Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's regular press conference on February 3, 2021
China has formally joined the "New Crown Vaccine Implementation Plan" and has maintained close communication with the WHO and other sponsors to make joint efforts to make vaccines a global public product and achieve accessibility and affordability in developing countries.
We attach great importance to Director General Tedros’ call to vaccinate all national priority groups within the first 100 days of this year. We also attach great importance to the difficulties faced by the implementation of the “Implementation Plan”, especially the huge vaccine supply gap in February and March.
At the request of WHO, China decided to provide 10 million doses of vaccine to the "implementation plan", mainly for the urgent needs of developing countries.
This is another important measure taken by China to promote the fair distribution of vaccines, advance international anti-epidemic cooperation, and implement the concept of a community of human health and health.
The WHO has begun reviewing emergency use authorizations for vaccines in China.
Chinese companies will continue to actively cooperate.
I hope that the WHO will complete this work as soon as possible.
We hope that the capable countries of the international community will take active actions to support the "implementation plan" with practical actions, support the work of WHO, help developing countries obtain vaccines in a timely manner, and make due contributions to the international community's early victory over the epidemic.
CCTV reporter: Yesterday, the Asia Society of America published a survey report that 56% of American respondents hoped that the United States would cooperate with China on climate change issues, believing that this is more important than cooperation in areas including the epidemic. 69% of the interviewees believe that if China takes more action on the issue of climate change, then the United States should take the same action. 52% of the interviewees believe that cooperating with China to promote clean energy development will benefit the US economy. What is China's comment?
Wang Wenbin: We have seen this investigation report.
Last year, China successively announced a series of policies to deal with climate change, proposed four new measures to strive to reach the peak of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, strive to achieve the vision of carbon neutrality by 2060, and to increase nationally determined contributions China’s determination to actively respond to climate change and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind is also China’s new contribution to the global climate change process.
The issue of climate change is a global challenge that requires all parties to work together to tackle it.
China and the United States have extensive common interests and room for cooperation in the field of climate change.
Facts have proved and will continue to prove that Sino-US cooperation can accomplish many major things that benefit both countries and the world.
China and the United States have conducted fruitful cooperation in this field, and played a positive and constructive role in promoting the conclusion, signing and entry into force of the Paris Agreement.
China welcomes the return of the United States to the Paris Agreement and looks forward to working with all parties including the United States to jointly promote the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, and work together to build a win-win, fair and reasonable climate governance system to help the global economy Carbon transition and green recovery after the epidemic.
Nippon Television: Today, the WHO expert team went to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. US Secretary of State Blincoln said that China’s virus traceability arrangements are not transparent enough, and you answered relevant questions yesterday. When the expert group visited the Institute of Virology, what explanation did China give to the expert group?
Wang Wenbin: As a WHO official introduced at the press conference yesterday, the international expert group had fruitful discussions with the Chinese side. At the same time, it visited hospitals, markets, and CDCs. The work is progressing smoothly.
Today the expert group will visit the Wuhan Virus Research Institute and have a discussion with experts from Huazhong Agricultural University.
These activities are important content of the traceability exchange and cooperation between the two parties.
What needs to be pointed out is that virus traceability is a complex scientific problem, and we need to provide enough space for experts to engage in scientific research.
China will, as always, uphold an open, transparent and responsible attitude, continue to cooperate with the WHO, and make its own contributions to better prevent future risks and protect the lives and health of people of all countries.
Nippon TV reporter: Last year, the then US President Trump stated that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the source of the new crown virus. The Chinese government has repeatedly refuted this claim. This time the WHO expert group went to the institute. Did they show relevant evidence?
Wang Wenbin: I have answered your question just now.
I can emphasize again that no one should use the epidemic to stigmatize the virus. The traceability of the virus is a scientific issue, and it is necessary for all parties to provide experts with sufficient space for scientific research.
At the same time, we also hope that all parties can adopt a proactive and scientific attitude on the issue of traceability and develop close cooperation with the WHO just like China.
China News Agency reporter: According to reports, scientists and the Civil Rights Alliance, co-led by Majority Senator Susan Lee of the Maryland State Senate and Terry Learman Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives on Civil Rights and Freedoms The chairman of the committee, Jamie Ruskin, asked him to hold a hearing on the investigation of Chinese scientists by the US Department of Justice in recent years and called for the end of the "China Action Plan." What is China's comment?
Wang Wenbin: The so-called "China Action Plan" launched by the judicial department of the last U.S. government in 2018 was a big presumption of guilt and artificial setting of annual case-handling targets. It was purely political manipulation and violated the spirit of the rule of law advocated by the United States itself. Condemnation and resistance from people of insight.
