China News Service, London, May 1 (Xinhua) On April 28, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming accepted an online interview with the senior host Stephen Sack of the BBC's "Sharp Dialogue" column to clarify his position and clarify China's fight against the new coronary pneumonia epidemic The facts are irritating. BBC Domestic News (BBCNews) and the international TV channel "International News" (BBCWorldNews) broadcast the above-mentioned 10 interviews to the UK and the world. BBC's domestic news station broadcast special interviews in prime time news programs, and extended reports through the BBC website and new media platforms. The interview record is as follows:
Moderator: Ambassador Liu Xiaoming, welcome to "Sharp Dialogue".
Ambassador Liu: Thank you! Really happy to see you again.
Moderator: I am very glad that you can accept our interview in this difficult time. Let me ask a simple and direct question: Do you agree that the new Pneumococcal pneumonia virus originated in China?
Ambassador Liu: The virus was first discovered in Wuhan does not mean that it originated in Wuhan. According to multiple sources, including reports from the BBC, the virus may have originated from anywhere, even in aircraft carriers or submarines, in some countries that have little contact with China, and among people who have never been to China . So we cannot say that it originated in China.
Moderator: This answer confuses me a little. Obviously this is a brand new virus, it originated somewhere. According to immunologists and virologists, viruses are transmitted from animals to humans. There is no doubt that the first case occurred in China. You just said that the virus has spread all over the world, and some people who have never been to China are also infected. Obviously the virus has caused a global pandemic, but the crucial question is, where did it come from?
Ambassador Liu: I think this question should be answered by scientists. As far as I understand, the first case in China was reported by Dr. Zhang Jixian to the local health authority in China on December 27, 2019. I also read reports that some cases outside of China even predate this. A report in a British newspaper yesterday said that British scientists and medical experts had warned the government earlier last year that there may be an unknown virus. Therefore, I can only say that the first reported case in China occurred in Wuhan on December 27, 2019.
Moderator: I think there is no doubt that the experts are convinced that the first confirmed case was found in Wuhan and its surrounding areas. Do you also think that we have to figure out what happened in the early stage of the outbreak, and where it was done incorrectly and which steps were taken wrong, before the virus evolved into a global pandemic?
Ambassador Liu: I think this is still open to discussion, and we have to admit that we have different views. The virus was first discovered in Wuhan, China, but it cannot be said that it originated in Wuhan. I think this question should be left to scientists.
Moderator: Ambassador Liu, the virus did appear in person-to-person in Wuhan first, and the outbreak was concentrated. What I want to ask is, is it not important to conduct an in-depth independent investigation of what has happened and to understand the truth? We can use this information to prevent the tragedy from happening again.
Ambassador Liu: Let me introduce you to the Chinese anti-epidemic timetable. Dr. Zhang Jixian first reported a case of unexplained pneumonia on December 27, 2019. Four days later, the Chinese health department and the CDC notified the World Health Organization and shared information with other countries in the shortest time on December 31. China also shared pathogens with WHO for the first time, and shared viral gene sequences with WHO and other countries for the first time.
Moderator: Mr. Ambassador, let me interrupt, you have overlooked a very important point. On December 30, Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang told his doctor colleagues in WeChat group that a very worrying new disease appeared in Wuhan and suggested that his colleagues must wear protective clothing to avoid infection. A few days later, he was summoned by the Public Security Bureau and forced to confess to spreading false information and seriously disrupting social order. From then until January, the Chinese government has been trying to cover up the truth.
Ambassador Liu: Now I understand why some people advocate the so-called independent investigation. In fact, they are trying to excuse Luo Zhi to criticize China for covering up the truth. But the fact is that Dr. Li Wenliang is not a "whistle blower". As I said earlier, Dr. Zhang Jixian reported to the health department three days earlier than Dr. Li, and the Wuhan city health department immediately reported to the central government. Four days later, one day after Dr. Li sent the WeChat message, the Chinese government shared this information with WHO and other countries. There is no such thing as covering up the facts.
Moderator: Mr. Ambassador, in fact the information shared by China is very limited. According to internal information obtained by The Washington Post and the Associated Press, Ma Xiaowei, director of the China National Health Commission, made a very severe assessment of the situation at the internal meeting on January 14, 2020. He said that the complicated and concentrated case shows The virus is "person-to-person". But the next day, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the risk of continuing "person-to-person" is very low, and the epidemic is preventable and controllable. Therefore, I once again believe that there is ample evidence that China has not told the truth for several weeks.
