Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian hosted a regular press conference on May 30, 2022
Beijing Youth Daily: On May 28, US Secretary of State Blinken issued a statement saying that the Chinese government has set conditions, restricted and manipulated UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet's visit to China. The US is concerned about this. what opinions do the Chinese have on this issue?
Zhao Lijian: At the invitation of the Chinese government, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will visit China from May 23 to 28.
This is a journey to enhance understanding, strengthen cooperation, and clear the source of the original.
During the visit, High Commissioner Bachelet visited Guangzhou and Xinjiang. Through various forms such as meetings and talks, discussions and exchanges, and field visits, he comprehensively deepened his understanding and recognition of China's human rights development path, and personally experienced a safe, stable, and socially secure society. A real Xinjiang where the development continues to improve and the people live and work in peace and contentment.
In the face of facts and truth, all Xinjiang-related lies and rumors are self-defeating.
But there are always some "pretending to be asleep" who can't wake up no matter how hard they poke them.
The United States turned a blind eye to the truth of Xinjiang, turned a deaf ear, and brought out the lies and rumors that have been exposed countless times, repeating the same old tune and smearing and attacking China.
The funny thing is that they made up new lies, claiming that China restricted and manipulated the visit.
In fact, the arrangements of High Commissioner Bachelet's activities during her visit to China were made according to her own wishes and through full consultation between the two sides.
High Commissioner Bachelet also said at a press conference that there were extensive and unsupervised exchanges during his visit to China.
So, what's the limit?
How to manipulate?
In fact, it is the US that really wants to manipulate this visit.
From the very beginning, it was the United States that insisted on Bachelet's visit to China, and it was the United States that set various conditions for Bachelet's visit to China. Now it is the United States that is attacking and discrediting Bachelet's visit.
Therefore, you can see that the United States does not care about the human rights situation at all. It just wants to use human rights as a guise to slander, slander, suppress and contain China.
The hypocrisy and political conspiracy of the United States have long been clearly seen by the world.
On the other hand, the human rights situation in the United States itself is like "the emperor's new clothes".
The recent vicious shootings on Texas campuses are particularly distressing.
The right to life of the vast majority of ordinary citizens in the United States, including children, is difficult to guarantee.
I can give you a few figures. Since 2001, the United States has waged wars or carried out military operations in about 80 countries in the name of "anti-terrorism", killing more than 800,000 people, including 300,000 civilians.
The United States has set up "black prisons" like Guantanamo all over the world, where people are arbitrarily detained for a long time without trial, tortured or ill-treated.
Racism is deeply rooted in the United States, and ethnic minorities such as African Americans and Asian Americans face systematic racial discrimination.
The United States turns a blind eye to the serious human rights violations at home, and what qualifications does the United States have to point fingers and interfere in other countries?
We hereby ask OHCHR to investigate and report on human rights problems in the United States.
Bloomberg: What's China's comment on the press conference held after the UN Human Rights High Commissioner's visit to Xinjiang last Saturday night? The High Commissioner pointed out at the press conference that counter-terrorism and de-radicalization actions should not conflict with human rights. How does China respond to this?
Zhao Lijian: Just now I briefed you on Bachelet's high-level visit to China, and she also held a press conference.
During High Commissioner Bachelet's visit, especially during his visit to Xinjiang, the Xinjiang Autonomous Region gave a comprehensive introduction to Xinjiang's counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures and related achievements.
The High Commissioner watched the exhibition on the theme of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization, and learned more about the legal and policy framework, practice and effectiveness of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization in Xinjiang.
Terrorism is the greatest harm to the human rights of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, and anti-terrorism and de-radicalization is the greatest protection for the human rights of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.
What I can tell you is that Xinjiang has been free of violent and terrorist incidents for more than five consecutive years. The society is safe and stable, development continues to improve, and the people live and work in peace and contentment.
This is the best example of the remarkable achievements in Xinjiang's counter-terrorism and de-radicalization work.
It is believed that foreigners from all walks of life who have visited Xinjiang can draw objective and fair conclusions just like the High Commissioner himself.
I would also like to tell you that China attaches great importance to UN human rights affairs and is willing to make efforts to promote the international human rights cause.
During the visit, China and OHCHR fully exchanged views on deepening bilateral cooperation and reached broad consensus.
The two sides agreed to establish an annual high-level strategic dialogue mechanism to discuss human rights issues of common concern at the international, regional and national levels; Cooperation between digital space and human rights, judicial protection of human rights and other issues; China is willing to provide more support for the UN human rights work.
