Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
UN Security Council will hold a ministerial meeting on the situation in the Gulf region on October 20. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend. The meeting will be held video.
CCTV reporter: October 17 is International Day for Elimination of Poverty and China's seventh National Poverty Alleviation Day. The Chinese leaders made important instructions and instructions on this, and China also held a national poverty alleviation commendation conference and a report meeting on advanced deeds. What is the significance of China's poverty alleviation to the world? What has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs done in this regard?
Zhao Lijian: China's poverty alleviation has positive significance to the world, and there are two main points:
First, China has contributed to accelerating the world's poverty reduction process. Eliminating poverty is a common challenge facing mankind and the primary goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As the largest developing country, China has always placed poverty alleviation in a prominent position in governing the country. Over the past 40 years of reform and opening up, 750 million people in China have been lifted out of poverty, and their contribution to the world's poverty reduction has exceeded 70%. You may have seen higher numbers, such as 800 million people in China have escaped poverty according to World Bank statistics. This year is the year when China has completed its comprehensive building of a moderately prosperous society and the decisive year for the fight against poverty. China will achieve all rural poor people lifted out of poverty under the current standards this year, which will achieve the sustainable development goals related to poverty reduction by 10 years ahead of schedule and make historic contributions to the eradication of poverty and peaceful development around the world. China recently released the report "Eliminating Absolute Poverty - China's Practice", which will fully share poverty reduction experiences and practices in various fields with the international community.
Second, China has provided help to the world's poverty reduction cause. While promoting its own poverty reduction process, China has always provided assistance to the vast number of developing countries within its capacity. Let me give you a few examples. China has established the "China-United Nations Peace and Development Fund" and the "South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund" and has steadily promoted cooperation projects under the framework of the "East Asia Poverty Reduction Cooperation Initiative" and the "China-Africa Poverty Reduction and People-friendly Cooperation Plan". China has assisted in building 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa, benefiting more than 500,000 local people. China is also constantly deepening the docking of the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. According to the World Bank report, the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" is expected to help 7.6 million people get rid of extreme poverty and 32 million people get rid of moderate poverty. China is also constantly helping developing countries improve their capacity building through multilateral and bilateral channels and helping international cooperation in poverty reduction.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has never been absent from the road to poverty alleviation. Over the past 28 years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has insisted on targeted poverty alleviation in two national poverty-stricken counties in Yunnan Province. In May this year, these two counties have officially lifted their hats. We will continue to fulfill our assistance responsibilities and consolidate our poverty alleviation results, while continuing to share China's poverty alleviation and development experience with the world, promote international poverty reduction exchanges and cooperation, and make new contributions to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. AFP Reporter: Iran said yesterday that the conventional arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council on Iran has been lifted. Is China ready or willing to sell weapons to Iran?
Zhao Lijian: According to UN Security Council resolution 2231, the two restrictive measures imposed by the Security Council on Iran, the conventional arms embargo and travel ban, expired on October 18, marking the completion of the first phase of resolution 2231. This is an important moment in the implementation process of the comprehensive agreement on the Iran nuclear issue and resolution 2231, and reflects the common position of the international community to safeguard multilateralism and the authority of the Security Council, safeguard the existing achievements of the Iran nuclear issue and the effectiveness of the comprehensive agreement. China is willing to work with all parties to continue to maintain the smooth implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement and the subsequent smooth implementation of the Security Council resolution 2231, promote the political and diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue, and maintain the international nuclear non-proliferation system and the peace and stability of the Gulf region in the Middle East.
In resolution 2231, the Security Council made clear arrangements for lifting restrictive measures such as arms embargo on Iraq, and should be implemented accurately. China has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region, and actively promotes the political and diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. China will continue to handle military trade matters safely in accordance with its military export policies and its international obligations.
