On June 29, 2012, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei held a press conference.

Hong Lei started the press conference with the following announcement.

According to the procedures of the follow-up mechanism of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the agreement between the Chinese and African sides, the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the FOCAC will be held in Beijing from July 19 to 20. The foreign ministers and ministers in charge of overseas economic cooperation of the member states, namely China and fifty African countries, will attend the conference. Chairman of the African Union and others will also be present.

The Conference will assess the implementation of the follow-up actions of the Forum's Fourth Ministerial Meeting in 2009 and review and adopt the Beijing Declaration of the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Beijing Action Plan of the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (2013-2015), mapping out China-Africa cooperation in the next three years. At present, the preparation of the Conference is well under way.

This Conference will be another important meeting of the Forum hosted by China since the 2006 Beijing Summit of the Forum, and also the first ministerial meeting in the second decade of the Forum since its inception.

Q: The US recently indicated that the provisions regarding sanctions over Iran in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012 did not apply to China. How does China comment?

A: China has been importing crude oil from Iran through normal channels based on its needs of economic development. Such import is reasonable, justified and legal. It does not violate relevant UN Security Council resolutions or undermine the interests of a third party or the international community. China always opposes one country's imposition of unilateral sanctions on another country on the grounds of its domestic laws, even less will it accept such sanctions to be imposed onto a third country.

Q: It is reported that the ROK government decided on June 29 to postpone the signing of the Japan-ROK General Security of Military Information Agreement due to domestic opposition. How does China comment?

A: We have noted relevant reports. China always holds that dialogue and consultation is the only effective way out for the Korean Peninsular issue. Confrontation and hostility cannot help resolve it. The current Korean Peninsular situation is still complex and sensitive. We hope relevant parties will act prudently and do more things that will contribute to regional peace and stability.

Q: It is reported that Shintaro Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo, when asked about the pregnancy of a Chinese panda in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo commented that if "if a cub is born, it should be named Sen Sen or Kaku Kaku. " How does China comment?

A: Pandas are ambassadors of friendship. Ishihara's attempt to sabotage China-Japan relations is a clumsy and despicable performance, which will only tarnish the image of Japan and Tokyo.

No matter what names Ishihara gives to the Chinese pandas, it can not change the fact that these pandas belong to China. Likewise, no matter what names Japan gives to China's Diaoyu Islands, it cannot change the fact that these islands belong to China.

Q: Portuguese Foreign Minister Portas will pay his first visit to China on June 30. How does China view the policies of the Portuguese government and the Eurozone to overcome the economic crisis?

A: We noticed that the Portuguese government has been pushing through a series of reform measures aimed at promoting fiscal balances and economic development since taking office, and relevant measures have yielded results. China supports the efforts of the Portuguese government and Eurozone in overcoming the economic crisis. We believe Portugal can stabilize its finances and realize economic growth with its own efforts as well as international support. We also believe the European side has the wisdom and capability to overcome the current difficulties and embrace new development.

Q: It is reported that Madame Guo Qinglan, wife of the deceased Indian Doctor Kotnis, an internationalist fighter, died of illness on June 28 in Dalian. How does China comment?

A: We lament the death of Madame Guo Qinglan and express our sincere condolences to her family and the relatives of Doctor Kotnis in India.

Indian Doctor Kotnis, an internationalist fighter, dedicated his precious youth and life to the Chinese nation's cause of saving the country. Madame Guo Qinglan carried on his work after his death and devoted her whole life to promoting the friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and India. We will always remember their important contribution.

Q: A member of the US Senate Committee on Armed Services said on June 28 that the oil and gas blocks in the South China Sea publicized for bidding by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) were Vietnamese territory and China had been pushing the South China Sea situation in the wrong direction. How does China comment?

A: China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters. It is a normal business activity for the Chinese enterprise to make public the oil and gas blocks for bidding. It is in line with relevant Chinese laws as well as the international practice. China and Vietnam have a lot of consensus on the proper settlement of their maritime disputes. We hope Vietnam will honor such consensus, do not take any actions that will complicate or amplify the dispute and immediately stop their oil and gas activities that infringe upon China's rights in relevant sea areas.