Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian hosted a regular press conference on April 14, 2022
CCTV reporter: We have noticed that the National Urban League released an annual series of reports on the situation of African Americans on the 12th. It mentions that African-Americans' right to political participation is severely limited. In 2021 alone, 20 states across the U.S. will redraw their congressional district maps, with the new district maps "disenfranchising African-Americans and other communities of color". Meanwhile, multiple states have passed legislation to make it harder for African-Americans and other minority voters to vote. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: I also noticed this report.
The report noted that African-Americans enjoy only "73.9 percent equal treatment of whites" and lag far behind whites in wealth, health, education, justice and political participation.
This once again exposed the long-standing problem of systemic racial discrimination in the United States, reflecting that racial discrimination has permeated all aspects of social life.
Ideal is full, the reality is very skinny.
The United States has always advertised "openness" and "inclusiveness", advocating that everyone has the inalienable right to life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness, and that everyone can pursue and realize the "American Dream".
Fifty-nine years ago, Martin Luther King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech.
He said that the United States just wrote a blank check to black people, stamped the check with "insufficient funds", and returned it.
More than half a century later, this situation remains the same.
African Americans are still struggling to find equal rights with whites.
The experience of African Americans is also a common problem faced by other minorities in the United States.
Under the shadow of systemic racial discrimination such as differential treatment and violent law enforcement, ethnic minorities have to live in unease, injustice and fear. Many of them are not waiting for the dream of the United States, but the broken dream of the United States, the soul of the United States. Break America.
The U.S. government should earnestly face up to its own human rights issues, earnestly protect the equal and legal rights of ethnic minorities including African Americans, and turn the advertised "human rights" and "equality" into reality, so that all American people can see and touch , feel.
China Daily: According to reports, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zakharova said that the rumors about Russia's use of chemical weapons are unfounded, and the purpose is to divert the international community's attention from the issue of Ukraine's biological laboratory. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: I noticed her remarks.
Indeed, the United States has so far failed to provide a convincing explanation for the issue of biomilitary activities.
Addressing concerns through consultation and cooperation is itself a requirement of the Biological Weapons Convention, and the US has no right to avoid talking about it.
There are many vague and even self-contradictory points in the US's remarks so far, which further aggravates the doubts of the international community.
For example, how many U.S. bio-collaboration facilities are there around the world?
How many biological samples did the U.S. take away according to the U.S.-Ukraine agreement, and for what purpose?
What is the sensitive information that the Uzbek side is not allowed to disclose under the agreement?
Has the U.S. conducted any dangerous research outside the U.S. that is prohibited in the U.S.?
Not only that, on the one hand, the United States commemorates the 50th anniversary of the opening of the BWC as a depositor, talking about strengthening the convention mechanism, and on the other hand, at the convention meeting that closed this week, it continued to ignore the calls of the international community.
Why does the US exclusively oppose the resumption of multilateral negotiations aimed at establishing a verification mechanism for the Biological Weapons Convention?
How can the performance of the United States win the trust of the international community?
How can the confidence of the international community in the US compliance be restored?
As one of the signatories of the Biological Weapons Convention, the United States should lead by example and not be an exception.
We again urge the US side to make comprehensive and specific clarifications on its biomilitary activities, and stop its exclusive opposition to the establishment of a multilateral verification mechanism.
Reporter from Hubei Radio and TV Station: Recently, when some American media reported the Ukrainian crisis and the resulting refugee issue, suspected racist remarks often appeared, such as "These are not refugees from Syria, they are Christians, they are white." What is the spokesperson's comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: I have also noticed these remarks, which have aroused strong dissatisfaction among the people of relevant countries and regions.
A UNHCR spokesman stressed that whether the displaced are from Ukraine, Afghanistan or Syria, "we must remember that they are all human beings".
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said that the world has failed to pay equal attention to black and white lives.
Continuing crises in places like Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria have received little global attention compared to the crises in Ukraine.
What I want to emphasize is that human beings are only differentiated by skin color and language, and there is absolutely no distinction between superior and inferior.
Anyone's life deserves the same attention and respect.
Separating different races into "civilization grades" based on self-imposed standards and selectively showing so-called sympathy is typical of racial discrimination and double standards, once again exposing the deep-rooted "white supremacy" and "civilization superiority" in some countries. s".
I would also like to stress that the history of the Ukraine issue is very clear.