Yonhap News Agency reporter: According to reports, the Japanese government will formally decide on 27 whether to discharge treated Fukushima nuclear sewage into the sea. What is China’s comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: The Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan caused the leakage of radioactive materials, which has had a profound impact on the marine environment, food safety and human health. It is hoped that the Japanese government will uphold a highly responsible attitude towards its own citizens, neighboring countries and the international community, deeply evaluate the possible impact of the treatment plan for the tritium-containing wastewater in the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, actively and promptly disclose information in a strict, accurate, open and transparent manner, and make careful decisions based on full consultation with neighboring countries.
Phoenix TV reporter: The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would obtain necessary equipment from any source according to defense needs, while US Secretary of State Pompeo said that even if the United Nations prohibits the sale of weapons to Iran no longer takes effect, the United States will still impose sanctions on the sale of weapons to Iran. What is China’s comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: The US's actions are unreasonable. China has always opposed the US's unilateral sanctions. The US also accused China of exporting weapons to Iraq on a large scale. China's policies and practices in exporting military products reflect our highly responsible attitude. On the contrary, the United States sells arms everywhere, uses military trade to serve geopolitical interests, and even exposes its backbone to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. It also revokes the signing of the Arms Trade Treaty, and has no right to make any remarks to China.
In resolution 2231, the Security Council made clear arrangements for lifting restrictive measures such as arms embargo on Iraq, and should be implemented accurately. I have just introduced China's position.
Beijing Daily reporter: The United Nations Security Council’s Ministerial Meeting on the Gulf Situation was held by Russia. What are China’s expectations for this meeting?
Zhao Lijian: As the rotating president of the Security Council, Russia proposed to hold a ministerial meeting on the situation in the Gulf region in October, and China expressed its support for this. The Gulf region has always received high attention from the international community. We hope that the members of the Security Council and relevant regional countries will take this meeting as an opportunity to build consensus on alleviating regional tensions. China will actively participate in this meeting and promote the meeting to send a positive signal to promote harmonious coexistence between regional countries and maintain regional peace and stable development.
CCTV reporter: For some time, the United States has been promoting the "clean network" plan of in an attempt to suppress Chinese high-tech enterprises. At the same time, we note that the European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA) recently issued a message condemning any ban on Chinese 5G suppliers for geopolitical reasons, emphasizing that such decisions can only be justified on the basis of conclusive facts, and warns that excluding specific suppliers will have adverse consequences for consumers, businesses and the market. What is China’s comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: I like the fair voice issued by relevant European industry associations. This once again shows that the so-called "clean network" in the United States is a discriminatory, exclusive and politicized "dirty network" and is unpopular. Why is it called a "dirty network"?
First of all, this "dirty network" is a "eavesdropping network". The United States has been conducting online eavesdropping and surveillance for a long time, and recently launched the "Five Eyes Alliance" and related countries to publicly require companies to set up "backdoors" in encrypted applications. Huawei has made it clear on many occasions that it is willing to sign a "backdoor agreement" with all countries. The reason why the United States suppresses Huawei may be because it is worried that if other countries use Huawei, the United States will no longer be able to go through the "backdoor" and do eavesdropping.
Second, this "dirty network" is a "monopoly network". Historically, in order to safeguard its monopoly self-interest and technological hegemony, the US has used state machines to unreasonably suppress non-U.S. companies that have gained leading advantages in a certain field. This robber practice is not uncommon. In 1987, Japan's Toshiba and France's Alstom in 2014 were precedents. The so-called "clean network" is nothing more than a synonym for "digital bullying".
Third, this "dirty network" is also a "ideological network". The so-called "clean network" is false, and the promotion of the "Cold War" in science and technology and country-specific discrimination are true.In the era of globalization, using ideology to draw lines for technological development and deliberately crack down on specific countries and specific enterprises will not only violate the basic laws of scientific and technological development, but also make a prison for the land and harm others and oneself.
Many countries are not interested in the so-called "clean network" of the United States, and are even very disgusted. We believe that most countries will insist on independence and make independent judgments, say no to the US "dirty network" and provide enterprises in various countries with a fair, just, open and non-discriminatory 5G business environment.
