At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Foreign Affairs Minister of Chile Alberto van Klaveren Stork will pay an official visit to China from December 3 to 5.
At the invitation of Iran’s First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Zhang Guoqing will visit Iran from December 3 to 4.
Hubei Media Group: The second China International Supply Chain Expo concluded last weekend after five days of successful events. Foreign guests participating in the expo noted that protectionist moves are harming the global industrial and supply chains; decoupling and severing of supply chains does no one good and runs contrary to the will of the global business community; and building supply chains that are win-win for all meets the expectation of all. What is your comment on this?
Lin Jian: The China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) is an important platform for China to advance open cooperation with the world and keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded. This year’s CISCE saw the participation of over 1,000 exhibitors and the signing of more than 210 cooperation and intention agreements worth over RMB152 billion. The event also facilitated the establishment of cooperation connections between exhibitors from both home and abroad and over 37,000 upstream and downstream suppliers, and 68 Chinese and foreign companies and institutions signed the intention to participate in the third CISCE. This represents the voice for deeper mutually beneficial cooperation and against decoupling and severing of supply chains.
The CISCE provides an opportunity of connecting the world for a shared future. Resilient and stable global industrial and supply chains provide important safeguards for the sustainable growth of the global economy and are in the common interest of the international community. China will remain committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening up, champion a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and bring more friends together at the CISCE to build up global consensus on deepening cooperation on industrial and supply chains and make the global supply chains truly win-win for all.
AFP: Taiwan’s leader Lai Ching-te has held a phone call with former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Lai’s on a Pacific trip that includes a stop in Hawaii. And during the call, Lai and Pelosi discussed “China’s military threats,” according to a spokesperson for Lai. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this?
Lin Jian: China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region, and firmly opposes any form of US moves to aid or abet “Taiwan independence” separatists and their separatist activities.
The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests, and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations. We urge the US to fully see the separatist nature of Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities, fully understand the grave damage of “Taiwan independence” separatist activities to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, fully abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, stop meddling in affairs related to Taiwan, which are China’s internal affairs, and stop aiding and abetting “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.
China News Service: It’s reported that the Foreign Ministry of Lithuania issued a statement a few days ago saying that Lithuania declared three staff members of China’s Office of the Chargé d’Affaires in the country as personae non gratae for violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Lithuania’s domestic laws. Lithuania’s new Prime Minister Paluckas said earlier he’s open to restoring diplomatic relations with China. What’s China’s consideration for its ties with Lithuania going forward?
Lin Jian: On the wanton and provocative action taken by Lithuania’s caretaker government, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson has issued a response to express China’s strong condemnation and firm opposition.
China also noted that Lithuania will soon form its new government, and multiple Lithuanian political figures have expressed a desire to improve ties with China. China hopes that the new government of Lithuania will take action to abide by the political commitment that Lithuania made in the communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Lithuania, uphold the one-China principle and bring bilateral ties back to the right track.
TASS: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview with TASS last week that Russia was facing the question of resumption of nuclear tests amid the United States’ policy of escalating tensions. What’s the Foreign Ministry’s comment?
Lin Jian: I noted the reports. We hope all parties will remain calm and exercise restraint and work for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis through dialogue and consultation.
CCTV: It’s reported that when addressing the opening ceremony of the extraordinary session of the Diet, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he had an “engaged discussion” with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. He said “Between Japan and China, there are various concerns and differences of opinion. However, we will also cooperate with each other in areas where we can,” and added “China’s stable development benefits the entire region.” Ishiba also noted he would promote the strategic Japan-China relations with mutual benefit and build “constructive and stable ties,” which was agreed between him and President Xi Jinping, and carry out communication with China at every level including at leader’s level. What’s China’s comment?
Lin Jian: I noted relevant reports. A sustained, sound and stable China-Japan relationship is in the fundamental interest of both Chinese and Japanese peoples. We hope that Japan will work with China, face history squarely and look to the future, form the right and objective perception of China, make sure that Japan’s policies and actions reflect the principles and direction identified in the four political documents, which, for instance, made clear that the two countries should be “cooperative partners rather than each other’s threats”, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, constructively manage differences and disputes, deliver on the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, and work for the sustained and steady growth of China-Japan relations.
China Review News: It’s reported that during his “visit” to Taiwan, Paraguay Foreign Minister Ruben Dario Ramirez Lezcano said on November 29 “Paraguay is open to establish diplomatic, consular or commercial relations with China without conditions,” but he added “We don’t accept any condition to break our relations with Taiwan.” What’s your response?
