Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on March 4, 2020
First of all, let me inform you of a set of numbers: According to statistics released by the National Health and Health Commission of China this morning, from 04:00 to March 24th, there were 2652 new cases of cured and discharged patients in China. As of 24:00 on March 3, a total of 49,856 discharged patients were cured in China.
In the provinces outside Hubei, the number of newly confirmed cases per day has basically remained at about 10 in the past 6 days, and the number of newly added suspect cases per day has remained below 100 for 5 consecutive days. The cumulative number of cured and discharged patients in Wuhan has exceeded the currently confirmed cases.
Q: It is reported that on March 3, the International Atomic Energy Agency issued two reports on Iran ’s nuclear issue. One was a quarterly report on Iran ’s fulfillment of its obligations under the Iran Nuclear Comprehensive Agreement. Comprehensive agreement on restrictions in other key nuclear areas; another report on the agency's verification of the implementation of the comprehensive safeguards agreement and additional protocols by Iran's implementing agencies, which required Iraq to immediately provide verification access to 2 locations. Next week, the agency's March council will consider related issues. What is China's comment?
A: We have taken note of the latest report on the Iranian nuclear issue issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The report confirms that Iran has continued to accept agency supervision and verification on the implementation of the comprehensive agreement, has not implemented the fifth phase of compliance reduction measures, and has not transferred the announced nuclear materials to other purposes. China encourages Iran to continue its cooperation with institutions. At the same time, we hope that the organization will adhere to the principles of objectivity, impartiality and neutrality, carry out the supervision of safeguards against Iran in strict accordance with the authorization, and cooperate with Iran to resolve related issues.
I would like to reiterate that the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the comprehensive agreement and pressure on the Iranian limit is the root cause of the current Iranian nuclear crisis. The United States should abandon its wrongdoing and leave room for dialogue and negotiation. The parties to a comprehensive agreement should adhere to the principle of step-by-step reciprocity and seek a complete and effective implementation of the agreement within the framework of the Joint Commission. The IAEA Board of Governors should properly handle the Iranian nuclear issue and support diplomatic efforts to maintain a comprehensive agreement. China is willing to continue to work closely with relevant parties to firmly maintain a comprehensive agreement and promote a political and diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
Q: China has previously commented on media speculation that the new crown pneumonia virus was leaked from a Chinese laboratory. At present, there are still many opinions about the source of the virus and "Patient Zero". Some media have described the virus as "made in China" and there are "Chinese virus" and "Wuhan virus" on the Internet. However, there are also media reports that there have been patients with new coronary pneumonia in the United States seasonal flu. What's your comment on China?
A: Some media claim that New Crown virus is "Chinese virus" and we are extremely irresponsible. We firmly oppose this. I would like to emphasize two points:
First, the source tracing of the virus is still in progress, and there is no conclusive conclusion. The World Health Organization has repeatedly stated that the new crown virus is a global phenomenon and its source is still uncertain. At this time, attention should be paid to how to deal with the virus and to avoid regional stigma. The new crown virus was named "COVID-19" by the World Health Organization, which means that the name is not associated with any region or country. Zhong Nanshan, an authoritative respiratory specialist in China and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said that the epidemic first appeared in China, but not necessarily in China.
Second, we must jointly oppose "information viruses" and "political viruses". In the absence of any factual basis for individual media, the New Crown virus is arrogantly claiming that it is a "Chinese virus", and it is totally ulterior motives to try to put China on the back of a black pot for creating an epidemic disaster. The new crown pneumonia epidemic is a common challenge faced by all countries in the world. The international community should work together to cope with it is the right path on earth. It is necessary to resist rumor and prejudice together. In the face of the epidemic, what we need is science, rationality, cooperation, science to overcome ignorance, and cooperation to resist prejudice.
Q: Recently, the number of confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia continues to increase, and pressure on prevention and control in some countries has increased. However, the cure rate in China continues to increase, with new and suspected cases remaining low for days. What has China done recently in sharing prevention and control experience and diagnosis and treatment plans with relevant countries?
A: China has been paying close attention to the development of the global new crown pneumonia epidemic situation. We always uphold the concept of a community of shared future for mankind and strengthen international epidemic prevention cooperation in an open, transparent, and responsible manner. That's what we said and we did.
Yesterday afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, together with the National Health and Health Commission, held a video exchange meeting with experts on the new crown pneumonia epidemic in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Turkmenistan, and the SCO Secretariat. Experts from technical institutions such as the National Health and Health Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Administration of Customs, the Chinese Embassy in relevant countries, the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Peking University Hospital, and relevant national diplomatic and health departments, diplomatic agencies in China, experts in the health field, and related Representatives of international organizations participated in the video conference.
