Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's regular press conference on March 3, 2021
Bloomberg reporter: According to the results of Gallup's relevant polls, the American people's favorability towards China has dropped to a new low. How does China comment on the negative attitude of the American people towards China?
Wang Wenbin: Recently, there have been many polls on Sino-US relations.
I have also noticed that from some poll data, a considerable number of American respondents believe that China-US cultural exchanges should be maintained, and 72% of the respondents support the United States to actively engage in climate governance cooperation with China.
I want to emphasize that the people of China and the United States have always had friendly feelings, and the friendship between the two peoples has always been the source and important foundation for the development of Sino-US relations.
However, out of ideological prejudice and political self-interest, the last US government and anti-China forces in the United States slandered and smeared China, wantonly instigated confrontation and division, spread political viruses, and severely poisoned the atmosphere of public opinion in both countries.
Recently, China and the United States have carried out a series of exchange activities at all levels.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with US President Biden on the Chinese New Year's Eve.
Last month, Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Committee’s Foreign Affairs Commission, had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Brinken at an appointment.
Not long ago, a number of former politicians, experts and scholars from China and the United States participated in the Lanting Forum with the theme of "dialogue and cooperation, managing differences-pushing Sino-US relations back on track". State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi opened the forum. Address at the ceremony.
Just yesterday, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the US State Legislative Leadership Foundation jointly organized the 5th China-US Provincial and State Legislature Cooperation Forum video conference with the theme of "Win-Win Cooperation and Composing New Chapters".
Both sides should comply with the voices of the two peoples and the expectations of the international community, and maintain and strengthen dialogue and communication in various fields.
It is hoped that the United States will view China and Sino-US relations in an objective and rational manner, adopt a rational and pragmatic policy toward China, meet China halfway, and do more to promote mutual trust and cooperation between China and the United States, and push Sino-US relations back to the track of healthy and stable development.
We also hope that friends in the media from all walks of life will report on China and China-US relations objectively and truthfully, and play a better role as a bridge in enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the Chinese and American peoples.
Reporter from Russia Today: On Tuesday, the European Union announced sanctions against some Russian citizens because the Russian side arrested the opposition Navalny. On the same day, the United States also announced that it would impose sanctions on some senior Russian officials and 14 entities for the same reasons. In response, the Russian side stated that the actions of the European Union and the United States are pulling Russia's relations with Europe and the United States into a "dead end." What is China's comment? Is China worried that the coordination and cooperation between Russia, Europe, and the United States in the UN Security Council and other international forums will be affected by this?
Wang Wenbin: We have expounded on China’s position more than once and how to deal with the Navalny issue. This is entirely Russia’s internal affair.
External forces have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign countries.
We hope that relevant countries can enhance understanding and resolve differences through consultations and dialogues, instead of resorting to unilateral sanctions or threats of sanctions in international relations.
Regarding your second question, Russia, the United States, and the European Union all have important influence in the international community.
China hopes that relevant countries can strengthen communication and dialogue, which is conducive to maintaining world peace and stability and conducive to the joint efforts of the international community to respond to various global challenges.
Xinhua News Agency reporter: According to reports, on the 2nd, the World Intellectual Property Organization released a report showing that China's international patent applications in 2020 increased by 16.1% year-on-year to approximately 68,000. The number of applications in China has ranked first in the world for two consecutive years. What is the spokesperson's comment on this?
Wang Wenbin: I have also seen the relevant report. According to the report, China has once again become the country with the largest number of international patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) framework, with the number of applications as high as 68,720, an increase of 16.1% year-on-year, which is also higher than 2019 10.6% of the year.
Chinese companies have become the largest international patent applicants under the framework of the Patent Cooperation Treaty for four consecutive years.
Of the 10 universities with the most applications, 5 are from China.
In the context of the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the growth rate of international patent applications under China's Patent Cooperation Treaty has not fallen but has increased.
This once again reflects China's achievements in intellectual property protection, and is also a microcosm of the continuous improvement of China's innovation capabilities and the public's awareness of intellectual property rights. It shows that China is transforming from a large country of intellectual property introduction to a large country of intellectual property creation.
According to data recently released by the State Intellectual Property Office of China, China's authorized invention patents reached 530,000 in 2020, a year-on-year increase of 17.1%.
China ranks 14th in the 2020 Global Innovation Index and is the only middle-income economy in the top 30.
At present, as China enters a new stage of development, we are vigorously implementing the new development concept and actively constructing a new development pattern. This is inseparable from the strong support of intellectual property rights.
