According to reports, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau called on like-minded countries to unite in response to China’s “coercive diplomacy” and “instigate relations between democracies”, saying that Canada will continue to challenge China on human rights and other issues, and cooperate with China in trade and other fields. China competes while cooperating with China on issues such as climate change. What is China’s comment?
Zhao Lijian: The Canadian leaders’ remarks do not match the facts, and they are full of misunderstandings and misjudgments about China.
China adheres to the path of peaceful development, persists in peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation with all countries in the world, insists on equality between large and small countries, and is committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind. China’s diplomacy is open and honest, and it never engages in solicitation or coercion. In fact, China is the victim of “coercive diplomacy” by Western countries such as the United States. The United States concocted the Meng Wanzhou incident in an attempt to curb and suppress Chinese high-tech enterprises. Under the guise of human rights and democracy, the few countries headed by the United States wantonly interfere in China’s internal affairs on issues related to Hong Kong and Xinjiang in an attempt to impose their so-called “rules” on China. This is naked coercion diplomacy!
The current China-Canada relations are at a crossroads. Do you see China as a partner or an opponent? This is a fundamental issue that Canada must think clearly, and it is also a fundamental issue that affects the development of China-Canada relations. China attaches great importance to the development of China-Canada relations and advocates the development of bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. This position is consistent and clear. Canada should abandon its misperceptions about China, establish an objective and rational view of China, pursue a proactive and pragmatic China policy, and meet China halfway, so that China-Canada relations can return to the right track of development.
According to reports, Nigeria has recently been forced to destroy 1.06 million doses of expired AstraZeneca vaccine. The media disclosed that the vaccine received from Western countries through the new crown pneumonia vaccine implementation plan has only 4 to 6 weeks of validity when it arrives in Nigeria and cannot be put into use in time. What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: I have noticed relevant reports. I have also noticed that Senegal, Malawi, Congo (DRC) and other African countries are facing the problem of vaccine expiration to varying degrees.
Vaccines are a weapon against the new coronavirus and the hope of saving lives. Despite the current increase in global vaccine production and the increase in vaccination rates, the “immune gap” between developed and developing countries is still widening. The vast number of developing countries still face the difficult situation of lack of seedlings. Only 5% of the population in low-income countries are fully vaccinated. Take the African continent as an example. Only 7.5% of the 1.3 billion people are fully vaccinated. However, the vaccines hoarded by a few Western countries far exceed their own needs, and the waste is serious. Take the United States as an example. According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States wasted at least 15.1 million doses of vaccines from March to September this year. There are even more reports in the US media that the number of vaccines wasted in the United States far exceeds the number of vaccinations in many developing countries.
China insists on treating vaccines as a global public product and providing vaccines to the world, especially developing countries. The current epidemic is still delayed and repeated. It is hoped that relevant countries will earnestly fulfill their commitments, provide more safe and effective vaccines to developing countries including Africa, bridge the global “immunization gap”, and truly contribute to mankind’s early victory over the epidemic.
On the 24th, the Chinese government and the Cuban government signed a cooperation plan to jointly promote the construction of the “Belt and Road”. Can the spokesperson introduce the relevant situation?
Zhao Lijian: On December 24, China’s National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng and Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Cabrizas signed the “Cooperation Plan between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Cuba on Jointly Promoting the Construction of the “Belt and Road”.” This is the implementation mechanism of the “Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Promoting the Construction of the “Belt and Road”” signed by the two countries in 2018. It clearly sets a number of cooperation in line with Cuba’s development plan as the key areas and contents of cooperation in the joint construction of the “Belt and Road”. This will add new impetus for the two sides to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and deepen the friendship between China and Cuba.
The “Belt and Road” has set sail for eight years, the areas of cooperation have continued to expand, and the results of cooperation have continued to emerge. In the first 10 months of this year, the volume of trade in goods between China and its “Belt and Road” partners has grown by 23% against the trend. The China-Laos Railway was officially opened for operation. The freight volume of China-Europe express trains has accelerated. Iconic projects such as Piraeus Port, Gwadar Port, and Hungary-Serbia Railway are advancing steadily. The eighth ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and the third ministerial meeting of the China-Latin America Forum promoted the implementation of high-quality joint construction of the “Belt and Road” in Africa and Latin America. With the joint support and participation of 145 countries and 32 international organizations, the “Belt and Road” is becoming a “belt of prosperity” for the benefit of the world and a “road to happiness” for the people.
In the next stage, China will work with all parties to uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, adhere to the concepts of openness, greenness, and integrity, and promote the integration of the “Belt and Road” construction with the development plans and initiatives of various countries. It is believed that with the joint efforts of all parties, the high-quality co-construction of the “Belt and Road” will continue to move forward in the new year, and continue to achieve high standards, people’s livelihood, and sustainable fruitful results.
On the 26th, the Shenzhou 13 astronaut crew carried out the second out of the capsule in orbit. Since the launch of the Shenzhou 13 spacecraft, every important event has attracted widespread domestic and international attention. The achievements of China’s aerospace industry have also attracted the attention of the world. What’s the comment from the spokesperson?
