Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on March 5, 2020
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, 2189 new cases were cured and discharged from China. As of 24:00 on March 4, a total of 52,045 discharged patients were cured in China.
At present, the situation of the prevention and control of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in China continues to improve, and the order of production and living has accelerated. Judging from the cure rate of confirmed cases, as of March 3, Wuhan was 50.2%, Hubei except Wuhan was 76.8%, and other provinces were 87.3%, all rising for 19 consecutive days.
Q: It is reported that the Plenary Session of the U.S. House of Representatives has recently reviewed and passed the "2019 Taipei Act". The bill requires the US government to adjust relations with Taiwan according to other countries and increase or decrease economic, security, and diplomatic ties with that country accordingly. In the next step, the case will be sent to the President of the United States for signature after the unified text of the two houses. what opinions do the Chinese have on this issue?
A: The relevant bill of the US Congress seriously violates the one-China principle and the provisions of the three Sino-US joint communiqués. It seriously violates international law and basic norms of international relations. China firmly opposes this. The one-China principle is the aspiration of the people and the general trend, and it is also the general consensus of the international community. 180 countries in the world have established diplomatic relations with China. The United States established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle more than 40 years ago, but now it is blocking other sovereign countries from developing normal relations with China. This is unreasonable and is against the trend. move.
We urge the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. Joint communiqués, abide by international law and basic norms of international relations, take practical measures to prevent the passage of relevant bills, and handle the Taiwan-related issues carefully and properly, so as not to seriously damage Sino-US relations and peace across the Taiwan Strait stable.
Q: Recently, the host of Fox News in the United States stated in a broadcast that the Chinese should "formally apologize" for the new crown pneumonia epidemic. We noticed a similar argument on some social media. What's your opinion?
A: The remarks made by the individual host you mentioned are absurd and ridiculous, fully revealing his arrogance, prejudice and ignorance of China. I want to highlight a few points:
First, the disease is the common enemy of mankind. Everyone who is sick in every country is a victim. I don't know where to start the "apology theory"? At present, people from all over the world are working together to fight the new crown pneumonia epidemic. The World Health Organization has repeatedly stated that stigma is more dangerous than the virus itself. At this time, what is the intention of individual to spread such illogical statements?
Second, the "Chinese apology" is groundless and unjustified. Where the virus originates is inconclusive. No matter where the virus originates, China, like other countries with outbreaks, is the victim of the virus and faces the challenge of preventing the spread of the epidemic. The H1N1 flu that broke out in the United States in 2009 spread to 214 countries and regions, which killed at least 18,449 people that year. Who asked the United States to apologize?
Third, China's fight against the epidemic embodies its due responsibility as a responsible big country. In this epidemic prevention and control, China's power, China's efficiency, and China's speed have been widely praised by the international community. For the health and safety of people around the world, the Chinese people have also made huge sacrifices and made significant contributions. Leaders from more than 170 countries and heads of more than 40 international and regional organizations sent letters to the Chinese leaders, issued a statement expressing their condolences and support for China ’s anti-epidemic measures and its positive results, as well as huge sacrifices and contributions to stop the spread of the epidemic Highly sure. The Director-General of the World Health Organization Tan Desai pointed out that China's strong measures not only control the spread of the epidemic in China, but also prevent the epidemic from spreading to other countries, setting a new benchmark for countries to fight the epidemic.
Q: It is reported that Iranian President Rouhani said in a cabinet meeting on the 4th that the new crown pneumonia epidemic situation said that some countries said that if they want to help the Iranian people, then sanctions on drugs should be lifted. What is China's comment?
A: China pays close attention to the current epidemic situation of Iran's new crown pneumonia. In the previous stage, China has provided Iran with anti-epidemic materials such as test kits, and has sent a team of volunteer experts to Iran to help Iran fight the epidemic. We will continue to provide support to the best of our ability. We also call on all parties in the international community to strengthen epidemic prevention cooperation with Iran to jointly safeguard world public health security.
I want to emphasize that at the critical moment of the Iranian government and people's fight against the epidemic, the continued imposition of unilateral sanctions on Iran is tantamount to worsening, which is contrary to the spirit of humanitarianism. China urges relevant parties to immediately lift relevant sanctions on Iran to avoid interfering with Iran and the international community's efforts to fight the epidemic.
