Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's regular press conference on June 18, 2021
CCTV reporter: The 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council will be held in Switzerland on June 21. It is understood that a small number of countries including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom will make joint speeches on Xinjiang-related issues during the conference, attacking and discrediting China's human rights cause. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: It seems that they are obsessed with it, and they are going to stage a political farce.
A few countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have consistently abused the UN Human Rights Council platform, fabricated and disseminated false information, and attacked and smeared China under the guise of human rights. This is an interference and destruction to international human rights dialogue and cooperation, and it is also a cause of progress in the world's human rights. Trampling and blasphemy.
Instrumentalizing human rights issues and engaging in naked political manipulation are the usual tactics of these countries.
Their purpose in doing so is to divert their attention, cover up their various inferiorities and numerous crimes on human rights issues by slandering China, and deceive the people of their own country and the people of the world.
Facts speak louder than words.
The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have always pursued the people-centered concept of human rights, and have always regarded the right to survival and development as the primary basic human rights.
The Chinese government’s policy of governing Xinjiang is upright and upright, worthy of the people and worthy of history, and won the heartfelt support and support of the people of all ethnic groups across the country.
The achievements of China's human rights cause, including Xinjiang, have attracted worldwide attention. This is a fact that no one can deny.
On the other hand, these few countries that discredit China, their own human rights crimes are innumerable.
In history, these countries have slaughtered innocent lives through colonization and wars, and owed heavy debts to the people of the world.
Human rights issues such as racism, gun violence, forced labor, and child labor in these countries have emerged one after another.
The remains of the aboriginal children in boarding schools in Canada, the Freuds who "cannot breathe" in the United States, the innocent lives that died of gun violence, the hundreds of thousands of child laborers who endured forced labor in the tobacco industry, and Those minorities who suffer from discrimination and injustice in the UK are all torturing the conscience of politicians in these countries and calling for justice to come.
These countries have turned a blind eye to their own human rights issues, but have accused China based on false information.
I don't know where their confidence and courage come from?
The facts are there, justice is in the hearts of the people.
I believe that most countries in the world will see through their true purpose, reject their political manipulation, and uphold justice for China.
These countries hope to deceive the international community by fabricating Xinjiang-related lies, undermine Xinjiang's prosperity, stability, and sustainable development, and curb China's development. It is a man's arm that is doomed to fail!
Reuters reporter: Sullivan, National Security Affairs Assistant to the President of the United States, stated that the United States will consider arranging talks between President Biden and Chinese leaders. Can China confirm?
Zhao Lijian: I have noticed the relevant report, and there is no further information that can be provided at this time.
Hong Kong China Review News Agency: The international community has paid wide attention to the successful launch of Shenzhou 12 and sent three astronauts to the space station. The space agencies of many countries expressed their warm congratulations to China. All parties commented that this successful launch represents another important step forward for China's space exploration and proves China's growing confidence and capabilities in the space field. What is the spokesperson's comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: Yesterday, the Shenzhou 12 manned spacecraft, condensed with the wisdom and sweat of Chinese astronauts, was fully loaded with the eager anticipation of all the Chinese people for its successful launch and successfully completed its autonomous and rapid rendezvous and docking with the core module of Tianhe.
Astronauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming, and Tang Hongbo entered the Tianhe core capsule successively, which marked the first time that Chinese astronauts entered their own space station.
The international community has witnessed this historical moment together with China. The Russian National Aerospace Corporation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the European Space Agency and many other national space agencies have congratulated China in different ways. Netizens from all over the world have also sent enthusiastic messages. blessing of.
We are grateful for this.
Exploring the vast universe is the common dream of all mankind, and China is no exception.
As early as 1992, the Chinese government formulated a "three-step" development strategy for manned space projects.
In the past 30 years, China's manned spaceflight industry has stepped forward one step at a time, overcoming difficulties and making solid progress without stopping.
The entry of Chinese astronauts into the Tianhe core module is a test of China's scientific and technological innovation achievements, opening a new stage for China's dream-seeking space station and taking a new step in China's "Long March" in space.
The construction and operation of the Chinese space station will enable mankind to carry out deep space exploration and reserve technology and accumulate experience.
