Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on June 9, 2020
CCTV reporter: According to reports, the Philippine Foreign Minister Rochin issued a video statement on June 45th on the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, saying that under the leadership of President Duterte, the ancient friendship between China and the Philippines has blossomed. China and the Philippines are a new partnership of mutual benefit and win-win results, even when there are differences between the two countries. China’s achievement of 800 million people out of poverty is an undeniable achievement. In addition, Foreign Minister Lochin has repeatedly stated that the Hong Kong issue is purely China's internal affairs and opposes the intervention of other forces. What's China's response? What is your comment on the development of Sino-Philippine relations?
Hua Chunying: Today is the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. It has been 45 years since China and the Philippines established diplomatic relations. As Foreign Minister Lochin said, the friendship between the two countries is ancient because the exchanges between the two countries span a long history and have a long history. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago, thanks to the joint efforts of the leaders of the two countries and the people of the two countries, the development of China-Philippine relations has been steadily moving forward. Especially in recent years, under the joint leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Duterte, China and the Philippines have taken the opportunity of jointly building the "Belt and Road" to strengthen the development strategy docking. The cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results and Sino-Philippine relations have become more vibrant. Facing the challenge of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, China and the Philippines are working together to help each other, writing a new chapter for the traditional friendship between the two countries and injecting new connotations into the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries.
China is willing to work with the Philippines to take the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as a new starting point, implement the important consensus of the leaders of the two countries, further enhance political mutual trust, deepen comprehensive cooperation, and contribute more positive energy to the well-being of the two peoples and regional stability and prosperity.
China highly appreciates Foreign Minister Lochin’s repeated statements to support Hong Kong-related national security legislation. As he said, Hong Kong affairs are purely internal affairs of China, and no outsiders are allowed to interfere. I think Foreign Minister Lochin’s statement represents most of the world’s rational voice and the power of justice.
Global Times reporter: We have seen that recently, the "New York Times", the "Capitol Hill" and the British "Guardian" and other media have frequently disclosed news of attacks and arrests on media reporters who reported on the Freud protests in the United States. Between May 26 and June 2 alone, 148 journalists were affected, 40 of them were shot by bullets, 34 were attacked by police, and 33 were arrested or detained. Reporters from the US media, including the Associated Press, Fox Television, CNN, NBC, etc., were not spared, and even a female photographer was hit by a rubber bullet in the left eye, causing permanent blindness. Think of some US officials who always use "press freedom" to accuse China of "suppressing" foreign media. What is China's comment?
Hua Chunying: You follow closely. I also noticed reports in this regard. I have a similar question with you. If these happen in China, Russia or other countries, what kind of comments and reports will those American politicians and some media have?
China has always been committed to providing all necessary conveniences and assistance for foreign media's interview work in China. It is hoped that the US will also abandon double standards on media issues.
China Daily reporter: The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore announced on the 8th that Singapore and China started the “fast track” to facilitate personnel exchanges on the same day. Can you tell us about the specific situation? Which countries will China discuss with next to establish a similar "fast track"?
Hua Chunying: China and Singapore are important partners of each other. Since the outbreak, the two countries have maintained close cooperation and supported each other. After nearly two months of communication and preparation, China and Singapore have officially launched the "fast track" to facilitate the exchange of necessary business and public officials between the two countries yesterday.
This is an important measure for the two countries to resume communication and cooperation and support the resumption of production and production under the normalization of epidemic prevention and control. In fact, the "fast track" between China and Singapore is also the first "fast track" established between China and Southeast Asian countries, which is beneficial to promoting the economic and social development of the two countries and maintaining the stability of the regional and global industrial chains and supply chains. . The China-Singapore "Express Passage" will be implemented between 6 provinces (municipalities) in China and Singapore. The two sides will gradually expand the scope of application of the passage as appropriate and discuss the gradual restoration of commercial flights between the two countries.
In addition, the "fast track" between China and South Korea has also been implemented smoothly with good results. The "fast track" between China and Germany has been opened recently and has been welcomed by the economic circles of both sides. The first two charter planes equipped with German personnel for resumption and resumption in China have arrived in Tianjin and Shanghai on May 30 and June 4, respectively. Subsequent charter arrangements are also planned and in preparation.
As far as I know, there are still some neighboring and European countries that are communicating with China to establish similar arrangements. China has been actively taking necessary measures to ensure that foreign personnel engaged in necessary economic, trade, scientific and technological activities come to China. In the context of normalization of epidemic prevention and control, and on the premise of ensuring epidemic prevention safety, we will continue to restore the exchanges between Chinese and foreign personnel in a gradual and orderly manner in a secure manner, resume work and production for each country, deepen cooperation, and ensure the stability of the industrial chain and supply chain. He Chang makes active efforts.
Yonhap News Agency: According to reports, North Korea announced that it has completely cut off all communication lines between North Korea and South Korea. What is China's comment?
Hua Chunying: North and South Korea are the same ethnic group. As a close neighbor, China has always hoped that the peninsula will maintain peace and stability.
