CCTV: State Councilor and International Minister Wang Yi has efficiently accomplished his visits to 5 African nations. How does China consider the outcomes? What’s the importance of the journey on the longer term improvement of China-Africa relations?
Zhao Lijian: From January 4 to 9, State Councilor and International Minister Wang Yi visited Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Botswana, Tanzania and Seychelles in continuation of Chinese language international ministers’ 31-year custom of selecting Africa for his or her first abroad go to yearly. In the course of the visits, he held conferences and talks with international ministers and leaders of the 5 nations, delivering a collection of sensible outcomes and receiving heat welcome from the African aspect. This journey demonstrates the good significance China attaches to Africa, the normal friendship between China and Africa, China’s agency assist for Africa’s improvement and revitalization, and China’s unwavering solidarity with growing nations. It has achieved the aim of deepening friendship, enhancing mutual belief, selling cooperation and constructing consensus.
China and Africa will deepen solidarity in combating COVID-19. China will actively implement the outcomes of the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity in opposition to COVID-19, proceed to offer African nations with much-needed anti-epidemic provides, ship medical specialists, set up a cooperation mechanism for Chinese language hospitals to pair up with these in Africa, speed up the constructing of the Africa CDC headquarters, honor the pledge to show COVID-19 vaccines a worldwide public good, and work along with different G20 members on debt service suspension for Africa. The African aspect spoke extremely of China’s success in first bringing the epidemic underneath management, applauded the outcomes within the joint China-Africa battle in opposition to COVID-19, and expressed confidence within the closing victory.
China and Africa will strengthen BRI cooperation. The DRC and Botswana signed MOUs on BRI cooperation with China through the visits. We’ll try to rise above the fallout of COVID-19 and exterior disruptions, work along with Africa to concentrate on infrastructure constructing, assist the event of the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA), enhance format of funding in manufacturing capability and improve cooperation in scientific innovation to assist Africa understand connectivity, industrialization and leapfrog improvement and foster a China-Africa market.
China and Africa will work collectively for one more profitable FOCAC summit. The African aspect spoke extremely of progress in implementing outcomes reached on the Beijing Summit in 2018 and supplied suggestions for forum-building and the following summit. We’ll proceed to bolster this golden model, be part of fingers in constructing a wholesome, linked, digital, inexperienced and safe Africa who can also be a powerful producer and enjoys a bumper harvest, and work to improve China-Africa cooperation.
China and Africa will strengthen coordination on worldwide and regional affairs. It’s the worldwide group’s shared accountability to assist Africa’s improvement. The African continent ought to grow to be a stage for worldwide cooperation, not an enviornment for main energy rivalry. Towards the background of main adjustments and a worldwide pandemic unseen in a century and within the face of the counter currents of unilateralism, protectionism and energy politics, China and Africa will stand firmly with one another, collectively safeguard nationwide sovereignty and dignity, defend reputable rights to improvement, advocate actual multilateralism and oppose exterior interference.
Wanting forward, China and Africa will work collectively to strengthen strategic coordination, deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation in all fields, improve people-to-people and cultural trade, step up coordination in multilateral affairs, and construct a more in-depth China-Africa group with a shared future.
Global Instances: On January 8, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote a number of twitters to lash on on the CPC’s coverage and place on non secular, human rights, Tibet and Xinjiang-related points, calling what the U.S. aspect did in opposition to China is the legacy of his tenure of workplace. Do you’ve any remark?
Zhao Lijian: Legacy? If we have now to name it a legacy, it’s a toxic one. Maybe the best one is “mendacity diplomacy”, which he has masterminded and practiced. Pompeo additionally creates and unfolds political virus and levels a come-back of McCarthyism. Throughout his tenure of workplace, Pompeo has dented U.S. picture and status in addition to its relations with different nations greater than ever. He will likely be convicted by historical past.