And when we trace the origins of the humanitarian disasters suffered by the Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, etc. in the past 30 years after the Cold War, it is not difficult to find the culprits that disturbed the regional situation, incited confrontation, and caused human tragedy, and the culprit of the Ukraine issue. The initiators are highly homologous.
A country that considers itself a "beacon of democracy" and a "model of human rights" should abandon its arrogance and prejudice, stop undermining the peace and tranquility of other countries and the world under the guise of justice, and truly contribute to human civilization.
Otherwise, they can only continue to degrade their credibility and image in front of the international community.
"Macau Monthly" reporter: First question, yesterday you commented on the shooting incident in New York, saying that there were no reports of casualties among Chinese citizens. What's the latest development? On the second question, the commander of the US Marine Corps warned that the China-Institute security cooperation agreement was "too good to be true." What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: Regarding your first question, according to the latest information from the Chinese Consulate General in New York, a Chinese citizen was injured in the New York City subway shooting.
The consulate general has contacted the families of the injured as soon as possible to provide assistance.
The injured are currently receiving treatment at the hospital and are in stable condition.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate-General in New York will continue to closely follow the situation of Chinese citizens and provide consular protection and assistance in a timely manner.
Regarding your second question, first of all, I want to correct a factual mistake made by the commander of the US military. The cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands in the field of security, including the negotiation and signing of a security agreement, is premised on respecting the wishes and actual needs of the Solomon Islands. , based on equal consultation.
In cooperation with Pacific island countries such as the Solomon Islands, China has always insisted that all countries, big or small, are equal, and never attach any political conditions or impose them on others.
Whether China's cooperation with the island countries is good or not, the people of the island countries have the most say.
The above-mentioned remarks by the US reveal that some people ignore the needs of the island countries to diversify their foreign cooperation, and they are condescending and bossy towards the island countries.
Relevant parties should stop making irresponsible remarks and do more things that are conducive to peace, stability and development in the South Pacific region.
Xinhua News Agency: According to reports, when the new Pakistani Prime Minister Shabazz met with the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires in Pakistan recently, he said that the new Pakistani government attaches great importance to developing relations with China, and is willing to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries and promote China-Pakistan with greater courage and efficiency. Economic corridor construction. What is the comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this?
Zhao Lijian: China appreciates Prime Minister Shabazz's remarks.
China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners and veritable "hardcore" brothers.
China will, as always, prioritize Pakistan in its neighboring diplomacy, and firmly support Pakistan in achieving prosperity and revitalization.
We are willing to work with the new Pakistani government to intensify exchanges at all levels, enrich and expand practical cooperation, build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with the goal of high standards, sustainability and people's livelihood, and accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era. for the benefit of the two countries and the two peoples.
RTHK reporter: US Treasury Secretary Yellon urged China to take action to end Russia's military operations in Ukraine, otherwise it may affect China's international status. How does China respond to this?
Zhao Lijian: China has always upheld an objective and fair position on the Ukraine issue.
We support dialogue and negotiation, actively provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and other affected countries, and make great efforts to ease the situation, resolve the crisis and rebuild peace.
China always insists that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected and safeguarded, and believes that there should be no double standards in handling international relations.
Ukraine's sovereignty and security should be upheld, and Russia's legitimate security concerns should also be respected.
The peace and stability of Europe is worth defending, and the peace and stability of other countries are also worth protecting.
We firmly oppose any distortion and smear of China's position.
China has played a constructive role on the Ukraine issue.
We preside over justice, seek peace, and focus on the long-term.
China's position is consistent with the positions and aspirations of most countries.
We oppose groundless accusations and suspicions against China, let alone any pressure or coercion.
Time will eventually prove that China's claim is on the right side of history.
AFP: A Uyghur woman detained in Saudi Arabia told AFP that she fears being sent back to China. Do you know the specifics of the case?
This is AFP's own report, right?
I haven't heard of such a thing.
Macau Monthly: According to reports, Democratic Senator Menendez and Republican Senator Graham will lead a delegation to visit Taiwan on the 14th and will meet with Tsai Ing-wen, according to reports. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the US and Taiwan.
Members of the U.S. Congress should abide by the one-China policy pursued by the U.S. government.
The U.S. side should abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, stop official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan, and refrain from going further and further down the dangerous road.
China will continue to take effective measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.