Chinese experts comprehensively introduced China ’s epidemic situation and its experience in prevention, control, and treatment. The parties have conducted in-depth exchanges on prevention and control measures, diagnostic screening, and laboratory testing. They also expressed that they will further strengthen information exchange and coordinate actions. Working together to maintain regional and global health security.
Earlier, China and the EU also held two video conferences to conduct in-depth exchanges on epidemic prevention and control. Related news has also been released.
Q: It is reported that Japan and China will postpone President Xi Jinping's April visit to Japan due to the new crown pneumonia epidemic. Can you confirm?
Answer: Yesterday I responded to this. If there is further news, we will release it in time.
Question: On March 3, local time, the Constitutional Court of Togo announced the final result of the presidential election on February 22. The current president, Faure, was re-elected with a 70.78% vote. What is China's comment?
A: China takes note of the election results announced by the Togo Constitutional Court and expresses its warm congratulations to Mr. Fore on his election and his re-election as the President of Togo. It is believed that under the leadership of President Fore, the Togolese government and people will achieve new and greater achievements on the road of national development and construction.
The traditional friendship between China and Togo is deep. China attaches great importance to the development of China-Mandarin relations and is willing to work with them to promote traditional friendship, deepen cooperation in various fields, and promote the comprehensive and in-depth development of bilateral relations.
Question: It is reported that 360 Company recently conducted an investigation and analysis and found that the US Central Intelligence Agency Attack Group (APT-C-39) has conducted 11 years of cyber penetration attacks on key areas of China. China's aerospace, scientific research institutions, petroleum industry, large Internet companies, and government agencies have been attacked to varying degrees. What is China's comment?
A: For a long time, the US government and relevant agencies have violated international law and basic principles of international relations, and have implemented large-scale, organized, undifferentiated network theft, monitoring, and attacks on foreign governments, enterprises, and individuals. This has long been known to the world. From "WikiLeaks" to "Snowden Incident" to the recent "Swiss Encryption Incident", this unethical behavior of the United States has been repeatedly exposed, and the relevant report of 360 Company is another powerful example. It turns out that the United States is the world's largest cyber attacker and a veritable "hacker empire." The US side, however, yelled to catch thieves, pretending to be a victim of cyber attacks from time to time, fully exposing the hypocrisy and double standards of the US side on network security issues.
China has been a serious victim of US cyber theft and attacks. China has made solemn representations to the US on this occasion. We once again strongly urge the United States to make a clear explanation, stop such activities immediately, and return China and the world to a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative cyberspace.
Q: It is reported that US Secretary of State Pompeo testified before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives on February 28, saying that when talking about the Iranian nuclear issue, Security Council Resolution 2231 will expire in October, and the United States will promote The Security Council extended relevant provisions to prevent China and Russia from selling arms to Iran. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the 3rd, expressing regret at the U.S. statement, urging the U.S. to correct its violation of the comprehensive agreement and strictly implement Security Council Resolution 2231. What is China's comment?
A: We have noticed relevant reports. China believes that the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue is an important result of multilateralism. It was approved by Security Council Resolution 2231 and should be fully and effectively implemented. The United States ignored the Security Council's resolution and withdrew from the comprehensive agreement in 2018. Since then, it has continued to obstruct the implementation of the above-mentioned resolutions and agreements. This is the root cause of the crisis in the Iranian nuclear issue. The United States should stop accusing China and Russia of unreasonable practices, earnestly abide by Security Council Resolution 2231, and return to the right track of implementing a comprehensive agreement. China will work with all parties concerned to continue to firmly uphold the authority of Security Council resolutions, maintain a comprehensive agreement, and promote the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
Q: Which countries has China sent epidemic prevention experts or medical equipment to? Does China plan to arrange more flights to the affected countries to pick up Chinese citizens? How many cases have been imported into China from abroad so far?
A: Regarding your first question, I have introduced it yesterday, and you can refer to it.
Regarding your second question, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related embassies and consulates abroad are closely monitoring the development of overseas epidemics and the situation of Chinese local personnel, and are actively carrying out consular protection and services. In the event of an emergency, we hope that Chinese citizens overseas can seek help from the relevant authorities of the local government in time and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate. If the epidemic situation develops further and the health and safety of Chinese local personnel is seriously threatened, we will take necessary measures to actively assist and arrange their return to China. If there is further information, we will release it in time.
Regarding the third question, I can help you understand the relevant departments.