No country can become an independent innovation center or enjoy the achievements of innovation exclusively.
Innovation results should benefit the world, and should not become a treasure buried in a cave.
China is willing to work with other countries to continue to strengthen scientific and technological innovation and cooperation, actively participate in global intellectual property governance, and make more contributions to the balanced, inclusive and sustainable development of global intellectual property rights.
China News Agency reporter: According to reports, Jizan Province in Saudi Arabia suffered a missile attack and injured 5 people. What is China's comment?
Wang Wenbin: China condemns attacks against civilians and civilian facilities, supports Saudi Arabia's efforts to maintain its own security and stability, and calls on relevant parties to avoid actions that lead to escalation of regional tensions.
Russian reporter today: Microsoft said that Chinese hackers with government background used vulnerabilities in its email servers to carry out cyber attacks on some US institutions. Microsoft also claimed that these hackers attempted to steal information from American universities, law firms, and infectious disease research institutions. What's China's response to this?
Wang Wenbin: China firmly opposes and cracks down on any form of cyber attacks and cyber thefts in accordance with the law. This position is consistent and clear.
China has repeatedly reiterated that cyberspace has the characteristics of strong virtuality, difficult traceability, and diverse actors. The traceability of cyber attacks is a complex technical problem.
Linking cyber attacks directly to the government is a highly sensitive political issue.
China hopes that the relevant media and companies will adopt a professional and responsible attitude, based on sufficient evidence when characterizing cyber incidents, rather than making groundless guesses and accusations.
CCTV reporter: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Yesterday, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the launching ceremony of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan with Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi by video. What celebrations will the two parties hold? What is China's prospects for the future development of relations between the two countries?
Wang Wenbin: On March 2, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi attended the launching ceremony of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan and delivered a speech in Beijing. The two sides also released the logo for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
This marks the official launch of a series of celebrations during the year between China and Pakistan.
After preliminary communication, the two parties plan to hold more than 100 celebration activities covering a wide range of fields such as politics, economy and trade, humanities, and military. We will announce the list of related activities as soon as possible after consultation and determination.
Of course, the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan is by no means limited to the content on the list. We welcome the active participation of all sectors of society in both countries, especially the younger generation, to make the celebrations of both parties more colorful, broader and more fruitful. .
I believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, China and Pakistan will be able to further inherit and carry forward the traditional friendship, further expand and deepen practical cooperation in various fields, further strengthen the connection between the hearts of the two peoples, and promote the establishment of a China-Pakistan all-weather strategic partnership. Greater development.
Bloomberg News: A US cybersecurity company named Recorded Future said that since last June, after the border conflict between China and India, some hacker organizations funded by the Chinese government have been attacking Indian power plants and ports. What's your opinion?
Wang Wenbin: I have answered related questions in the past two days.
I have noticed that India has also publicly denied relevant reports.
It is irresponsible and with ulterior motives to throw dirty water on a specific party without facts.
We urge the relevant parties to respect the facts and stop doing nothing and malicious provocation.
The Paper: According to reports, on the 2nd, the Australian think tank Roy International Policy Research Institute poll showed that 18% of Australian Chinese were personally threatened or attacked last year due to their ethnic background, and 37% of Australian Chinese were treated differently. Tensions in Sino-Australian relations have contributed to the flames. In addition, some Chinese parliamentarians in Sydney have also been attacked by racism recently. What is China's comment?
Wang Wenbin: I have noticed relevant reports.
For a period of time, discrimination against Asians, including Chinese and overseas Chinese, has emerged one after another in Australia, seriously threatening the personal safety and legal rights of Chinese citizens in Australia. We are deeply concerned about this.
The Chinese government has previously issued early warnings for studying in Australia and travel safety reminders, hoping that Chinese citizens in Australia will take precautions for their own safety.
At the same time, we hope that Australia will face the problem squarely, take concrete measures to strengthen the education of its citizens, solve its own domestic problems of racism and discrimination, and safeguard and protect the safety and legitimate rights of Chinese citizens in Australia.
"South China Morning Post" reporter: According to reports, German officials said that they plan to send warships to Asia in August this year and that they will pass through the South China Sea when they return. If this happens, this will be the first time a German warship has passed through the South China Sea since 2002. Does China have any comment?
Wang Wenbin: All countries enjoy the freedom of navigation and overflight provided by international law in the South China Sea, but they cannot use this as an excuse to endanger the sovereignty and security of coastal states.