Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's regular press conference on August 6, 2020
China News Agency reporter: According to reports, on August 5, US Secretary of Defense Esper said when attending the Aspen Forum that I don’t think China is an inevitable threat now, nor do I think the US will fight them. How's it going. But we must compete. We must compete more vigorously in all areas of diplomacy, intelligence, military, and politics. what opinions do the Chinese have on this issue?
Wang Wenbin: We have noticed relevant reports. Yesterday, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi accepted an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency. He comprehensively expounded China’s position and propositions on the issue of Sino-US relations. He emphasized that facing the most complicated situation in Sino-US relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations, it is necessary for us to contribute Establish a clear framework. The full text of the interview has been published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can read it carefully.
State Councilor Wang Yi pointed out that the key to the healthy development of Sino-US relations is to uphold mutual respect. The U.S. seeks to make China an adversary is a serious strategic misjudgment and is putting its strategic resources in the wrong direction. China is always willing to build a coordinated, cooperative, and stable China-US relationship with the US in the spirit of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation. At the same time, we will also firmly defend our sovereignty, security, and development interests.
What I want to emphasize is that maintaining the stable development of Sino-US relations conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is also the general expectation of the international community. However, for some time, some American politicians have taken a series of words and deeds that harm China’s interests and undermine Sino-U.S. relations out of their own interests. These perverse actions are unpopular and have been and will continue to be met by insight and people from all walks of life in China and the United States. Strong criticism and resistance from peace-loving people in the world. We urge the US to abandon the outdated Cold War mentality, put aside its arrogance and prejudice, view China and China-US relations objectively and rationally, and work with China halfway to push China-US relations back on the right track of coordination, cooperation, and stability.
RIA Novosti: US Secretary of State Pompeo said yesterday that the United States will propose a resolution to extend the arms embargo on Iran in the UN Security Council next week. He also threatened to activate the "quick restoration of sanctions" mechanism to re-implement the UN sanctions against Iraq. What is China's comment?
Wang Wenbin: China firmly upholds the authority of the Security Council resolutions and the effectiveness of the comprehensive agreement. It does not agree with the United States' promotion of the extension of the arms embargo on Iran in the Security Council. All the provisions of Security Council Resolution 2231, including the arrangements for the arms embargo, should be carefully implemented. China will work with relevant parties and the international community to continue to uphold the comprehensive agreement and Security Council resolutions, uphold multilateralism, and promote the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
"Beijing Daily" reporter: Australian Prime Minister Morrison delivered a speech at the Aspen Security Forum on the 5th, saying that establishing an "Indo-Pacific alliance" with like-minded countries will be a key priority for the Australian government. Australia welcomes the rise of China and expects China to play a role in regional and global stability. He also said that there is no need to restrict the international version of Douyin. How does China respond to this?
Wang Wenbin: We have noticed the relevant statement. China adheres to the path of peaceful development and will never seek hegemony or engage in confrontation. China has always believed that seeking peace, seeking cooperation, promoting development, and seeking win-win results are the irresistible trend of the times and the common aspiration of people all over the world. Any regional cooperation concept should be in keeping with the general trend and the people's will, otherwise it will not receive the support of regional countries. We have noticed that Australia welcomes China’s development and hopes that Australia will translate verbal statements into actual actions, do more things in line with the spirit of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, and do more things that are conducive to regional peace and stability.
Reuters reporter: Today, the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court issued a first-instance verdict against Canadian drug dealer Xu Weihong and sentenced Xu to death. Considering that the recent cases of foreigners being sentenced to death in China have aroused some political criticism from the outside world, how does China comment on this? Will this matter further deteriorate China-Canada relations?
Wang Wenbin: I have noticed the news released by the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court.
Drug crime is a serious crime recognized in the world, and the social harm is extremely serious. Chinese law retains the death penalty while strictly controlling its application. Applying the death penalty to drug crimes that are extremely harmful is conducive to deterring and preventing drug crimes. According to Chinese law, everyone who commits a crime shall be equal in the applicable law. Chinese judicial organs deal with criminals of different nationalities in accordance with the law.
What I want to emphasize is that Chinese judicial organs handle cases independently in strict accordance with Chinese laws and in accordance with legal procedures. I don't see how this matter will affect China-Canada relations.
Reuters reporter: The Ecuadorian Foreign Minister stated that Ecuador will supervise Chinese fishing boats near the Galapagos Islands and expressed the hope to hold bilateral talks with China on the fishing activities of Chinese fishing boats near the Galapagos Islands. How does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs comment on this?
