People's Daily:
It is reported that China and ASEAN countries are expected to conclude negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in the first half this year. Was any progress on the Code made during previous dialogues?
Liu Zhenmin:
Ever since China and ASEAN countries signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in 2002, all parties have been engaged in implementing it. In September 2013, the 6th Senior Officials Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea held in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, officially launched the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. In the past four years, the negotiations have made certain progress in the preliminary stage. Now, we have reached a critical point to conclude the negotiations on the Code following the Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Member States and China on the Full and Effective Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which was issued at the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in July, last year. This signals a resumption of dialogue and peaceful negotiations for solution of the South China Sea issue, and is significant in view of the historic cooperation between China and ASEAN. In the Foreign Ministers Meeting, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted four points expected to deepen cooperation between China and ASEAN countries on the South China Sea issue. To establish a draft framework of the Code within the first half this year on the condition of zero intervention was among the points raised. However, we assure you that we'll not wait until the last day (June 30) to issue a draft; instead, we'll accomplish it ASAP.
Lianhe Zaobao:
Minister Liu, I have noticed this is the first time for China to issue a White Paper about Asia-Pacific security issues, so I wonder why did you do so? I have found that all the policies in the White Paper are in line with China's constant and unswerving standpoint. My second question is to issue a White Paper like this, does it mean China is attempting to tap the vacuum of the Asia-Pacific Region aside from the clout wielded by the United States and develop foreign policies in response to its influence as one of the major countries in the world?
Liu Zhenmin:
After listening to your two questions, I advise you to read our White Paper carefully. The highlights of the White Paper are security cooperation, not security problems. Why should China issue its first White Paper on China's Policies on Asia-Pacific Security Cooperation? It is because all the policies elaborated in the White Paper represent the sum total of China's security cooperative policies issued since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Of course, the policies are a consensus, reflecting China's peaceful foreign policy and its continued determination to uphold a peaceful diplomatic stance. However, those initiatives and policies concerning the security cooperation of the Asia-Pacific Region, such as, the initiative of partnerships, the new Asia-Pacific safety concepts and regional security frameworks have been gradually accumulated during the past four years.
The proposals of China issued in the White Paper clearly focus on sustaining and protecting the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific Region. The White Paper also touches on the problem of an incomplete Asia-Pacific framework leading to the mistrust of the countries in the region. The White Paper is to further illustrate the experiences of China in the past few years and its future political advocacy, to neighboring countries, the Asia-Pacific countries and International community at large. We believe the Asia-Pacific Region can only maintain security by means of dialogue, no other options.
The security of the Asia-Pacific Region should be sustained by the concerted efforts of all the countries, especially cooperation among major countries. China does not intend to replace the United States with its own role in the Asia-Pacific Region. However, regional security cannot be maintained by a single major county, even if the United States is the world's superpower. The White Paper adopts a format to accentuate the importance of cooperation, no matter it is for China-U.S. or China-Russia relations.
We'll continue to support ASEAN countries. The security of Asia-Pacific Region should be promoted with concerted efforts and the cooperative endeavors of all the parties involved. Joint efforts are needed to establish an Asia-Pacific cooperative mechanism.