Ambassador Liu: You have n’t given me enough time to answer the questions. I have n’t finished answering the questions about Li Wenliang. The so-called "cover up facts" do not exist. Dr. Zhang reported to the health department through normal channels, but Li Wenliang spread relevant information in the circle of friends. In any country, extremely dangerous unknown viruses may cause panic. I think the police summoned Dr. Li and warned him to stop the online spread. This cannot be called "concealment". The epidemic situation has been reported through regular channels. In this case, panic should be avoided as much as possible. At present, the British government is also cracking down on the use of fake news to create panic to achieve personal ends. There have been conclusions about Dr. Li Wenliang. After receiving the report, the Chinese central government sent an investigation team to Wuhan. The Wuhan Municipal Public Security Bureau decided to withdraw the admonishment to Dr. Li. Dr. Li was regarded as a martyr and was awarded a high honor.
Moderator: Dr. Li was indeed regarded as a hero by the Chinese people when he died.
Ambassador Liu: Not only the Chinese people, but the Chinese government as well, they cannot be distinguished.
Moderator: I think the Chinese people are very clear that the government is not frank with them and other countries in the world. On January 14th, internal documents of the China Health and Safety Commission stated that there was evidence of human-to-human transmission and aggregate infection, and the situation was severe and complicated, and requested that the relevant content should not be made public or be online. How do you explain this?
Ambassador Liu: I think all your information comes from the "Washington Post", you are too dependent on the American media. I sincerely hope that you will adopt the WHO information. We shared all information with WHO. I read your exclusive interview with Dr. David Nabarro, WHO's new envoy, and China always insists on being open, transparent and sharing information with WHO as soon as possible. On the one hand, within China, we must maintain a high degree of vigilance and adopt the strictest prevention and control measures. At that time, we did not fully understand the virus. On the other hand, we shared information and our knowledge of the virus with WHO and other countries.
Moderator: Ambassador Liu You are a senior diplomat. You should understand that many people in the world do not believe in the Chinese version of the story. A few hours ago, Trump said he was not satisfied with China ’s position, saying that China can control the epidemic at its source, and he also said that the United States is conducting a comprehensive investigation. US Vice President Pence also listed a series of reasons to prove that China did not tell the world the truth and was responsible for the spread of the epidemic worldwide and caused massive deaths and economic losses. China is now facing huge problems.
Ambassador Liu: I disagree with this statement. This is the saying of some western countries. After the outbreak, China cooperated with WHO and other countries for the first time. We sent technical assistance and medical expert groups and provided medical supplies to more than 150 countries, which were highly praised by these countries. I think that the United States cannot represent the whole world. Even many Western countries, including Britain, France, and Germany, appreciate China. You quoted President Trump ’s position, and I would also like to quote a few words about China ’s position. On January 24, about a month after China notified the epidemic, President Trump said, "The United States highly appreciates China's efforts and transparency." Six days later, he stated that he is "working closely with China." At the beginning of February, he again stated that "President Xi Jinping has done an excellent job and handled the epidemic well."
Moderator: Since the end of January, the situation has changed a lot. China said that we have done a lot of good things and provided medical supplies to countries all over the world, but in the eyes of the outside world, China has set off a fake news and propaganda offensive in the world in recent weeks. You mentioned that China and France have a good relationship, but the French government has just summoned the Chinese ambassador to France, accusing the Chinese embassy in France of spreading false news. The embassy website stated that the French old man was abandoned in the nursing home, suffering and solitary. Officials of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spread “conspiracy theories” on social media, claiming that American soldiers secretly brought the virus to China. Why should China promote such fake news?
Ambassador Liu: I think you have chosen the wrong target. It ’s not that China disseminates fake news. If you compare the positions of Chinese leaders, Chinese diplomats and Chinese ambassadors with US leaders, American diplomats and American ambassadors, you will find out who is spreading false news.
Moderator: Do you agree with Zhao Lijian's statement that "American soldiers smuggled the new crown virus to China"? Do you believe?
Ambassador Liu: Zhao retweeted some media reports. I do n’t understand why you seized the words of an individual in China, but turned a blind eye to the fake news issued by US state leaders and senior officials, especially the highest-ranking US diplomats and secretaries of state? As long as he talks about China, there are no good words; China reaches out to the United States in the fight against the epidemic, but it becomes a wicked man. I really can't understand it.
Moderator: In your opinion, how serious are the various accusations due to the epidemic that have brought China and the United States a diplomatic crisis?