Surging News Reporter: On June 7, Navarro, director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, published an article on Fox News Network in the United States, continuing to slander China against the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, claiming that China used the epidemic to seize strategic interests. what opinions do the Chinese have on this issue?
Hua Chunying: Everyone knows who Navarro is. The lies he spread have long been penetrated by the facts. China's epidemic prevention and control work is timely and efficient. The sacrifices and achievements we have made are obvious to all. It is also well known that China actively promotes international cooperation in the fight against epidemics and does its best to support the prevention and control of epidemics in other countries. We advise Navarro to put away the "dumping pot" to blame this trick, otherwise it will only be more disgraceful, and make people more aware of the nature of their lies.
He should take the time to read carefully the white paper "China Action Against the New Coronary Pneumonia Epidemic" just released by the State Council of China and the 24 Chinese lies and facts about the new coronary pneumonia epidemic released by the Chinese media before.
CNN reporter: A team at Harvard Medical School published a paper recently, which analyzed the possibility of the spread of new coronary pneumonia in Wuhan by the end of August last year through an analysis of traffic flow and related Baidu searches near Wuhan Hospital. Has China taken note of this research, and what is its comment?
Hua Chunying: I haven’t seen the research paper you said, but I think it would be surprisingly ridiculous to draw this conclusion from some appearances such as traffic flow. I saw a report not long ago that the main contractor of the US Department of Defense, Sierra Nevada, had a similar report. It was also through traffic and other phenomena that the virus came to the conclusion of the Wuhan Virus Research Institute, but then soon It was "slapped" by the American Beast Daily website. The website listed the facts one by one, proving that the so-called "evidence" in the report was full of loopholes and was totally untenable.
I think science should still be respected on this issue. Everyone has seen a lot of reports on the Internet, including the US media mentioning that in the fall of last year, there were cases of New Coronavirus infection in the "e-cigarette disease" in the United States, influenza patients and deaths. Faced with various legends, I think the correct way should still be handed over to scientists through scientific investigation and research to reach scientific conclusions that are in line with the facts.
A common task facing both China and the United States and the international community now is to fight resolutely against those false information, unite as one, and overcome the epidemic as soon as possible.
RIA Novosti reporter: The US President’s Special Envoy for Arms Control Affairs said that the United States and Russia have agreed to restart nuclear arms control negotiations this month and also invited China to participate. I wonder if China will appear and negotiate in good faith. Has China received a formal invitation? Will it participate in relevant negotiations if received?
Hua Chunying: On this issue, China has stated its position many times. China has no intention to participate in the so-called "China-US-Russia Trilateral Arms Control Negotiations". This position is very clear.
China has noted that the United States has repeatedly talked about China on the issue of the extension of the "Treaty on Further Reduction and Limitation of Offensive Strategic Weapon Measures", which is a consistent trick of the United States to shirk its responsibilities to other countries. In the past two years, the United States has continuously broken contracts and withdrawn from the group, successively withdrew from the Iran Comprehensive Agreement on Nuclear Issues, the "Guidance Treaty", withdrawn and signed the "Arms Trade Treaty", and recently announced its withdrawal from the "Open Sky Treaty", and is discussing the resumption of nuclear testing. Hearing officials from such a country talk about "sincere negotiations" gives a very ridiculous and unreal feeling.
CNN reporter: China stated that the issue of virus tracing should be studied by scientific professionals. Harvard Medical School is a top professional team in the United States. Do you question their research methods, or do you need to know more about the situation before you can respond specifically?
Hua Chunying: You said that Harvard Medical School is top-notch, but there are still many top medical scientists, disease control experts and top medical journals in the world, all of which have published many opinions. I am not a scientist or a medical expert, and I am not qualified to judge. But I feel that the conclusion about the virus can only be drawn from the traffic volume of traffic, which is unimaginable to ordinary people. Assuming that the traffic volume near the South Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today has increased several times than usual, what major conclusions can you draw about this? I think this research method is very far-fetched.
In fact, on the source of the virus, there are already too many conspiracy theories against China, which is too unfair to China. The top priority of the international community is to unite and cooperate to control the spread of the epidemic as far as possible and save more lives. One day, the truth will become known to the world. China's sacrifice and contribution deserve a more just, fair and objective evaluation.
There are a lot of informative materials in the "China Action Against New Coronary Pneumonia Epidemic" released by the State Council of China two days ago. I suggest you read it carefully and highly recommend the report.
Beijing Daily reporter: The US “Politics” news network reported that Australian researchers analyzed 2.6 million tweets related to the new coronavirus on Twitter in late March and 25.5 million reposts of these tweets within 10 days. It was found that more than 5,000 Twitter accounts forwarded information about the new coronavirus nearly 7,000 times in a coordinated manner, and spread the conspiracy theory that “the new coronavirus is a biochemical weapon made in China”. The study also found that many users who forwarded the rumor were remotely controlled "robot" accounts, and many user groups were related to the US Republican Party and right-wing supporters. The United Nations pointed out in the article "Five Ways to Fight the "Mistaken Information Outbreak"" that unreliable information is preventing global solidarity against the 2019 New Coronary Pneumonia pandemic. The United Nations is committed to eliminating rumors, false news, and messages that cause hatred and division, thereby disseminating accurate information, and transmitting hope and solidarity. What is China's comment?
