On June 1, 2012, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin held a press conference.

Q: The DPRK adopted an amendment to its Constitution recently, proclaiming it as "a nuclear-armed state". How does China comment?

A: Realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and upholding peace and stability of the Peninsula serve the common interests and call for concerted efforts of all parties concerned.

Q: The Spokesperson of UN Secretary-General announced on May 31 that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had appointed Chinese Ambassador to Germany Wu Hongbo as Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. What is China's comment? Who will become the new Chinese Ambassador to Germany? When will the new Ambassador take office?

A: We welcome the UN Secretary-General's appointment and congratulate Ambassador Wu Hongbo, an outstanding senior diplomat who used to be Assistant Foreign Minister and Ambassador to Germany. With rich experience in multilateral and bilateral diplomacy and economic and social affairs, as well as superb leadership and coordination ability, Ambassador Wu has the all credentials for the position of UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. The Chinese Government has been supportive of the work of the UN and the Secretary-General. We believe that Ambassador Wu, like his predecessor Ambassador Sha Zukang, is competent for this post.

Q: Direct trading between RMB and Japanese yen is launched today. What is China's comment? What economic effect will it have?

A: Please refer to the information released by the People's Bank of China.

Q: It is reported that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on May 31 that Russia and China stood in the way of an international coalition against the Bashar regime. What is China's response?

A: China is not an obstacle but a positive force for the political resolution of the Syrian issue. It is precisely because of the active efforts of the international community including China that the Syrian issue has not reached the point of an all-out war and embraced an opportunity of political resolution.

On the Syrian issue, China does not seek its own interests and stays committed to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the basic norms governing international relations, peace and stability of the Middle East, and the fundamental interests of the Syrian people.

Q: Afghan President Karzai will visit China next week. Please brief us on President Karzai's attendance at the SCO Beijing Summit and his visit to China. Will the two sides discuss the situation in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of NATO troops?

A: At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, Afghan President Karzai will attend the SCO Summit in China as the host country's guest of honor. During the visit, Chinese leaders will hold bilateral meetings with President Karzai and have in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common interest. We believe the meeting between leaders of the two countries will inject new impetus to China-Afghanistan friendly cooperation.

On the issue of Afghanistan, China has been actively supporting Afghanistan in its peaceful reconstruction and security capacity building in order to achieve the objective of "Afghan leadership and ownership". China has also contributed in its own way to Afghanistan's efforts to strengthen its capacity building in order to help it achieve peace, stability and development at an early date. China will continue to work with the international community including Afghanistan to contribute to the strengthened sovereignty, autonomy and development of Afghanistan.