Wang Wenbin: Recently, China and Ecuador are maintaining friendly communication through bilateral channels. On August 6, the fishery authorities of the two countries also held a special video conference call, reached a positive consensus and achieved good results. At the same time, the Chinese fisheries authority has decided to implement a ban on fishing in the high seas west of the Galapagos Islands Reserve from September to November this year, contributing to the protection of fishery resources in the region. China’s position has been appreciated by Ecuador and other relevant countries. I would like to reiterate that as a responsible fishing country, China attaches great importance to the protection of the marine environment and marine resources, implements the most stringent regulatory measures on fishing vessels operating overseas, and will continue to require enterprises engaged in ocean fishing to strictly abide by relevant laws and regulations.
We have noticed that some US politicians have been making irresponsible remarks in recent days, attacking China, discrediting China, and instigating the separation of friendly relations between China and Ecuador. I want to tell these people in the United States that the United States has not yet ratified the "United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea" and is not qualified to criticize other countries' maritime affairs. We advise the United States to focus more on doing its own affairs instead of trying hard to tell other countries.
Bloomberg News: August 6 is the deadline for Chinese media reporters to apply for visa extensions. Is there an update in this regard? If their visas are not extended, what countermeasures will China consider taking?
Wang Wenbin: I have clarified China's position before. On May 8 this year, the United States significantly shortened the visa stay period of Chinese journalists in the United States to less than 90 days, and requested that it be renewed every three months. We have learned that the relevant Chinese reporters have already submitted visa extension applications to the US, but so far no one has received a clear reply from the US.
For a period of time, the U.S. has continuously escalated its political suppression of the Chinese media due to Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice. The relevant actions of the United States have seriously interfered with the normal reporting activities of the Chinese media in the United States, severely damaged the reputation of the Chinese media, and seriously interfered with normal cultural exchanges between the two countries. On the one hand, the United States advertises freedom of the press, on the other hand, it interferes and obstructs the normal interviews of Chinese media in the United States. This exposes the hypocrisy of the so-called "freedom of the press" of the United States, which is a naked "double standard" and hegemonic bullying.
We have said many times that the cause and responsibility of the current situation lies with the United States. The US should immediately correct its mistakes, stop its political repression of Chinese media and journalists, and ensure that the personal safety and property of Chinese journalists in the US are not violated, and normal interview work is not affected. If the US insists on going its own way, adding mistakes to mistakes, China will be forced to make necessary and legitimate responses and firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
Agence France-Presse reporter: US Secretary of State Pompeo said on the 5th that the United States will launch a new "clean network" initiative to remove some Chinese apps from app stores, especially for WeChat, Alibaba and Baidu. What's your opinion?
Wang Wenbin: Pompeo and other American politicians have repeatedly used national security as an excuse to abuse national power to suppress and contain Chinese high-tech enterprises. China firmly opposes this. The relevant actions of the United States have no factual basis at all. They are completely malicious smear and political manipulation. The essence is to maintain its own high-tech monopoly. This completely violates market principles and international economic and trade rules, and seriously threatens the security of the global industrial chain supply chain. Typical bullying behavior.
What I want to emphasize is that many Chinese companies currently unilaterally sanctioned by the United States are innocent, and their technologies and products are also safe. There has never been a cybersecurity similar to the "Snowden Incident" or "WikiLeaks". In the incident, there has not been a network monitoring behavior similar to "Prism Gate", "Formula Organization", and "Echelon System". The United States itself is smeared and is still talking about "cleaning the Internet". This is ridiculous.
We urge the US to correct its wrongdoings, create conditions for companies from all countries to carry out normal economic and trade cooperation, and restore a free, open and secure cyberspace in the world. China will continue to work with other countries in the world to jointly maintain a fair, just, open, and non-discriminatory business environment, promote international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation, and enable safe, reliable, and high-quality information technology to provide for the recovery of the global economy and a better life for people in all countries. New motivation.
"Beijing Youth Daily" reporter: After the explosion in the Lebanese capital, many countries said they would provide humanitarian assistance. You also mentioned yesterday that China will provide assistance to Lebanon within its capacity. Can you introduce the specific situation? What assistance has China provided or will provide to Lebanon?
Wang Wenbin: After the major explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to Lebanese President Aoun. The Chinese medical team to Lebanon will bring medical supplies to provide medical assistance to Beirut. As a friendly country to Lebanon, China is willing to continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Lebanon to tide over the difficulties according to Lebanon's needs.
Bloomberg reporter: Regarding the US Secretary of Health and Human Services Azar's visit to Taiwan, does China consider taking measures to respond?
Wang Wenbin: Yesterday, I stated China’s solemn position on this. China firmly opposes official exchanges between the US and Taiwan. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiqués and stop all forms of official exchanges between the US and Taiwan. Any attempt to ignore, deny or challenge the one-China principle will end in failure. China will take resolute and powerful countermeasures against the wrong actions of the United States.