China has come this far as a result of the Chinese language folks have, underneath the management of the Communist Get together of China, blazed a improvement path that fits China’s precise circumstances. It is a path based mostly on China’s realities, a path that places folks’s pursuits first, a path of pursuing reform and innovation, a path of attaining widespread improvement by way of opening-up. In keeping with surveys carried out by worldwide authoritative establishments, the Chinese language folks’s satisfaction towards the CPC-led Chinese language authorities’s exceeds 90 % for years in a row. Pompeo’s malicious politically-charged assaults in opposition to the CPC are assaults on the 1.4 billion Chinese language folks. Neither his ordinary mendacity nor closing insanity will drive a wedge between the CPC and the Chinese language folks, nonetheless much less cease the Chinese language folks of their pursuit of a greater life and nationwide progress. Any try and pivot China-policy on remoulding or subverting China is a mission inconceivable and doomed to fail.
Phoenix TV: U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo introduced the lifting of “self-imposed restrictions on the U.S.-Taiwan relationship”. An official with Biden’s transition crew additionally mentioned that after inaugurated, Biden will proceed to assist a peaceable decision of the Taiwan query in line with the desires and finest pursuits of the Taiwanese folks. What’s China’s response?
Zhao Lijian: China rejects and condemns the U.S. transfer.
There’s however one China on this planet. The Individuals’s Republic of China is the only authorized authorities representing the entire of China. Taiwan is an inalienable a part of the Chinese language territory. It is a reality acknowledged by the worldwide group and a primary norm of worldwide relations.
The U.S. authorities made a solemn dedication to the Chinese language aspect on the query of Taiwan. The China-US Joint Communiqué on the Institution of Diplomatic Relations, launched on December 16, 1978, clearly stipulates that “The US of America acknowledges the Authorities of the Individuals’s Republic of China as the only authorized Authorities of China. Inside this context, the folks of america will keep cultural, business, and different unofficial relations with the folks of Taiwan.” The US ought to honor its dedication and never misread or deviate from it underneath any pretext.
The so-called “Taiwan Relations Act” severely violates the one-China precept, the three China-US joint communiqués and primary norms of worldwide relations. The Chinese language authorities is firmly against it proper from the beginning. It’s the one-China precept and the three China-US joint communiqués that america ought to abide by in relation to points referring to Taiwan, not the unilaterally-concocted “Taiwan Relations Act”.
The Chinese language folks is firmly decided to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity. We’ll by no means enable anybody or any power to face in the way in which of nationwide reunification or to meddle in China’s home affairs with Taiwan as a pretext. Actions that hurt China’s core pursuits are futile and will likely be met with resolute responses.
The Taiwan query stays a very powerful and delicate concern on the core of China-U.S. relations. The one-China precept is the political basis of bilateral relations and the precondition for establishing and growing diplomatic relations. We urge the U.S. aspect to abide by the one-China precept and the three China-US joint communiqués and cease elevating relations and navy ties with Taiwan. We advise Mr. Pompeo and his likes to acknowledge the historic pattern, cease manipulating Taiwan-related points, cease retrogressive acts and cease going additional down the incorrect and harmful path, in any other case they are going to be harshly punished by historical past.
As to the remarks you talked about by an official with Mr. Biden’s transition crew, we urge the U.S. aspect to abide by the one-China precept and the three China-US joint communiqués, cease official exchanges and navy ties with Taiwan, and correctly deal with Taiwan-related points.
The Paper: On January 8, U.S. Ambassador-at-Giant Sam Brownback wrote on Twitter that “Appalled and disgusted at lies of the @ChineseEmbinUS. Mass detention isn’t emancipation. Coercive inhabitants management isn’t reproductive well being care. Uyghur ladies need to get pleasure from their non secular freedom and unalienable rights with dignity to make their very own decisions.” Do you’ve any touch upon his tweet?
Zhao Lijian: I learn this impolite tweet from Mr. Brownback, so-called “U.S. Ambassador-at-Giant for Worldwide Spiritual Freedom”. I additionally seen that is his touch upon the retweet by the Chinese language embassy within the United States on the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Area’s press convention. I don’t know if he has learn from starting to finish the transcript of that press convention, however I do know he made many slanders in opposition to China out of bias on non secular points and fabricated lies resembling “mass detention”, “compelled labor” and “compelled sterilization” in Xinjiang.
Concerning Xinjiang’s financial and social improvement, China printed eight white papers, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Area held 22 press briefings and invited 1000-plus diplomats, journalists and non secular representatives from over 100 nations to go to Xinjiang. The lies and disinformation made by international anti-China forces are so simply uncovered when details and the reality are offered.
