and the ROK coast guards in the Yellow Sea.

A: China's consulate general in Gwangju has sent personnel to visit the fishermen in custody and stayed in close communication with the ROK side to jointly handle the case in a proper manner. China always demands its fishermen to carry out activities in relevant waters according to the China-ROK Fishery Agreement. Meanwhile, we hope the competent ROK authorities will carry out law enforcement in a civilized manner and promote the sound development of China-ROK fishery cooperation.