We are willing to work with all countries and regions committed to the peaceful use of outer space to carry out international exchanges and cooperation to make positive contributions to mankind’s exploration of the mysteries of the universe, the peaceful use of outer space, and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Reuters reporter: The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted yesterday to pass a ban on the use of equipment from Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE in US telecommunications networks. According to the ban, the FCC can also revoke previously authorized applications. Does China have any comment?
Zhao Lijian: Yesterday I answered related questions.
China firmly opposes this.
I want to emphasize again that even today, the US is still using the so-called "national security" as an excuse to abuse its national power to suppress Chinese companies without any evidence.
This is blatant economic and technological bullying, a blatant denial of the market economy principles that the US has always advertised, and it also exposes the hypocrisy of the US's so-called fair competition.
We once again urge the United States to stop the wrong practice of generalizing the concept of national security and politicizing economic issues, so as to provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies to operate in the United States.
China will continue to support relevant Chinese companies in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law.
Xinhua News Agency: According to reports, on the 17th, Kenneth Kaunda, the first president of Zambia after independence, passed away at the age of 97. What is China's comment on President Kaunda?
Zhao Lijian: Mr. Kaunda is an internationally renowned leader, politician and social activist of the older generation of African independence movements. He has made historic contributions to the national independence of Zambia and the Southern African National Liberation Movement.
Mr. Kaunda is the founder of China-Zambia relations and has been committed to the cause of China-Zambia friendship for a long time. He creatively put forward the term "all-weather friend" and defined China-Zambia relations accurately and vividly.
Mr. Kaunda is also an old friend and good friend of the Chinese people. The well-known "three worlds" theory was put forward by Chairman Mao Zedong when he met with Mr. Kaunda in 1974.
We express our deep condolences for the passing of Mr. Kaunda and our sincere condolences to the government and people of Zambia and the family of Mr. Kaunda.
We are willing to work with Zambia to continuously advance the cause of China-Zambia and China-Africa friendly cooperation.
Korea Broadcasting Corporation reporter: From next month, South Korea will implement conditional entry exemption measures for people who have completed the new crown vaccination abroad, including those who have been vaccinated in China. Will China also take relevant measures to exempt people from overseas COVID-19 vaccination when they enter China? If so, can you tell me in detail?
Zhao Lijian: Currently, the global epidemic is still spreading, and the virus continues to mutate.
China will make overall plans to determine various prevention and control measures based on the development of the epidemic situation and on the basis of scientific analysis.
Reuters reporter: According to North Korean media reports, Kim Jong-un stated on North Korea-US relations that he must be prepared for dialogue and confrontation, especially confrontation. This seems to be the first time he himself expressed his stance on North Korea-US relations. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: China's position on the situation on the peninsula and North Korea-US relations is consistent and clear.
The current situation on the peninsula is at a critical stage. All parties concerned should work together to do more to help maintain stability and promote dialogue.
The legitimate and reasonable concerns of the DPRK should be taken seriously and resolved.
We encourage all parties to actively commit to the two major goals of establishing a peace mechanism on the peninsula and realizing the denuclearization of the peninsula, and form a workable road map.
We hope that the DPRK and the United States will meet each other halfway and take care of each other's reasonable concerns on the basis of mutual respect, so as to advance the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue.
"Global Times" reporter: The British media recently reported that health inequality in the UK has been intensified due to the new crown pneumonia epidemic, and that ethnic minorities suffer from discrimination during medical treatment. In addition, a report from a relevant British economic think tank shows that during the epidemic, the unemployment rate of minorities in the UK has risen. Some media analysts believe that the above situation has once again exposed the stubborn disease of racism in the UK. What is the spokesperson's comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: I have noticed related reports.
The race problem in Britain has been around for a long time and everyone knows it.
According to the report of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, racism in Britain has intensified in recent years, and systematic discrimination, violent provocations and hate crimes against minorities have increased significantly.
Since the outbreak, the medical and employment conditions of minorities in the UK have further deteriorated.
The authoritative medical journal "The Lancet" reports that British minorities face a greater risk of infection and death than whites.