These specific measures not only help promote cooperation between China and OHCHR, but also make new contributions to the development of the international human rights cause.
Shenzhen TV: US Secretary of State Blinken said in his recent China policy speech that China poses the "most serious and long-term challenge" to the international order. The United States must defend and reform the rules-based international order. What is the spokesperson's comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: Blinken's speech on China policy is full of lies and confounds right and wrong. The "basis" for attacking China is precisely what the United States is doing today.
The hat that poses the "most serious and long-term challenge" to the international order is best worn by the United States itself.
The "rules-based international order" advocated by the United States is, to put it bluntly, an "international order based on American rules" and a "hegemonic order" that uses "family laws and regulations" to dominate the world.
My colleague has responded to his speech last week.
Today, I would like to list some facts and figures to help you understand the lies and fallacies of the US and its hypocrisy.
First, the United States has no respect for the international order based on the UN Charter and international law.
In the more than 200 years since the founding of the United States, the United States has not fought a war for only 16 years. It has become the biggest source of chaos in the current international peace and stability and the biggest destabilizing factor in the international order.
The United States claims to defend the concepts of self-determination, sovereignty and peaceful settlement of disputes established in the UN Charter, but they actually say one thing and do another.
As American author William Bloom pointed out in his book "Democracy: America's Deadliest Export", since the end of World War II, the United States has attempted to overthrow more than 50 foreign governments and grossly interfered in democratic elections in at least 30 countries.
According to the report of Brown University, since 2001 alone, the wars and military operations launched by the United States in the name of "anti-terrorism" have claimed the lives of more than 800,000 people, and more than 20 million people have been killed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other victimized countries alone. refugee.
Second, the United States is the biggest "destroyer" of the international order.
The United States adheres to the "America-centric theory" and "American exceptionalism", breaking contracts and withdrawing from the group at will.
This has become the norm.
The United States not only refused to sign or ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, voted against the Global Compact on Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees, but also exclusively blocked the verification of the UN Convention on the Prohibition of Biological Weapons. Protocol negotiations.
Since the 1980s, the United States has withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council, WHO, UNESCO, the Paris Agreement, the Iran Nuclear Agreement, the Arms Trade Treaty, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the Open Skies Treaty, etc. 17 An international organization or agreement, in which there are still cases of withdrawal and return, and return and withdrawal.
Just like this, the United States has openly disguised itself as a "referee" of international rules, using the so-called "flashlight" of the rules to shine on others, ignoring its own "darkness under the lights".
When U.S. politicians plausibly hold the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to talk about things, I wonder if they know that the U.S. is not even a party to the UNCLOS.
Third, the US has no right to talk about rules at all.
From the perspective of the United States, international rules have always been subordinate to and serving their own interests and hegemony.
The United States takes the rules as the basis when the two are consistent, and regards the rules as air when they contradict.
I would like to ask the United States to answer a few questions: When the United States recklessly launches wars against sovereign countries and engages in "color revolutions", what are the rules?
When the U.S. aggressively imposes illegal unilateral sanctions and ensnares the people of relevant countries, where are the rules?
What are the rules when the United States continues to owe the United Nations $1 billion in dues and $1.4 billion in peacekeeping assessments?
When the United States engages in trilateral security partnership and quadrilateral mechanism, and attempts to create an "Indo-Pacific version of NATO", which will devastated the Asia-Pacific region and undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation system, where are the rules?
When the United States conducts so-called "democracy summits" in the name of so-called "democracy" and excludes more than half of the world's countries, what are the rules?
When the WTO clearly finds that the U.S. tariff war against China violates global trade rules, but the U.S. does not enforce it or even obstructs the appointment of new judges by the WTO Appellate Body, what are the rules?
In the end, the United States is the epitome of coercive diplomacy.
The United States places domestic law above international law and international rules, and indiscriminately imposes illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction.
Since the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia, Venezuela, Syria, and Iran have been subject to long-term sanctions by the United States, resulting in poor domestic economic conditions and medical conditions, and the epidemic situation is severe.
Instead of stopping the sanctions, the United States has further increased the burden, making these countries even worse.
The international community has become more and more aware that the market competition principles and international economic and trade principles advertised by the United States will only be followed by the United States when it is beneficial to the United States.
What American politicians talk about is fair competition and free trade, what they believe in is "America First", and what they are waving is "America's big stick".
