CCTV reporter: According to reports, on the 27th local time, an illegal immigrant death incident occurred in San Antonio, Texas, USA, killing at least 50 people.

On June 29, 2022, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian hosted a regular press conference

CCTV reporter: According to reports, on the 27th local time, an illegal immigrant death incident occurred in San Antonio, Texas, USA, killing at least 50 people. The Office of the United Nations Secretary-General issued a statement expressing sadness. What is China's comment?

Zhao Lijian: I have noticed relevant reports. This tragedy is heartbreaking. What is even more regrettable is that this tragic death of refugee immigrants is not accidental in the United States.

Data shows that in fiscal year 2021, U.S. law enforcement agencies arrested approximately 1.7 million illegal immigrants at the border between the United States and Mexico, setting a record high in 20 years, including 145,000 children. The United States holds immigrants in appalling conditions in immigration detention centers, where they often suffer abuse, violence, and inhumane treatment. In fiscal year 2021, the United States’ violent enforcement of immigration claimed 557 lives, more than double the previous fiscal year. Against the background of the epidemic, the United States, despite the opposition of the international community, accelerated the repatriation of tens of thousands of illegal immigrants infected with the new coronavirus, which directly caused the epidemic in many Latin American countries to intensify.

The United States should seriously examine and correct its poor record on the issue of refugees and immigrants, take practical measures to protect the human rights and basic rights of refugees and immigrants, and prevent similar tragedies from happening again and again.