We urge Brownback and his wish to spend extra vitality on managing issues at house as a substitute of smearing China and meddling in China’s inner affairs underneath the pretext of human rights and faith. In any other case, they are going to solely grow to be a laughing inventory of the world.
AFP：In keeping with Indian media, the Chinese language soldier held in India has simply been launched and handed again to China. Are you able to verify it?
Zhao Lijian: I’m not conscious of the scenario. You might seek advice from the Ministry of Nationwide Protection.
CNR: We see that State Councilor and International Minister Wang Yi has had offline diplomatic occasions with international ministers of eight Southeast Asian nations since August 2020. Now he’s once more visiting 4 Southeast Asian nations. Are you able to inform us extra about his go to and China’s expectations?
Zhao Lijian: We introduced yesterday that State Councilor and International Minister Wang Yi will go to Myanmar, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines from January 11 to 16.
Southeast Asian nations are China’s pleasant neighbors and vital companions for BRI cooperation linked by land and sea. China attaches excessive significance to relations with Southeast Asian nations and makes ASEAN a precedence in neighborhood diplomacy. Since final 12 months, President Xi Jinping has had exchanges with all Southeast Asian state leaders through numerous means together with cellphone calls, trade of letters and messages. Premier Li Keqiang and ASEAN leaders attended the East Asia Summit and held the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders’ Assembly with leaders of Mekong River nations. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, China has additionally been working with ASEAN nations to battle the virus. Commerce and funding between China and ASEAN has elevated regardless of the pandemic, and ASEAN has grow to be China’s greatest buying and selling associate. Simply as you mentioned, State Councilor and International Minister Wang Yi selected Southeast Asian neighbors as a part of the locations of his first abroad journey in 2021. By then China can have offline bilateral exchanges with all ASEAN nations after the pandemic broke out.
This 12 months marks the thirtieth anniversary of the dialogue relations between China and ASEAN, and our pleasant exchanges will transfer towards larger maturity. By this go to, China seems ahead to implementation of the vital consensus reached by President Xi and leaders of the 4 nations, deepening of BRI cooperation and the constructing of a group with a shared future for mankind with the concentrate on improvement and the battle in opposition to the virus, steady momentum of regional cooperation and improvement, and efforts to reinforce China-ASEAN relations and the relationships between China and the 4 nations on the main historic juncture. China will work with ASEAN nations and make larger contributions to upholding multilateralism, advancing free commerce and safeguarding regional stability.
Reuters: The Nationwide Well being Fee of China introduced {that a} WHO crew of specialists on COVID-19 origin-tracing will come to China on January 14. Does the international ministry have their detailed itinerary?
Zhao Lijian: China helps scientists from numerous nations in conducting international scientific analysis on the origins and transmission routes of the novel coronavirus. We co-sponsored the WHA decision on COVID-19 and helps cooperation on figuring out zoonotic sources by member states led by WHO. The NHC has launched info on the go to by the WHO mission to China. Upon session between the 2 sides, the Chinese language authorities has agreed to the go to by WHO specialists on January 14. In the course of the go to, the worldwide specialists will maintain exchanges with Chinese language scientists and medical specialists over scientific cooperation in origin-tracing.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese language aspect has maintained shut communication and cooperation with WHO on international origin-tracing in an open, clear and accountable method. In February and July final 12 months, regardless of the arduous job of prevention and management, China invited WHO specialists in twice. Chinese language specialists and WHO and worldwide specialists additionally held frequent interactions by way of video-conference and seminars, sharing the outcomes China has achieved and the worldwide progress in origin-tracing in a candid and science-based method. The 2 sides additionally collectively formulated the China a part of a worldwide plan for scientific cooperation on origin-tracing.
The WHO and worldwide specialists totally acknowledged China’s epidemic response and origin-tracing work. The 2 sides have reached a primary consensus on origin-tracing, which is a scientific concern that ought to be collectively studied by scientists everywhere in the world. As new developments emerge, our data of the virus deepens and extra early instances are discovered, it’s extremely doubtless that origin-tracing will contain many nations and localities, and WHO might want to pay comparable visits to different nations and areas as the necessity arises. China will proceed shut cooperation with WHO and worldwide specialists and contribute our share to the worldwide origin-tracing work.
