Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's regular press conference on August 18, 2020
CCTV reporter: The anti-epidemic medical expert group sent by the Chinese government to Azerbaijan returned to China on August 17. Can you briefly introduce the work of the expert group in Azerbaijan? What help does China provide?
Zhao Lijian: China's anti-epidemic medical expert team to Azerbaijan was established by the National Health Commission and selected by the Sichuan Provincial Health Commission. The 10 members are from West China Hospital of Sichuan University and have extensive experience in epidemic prevention and control and diagnosis and treatment.
The expert team arrived in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on August 4. In the past two weeks, the expert team has carried out work in Baku, Jalilabad, Sumqayt and other places in Azerbaijan, in-depth anti-epidemic, and visited many local hospitals, testing laboratories, blood centers and other medical and health institutions. Communicate with Azerbaijan’s epidemic prevention authorities and medical experts, discuss the situation of Azerbaijan’s epidemic prevention and control, epidemic prevention measures and diagnosis and treatment procedures, provide training and guidance for Azerbaijani medical staff, and share China’s anti-epidemic experience without reservation. The expert group interpreted the traditional friendship between China and Arab countries with practical actions and implemented the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. Their outstanding work has been fully affirmed by the Afghan government and people.
China and Azerbaijan are friendly cooperative partners. After the outbreak, the two countries firmly supported each other and worked hand in hand to overcome the difficulties, which fully demonstrated the profound friendship between the two peoples. China is willing to continue to provide assistance within its capacity to Afghanistan in fighting the epidemic, and will continue to strengthen cooperation in the fight against the epidemic with the international community. I believe that with joint efforts, we will be able to overcome the epidemic as soon as possible.
Bloomberg reporter: The US Department of Commerce announced further restrictions on Huawei in an attempt to cut off Huawei's ability to obtain chips through commercial channels. Based on the restrictions on Huawei in May, it included 38 subsidiaries of Huawei in 21 countries on the entity list. How does China respond to this?
Zhao Lijian: China firmly opposes the deliberate smear and suppression of Huawei and other Chinese companies by the US. For a period of time, the US has generalized the concept of national security, abused national power, and adopted various restrictive measures against Chinese companies such as Huawei without any real evidence. This is a naked hegemonic act.
It must be emphasized that what the U.S. has done has completely pierced the "figure sheet" of the market economy and fair competition principles that the U.S. has always advertised, violated international trade rules, and undermined the global industrial chain, supply chain, and value chain, which will surely harm U.S. national interests. And self-image.
I would also like to emphasize that the more hysterical the US suppresses Huawei and other Chinese companies, the more it proves the success of these companies, and the more it proves the hypocrisy and dominance of the US. In history, many successful companies in other countries have had similar experiences. This disgraceful practice of the US has been and will continue to be widely opposed and resisted by other countries.
The US accusing Huawei of threatening US national security is groundless. Facts have proved that in the past 30 years, Huawei has built more than 1,500 networks in more than 170 countries and regions around the world, provided services to 228 Fortune Global 500 companies, and served more than 3 billion people worldwide. There has never been a similar incident. The Norden Incident and WikiLeaks’ cybersecurity incidents did not have any network surveillance behaviors similar to the “Prism Gate”, “Formula Organization”, and “Echelon System”, and no country can offer Huawei products. Evidence of "backdoor".
The United States is the largest and veritable Matrix on this planet. American companies such as Cisco and Apple have admitted that their equipment has security vulnerabilities and "backdoors." U.S. intelligence agencies have long carried out undifferentiated and illegal activities of stealing and monitoring foreign governments, enterprises, and individuals, including allies, and there are basically no secrets at all, including U.S. citizens. This is an open fact.
We urge the US to immediately correct its mistakes, stop slandering China, and stop suppressing Chinese companies. The Chinese government will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.
The Paper: It is understood that the Ministry of Commerce of China issued an announcement today to initiate an anti-dumping investigation on imported wines originating in Australia. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: This is a normal anti-dumping investigation. After understanding, the Chinese competent authority received an anti-dumping investigation application submitted by the domestic wine industry on July 6 this year. After reviewing in accordance with the law, it found that the application met the statutory conditions and initiated an investigation on August 18. The Chinese competent authority will conduct relevant investigations in a fair and impartial manner in accordance with the law.
US Topic News Agency reporter: Regarding the anti-dumping investigation of Australian wine, what do you mean by the "statutory conditions"? The Australian side stated that they did not sell red wine at a price below the market. What is the basis for the Chinese investigation? It is reported that the relevant investigation is driven by politics. What is your response to this?
Zhao Lijian: Regarding the relevant case, I have just responded. If you are interested in the details of this investigation, please ask the competent authority.
Regarding China-Australia relations, we have stated many times that China’s position on the development of China-Australia relations is consistent and clear. A healthy and stable China-Australia relationship is in the common interests of the two countries, but it requires the joint efforts of both sides. We hope that Australia and China will meet each other halfway, uphold the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and do more things that are conducive to mutual trust and cooperation between China and Australia and in line with the spirit of China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.
AFP reporter: Do you have any comment on Taiwan's establishment of a "representative office" in Somaliland ?
Zhao Lijian: There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The one-China principle is a universally recognized norm of international relations and a universal consensus of the international community. China firmly opposes the establishment of mutual official institutions between Taiwan and Somaliland or any form of official exchanges. The DPP authorities are in a hurry to invest in doctors and attempt to engage in separatist activities in the international arena, and they will never succeed.
Bloomberg News: The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam said in an interview recently that after the US sanctioned Chinese officials, she encountered problems with credit cards. At the same time, many Chinese banks operating in the United States are more cautious in opening new accounts for 11 sanctioned officials. According to Bloomberg, these banks include Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and China Merchants Bank. What's your opinion?
Zhao Lijian: China’s opposition to the so-called sanctions imposed by the United States on Hong Kong officials is consistent and clear.
Reuters reporter: Earlier this year, the Chinese Ambassador to Australia said that if China-Australia relations deteriorate, Chinese consumers will reconsider whether to drink Australian wine. You just said that this is a normal anti-dumping investigation. Is this a coincidence? Is China worried that the investigation will further damage China-Australia relations?
Zhao Lijian: I have explained China's position very clearly just now. This is a normal anti-dumping investigation. Please don't make unnecessary associations.
Agence France-Presse reporter: Lawyer Meng Wanzhou asked Canada to disclose relevant confidential documents, but the Canadian government said yesterday that it had provided all relevant documents. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: China's position on the Meng Wanzhou incident is consistent and clear. We have stated our position many times.
What I want to emphasize is that the Chinese government is unwavering in its determination to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens and enterprises. China supports relevant enterprises and individuals to take up legal weapons to protect their rights. Regarding the specific question you mentioned, you should ask the Canadian side why they can’t produce the relevant evidence and documents? What kind of shame is there between them and the United States?