On the afternoon of March 17, 2011, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference.

Q: Does China agree that Japan's nuclear leakage has posed a grave challenge to the security of Asia-Pacific countries? What measures has China adopted to safeguard nuclear safety? What kind of lessons has China drawn from the nuclear leakage incident? Will China adjust its nuclear power development plan?

A: Some Governments and people are highly concerned about the nuclear leakage incident. We have noted that Japan is doing its utmost to meet the current situation. We hope that Japan will provide timely and accurate updates to the outside on the current situation, and its evaluation and forecast of the developments of the situation.

China's environmental protection departments are strengthening radiation surveillance by fully launching a nation-wide monitoring network and will release the monitoring results in a timely manner.

Premier Wen Jiabao presided over the executive meeting of the State Council yesterday, highlighting the significance and urgency of nuclear safety which is the top priority in developing nuclear power. The following important decisions were made during the meeting. First, to immediately launch a comprehensive security inspection of nuclear facilities in China. Second, to intensify security management of the operating nuclear facilities. Third, to carry out overall reviews of the nuclear power plants under construction. Fourth, to strictly examine and approve new nuclear power projects. Competent authorities in China will speed up the formulation of nuclear safety plan, adjust and improve medium and long-term nuclear power development plans. China hopes that the international community will enhance cooperation in nuclear safety.

Q: It is reported that over the years some Chinese enterprises have bought and leased a large amount of land in Tajikistan and other countries in Central Asia for agriculture production. How does China respond?

A: Relevant departments of China have clarified on many occasions that China has no plan to buy land overseas. The agricultural cooperation between China and other countries is based on equality, mutual benefit and voluntariness. As a friendly neighbor of Central Asian countries, China stands ready to conduct friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation across the board with relevant countries under the principle of mutual respect for win-win outcome.

Q: Japan's nuclear leakage triggers public concerns in its neighboring countries. Have China and Japan communicated with each other about the situation of leakage?

A: Both China and Japan are member states of the IAEA. In accordance with relevant international conventions, Japan has the obligation to inform the IAEA of relevant information promptly, and the latter shall pass the information on to other member states. The nuclear emergency contact of the IAEA in China is the China Atomic Energy Authority, which is the major channel for relevant information.

In terms of this incident, the Japanese Government has briefed China's competent authorities through the Chinese Embassy in Japan about the situation of Fukushima nuclear leakage and its countermeasures several times. China and Japan are staying in communication.

Chinahopes that Japan will provide timely and accurate updates to the outside on the current situation, and its evaluation and forecast of the developments of the situation.

Q: How many Chinese nationals are stranded in the quake-hit zone of Japan? How many people does China plan to evacuate?

A: On your first question, I have no specific statistics. Since the outbreak of the earthquake, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and China's diplomatic missions in Japan have gone all out to actively assist in the orderly evacuation of Chinese nationals in the seriously-affected areas under the principle of voluntariness. Relevant information including figures will be updated on the websites of China's diplomatic missions in Japan. According to the latest preliminary information, one Chinese national died in the earthquake.

Q: Could you update us on the situation of Chinese nationals in Japan? How many Chinese will be evacuated from Japan? Does China encourage such kind of evacuation? The Renault company of France has apologised to three of its executives who were accused of selling trade secrets to China. How does China respond?

A: Relevant statistics are changing. The Chinese Embassy in Japan will update information on its website in light of the situation. As for some Chinese nationals who want to stay in Japan, relevant departments in China are working actively to provide necessary assistance. Relevant airlines are making adjustments and increasing flights to meet the need.

I would also like to tell you that at the request of the Japanese Government, the Chinese Government will provide additional assistance of 10,000 tonnes of gasoline and 10,000 tonnes of diesel oil, which will arrive in Japan in a few days.

I have noted that the Renault company has made clarification. I hereby ask you to verify and report China-related news prudently and responsibly in the future.

Q: You said the Chinese Government had decided to provide 10,000 tons of gasoline and 10,000 tons of diesel oil to Japan. Is that on top of the previous offer of assistance? Supporters of no-fly zone in Libya will call for a vote at the Security Council on Thursday. Could you give us an update on China's position on the issue?

A: Your understanding is correct. The newly announced assistance is on top of the previous 30 million yuan worth of goods to Japan. Some local governments and civil groups have also expressed sympathy and offered assistance.

As close neighbors, China and Japan have both gone through major natural disasters in different time periods. The two Governments and peoples have shown sympathy and offered a helping hand to each other in the spirit of mutual assistance between two neighbors. We hope and believe the Japanese Government and people will definitely overcome difficulties and rebuild their homeland.

As for the Security Council discussion on the situation in Libya, China upholds that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya should be respected and that the current crisis should be resolved through dialogue and other peaceful means. Security Council actions should help stabilize the situation and terminate violence against civilians as soon as possible. Meanwhile, attention should also be paid to the appeal and concerns of Arab and African countries. The matter is still under Security Council discussion and no agreement has been reached yet.

Q: The British Government says that if the UN Security Council fails to impose a no-fly zone in Libya, it might seek other means to do so. What is China's position on this? Separately, there are media reports of some military personnel in Bahrain shooting protestors. Does China condemn such actions?

A: As the rotating President of the Security Council, China has been fulfilling its obligations in a just and responsible attitude. At the request of Arab countries in the Security Council, we convened an emergency meeting immediately and played a constructive role in the discussion. As I said just now, Security Council member states do not exactly see eye to eye on relevant issue.

About the situation in Libya, we feel saddened by the casualties caused by violence. We uphold that Security Council Resolution 1970 should be implemented earnestly and call on parties in Libya to cease fire immediately to avoid further civilian casualties and resolve the current crisis through dialogue and other peaceful means. We hope the international community will play a constructive role in easing the situation.

We are highly concerned about the developments of situation in the Gulf region and hope to see sustained stability there. It's learnt that the Gulf Cooperation Council joint forces have been stationed in Bahrain at the request of the Bahrain Government. We pay attention to the recent situation in Bahrain and call on parties there to start a national dialogue at an early date to properly settle disputes and restore social stability as soon as possible. We hope relevant measures by the Gulf Cooperation Council will be conducive to peace and stability in the Gulf region.

Q: As a Japanese journalist, I'd like to express thanks to China for its offer of relief assistance to my country. My question is about the Six-Party Talks. During Russian chief negotiator's recent visit to the DPRK, the latter said it would not oppose discussion on its uranium enrichment program in the Six-Party Talks. How do you comment?

A: The Chinese people have lately expressed great care and sympathy towards the Japanese people, particularly those in the quake-hit area, hoping they will overcome difficulties and rebuild their homeland.

On the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, early resumption of the Six-Party Talks and comprehensive implementation of the September 19 Joint Statement is in the common interest of all parties. China hopes to see all parties meet each other halfway to create conditions for an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks and seek settlement that accommodates concerns of all parties in the process.

As for the uranium enrichment issue, we hope parties will seek a proper settlement within the framework of the Six-Party Talks.

Q: The Chinese Government is coordinating commercial planes to take back Chinese citizens stranded in Japan. But some Chinese citizens find it difficult to book tickets. What measures will the Government take to address the problem?

A: I believe competent Chinese authorities will take this issue seriously and properly handle it. So far as I'm concerned, China and Japan have maintained normal two-way flights. There are nearly 600 flights by Chinese and foreign airlines between the two countries every week. The Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan will also provide active assistance with evacuation of Chinese citizens from the worst-affected areas. For those wishing to return to China, I believe our diplomatic missions in Japan will provide necessary assistance with flights and tickets.