On the afternoon of March 15, 2011, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference.

Jiang Yu started the press conference with an announcement:

At the invitation of President Chinchilla of Costa Rica, Mr. Chen Changzhi, Special Envoy of President Hu Jintao and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, will visit Costa Rica from March 24 to 27 to attend the handover and inauguration ceremony of the China-aided Costa Rica National Stadium.

Q: What measures is the Chinese Government taking to protect Chinese nationals in Japan from the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear leakage?

A: After the massive earthquake hit Japan, the Chinese leaders were greatly concerned with the safety of the Chinese citizens in Japan, and made important working arrangements. The Foreign Ministry initiated the emergency response mechanism immediately and employed every available means to collect information about Chinese citizens in the quake-hit areas through the Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan, relevant departments and local governments. The Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan have sent several working groups to visit people in the affected areas and assist the Japanese side with evacuation from the worst-hit areas. The Chinese Embassy in Japan is updating the safety information of Chinese citizens on its website. Up to date, we have received no report of Chinese casualties. We will continue to follow the situation closely, collect information about Chinese nationals affected and spare no efforts in providing all-round assistance to the Chinese citizens in Japan.

The Chinese Government and people have expressed deep sympathy to the Japanese Government and people. We believe the Japanese people will definitely overcome the difficulties. China will continue to provide necessary assistance in light of the need of the Japanese side.

Q: With international focus on Japan's nuclear leakage incident, does China believe there should be global cooperation for nuclear safety? Moreover, what is your position on the recent statement by the Arab League that calls for a no-fly zone in Libya?

A: Nuclear safety is the primary guarantee for the sustainable development of nuclear energy and technologies. Against the background of increased application of nuclear technologies around the world, it is of utter importance to ensure nuclear safety. The Chinese Government attaches great importance to nuclear safety and upholds the "Safety First" principle in nuclear power construction and operation with a view to ensuring the safe, reliable and orderly development of nuclear power in China. The international community should strengthen cooperation in safeguarding nuclear safety.

After Japan's nuclear leakage, competent Chinese authorities have instructed environmental protection departments at all levels to strengthen monitoring and will continue to closely follow the developments to deal with the incident in a timely and effective way. According to our knowledge, there are no reports of irregularities in local radiation surveillance in China and all operating nuclear power reactors are in normal function. We hope the Japanese Government and people will work in unity to overcome the difficulties.

Chinapays great attention to the developments in the situation in Libya and believes that the pressing task now is to earnestly implement UN Security Council Resolution 1970 and urge relevant parties to peacefully resolve the dispute. As for what action the Security Council will take, it mainly depends on whether it is conducive to stabilizing the situation in Libya as soon as possible and stopping violence against civilians. The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General has traveled to Libya for mediation and the African Union will send a high-level panel as well. China holds that the international community should render more support to relevant parties' efforts for peace.

Q: It's reported that the Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan is organizing evacuation of the Chinese citizens in northeast Japan. How many Chinese citizens are there in the affected areas? How many vehicles have been sent for evacuation? Will the Fifth China-Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting be held as scheduled in Japan?

A: The Chinese nationals in Japan are in large number and widespread. The earthquake in Japan is a massive one that has caused huge destruction and complicated situation in the affected areas. Despite the difficulties, the Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan have sent several working groups to collect first-hand information and coordinate with Japan for evacuation. As for the number of people and vehicles involved, these figures are still in change. I suggest you keep an eye on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, where you shall find the latest information.

At present, the three sides are staying in communication on issues related to the China-Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Q:The Chinese side came into contact with the Libyan leader recently. What is China's comment on the current situation in Libya?

A: As the permanent member of the UN Security Council and its rotating President for this month, China has adopted an objective and just position and made its attitude on this issue clear on many occasions. We believe that the internal affairs of Libya should be decided independently by the Libyan people themselves. What is pressing now is to earnestly implement UNSC Resolution 1970 with a view to avoiding further casualties and restraining violence against civilians as soon as possible. We hope that the international community will push the relevant parties in Libya to settle the current crisis through dialogue and other peaceful means. The international community and all parties concerned should make more efforts for the realization of the above goals.

Q: It is reported by the Wall Street Journal that the RMB exchange rate issue is on the agenda of the seminar on the reform of the international monetary system to be held late this month in China. Could you confirm? What is China's comment?

A: The report is wrong. The seminar on the reform of the international monetary system to be held in Nanjing on March 31 is an unofficial and academic one. The French side will host the meeting, with logistics provided by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges. As far as I know, the seminar will mainly focus on the reform of the international monetary system. The RMB exchange rate issue is not on the agenda.