I also want to stress that since the founding of the People's Republic of China more than 70 years ago, we have not initiated a war on our own initiative, nor have we invaded an inch of other countries' land.
We insist on resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiation, and have completely settled the land border issue with 12 of the 14 neighboring countries through peaceful means.
As the world's second largest economy, China's contribution to global economic growth has remained around 30% all year round, ranking first in the world for 15 consecutive years.
China has become the second largest contributor of UN membership and peacekeeping funds, actively participates in the construction and reform of the global governance system, and safeguards the spirit of the UN Charter and the authority of the UN with practical actions.
Facts have proved and will continue to prove that China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.
China will always work with all peace-loving and justice-loving countries, unite under the banner of the United Nations, practice true multilateralism, and continue to contribute confidence, wisdom and strength to the general prosperity of the world and the common progress of mankind.
Al Jazeera: Yesterday, Israeli extremists under police protection attacked Palestinians in East Jerusalem and prevented them from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli Prime Minister Bennett said Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. China has always supported the two-state solution and East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. Does the spokesperson condemn Israel's remarks? Now the situation between Palestine and Israel is gradually deteriorating. If Israel's atrocities are not stopped in time, serious humanitarian disasters are inevitable. Does China consider taking substantive actions to protect the Palestinians and maintain regional peace and stability?
Zhao Lijian: Recently, the situation between Palestine and Israel, especially the situation in Jerusalem, continues to be tense. China is deeply concerned about this.
All parties concerned should respect and maintain the historical status of religious holy sites in Jerusalem in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, and refrain from any provocative actions that unilaterally change the historical status of religious holy sites in Jerusalem.
The Chinese side has emphasized many times that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has recurred repeatedly, and the fundamental reason is that the "two-state solution" has not been implemented, and the Palestinian people's reasonable demands for independent statehood have not been realized for a long time.
The international community should increase the sense of urgency and actively promote the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel on the basis of the "two-state solution", so as to realize a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue at an early date.
Reporter from Hubei Radio and Television: May 29 is the 20th "International Peacekeepers Day". Can the spokesperson further introduce China's participation in UN peacekeeping operations?
Zhao Lijian: UN peacekeeping operations are an important means of promoting international peace and security.
Over the past 70 years, the United Nations has carried out more than 70 peacekeeping operations, and more than one million staff members have assembled under the banner of the United Nations, making outstanding contributions to maintaining and restoring regional peace and assisting in resolving regional conflicts. The Blue Helmets have become a symbol of peace and hope. It is a symbol and has been widely praised by the international community.
In 1990, China sent military observers to the United Nations, kicking off its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
In 1992, China sent its first "Blue Helmets" to participate in UN peacekeeping operations.
Over the past 30 years, the Chinese military has dispatched nearly 50,000 officers and soldiers to participate in UN peacekeeping operations in more than 20 countries and regions, and 16 officers and soldiers have sacrificed their precious lives.
At present, China is the second largest contributor to peacekeeping in the United Nations and the largest troop contributor among the permanent members of the Security Council. A total of more than 2,200 Chinese officers and soldiers are performing tasks in eight peacekeeping mission areas.
China's "Blue Helmets" have become a key force for the United Nations to maintain peace.
Chinese peacekeepers abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, act in strict accordance with their mandates, faithfully fulfill their peacekeeping missions, and make important contributions to maintaining world peace and promoting common development.
At present, the role and significance of UN peacekeeping operations have become more prominent in the context of the superimposition of the COVID-19 epidemic and threats such as regional hotspots, ethnic conflicts, and terrorism.
China will continue to work closely with the international community to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of UN peacekeeping operations and play a greater role in maintaining international peace and security.
At the same time, UN peacekeeping operations are inseparable from the joint support of all member states.
We also call on individual countries to pay the 1.4 billion US dollars in arrears in peacekeeping assessments in a timely manner and not to affect the normal development of UN peacekeeping operations for their own selfish interests.
Pakistan News Agency: On May 27, Pakistani Prime Minister Shabazz visited the Karot Hydropower Station under construction under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Talking to engineers and workers, he said the project would generate low-cost electricity and promote green development in Pakistan. What's your opinion?
Zhao Lijian: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as an important pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative and an important platform for all-round practical cooperation between the two countries, adheres to the concepts of greenness, openness and integrity, and is committed to achieving the goals of sustainability, people's livelihood and high standards.
