On the afternoon of March 10, 2011, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference.

Jiang Yu started the press conference with an announcement:

As agreed upon consultation, the Fifth China-Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held in Kyoto, Japan from March 19 to 20. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will attend the meeting. The three sides will exchange views on the course for future cooperation, preparation for the Fourth China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting and major regional and international issues of common interest.

Q: What is China's expectation of the China-Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting?

A: The Foreign Ministers' Meeting will review the tripartite cooperation in the past and chart the course for future cooperation with a view to consolidating and developing tripartite relations, promoting regional cooperation within East Asia and making preparation for the Leaders' Meeting.

Q: It is reported that the Chunxiao oil and gas field has gone into operation and produced oil. Could you give us more details?

A: The Chunxiao oil and gas field is situated in undisputed waters under Chinese jurisdiction. China owns complete sovereign rights and jurisdiction over it. China's activities in Chunxiao are justified and lawful.

Follow up: Then is the above report true?

A: As far as I know, relevant report is inaccurate.

Q: The US has officially nominated Mr. Gary Locke as the new American Ambassador to China. What is China's comment?

A: We welcome the US nomination of Mr. Gary Locke as the new Ambassador. Given the immense importance of the China-US relationship, we hope the new Ambassador will play a positive role for further advancement of China-US relations.

Q: Could you brief us on Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun's current visit in Tunisia? Moreover, does he plan to make contact with the "Transitional National Council" in Libya or the Gaddafi Administration?

A: Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun is paying working visits to Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia from March 5 to 13. The Chinese side will exchange views with the above four countries on bilateral relations and the international and regional situation of common interest.

Vice Foreign Minister Zhai is now in Egypt. Egypt has recently formed a new government, which is a major step by the Egyptian side to restore social stability and maintain economic development. China hopes and believes it is conducive to stability and development in Egypt. China and Egypt are friends. We are ready to provide support within our capacity to help it tide over the current difficulties.

On the Libyan situation, we have stated our position on several occasions. The continued unrest in Libya is not in the common interests of the region and the international community. We hope the international community will make joint efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East and that the parties concerned in Libya resolve the crisis through dialogue and other peaceful means to avoid further casualties.

On your second question, there is no such plan as far as I know.

Q: As China has certain economic interests in the Middle East, which is in turmoil now, will China consider security risks while seeking economic and trade cooperation with that region?

A: Your question involves several Chinese departments. I believe Chinese companies will fully evaluate the local security situation in their external cooperation.

Relevant Security Council resolution stresses that the safety of foreign nationals and foreign interests in Libya shall be protected in a concrete manner.

Q: A US State Department official said yesterday that the US was concerned that the trade between China and Iran might involve some technologies that Iran could be using for its nuclear weapons program. Does China carefully monitor its exports to Iran to ensure that there are no technologies the Iranians could be using to advance its nuclear weapons program?

A: Like our cooperation with other countries, China's economic and trade cooperation with Iran is based on the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. China's cooperation with Iran does not contravene China's international obligations or harm other countries' cooperation with Iran. Nor does it affect China's position on the non-proliferation issue.

When it comes to military export, the Chinese Government adopts a prudent and responsible attitude and conducts strict administration over all military exports in accordance with China's international obligations and its domestic laws and regulations.

Q: How does China see a no-fly zone in Libya with or without a UN Security Council endorsement?

A: The Security Council has adopted Resolution 1970. At present, the international community should earnestly implement this Resolution. As for whether the Security Council should take further actions and what actions should be taken, it depends on the developments in Libya and consultations among Security Council member states. We uphold that the Security Council should be prudent in its actions and make sure its actions will be conducive to restoration of stability in Libya. We hope the international community will make constructive efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East.