The report of the British Economic Think Tank shows that in the past year, the unemployment rate of African American and Asian young people in Britain has risen to 35% and 24%, which are nearly three times and nearly twice the unemployment rate of whites in the same age group.
What is unexpected is that the British side not only refrained from self-examination and adopted practical measures to protect the human rights of minorities, but also tried to surreptitiously get through.
In March of this year, the British side issued a report on racial issues, stating that there was insufficient evidence to show that there was systematic and institutional racial discrimination in the UK.
This practice of concealing one's ears and stealing bells and trying to cover up has been strongly protested by the British minorities and generally questioned by all sectors of society.
The UN Human Rights Council Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent and the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism and Racial Discrimination issued a joint statement, distorting and fabricating historical facts on the British report, and defending "white supremacy" with clichés that beautify the racial hierarchy Strongly condemned.
In addition to racial issues, other human rights issues in the UK have emerged in an endless stream. It can be said that they are indifferent to the lives and health of the people internally, and they are stigmatized; they owe debts for massacres and indiscriminate blood and crimes.
So far in the UK, one third of the families of children under the age of 5 are still living in poverty. Many children suffer from starvation and a large number of difficult immigrants have suffered serious violations of their rights.
In the centuries of colonial history, Britain has committed countless massacres all over the world, and the world's first concentration camp in South Africa has been marked by the shameful imprint of the British Empire.
The British army indiscriminately killed and tortured innocents in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places, but the perpetrators were protected by the government and remained at large.
The British side has turned a blind eye to its own human rights issues, but is keen to be a "teacher" and criticizes the human rights situation of other countries. Its hypocrisy and double standards are fully exposed.
The British side has no right to interfere and pressure other countries under the guise of human rights. It should carefully examine its own human rights abuses and effectively correct existing problems, rather than fabricate and smear other countries out of thin air.
Reuters reporter: The US State Department stated that the US strongly condemns the Hong Kong authorities' arrest of the relevant personnel of Apple Daily and calls for their immediate release. Does China have any comment?
Zhao Lijian: You should note that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Liaison Office of the Hong Kong Central Committee, and the National Security Agency in Hong Kong have responded to relevant issues. The Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong also criticized and clarified the absurd statements of individual foreign officials.
Here I want to emphasize three points:
First, Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law, everyone is equal before the law, no one has extra-legal privileges, and no institution is an extra-legal place.
No right and freedom, including freedom of the press, can break through the bottom line of national security.
We firmly support the SAR government and the police in performing their duties in accordance with the law, and firmly support all efforts to maintain national security and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
Second, the Hong Kong National Security Law focuses on cracking down on a small group of anti-China chaos in Hong Kong who seriously endanger national security, and protects the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the vast majority of Hong Kong residents, including freedom of speech.
Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, Hong Kong society has returned to stability, the rule of law and justice has been upheld, and the legal rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents and foreign citizens in Hong Kong have been better protected in a safer environment. This is an objective fact that cannot be denied.
Third, Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and no country, organization or individual has the right to interfere.
We urge individual foreign politicians to put aside their arrogance and prejudice, abandon double standards, earnestly respect the law enforcement of the SAR, respect the Hong Kong people’s desire to have stable social order and normal life, respect the fact that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and respect non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. 1. The basic norms of international law and international relations.
"Beijing Daily" reporter: On the 17th, the Italian "Republic" reported that Petrocelli, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Senate, said in an interview that he did not believe that there were "ethnic persecution" and "genocide" in Xinjiang and criticized a The socialist system chosen by more than one billion people is incorrect. He does not believe that there is "genocide" in Xinjiang, let alone the so-called sterilization and "ethnic cleansing" of millions of women. He hopes to lead a parliamentary delegation to visit Xinjiang, so that everyone in the delegation can judge by seeing it with their own eyes. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: I have taken note of relevant reports and I appreciate the courage of the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Senate for his objective, truthful and just voice.
Xinjiang is currently socially stable, economic development, ethnic unity, and religious harmony.
People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang live a peaceful and happy life, enjoying unprecedented rights and dignity.
This is a fact that anyone without prejudice can see.