Hua Chunying: Over the past few years, there has indeed been false information about the epidemic situation of New Coronary Pneumonia, especially all kinds of lies and rumors against China, which have seriously poisoned the international anti-epidemic efforts.
Facts have proved that the new crown virus is the common enemy of the whole world. What is more terrible than the new crown virus is the false information and rumors slandered by those with ulterior motives. These political viruses are also common enemies worldwide. The international community should unite to crack down on fraud and purify cyberspace so that those political viruses, such as rumors and slander, and their behind-the-scenes hands have no place to escape in the sun.
Reporter from Japan’s NHK Television: State Councilor Wang Yi held a phone conversation with British Foreign Secretary Rab yesterday. On the issue of Hong Kong, Rab recently stated that Hong Kong’s national security legislation jeopardizes the freedom of Hong Kong residents. Could you please introduce the specific situation of yesterday's call between China and Britain to discuss Hong Kong-related issues?
Hua Chunying: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with British Foreign Secretary Rab yesterday. The relevant news release has been released, and I can introduce it to you again.
State Councilor Wang Yi clarified to the Foreign Minister of Rab China’s position on Hong Kong-related national security legislation. He said that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs and foreign interference is not allowed. Hong Kong’s safeguarding of national security concerns China’s core interests and is a major principle issue that must be adhered to. National security affairs belong to the central authority. This is a common practice in all countries, and China is no exception. Through Article 23 of the Basic Law, the Central Government instructs the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to make its own legislation to safeguard national security, and does not change the nature of national security as a central authority. In the face of real dangers and serious threats to Hong Kong’s national security, the NPC’s decisive legislation and application of Hong Kong will help to fill in the obvious loopholes and long-term deficiencies of Hong Kong’s national security laws as soon as possible. Reasonable and legal is imperative.
State Councilor Wang Yi emphasized that Hong Kong’s national security legislation is to better implement "one country, two systems." The first article of the decision adopted by the National People’s Congress of China stated clearly: “The country is unswerving and comprehensively and accurately implements the policies of'one country, two systems','Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong' and a high degree of autonomy." This is yet another solemn commitment by the highest organ of power of China to legislate the NPC, the highest legal form, to uphold "one country, two systems." We will never accept unfounded accusations that the so-called national security legislation will change "one country, two systems."
State Councilor Wang Yi also said that Hong Kong’s national security legislation should punish the very few “Hong Kong independence” and terrorist acts that seriously endanger national security. It will better protect the rights and freedoms that Hong Kong citizens deserve. Let all law-abiding foreigners work and live in Hong Kong more at ease. The current capitalist system in Hong Kong will not change, the rights of high autonomy enjoyed under the Basic Law will not change, and the lifestyle of Hong Kong citizens will not change. National security legislation will only make Hong Kong's legal system more complete, the social order more stable, and the business environment more improved. National security legislation is a "touchstone". If we expect long-term security in Hong Kong, we should support it without worrying about it; if we want "one country, two systems" to be stable, we should support rather than oppose it.
As for your mention of the British concern about the freedom of Hong Kong residents, I have already introduced China's position here yesterday. The British may wish to recall that during the British colonial rule of Hong Kong in 156 years, what freedom and democracy did they give the people of Hong Kong? Which of the 28 Hong Kong Governors was elected by the Hong Kong people? At that time, did Britain give Hong Kong people the freedom to protest on the streets? During the British colonial rule over Hong Kong, the British "Treason Law" was applicable to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. Does the National People's Congress of China have any questions about Hong Kong's legislation to safeguard national security? There should be no double standards on this issue, and the British side should recognize the situation and act with caution.
CCTV reporter: The 127th Canton Fair will be held online from June 15 to 24, 2020. Can you introduce the relevant situation?
Hua Chunying: Thank you for your attention to the Canton Fair. Due to the impact of the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic, this year's Canton Fair will be held differently than in previous years.
The 127th China Import and Export Fair, this year's Canton Fair, will be held online from June 15 to 24 for a period of 10 days. Holding the Canton Fair online is an innovative measure by China to actively respond to the impact of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic and help foreign trade companies take orders and secure the market. The Ministry of Commerce will adhere to the importance of both import and export, do a good job in production, supply and marketing, actively mobilize all forces, improve technical levels, expand the scope of benefiting enterprises, improve supporting services, improve the online experience of the majority of enterprises and customers, and strive to hold a "special period, "Special significance, special measures, special exciting" online Canton Fair. Welcome domestic and foreign enterprises and merchants to participate actively.
As far as I know, the Ministry of Commerce will hold a special press conference tomorrow. I suggest you go to learn more and more authoritative information.
Agence France-Presse reporter: Today the Taiwan authorities said they have taken evacuation measures against mainland fighter jets flying into Taiwan’s southwest airspace. Can you confirm this news? Any comments on this?
Hua Chunying: I have not heard of it.