Zhao Lijian: Since the beginning of this year, China’s aerospace news has spread frequently. Tianwen chases stars, Zhu Rong explores the fire, and the Tiangong is under construction. The number of China’s space launches hit a new high. Chinese visitors fly into the sky twice, more “Chinese stars” shine in space, and more China lights up the universe at all times. Since the launch of Shenzhou XIII, Chinese astronauts have exited the capsule twice. This year, the total number of astronauts exited the capsule has reached 4 times, all of which have achieved complete success. In addition to conducting daily scientific research tasks, Chinese astronauts also hold Tiangong classes to showcase the working and living scenes of the Chinese space station, demonstrate various experiments in a microgravity environment, and popularize space knowledge for ordinary people. The “space blockbuster” filmed by Chinese astronauts shows the infinite charm of the earth from the perspective of the space station and inspires our incomparable love for our common home. The stars are splendid, and the world is concentric. We have been paying attention to the work of the Shenzhou 13 astronauts every day and every progress they have made. They are the heroes of the Chinese people and friendly envoys sent by mankind to space.
The starry sky is vast, and the exploration is endless. We are all “dream catchers”. The exploration of the universe belongs to all mankind and serves all mankind. The achievements of China’s spaceflight are not only Chinese miracles, but also outstanding contributions made by China in the peaceful use of space. China has always been committed to the peaceful use of outer space in the spirit of working for the well-being of all mankind, and carried out extensive international cooperation and exchanges with an open attitude and in accordance with the principle of “peaceful use, equal use, and common development”. We hope to work together with other countries to promote the continuous achievement of new results in the aerospace industry and promote the peaceful development of mankind to continuously climb to new heights.
According to reports, sources said that the US government recently proposed to China that it plans to send 18 officials, mainly from the US State Department and the Department of Defense, to China to provide safety and medical support for US athletes during the Beijing Winter Olympics. Next, visa applications may be submitted for nearly 40 other officials. Can China confirm it? Will visa applications for relevant persons be approved?
Zhao Lijian: What I can confirm is that China has received visa applications from relevant US personnel.
Previously, for the purpose of political manipulation, the United States directed and performed the so-called farce of not sending diplomatic or official representatives to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics without being invited. For the US to send a team of government officials to China and apply for a visa, China will handle it in accordance with international practices, relevant regulations and the principle of reciprocity.
We once again urge the United States to practice the Olympic spirit, stop politicizing sports, and stop any words and deeds that interfere with and undermine the Beijing Winter Olympics.
According to reports, on the 26th, South African President Ramaphosa issued a statement stating that Tutu, the former archbishop of South Africa, died that day. What is China’s comment?
Zhao Lijian: Tutu is a famous leader of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. China expresses its deep condolences to Tutu’s death and sincere condolences to Tutu’s family.
We are concerned about recent media reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Transport of Lithuania claimed to “resign” to be responsible for the failure to prevent Belarusian fertilizers from continuing to be transported through Lithuania. According to reports, because the white chemical fertilizer company was sanctioned by the United States, the U.S. government wanted to cooperate with the United States in adopting the embargo measures, but the U.S. government refused to stop cooperating with the Belarusian side. What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: We do not comment on the internal affairs of other countries. But the obvious truth is that there is more help when you get the right way, and the little help is when you lose your way. Any responsible government and politician should make decisions based on the fundamental interests of their own people and be responsible to their own people. Standing on the opposite side of public opinion, it is doomed to fail.
According to reports, on the 23rd, Tetsu Nozaki, the chairman of the Fukushima Prefecture Fisheries Federation of Japan, met with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshima Hagi and said that he could not understand the practice of discharging contaminated water that should be kept into living places. I deeply regret that Tokyo Electric Power Company violated its previous commitments and initiated the sea discharge without the understanding of relevant personnel. A few days ago, officials from the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned officials from the Japanese Embassy in South Korea to express concerns about Japan’s forcible promotion of the Fukushima nuclear power plant’s sewage disposal procedures and forwarded a diplomatic letter clarifying South Korea’s position. what opinions do the Chinese have on this issue?
Zhao Lijian: I have noticed related reports. This report fully demonstrates that Japan has always advertised its scientific and transparent treatment of Fukushima nuclear contaminated water, which has not been recognized domestically or internationally. There is a Chinese idiom called “cover one’s ears and steal the bell”, which means to cover one’s ears to steal the bell, as a metaphor for self-deception. Japan has not exhausted security measures, has not fully disclosed relevant information, and has not fully negotiated with neighboring countries and international institutions. Under this circumstance, Japan unilaterally decided to discharge nuclear-polluted water into the ocean and continue to advance preparations for discharging the sea.
In recent days, China has also expressed serious concern and resolute opposition to Japan’s advancement of preparations for the discharge of nuclear contaminated water through bilateral channels. The Japanese side should seriously respond to the concerns of the international community, including neighboring countries, revoke the decision to discharge the sea as soon as possible, and stop all preparations.
According to a report by the Hindustan Times on the 24th, sources quoted reports from the Indian security agency that in the face of the Sino-Indian border standoff, the Chinese government sent Tibetan youths to training camps to “instill” the Sinicized world view and conduct military training for the future. Recruit the staff to prepare. The youngest of them is only eight or nine years old. China is trying to recruit more Tibetans to join the army to make up for the disadvantage of Han soldiers stationed at high altitudes. What is China’s comment?
Zhao Lijian: What I can tell you is that the relevant report of the Hindustan Times is purely false information and fictitious.
(Comprehensive: the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China)
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