The slander and smear of Xinjiang by a few anti-China forces based on rumors and lies is like a bubble, which is being ruthlessly punctured by facts and truths, as well as by international people of insight.
For some time, there have been more and more objective and fair voices about Xinjiang in the world.
American independent news website "gray zone", "World News Syndicate" website, American independent website Counterpunch, media from Australia, Brazil, Singapore, Sweden and other countries, Hong Kong "South China Morning Post", as well as the former mayor of Floen, Norway, and France The writer Vivas and others have published articles and books, pointing out that the so-called "forced labor" and "genocide" in Xinjiang are baseless, and disclosing the double standards of the United States and other Western countries on counter-terrorism issues and the geopolitical conspiracy of "using borders to control China". .
Just last month, more than 50 ambassadors and senior diplomats from 49 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the African Union visited Xinjiang. They sincerely praised Xinjiang’s economic development, social harmony and stability, An excellent situation of national stability and unity, freedom of religious belief, and flourishing culture.
They expressed their full understanding and support for the efforts of the Chinese government in the fight against terrorism and de-radicalization in Xinjiang, and positively evaluated the important role played by the education and training center.
The facts and truth about Xinjiang are here. It is by no means a few anti-China forces that can easily cover up by repeating a few rumors and a few farce by the director.
China welcomes foreigners from all walks of life who uphold a fair and objective stand to take a walk in Xinjiang, take a look, and get to know a real Xinjiang.
We believe that in the face of facts, all kinds of lies and false information concocted by anti-China forces will surely be self-defeating.
Bloomberg reporter: You just said that "Hong Kong's national security law focuses on cracking down on a small group of anti-China and Hong Kong rioters who seriously endanger national security." Do you mean the relevant personnel of the Apple Daily? Does China believe that their actions have undermined the social stability of Hong Kong?
Zhao Lijian: I have stated my position very clearly just now.
The facts of the case are clear and the evidence is solid, and it has nothing to do with freedom of the press.
Shenzhen Satellite TV reporter: According to reports, the trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance of Japan on the 16th showed that Japan’s imports and exports to China in May both hit a new high in the same month since 1979. China accounts for more than 20% of its imports and exports, and its importance as a country of trade with Japan is still rising. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: The economies of China and Japan are highly complementary and are an important part of the supply chain of East Asia and the global industrial chain.
China is Japan's largest export destination, and Japan is also firmly ranked as China's second largest trading partner.
Despite the severe challenges of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the pragmatic cooperation between China and Japan last year showed strong resilience and great potential.
For the whole year of 2020, the trade volume between China and Japan will be close to US$317.53 billion, a year-on-year increase of 0.8%.
In the first five months of this year, Sino-Japanese trade increased 23.5% year-on-year.
I also noticed that the China-Japan Chamber of Commerce recently released the "2021 Edition of the White Paper on the Chinese Economy and Japanese Enterprises."
The white paper pointed out that in the context of the epidemic, 63.5% of Japanese companies in China still achieved profits, 92.8% of Japanese companies in China stated that they had no plans to adjust their production in China due to the epidemic or changes in the trading environment, and 90.4% of Japanese companies Plans to further expand the scale of procurement in China.
This fully shows that the Chinese government’s efforts to prevent and control the epidemic and improve the business environment have been highly recognized by foreign-funded enterprises in China, and China’s development is generally optimistic.
Japan once deeply participated in China's reform and opening up, which brought huge benefits to China and Japan's own economic development.
As the most dynamic and potential big market in the world, China will continue to work hard to create a more stable, fair, transparent and predictable investment and business environment for foreign investors.
Recently, the Japanese government has cooperated with the US to curb and suppress the Chinese economy and has implemented or is studying a series of policies to engage in the so-called “decoupling” of the industrial supply chain from China, creating obstacles to the normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan, and bringing risks to the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two companies. .
The Japanese government should proceed from safeguarding its own national interests and international order, respect market laws and free trade rules, carefully listen to the voices of enterprises, follow the trend of the times, provide a fair, just, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment, and maintain the global industrial chain and supply chain. It is safe, reliable and stable to reduce the artificial restrictions and unnecessary political interference on the non-marketization of China-Japan economic and trade cooperation.