Ambassador Liu: China certainly hopes to maintain good relations with the United States. I have been resident in the United States twice. I have always believed that China and the United States are harmonious and harm each other. We have every reason to maintain good relations with the United States, but this should be based on mutual trust, cooperation, and not confrontation. Need to meet each other. Since the outbreak, President Xi Jinping and President Trump have maintained close communication and made two phone calls to discuss international cooperation in the fight against epidemics. What I want to emphasize is that China is not the enemy of the United States. The enemy of the United States is the new crown virus. The United States should find the right target.
Moderator: You sent a very important message. So in response to the request made by the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and many other countries that China should permanently close the "wet market" engaged in wildlife trading instead of temporarily, will China make some positive gestures to improve relations with these countries?
Ambassador Liu: First of all, I disagree with your statement about the problems in China ’s relations with many countries. China has more friends, fewer opponents, and fewer enemies. As I said, a few Western countries cannot represent the entire world. China has good foreign relations and is actively promoting international anti-epidemic cooperation. As President Xi Jinping said, unity and cooperation are the most powerful weapon for the international community to overcome the epidemic.
Moderator: We are running out of time, Ambassador Liu, can you give a specific and clear answer to the "wet market" question? Is the market closed or not?
Ambassador Liu: In fact, there is no such thing as a "wet goods market" in China. This statement is very strange to many Chinese people. It is a Western or foreign statement. It is often said that the farmers' market and the live poultry and seafood market mainly sell fresh vegetables, seafood and other agricultural and sideline products, and there are very few markets that sell live poultry. What you are talking about is the market for illegally selling wild animals, which has been completely banned. The National People's Congress of China has passed a decision to comprehensively ban illegal wildlife trade.
Moderator: Does this mean that the Chinese government is aware of the dangers of these wild animal markets, that is, they do cause viruses to pass from animals to humans?
Ambassador Liu: We finally reached an agreement. Please note that the illegal wildlife market is completely banned here, and hunting, trading, and eating wild animals are illegal in China.
Moderator: If the Chinese side can issue a ban early before the spread of the new coronary pneumonia virus, it will not cause such great harm to the world. Will China apologize for this?
Ambassador Liu: You are back to the question at the beginning of the interview. I want to say that it is wrong to blame China because the epidemic was discovered in China. This is wrong. China has found an epidemic, and it has also been found in many places that have no contact with China. China cannot be blamed for the outbreak of the epidemic. China should see that China does its best to fight the epidemic. China is a virus victim, China is not a virus maker, and China is not the source of the virus. For this, it must be clear.
Moderator: However, some important politicians in China said that China should be responsible for the epidemic. For example, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the lower house of parliament said that the Chinese government implemented a former Soviet-style and harmful system that harmed the health and well-being of the Chinese people , Betrayed the Chinese people and betrayed the world. They called on Britain, the United States and some other countries to cut off close economic ties with China. In the UK, the core of this problem is that Huawei should not be allowed to continue to participate in the construction of 5G networks in the UK. As the Chinese ambassador to the UK, are you worried about decoupling China's economy?
Ambassador Liu: I ’m worried, not worried. The politician you talked about does not represent the official position of the British government. I believe that under the leadership of Prime Minister Johnson, the British Government is still committed to developing strong Sino-British relations. In two telephone conversations with President Xi, Prime Minister Johnson reiterated his commitment to advancing the "Golden Age" of Sino-British relations. During the epidemic, in addition to close communication, China and Britain also actively cooperated. I have been China ’s ambassador to the UK for 10 years. I have never seen leaders and senior leaders of the two countries maintain such close ties. Apart from the two calls between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Johnson, Yang Jiechi, director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, and Wang Yitong, state councilor and foreign minister The British Prime Minister ’s national security adviser Sedwell and Foreign Minister Rab maintain close communication. I also maintain close contact with Foreign Minister Rab, Health Minister Hancock, and Minister of Commerce, Energy and Industry Strategy Sharma. Strong. As for your mention of someone comparing China to the former Soviet Union, this is entirely "cold war" thinking. We have lived in the third decade of the 21st century, and these people are still stuck in the past "Cold War" period. China is not the former Soviet Union. The common interests between China and Britain far outweigh the differences, and I have full confidence in China-UK relations.
Moderator: Ambassador Liu, we are about to end the interview. I once again thank you for being a guest of "Sharp Dialogue" during difficult times.
Ambassador Liu: You ’re welcome. (Finish)