Sustained, sound and steady development of China-Japan relations is in the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.
Following Japan's general election on Sunday, the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its partner Komeito fell short of the majority threshold, bringing political uncertainty to an economy that is already facing an array of challenges.
The LDP and Komeito got a total of 215 of the 465 seats in the powerful chamber of parliament, below the 233 seats needed for the majority. The LDP alone won 191 seats, much less than the 247 seats it held prior to the election.
In contrast, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party significantly increased its representation, rising from 98 seats before the election to 148 seats.
The result is largely in line with media forecasts as public outrage over the LDP's funding scandal persisted. The last time when the coalition lost a majority was in 2009.
Speaking at a regular press conference of the Foreign Ministry, Lin said that China has no comment on Japan's election result which is an internal affair, while reiterating that China hopes to work with Japan in building constructive and stable bilateral relations.
"We have noticed relevant election result. This is Japan's internal affairs, and China has no comment on it. Sustained, sound and steady development of China-Japan relations is in the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries. We hope that Japan can work with China to abide by the principles and common understandings established in the four political documents between the two sides, comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and be committed to building constructive and stable China-Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era," he said.
Sustained, sound, steady development of China-Japan relations in fundamental interests of both sides: spokesman
Sustained, sound, steady development of China-Japan relations in fundamental interests of both sides: spokesman
China attaches great importance to global governance on biosafety and biosecurity, Foreign Ministry spokesman Li Jian said on Monday while briefing reporters on the outcomes of the Regional Workshop on Implementing the Biological Weapons Convention and Promoting Biosafety and Biosecurity in Southeast Asia.
Jointly held by China and ASEAN's rotating chair Laos, the workshop took place from Wednesday to Friday in the metropolis of Shenzhou in south China.
Speaking at a regular press conference in Beijing, Lin said, "This is the first workshop jointly held by China and ASEAN countries on implementing the Biological Weapons Convention and promoting biosafety and biosecurity."
He noted the workshop delivered positive outcomes, and China and Laos jointly issued the Co-chairs Summary, which includes consensus in four aspects:
First, advance the modernization of biosafety and biosecurity governance and related capacity, by way of promoting exchanges and mutual learning.
Second, build political consensus for a collective effort in countering biosafety and biosecurity risks, so as to benefit humanity through biotechnologies.
Third, improve global biosafety and biosecurity governance, reaffirm the commitment to the Biological Weapons Convention and support relevant international and regional organizations in providing more public goods.
Fourth, explore follow-up actions, and strengthen regional cooperation and coordination in the field of biosafety and biosecurity through various ways, including holding workshop as such on a regular term.
He said that China attaches great importance to global governance on biosafety and biosecurity.
"We have included capacity building in biosafety and biosecurity governance in the Global Security Initiative Concept Paper, listing it as a priority in international cooperation. Closer exchanges and cooperation between China and Southeast Asian countries on biosafety and biosecurity will provide new impetus for the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute to global governance on biosafety and biosecurity," said Lin.
China attaches great importance to global governance on biosafety, biosecurity: spokesman