Since its inception, energy cooperation under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has achieved fruitful results, not only effectively helping Pakistan overcome energy shortages, but also providing sufficient energy supply for Pakistan's economic and industrial development.
Karot Hydropower Station is a major energy cooperation project under the framework of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor between the two countries. After the units are fully put into operation, it will not only bring stable and cheap energy supply to Pakistan, meet the electricity demand of about 5 million local people, and further optimize Pakistan The energy structure will also strongly promote the sustainable development of Pakistan.
It is estimated that the Karot Hydropower Station will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 3.5 million tons per year, contribute to global "carbon neutrality" and make new contributions to addressing global climate change.
We look forward to the early completion, electrification and commissioning of this hydropower station.
Bloomberg: According to reports, the second foreign ministers' meeting between China and Pacific island countries failed to adopt a joint document. What's China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: Your information is very well-informed.
I also just learned about the situation.
I can give you a brief introduction.
The second China-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers' Meeting was successfully held.
All parties had in-depth discussions on how to deepen bilateral cooperation in a solidarity and friendly atmosphere and reached many new consensuses.
After the meeting, the Chinese side will issue a position paper on the next step of cooperation between China and the island countries to echo the expectations of the island countries.
Please continue to pay attention to relevant Chinese news releases.
Regarding your mention of the common document, it is an ongoing process of discussion and not every meeting has to issue a common document.
At this foreign ministers' meeting, all parties reached a new consensus on this, and took an important step towards the final agreement.
All parties agreed to continue active and pragmatic discussions and strive to reach more consensus.
CCTV: According to reports, on May 27, the 21st summit of the Bolivarian Alliance of the Americas (ALBA) was held in Havana, Cuba. The summit issued a statement strongly condemning the U.S. taking the opportunity of hosting the Ninth Summit of the Americas to impose exclusive and discriminatory practices on some Latin American and Caribbean countries, condemning the U.S. imposing economic sanctions, financial blockades and other unilateral coercive measures against Cuba, Venezuela and Nigeria, and called on all Under the leadership of CELAC, the American countries promote the process of regional integration through dialogue and cooperation. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: The Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas is a useful exploration of Latin American and Caribbean countries to promote regional integration.
Since its establishment, the alliance has always been committed to strengthening the unity and self-improvement of countries in the region and encouraging member states to take the road of independence and self-reliance.
Since its establishment, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States has adhered to multilateralism and played an important role in safeguarding regional peace and stability, promoting economic and social development, and safeguarding the rights and interests of developing countries.
China appreciates this and supports the efforts of regional countries to actively explore development models suitable for the region and promote the integration process.
Under the guise of so-called "democracy" and "human rights", the United States forms gangs, suppresses dissidents, arbitrarily imposes unilateral sanctions, and interferes and manipulates the internal affairs of Latin American and Caribbean countries. This is a typical act of hegemony, which seriously violates the purposes of the UN Charter and The basic norms of international relations seriously violate the sovereignty and dignity of countries in the region.
China firmly opposes this.
I would like to stress that Latin America is not someone's "front yard" or "back yard", and the summit of the Americas is not a summit of the United States.
The fact that the United States attempted to interfere in the affairs of Latin America and the Caribbean under the pretext of hosting the Summit of the Americas is doomed to fail.
China Daily: According to media reports, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen emphasized that Taiwan is a province of China and an inalienable part of China's territory in response to the recent negative comments made by the United States on Taiwan. It is very dangerous to try to provoke Taiwan's "independence" and called on all parties to respect it. Chinese sovereignty, don't add fuel to the fire. what opinions do the Chinese have on this issue?
Zhao Lijian: China highly appreciates Prime Minister Hun Sen's remarks on Taiwan.
There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is a part of China, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing the whole of China.
This is the consensus of the international community.
The Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affairs, and no foreign interference is allowed.
It is a just cause for China to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, oppose secession, and realize national reunification.
This has been and will continue to be understood and supported by the international community, including Cambodia.
Reuters reporter: The World Health Organization recently held a World Health Assembly and reached a consensus on reforming the International Health Regulations. Will China attend the meeting? Do you agree with this reform?
Zhao Lijian: I am not aware of the relevant information you mentioned.
The Paper: According to reports, last week Tajikistan hosted the fourth regional security dialogue on Afghanistan and issued the Dushanbe Statement. Chinese representatives attended the meeting. Can you brief us on the situation?
Zhao Lijian: On May 27, the Fourth Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
High-level representatives from eight countries including China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan attended the meeting.