As to the schedule and particular association, I’ll refer you to the competent authorities.
China Each day: State Councilor and International Minister Wang Yi simply wrapped up his go to to Seychelles. In the course of the go to, which officers did he meet with and what outcomes did it obtain?
Zhao Lijian: Seychelles is the final leg of State Councilor and International Minister Wang Yi’s go to to Africa, which brings the go to to a profitable conclusion. In the course of the go to, State Councilor Wang met with President Wavel Ramkalawan and held talks with International Minister Sylvestre Radegonde. The 2 sides reached vital consensus on deepening bilateral relations and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
China-Seychelles relations are an excellent instance of China’s observance of the precept of equality amongst all nations, huge or small in its diplomacy. China helps the brand new Seychellois authorities’s efforts on governance and appreciates Seychelles’ adherence to the one-China precept and its understanding and assist on points regarding China’s core pursuits. The 2 sides will proceed to advertise the event of the Belt and Street Initiative, implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and strengthen mutually helpful cooperation in inexperienced improvement, blue economic system and tourism. China and Seychelles additionally signed a memorandum of understanding on the development and implementation of a low-carbon demonstration zone for South-South cooperation to take care of local weather change, which is a vital consequence of bilateral cooperation on local weather change and one other manifestation of China’s worldwide accountability to handle local weather change. All in all, this go to has given a powerful increase to China-Seychelles relations and sensible cooperation and injected robust impetus into the joint constructing of a China-Seychelles and China-Africa group with a shared future.
Xinhua Information Company: Tanzania can also be an vital cease of State Councilor Wang Yi’s journey to Africa. What vital consensus has been reached between the 2 sides throughout this go to and what impression will it have on China-Tanzania relations?
Zhao Lijian: From January 7 to eight, State Councilor and International Minister Wang Yi paid an official go to to Tanzania, the place he met with President John Magufuli and International Minister Palamagamba Kabudi. Either side reached a four-point consensus. First, the normal friendship between China and Tanzania have to be all of the extra cherished and promoted. Second, either side can have nearer exchanges at numerous ranges and deepen expertise sharing on state governance. Third, the 2 nations will improve sensible cooperation and BRI cooperation, assist extra Chinese language corporations in making investments in Tanzania, and broaden the import of Tanzanian items. Fourth, the 2 sides will strengthen coordination on worldwide affairs, collectively endorse multilateralism, oppose international interference, uphold worldwide equity and justice, and safeguard the core pursuits of each nations and the widespread pursuits of all growing nations.
Tanzania, as a rustic sharing long-standing friendship with China, is vital in China’s diplomacy with Africa. State Councilor and International Minister Wang Yi’s go to to Tanzania this time will elevate bilateral belief to a brand new peak.
CRI: In keeping with reviews, election was held within the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s decrease home of parliament on January 10, with 5 events working, together with the Nur Otan get together. Do you’ve any remark?
Zhao Lijian: China extends congratulations on the sleek election within the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s decrease home of parliament held on January 10.
China and Kazakhstan are pleasant neighbors and everlasting complete strategic companions. China all the time respects the selection of the Kazakh folks and helps the nation in pursuing a improvement path in line with its nationwide realities. We imagine Kazakhstan will keep political stability and obtain larger progress in nationwide improvement. China stands able to work along with Kazakhstan to carry bilateral relations ahead and ship extra advantages to each nations and peoples.
Bloomberg: Over the weekend, the Ministry of Commerce issued guidelines on counteracting unjustified extraterritorial software of international laws. I ponder if the International Ministry has any info on the background for these new guidelines?
Zhao Lijian: We famous that related official of the Ministry of Commerce already gave detailed response to questions from the press on the Guidelines on Counteracting Unjustified Further-territorial Software of International Laws and Different Measures. I want to refer you to the competent authority for extra specifics.
China Information Service: I ponder in case you have any touch upon the presidential election and referendum held in Kyrgyzstan on January 10? How will this have an effect on China-Kyrgyzstan relations?