Bloomberg reporter: The leader of the Canadian opposition party asked the Chinese ambassador to apologize for his statement on the safety of Canadian citizens in Hong Kong. What is your response to this?
Zhao Lijian: The Chinese Ambassador to Canada recently accepted an interview with the media. It was completely legitimate and beyond refute to clarify China's position on China-Canada relations and issues related to Hong Kong and Xinjiang! The website of the Chinese Embassy in Canada has published the full text of the interview transcript and video. Some Canadian media deliberately misinterpreted the remarks of China's ambassador to Canada. The Canadian leader not only did not verify it, but instead condoned and catered to domestic anti-China remarks and made groundless accusations against China. We are strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposed it, and have made solemn representations to the Canadian side.
Hong Kong and Xinjiang affairs are purely China's internal affairs and are not human rights issues at all. Hong Kong is a society ruled by law. All legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong residents are effectively protected in accordance with the law. China firmly opposes Canada's so-called "political asylum" to Hong Kong rioters. Canada should abandon ideological prejudice and stop using issues related to Hong Kong and Xinjiang to interfere in China's internal affairs.
Canadian side is very clear that arbitrary detention of Meng Wanzhou is the root cause of obstacles to China-Canada relations. Canada has not dared to face this issue yet. Instead, it ignores the basic facts of China's arrest and prosecution of Canadian citizens in accordance with the law, and attempts to gather allies to put pressure on China. This is just a turnaround and will never succeed!
We once again urge Canada to face up to the problem, listen to the voices of the knowledgeable people in the country demanding that Meng Wanzhou be released immediately, listen to the common desire of the business circles, localities and peoples of the two countries to return to the right track as soon as possible, and consider the future of China-Canada relations, and resolve the Meng Wanzhou incident as soon as possible as possible.
AFP reporter: Swedish "Environmental Girl" Greta Tombery tweeted over the weekend to support 12 Hong Kong "activists" arrested in mainland China. What is China’s response to this?
Zhao Lijian: China is a country ruled by law. Chinese judicial departments strictly handle cases in accordance with the law. No one has the right to interfere in this. Relevant personnel have been arrested in accordance with the law for suspected criminal crossing or organizing others to cross the border. The case is currently under investigation and the Chinese public security organs protect the legitimate rights and interests of criminal suspects in accordance with the law.
Reuters Reporter: According to the Wall Street Journal, the Chinese government has repeatedly "warned" the US government that it is against the US prosecuting Chinese scholars with military backgrounds. China may arrest U.S. citizens in China. Can you confirm it?
Zhao Lijian: I have noticed relevant reports. The US claims that the so-called arbitrary detention of foreign citizens in China is a complete reversal of the problem and inverting black and white.
For some time, the United States has arbitrarily monitored, nuised and intercepted, arrested Chinese students in the United States for strong ideological prejudice and Cold War mentality and the sinister purpose of curbing and suppressing China, and has arbitrary monitoring, nuisance and interrogated, arrested Chinese students from overseas students for no reason, and even made presumptions of guilt, and blatantly fabricated absurd charges such as "engaging in espionage activities". These malicious actions of the US side seriously damage the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the US and seriously interfere with and undermine normal cultural exchanges between China and the United States. What the US has done has evolved into naked political persecution, which not only violates morality, but also destroys its own image. This is the new " McCarthyism "! The infamous "McCarthyism" in history is reviving and resurrecting the body. Against this background, it is obvious that the US side is guilty of making a fuss about making arbitrarily damaging the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the United States.
China is a country ruled by law and has always protected the safety and legitimate rights and interests of foreign citizens in China in accordance with the law. We encourage and support normal exchanges and cooperation between China and foreign countries.As long as Chinese laws and regulations are complied with, no foreign citizen in China needs to have any unnecessary safety concerns. In fact, we have also been working hard to provide all possible conveniences for foreign citizens in China, so that they can live and work in China with peace of mind. The US should stop the wrong practices of restricting and suppressing normal personnel exchanges between the two countries.