We urge the relevant administrative departments of the United States to listen carefully to the objective and rational voices of all walks of life in the United States, abandon the Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice, correct wrong practices, stop abusing judicial power to harass and suppress Chinese students and researchers in the United States, and contribute to China and the United States in science, technology, and humanities. Normal exchanges and cooperation in the field provide favorable conditions.
Xinhua News Agency reporter: According to reports, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly held an online seminar on ecological and environmental protection of the "Rim of the Himalayas" International Cooperation Forum. Could you please introduce the relevant situation?
Wang Wenbin: On February 2, China's Tibet Autonomous Region and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly held an online seminar on ecological and environmental protection of the "Rim of the Himalayas" International Cooperation Forum.
Wu Yingjie, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region, and Zizala, Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, respectively delivered speeches. Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.
We have issued a press release on this.
China actively participates in the environmental governance process of global climate change and biodiversity.
Chinese leaders have attended recent international climate summits.
President Xi Jinping solemnly announced at the summit that China will increase its national independent contribution, strive to reach its peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
After that, President Xi Jinping further announced specific measures to implement the above goals, demonstrating China's ambition to tackle climate change and its determination to take a green and low-carbon development path, and also boosted confidence in global climate governance.
The countries around the Himalayas have a large population, a large market, similar history and culture, rich resources and energy, strong economic complementarity, and broad space for expanding friendly exchanges and practical cooperation.
China expects that all countries, especially those countries that have close economic, trade, cultural and historical ties with the Huanxi region, will pay more attention to the forum, invest more in the forum, explore extensive cooperation including ecological governance, explore more unique areas of cooperation, and explore opportunities for cooperation and development. New opportunities.
Representatives of the participating parties said that all countries should work together and cooperate for a win-win situation, and effectively promote the global climate governance process through exchanges, dialogues and multilateral mechanisms.
Reuters reporter: According to BBC reports, there are systematic sexual assaults and abuses against women in Xinjiang's "re-education camps". What's the comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
Wang Wenbin: Recently, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region government held the third press conference on Xinjiang-related issues in Beijing. I hope you have noticed the relevant questions.
The BBC has published false reports on Xinjiang-related issues more than once, and we have also clarified and refuted it many times.
I want to emphasize again that China has successively released 8 white papers on Xinjiang, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region government has also held more than 20 press conferences, showing the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang that live and work in peace, unity and harmony with a large number of detailed figures and examples. Life also shows the fact that the legitimate rights and interests of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are effectively protected.
In recent years, more than 1,200 diplomats, journalists, and representatives of religious organizations from more than 100 countries have visited Xinjiang and witnessed the unity, harmony, joy and harmony of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.
The BBC’s report of violations of women’s rights in Xinjiang that you mentioned just now has no factual basis.
There has never been a so-called "re-education camp" in Xinjiang.
Some people previously interviewed by the relevant media have proved to be nothing more than "actors" who spread false information.
I would like to introduce to you some facts about Xinjiang-related issues.
In July 2019, permanent representatives of more than 50 countries in Geneva jointly sent a letter to the President of the UN Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, positively evaluating China’s achievements in counter-terrorism, de-radicalization and human rights protection; in October 2019, more than 60 countries Speech during the third committee meeting of the 74th UN General Assembly, praising China’s Xinjiang for the tremendous progress in human rights; in July 2020, at the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, 46 countries made joint speeches to support China’s Xinjiang-related issues In October 2020, nearly 50 countries affirmed China’s measures in Xinjiang during the deliberations of the third committee of the 75th UN General Assembly; in October 2020, 20 Arab countries stationed in China Envoys and representatives of the Arab League in China visited Xinjiang. They all spoke highly of Xinjiang's achievements in countering terrorism and de-radicalization, protecting citizens' freedom of religious belief, promoting economic development, and improving people's livelihood.
We hope that the relevant media will face the facts squarely and stop unfounded smear and slander China on Xinjiang-related issues.
"Global Times" reporter: Regarding the Canadian embassy diplomat’s order of cultural shirts with the “bat” pattern and the word “WUHAN”, the spokesperson of the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called this a “misunderstanding.” The Canadian embassy staff is to assist in early 2020. The cultural shirt ordered by the staff of the embassy of the evacuees in Wuhan is not a bat, but a symbol of an American rap band named "Wudang Gang". How does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs comment on this? Does China accept this explanation?
Wang Wenbin: Canada's so-called "misunderstanding" excuses are not convincing.
I have noticed that some mainstream Canadian media have also admitted that "bat-like patterns" are printed on the cultural shirts.
We can hardly believe that the staff concerned, as senior diplomats who have worked and lived in China for many years, would make such a low-level mistake so unconsciously!
The erroneous actions of the relevant personnel have caused bad effects and aroused strong resentment and dissatisfaction among the Chinese people.
Canada should take this matter seriously and give China a clear explanation as soon as possible.