Zhao Lijian: China has taken word of the presidential election and referendum in Kyrgyzstan. As a pleasant neighbor and complete strategic associate, China all the time respects Kyrgyzstan’s selection of improvement path that fits its nationwide circumstances. We sincerely hope that Kyrgyzstan will easily full numerous vital objects on its political agenda underneath the authorized framework and understand stability and improvement. China will stay dedicated to pleasant insurance policies in direction of Kyrgyzstan and proceed to deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation to advertise the regular improvement of our complete strategic partnership.
Bloomberg: Over the weekend, a joint assertion from the governments of Australia, Canada, the UK and the US underscored their critical concern over the arrest of over 50 folks in Hong Kong for subversion underneath the nationwide safety regulation. Does the International Ministry have any touch upon this assertion?
Zhao Lijian: Relevant nations are complicated proper and incorrect, deceptive the general public and blatantly intervening in China’s Hong Kong affairs. We strongly condemn and firmly reject that.
The Chinese language authorities governs Hong Kong in accordance with the Structure and the Primary Regulation, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. No nation has the fitting to meddle in Hong Kong affairs underneath the pretext of the Joint Declaration. The Regulation on Safeguarding Nationwide Safety within the Hong Kong SAR solely targets felony actions that critically undermine nationwide safety, which fills in a nationwide safety legislative hole within the HKSAR. With the nationwide safety regulation in place, peace and tranquility has been restored and justice upheld within the Hong Kong society, and the authorized rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents have been higher protected in a safer setting. That is an indisputable fact.
I need to reiterate that China is a rustic underneath the rule of regulation and, and Hong Kong is a law-based society the place all is equal earlier than the regulation. Legal guidelines have to be complied with and offences have to be prosecuted. That is the fundamental connotation of rule of regulation. The related departments of the HKSAR crack down on felony actions in accordance with the regulation, uphold the rule of regulation, equity and justice, and safeguard China’s sovereignty and safety. That is past reproach and can’t be slandered. Hong Kong affairs, together with particular person instances and elections within the HKSAR, are China’s inner affairs. No international authorities, group or particular person has the fitting to intervene. Related nations ought to face squarely the fact that Hong Kong has returned to China, abide by worldwide regulation and primary norms governing worldwide relations, discard double requirements, earnestly respect China’s sovereignty, respect the rule of regulation in Hong Kong, and instantly cease interfering in China’s Hong Kong affairs in any type.
AFP: The Chinese language Embassy within the US has posted a tweet a couple of days in the past about Uyghur ladies. This tweet mentioned that the anti-extremism insurance policies in Xinjiang have given ladies extra autonomy relating to household planning and whether or not they wish to have kids or not. However this tweet has been eliminated by Twitter as a result of it mentioned this tweet violated its insurance policies. I ponder if you have something to say about that?
Zhao Lijian: China’s place and coverage on Xinjiang has been constant and clear. Individuals with a way of justice can simply inform proper from incorrect. It’s an indisputable fact that Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Area now enjoys social stability, financial progress, higher livelihoods, solidarity amongst ethnic teams, and concord amongst religions. We hope the related get together can uphold an goal and unbiased view when dealing with pertinent points.
Kyodo Information: One other query on the WHO skilled panel’s go to to China. China put the pandemic underneath management way back however till now refused to obtain the international specialists for origin-tracing. Why did it take China so lengthy to agree on the international specialists’ go to?
Zhao Lijian: Earlier I talked about China’s stance in a really detailed method. Had been you listening? Please pay attention rigorously earlier than elevating such a query subsequent time.
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January 8 marks the third anniversary of the launch of the WeChat account of the Spokesperson’s Workplace of the Ministry of International Affairs. A collection of social media accounts of the Spokesperson’s Workplace are flourishing on numerous platforms. On Douyin we have now practically 14 million followers, and the not too long ago launched Kuaishou account has already been adopted by 3 million. The colourful progress of those accounts couldn’t have been potential with out the robust assist of our followers, particularly these which have been with us from the very starting. Right here I want to take this chance to thank all of you in your firm. I hope you’ll proceed to comply with the international ministry’s web site and social media accounts of the MFA Spokesperson’s Workplace.
