Q: Japanese lawyers reportedly brought a mandatory prosecution on March 15 against the Chinese captain involved in the Diaoyu Island incident in 2010 based on the decision by a citizens' judicial panel in Naha, Japan for obstructing the performance of official duties. What is China's comment?

A: The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times. China has indisputable sovereignty over them. Japan has no right to perform any duty in the waters off the Diaoyu Islands. Any so-called legal procedure adopted by Japan towards Chinese citizens is illegal and invalid. Japan's behaviour following the collisions caused grievous damage to China-Japan relations. The Japanese side should do more to preserve the larger interests of bilateral relations rather than the opposite.

Q: A Pakistani official said yesterday that the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China canceled its plan of participating in the building of an Iran-Pakistan natural gas pipeline. Please confirm.

A: I am not aware of the situation that you mentioned. China supports financial institutions' participation in the economic development programs of Pakistan based on business principles.

Q: Please confirm the report that China starts to provide food assistance to the DPRK this month.

A: China has been providing assistance to the DPRK as its capacity allows. We welcome the agreement recently reached between the US and the DPRK on the US' provision of nutritional assistance to the DPRK. We hope that all parties concerned and the international community will continue to provide all forms of support and assistance to the DPRK for the latter's development as well as peace and stability on the Peninsula.

Q: According to Japanese media's reports, Vice Premier Wang Qishan will attend the fourth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue in Japan. What is China's comment?

A: Since China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue is an important mechanism for China and Japan to enhance business cooperation and communication on economic policies, both countries attach great importance to it. The date of the fourth Dialogue is still under discussion, and it is hard to decide. China and Japan have been in communication on that.

Q: The US, the EU and Japan have filed to the WTO a request for consultation on China's export control on rare earth and other resources, accusing China of violating international trade rules. What is China's response? How will you react in the WTO?

A: You may refer to the response made by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Q: Have Chinese leaders further exchanged views with Foreign leaders on the Syrian issue, especially on the Security Council's Syria-related draft resolution? It is reported that Iranian President Ahmadinejad will visit China soon. Please confirm.

A: China has been in communication with all relevant parties on the Syrian issue in various forms and on different occasions. China has sent special envoys and special representatives to the Middle East region for mediation to push for the political resolution of the Syrian crisis. China supports actively the UN-AL Joint Special Envoy Mr. Annan's good offices as well as UN Under-Secretary-General Amos' agreement with the Syrian side on humanitarian assistance. China's position and proposal has won more and more understanding and support.

On your second question, I have no information that President Ahmadinejad will soon visit China. If there is information, we will release it.