Agence France-Presse reporter: The relevant activist group issued an open letter today calling on leaders of all countries to boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. What's your comment?
Wang Wenbin: We have said many times that the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the Winter Paralympics are another important contribution China has made to the international Olympic movement. Participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics is also the eager anticipation of winter Olympic sports fans from all over the world.
The current preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics are progressing smoothly and have been highly recognized by the international community including the International Olympic Committee.
We will work with all parties to make the Beijing Winter Olympics a splendid, extraordinary and outstanding Olympic event.
At the same time, I want to point out that it is very irresponsible to try to interfere with, hinder, or disrupt the preparation and holding of the Beijing Olympics due to political motives.
I believe that such a move cannot be supported by the international community, and it is destined to fail.
Kyodo News: Yesterday, the United Nations Security Council held a meeting on the situation in Myanmar. What solutions did China propose during the meeting?
Wang Wenbin: On February 2, the Security Council held internal consultations on the situation in Myanmar, and China participated constructively in relevant discussions.
China is a friendly neighbor of Myanmar.
We hope that all parties in Myanmar will put the will and interests of the people as the most important, through dialogue, properly handle differences under the constitution and legal framework, and maintain political and social stability.
The international community should create a good external environment for Myanmar to properly resolve differences.
Any action taken by the Security Council should contribute to Myanmar’s political and social stability, help Myanmar’s peaceful reconciliation, and avoid intensifying conflicts and further complicating the situation.
At the same time, China is puzzled and shocked by the leak of internal documents being discussed by the Security Council.
This is not in conformity with the working rules of the Security Council, nor is it conducive to the unity and mutual trust of Council members.
"China Daily" reporter: According to reports, the Australian Federal Court ruled on the defamation case of Australian Chinese businessman Zhou Zerong v. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Ninth News Corporation and reporter Mackenzie on February 2 and found that the defendant's actions constituted defamation and the defendant must do so. Compensation is 590,000 Australian dollars per week, and the program videos and articles involved are removed from the shelves. What is China's comment?
Wang Wenbin: I have noticed relevant reports.
I want to emphasize again that China has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs in developing relations with other countries.
For some time, individual Australian media and reporters have been keen to speculate on the so-called "interference" and "infiltration" of China in Australia without any bottom line, smearing China and undermining China-Australia relations. Their credibility has long since gone bankrupt.
China urges some Australian media to abide by professional ethics, discard ideological prejudices, and stop making irresponsible remarks on China-related issues.
The Paper: There are rumors that China may secretly support or acquiesce behind the changes in the political situation in Myanmar. How does China comment on this statement?
Wang Wenbin: The relevant statement is not true.
As a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, we hope that all parties in Myanmar will properly handle their differences under the constitution and legal framework, and maintain political and social stability.
Bloomberg News: Several Republican congressmen of the American Congress asked Republican senators to postpone the confirmation of Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce until President Biden clarified whether he supports keeping Huawei on the restricted trade list. How does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs comment on this?
Wang Wenbin: China has repeatedly stated its solemn position on the issue of the US's unprovoked suppression of Chinese companies.
In order to maintain the US technology monopoly and hegemony, the previous US government and some anti-China politicians abused national power and unscrupulously suppressed Huawei and other Chinese high-tech companies. This is a denial of the market economy principles that the US has always advertised. It also pierces the US so-called fairness. The hypocrisy of competition.
We urge these politicians to stop generalizing the concept of national security and stop unreasonably suppressing Chinese companies.
China News Agency reporter: Yesterday, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in response to the question about the traceability of the new crown virus, “I hope that the United States will invite WHO experts to the United States to conduct traceability studies like China.” Will China formally request the WHO to go to the United States? Carry out virus traceability research?
Wang Wenbin: The tracing of the source of the new coronavirus is a complex scientific issue, and the work should be carried out by global scientists.
China has always maintained an open and transparent attitude and maintained close communication and cooperation with the WHO on global virus traceability, and provided strong support and assistance for WHO experts to come to China.
Many clues, reports and studies have shown that viruses and epidemics have appeared in many places around the world as early as the second half of 2019.
WHO should conduct similar investigations in other countries and regions based on facts and responsibilities.
We hope that all parties concerned will adopt an active, scientific and cooperative attitude on traceability issues like China, invite WHO experts to carry out traceability studies, and assume their due responsibilities and obligations for international anti-epidemic cooperation and the establishment of a human health community.
Bloomberg reporter: Can you tell us which Chinese companies provide 10 million doses of vaccine to COVAX? How much vaccine will China get from COVAX?
Wang Wenbin: As I have just introduced, China has decided to provide 10 million doses of vaccine to the "New Crown Vaccine Implementation Plan".
China will maintain close communication with the sponsors such as the World Health Organization and make active efforts to implement our commitments.
Please refer to the competent authority for the specific issues you are concerned about.