AFP reporter: According to reports, two Chinese diplomats in Fiji went to a reception held by Taiwan's relevant agencies in Fiji, and a Chinese diplomat had a physical conflict with a Taiwanese official. Taiwan said a Taiwanese official was beaten. Can you tell me what happened at that time?
Zhao Lijian: First of all, Taiwan has no so-called "diplomats" in Fiji. The Fijian government has long adhered to the correct position of the one-China principle and ordered Taiwan's business institutions in Fiji not to use Taiwan in 2019 and to falsely claim that they should not engage in "one China, one Taiwan" or "two Chinas" on Fijian territory. China appreciates this.
The relevant reports you mentioned are completely inconsistent with the facts. Taiwan is calling for robbers. Taiwan agencies openly hung fake flags at the so-called event site, and the cakes were also marked with fake flag patterns. The Chinese Embassy in Fiji has issued a statement. China also asked Fiji to conduct a thorough investigation into this. Filipino said that it attaches importance to China's concerns, will abide by the one-China principle, and properly handle this matter.
I want to emphasize that there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an integral part of China. The one-China principle is a recognized norm for international relations and a general consensus among the international community. Any attempt to use the Taiwan issue to provoke China's relations with the Pacific island countries will not succeed.
I also want to quote the statement of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji to introduce the relevant situation. The truth is that Taipei's business office in Fiji openly held the so-called "Double Tenth National Day" event in public on October 8. The above behavior not only seriously violates the one-China principle, but also violates the relevant regulations of the Fijian government on the activities of Taiwan institutions. Taiwan's move aims to create "two Chinas" or "one China and one Taiwan" internationally. That night, Taiwanese agency staff initiated verbal provocations and physical conflicts against Chinese Embassy staff who were performing official duties normally in the same hotel public area, causing a Chinese diplomat to be physically injured and damaged. The Chinese Embassy in Fiji has expressed serious concerns to the Fiji side regarding the above incident, demanding that the Fiji side conduct a thorough investigation and hold Taiwan personnel accountable in accordance with the law. We believe that the Filipino can handle this matter fairly and properly.
Shenzhen Satellite TV reporter: It is reported that on 17, New Zealand held a general election. Preliminary vote counting results show that the New Zealand Labor Party led by Prime Minister Ardern won more than half of the seats in Parliament. The New Zealand Labor Party has been qualified for a separate cabinet. What is China’s comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: We have noticed that New Zealand has successfully held the general election a few days ago and congratulate us on this.
China and Singapore are important partners of each other. Maintaining healthy and stable development of China-Singapore relations is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and the people of both countries. China looks forward to working together with the new New Zealand government, upholding the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, enhancing mutual trust, deepening cooperation, and promoting the continuous development of the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership.
The Paper reporter: We noticed that this morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released two documents, "The List of Facts of the United States to Damage the Environment" and "The Report on Global Environmental Governance of the United States to Damage the Global Environmental Governance". Can you further introduce the relevant situation?
Zhao Lijian: It is impolite to come but not go. Some American politicians and officials spared no effort to smear China, and recently they have been deliberately slandering and slandering China in the environmental field. The US itself not only reversals in domestic environmental protection policies, but also seriously damages the fairness, efficiency and effectiveness of global environmental governance. The US's poor record in the environmental field is spreading in many fields such as climate change, biodiversity, endangered wild species, solid waste, chemicals, forests, water pollution, etc. Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published two documents, "The List of Facts of the United States to Damage the Environment" and "The Report on the Global Environmental Governance of the United States to Damage the Global Environmental Governance", aiming to use facts to restore the United States' bad deeds in the environmental field and expose the trick of some Americans to "kill and catch thieves". Facts are better than words, and justice is in the hearts of the people.
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