Q: You mentioned that China has sent a team of volunteer experts to Iran. Can you tell us more about the latest situation of the Chinese experts' work on epidemic prevention and control in Iran?
A: It is understood that on February 29, a volunteer team of Chinese Red Cross arrived in Iran. In the past few days, a team of volunteer experts has been working intensively, introducing relevant anti-epidemic experience to Iran, and conducting in-depth exchanges and discussions with the Iranian Ministry of Health, the Red Crescent Society and other departments on epidemic prevention and control. Iran is grateful to China for sending a team of experts to Iran. The Volunteer Team of Experts also actively cooperates with the WHO Expert Group. The WHO highly appreciates that it will maintain close communication with the Chinese expert team and combine China's experience in epidemic prevention to implement a suitable anti-epidemic program in Iran.
China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners. They always support and help each other and stand firm together when times are difficult for each other. In the next step, China will continue to provide Iran with assistance to the best of its ability, and we will work with the international community, including Iran, to strengthen cooperation and share experience, and make due contributions to the global public health cause.
Q: It is reported that President Xi Jinping's state visit to Japan may not be possible this spring. Can you confirm?
A: At present, both China and Japan are working hard to combat the new crown pneumonia epidemic. Both China and Japan agree that it is necessary to ensure that President Xi Jinping's state visit to Japan is achieved at the most appropriate timing, environment and atmosphere and is a complete success. After consultation, China and Japan will maintain close communication on the timing of the visit.
Q: A few days ago, US President Trump accepted Russian President Putin's proposal to host the five permanent summits of the UN Security Council. Please introduce China's position on the five permanent summits. Has China responded to Russia's proposal? Will President Xi Jinping attend the summit?
A: Regarding the holding of the five permanent summits of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly expressed its positive attitude. As far as I know, the parties have not yet conducted consultations on the topics of the summit. We are willing to maintain communication with other permanent members of the Security Council on the specific arrangements.
Question: According to Indian media reports, experts from the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization have confirmed that an industrial autoclave detained from China's "Da Cuiyun" freighter can be used to manufacture ultra-long-range missile or satellite rocket engines. Indian officials said that Indian national security agencies could notify the United Nations in accordance with relevant UN Security Council bills to expose the nuclear proliferation links between China and Pakistan. What is China's comment?
A: China has noted relevant reports. As a responsible big country, China has always strictly fulfilled its international non-proliferation obligations and related international commitments. It is understood that the relevant goods are "heat treatment furnace shell systems" and are produced by a Chinese private enterprise. They are not military materials at all, nor are they dual-use items for China's national defense proliferation and export control. The Chinese merchant ship and cargo owner have made the truthful declaration in advance to the competent authorities in India, and there is no concealment or false declaration.
Q: First, according to an Iranian official news agency report in February, an Iranian Ministry of Health official said that the source of Iran ’s new crown virus transmission may be Chinese workers working in Qom. What ’s China ’s response to this? Second, it is reported that after Iran suspends most of its flights with China, China does the work of Iran and requires it to maintain air traffic between the two countries. What's your comment?
A: Regarding the first question, I don't understand what you said.
On your second question, China and Iran have maintained close communication. There is no such situation as you said.
Q: The Japanese government is about to take restrictions or quarantine measures on tourists from China. What's your comment on this?
A: I haven't seen any relevant reports yet. Whether it is China or Japan, in order to maintain the physical health and life safety of domestic and foreign citizens, and to take regional, global and public health safety, some scientific, professional, and appropriate measures should be taken, and everyone should understand. The two sides maintained close communication through diplomatic channels.
Q: Zhaozhao Wu said today that Malaysia's Sarawak state has lifted the ban on Taiwan visitors, and China is forcing it to reinstate this ban. What's your comment?
A: China has always opposed the politicization of epidemic prevention and control issues, and is concerned about the health and welfare of Taiwan compatriots. The DPP authorities have used this issue to engage in political manipulation, which is disappointing.
Q: The Japanese government has made it clear that President Xi Jinping's plan to visit Japan will be postponed. What's your comment? Just now you mentioned that China hopes that this visit will be a complete success. What kind of results does China hope to achieve?
A: I have just said that the Chinese and Japanese diplomatic agencies are maintaining close communication on the visit, and through diplomatic channels, to ensure that President Xi ’s state visit to Japan is a complete success and more results are achieved. I believe that through diplomatic channels, the two sides will make the best arrangements for President Xi's visit to Japan.