Cheng Guoping, Commissioner for Foreign Security Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the meeting.
Commissioner Cheng Guoping said that Afghanistan is located in the "heart of Asia", and the development of the situation in Afghanistan, especially the security situation, has an important impact on regional security and stability.
President Xi Jinping put forward a global security initiative not long ago, emphasizing the need to adhere to a new concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and jointly maintain world peace and security.
China is willing to uphold this spirit and make joint efforts with countries in the region to support the Afghan system in coping with challenges in all aspects.
The Dialogue issued the "Dushanbe Statement", welcoming the "Tunxi Initiative" adopted by the third Afghan Neighboring Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Tunxi, Anhui, China at the end of March this year, calling on all parties to improve economic, humanitarian assistance, connectivity, trade and internal capacity. Provide more support to Afghanistan in construction and other aspects.
The statement reiterated the principle of non-interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs and the "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" principle, urged countries responsible for Afghanistan to earnestly fulfill their commitments to Afghanistan's economic reconstruction and future development, and opposed the politicization of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
The statement stressed that international terrorist organizations will never be allowed to use Afghan territory to hide, train, plan and finance any terrorist actions against countries in the region, and ensure that Afghanistan will no longer become a breeding ground, sanctuary and source of proliferation of terrorism.
Currently, Afghanistan is in a critical period from chaos to governance, and security is the prerequisite for development.
China is willing to continue to work with countries in the region to strengthen communication and coordination, build consensus and synergy, and make unremitting efforts to help Afghanistan achieve long-term peace and stability at an early date.
Bloomberg: Can you provide more details on the agreements China has made with Kiribati and Samoa?
Zhao Lijian: Our delegation is ahead.
Relevant news has been released one after another, you can check it out.
Dragon TV: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir said at the 27th "Future of Asia" International Conference that the "Indo-Pacific Economic Framework" is a political rather than an economic framework, aimed at excluding and confronting China. China has contributed to the economic growth of other countries, but has been left out. Economic development requires stability, not conflict. The United States is bent on excluding China and sending warships to the South China Sea. This could lead to unexpected events and trigger violence or war, which is not conducive to the economic development of ASEAN countries. All parties should avoid the escalation of the conflict between the United States and China and maintain regional stability. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: Former Prime Minister Mahathir said it well.
He spoke the thoughts of the vast majority of countries in the region, and also clearly stated what the countries in the region care about and want the most.
That is peace, stability and economic development in the region.
This is the general trend, what people want.
The United States deviates from this direction, politicizing economic issues for its own selfish interests, and even harming the overall interests of other countries and regions.
It is difficult to gain support for this approach, and it is destined to go far.
The key to success in the Asia-Pacific is win-win cooperation, not zero-sum confrontation.
China is willing to work with countries in the region to practice genuine multilateralism, build an open regional economy, and jointly build a beautiful Asia-Pacific homeland.
Reuters: According to Swiss media reports, due to Switzerland's increased criticism of China's human rights situation, the process of upgrading the Switzerland-China free trade agreement has stalled. What is China's comment?
Zhao Lijian: I have also noticed the relevant situation.
Since its implementation in 2014, the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement has brought huge and tangible benefits to the two countries and their peoples.
The upgrade of the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement will help the two sides to further explore the potential of economic and trade cooperation and promote the economic recovery and development of the two countries under the situation of the new crown pneumonia epidemic.
I want to stress that the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement is a mutually beneficial agreement, not a gift from one side to the other.
All along, the two sides have maintained close communication and active negotiations on the upgrade of the FTA in the spirit of mutual respect and equal treatment.
The Chinese side is happy to see the upgrade of the free trade agreement, and at the same time hopes that the Swiss side can eliminate the human interference factor and meet the Chinese side halfway.
Bloomberg reporter: I would like to ask the question just now. Can you reveal the details of the respective agreements China has reached with Kiribati and Samoa?
Zhao Lijian: As I said just now, the Chinese side has issued a press release for the above-mentioned visit.
Just before the press conference, China just released the talks between Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bainimarama of Fiji and State Councilor Wang Yi.
The press release can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
China is also about to release relevant news about the China-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Please stay tuned.
Reuters: The WHO recently held the first offline WHA since the outbreak. Will China attend the meeting? Does China support some reform measures mentioned in this conference?
Zhao Lijian: As I said just now, I don't know the situation.
I can answer your question after I know more.
According to my preliminary information, China has participated in the relevant discussions, but I am not clear about the details.