Lin Jian: The one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and a basic norm governing international relations. It is also the political foundation and important prerequisite for China to develop bilateral ties with other countries. The one-China principle bears on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and there is no room for negotiation or compromise.
Paraguay needs to establish an accurate and full understanding of the one-China principle, recognize as early as possible where the arc of history bends, stand on the side of the vast majority of countries in the world, and on the side of international fairness and justice, and make the decision that truly serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the people of Paraguay.
Reuters: Reuters has reported that the United States is preparing to further restrict exports to Chinese chip tool makers on Monday. I was wondering what is the Foreign Ministry’s response to this fresh round of export restrictions on chips.
Lin Jian: We have repeatedly made clear our position on this issue. China firmly opposes the US’s overstretching the concept of national security, abusing export controls, and maliciously blocking and suppressing China. This type of behavior seriously violates the laws of market economy and the principle of fair competition, disrupts international economic and trade order, destabilizes global industrial and supply chains, and will eventually harm the interests of all countries. China will take resolute measures to firmly defend the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.
CCTV: Yesterday, the Fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Chengdu. Could you share more details with us?
Lin Jian: On December 1, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi chaired the Fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chengdu. The foreign ministers of the six countries had in-depth discussions on implementing the outcomes of the first China-Central Asia Summit and advancing the China-Central Asia cooperation across the board. They made full political preparations for the second China-Central Asia Summit scheduled for next year. The foreign ministers also signed and issued a joint statement, attended the launching ceremony of the “Tianfu” cross-border freight truck service to Central Asia, and inaugurated a China-Central Asia center for the exhibition and promotion of commodities.
The outcomes and results of the meeting are as follows. First, stay committed to head-of-state guidance and strengthen the China-Central Asia mechanism. We should continue delivering on the consensus reached by the heads of states at the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an, and fully support Kazakhstan in hosting the summit next year. The six countries will start drafting a summit joint declaration, an action plan for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, a permanent good-neighborliness and cooperation treaty, and cooperation documents in other significant areas. The “China-Central Asia spirit” will be fostered. Second, stay committed to the goal of modernization and deepen cooperation on all fronts. We should prioritize six areas of cooperation, namely, trade facilitation, industrial investment, connectivity, green mining, agricultural modernization, and streamlined people-to-people exchanges, draft relevant cooperation documents and action plans, and take concrete actions to implement the Global Development Initiative. Third, stay committed to common security and safeguard regional peace and tranquility. We should actively act on the Global Security Initiative, jointly fight terrorist, extremist and separatist forces, oppose the interference of external forces in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries, oppose attempts to create chaos or turbulence in Central Asia, and help Afghanistan achieve peace and reconstruction as early as possible. Fourth, stay committed to mutual learning among civilizations and enhance ever-lasting friendship. We should continue implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, enhance the sharing of governance experiences, accelerate the establishment of culture centers and Luban Workshops, and continue expanding cooperation in education, sub-national exchange, healthcare, and personnel training. In the coming three years, China will provide 1,500 training opportunities and 600 more scholarships for Central Asian countries. Fifth, stay committed to multilateralism and defend international fairness and justice. We should continue to strengthen coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs, promote solidarity and cooperation among the Global South, and oppose attempts to decouple, sever supply chains or build a small yard with high fences. All parties fully supported China’s rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and will promote the correct view on World War II and defend the outcomes of WWII.
Since the first China-Central Asia Summit last year, the six countries have smoothly established ministerial platforms in areas such as trade, customs, agriculture, transportation, and industrial investment, carried out major projects one after another, and further facilitated people-to-people exchanges. China stands ready to continue its cooperation with Central Asian countries, further align development strategies, and jointly build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.
RIA Novosti: The Syrian Defense Ministry stated last week that the government army has engaged in battle with the terrorists who attacked the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. I wonder if the Chinese government is considering immigrating its citizens from Syria amid the latest escalation.
Lin Jian: China is aware of the changing security situation in Syria. Our Embassy in Syria has issued a security alert and is closely following the developments on the ground. The embassy has asked the local government to take effective measures to protect the safety and security of Chinese citizens and institutions.
We too would like to remind Chinese nationals in Syria to take extra security precautions, leave the country or travel to relatively safer regions as soon as possible, and immediately contact the embassy for assistance in emergency situations.
Bloomberg: The Philippines has said that the Chinese navy chopper has harassed Filipino fishing boats at the reef in the South China Sea in recent days. Does the Chinese Foreign Ministry have a comment on the Philippine claims that the Chinese navy chopper harassed some of the fishing boats from the Philippine side?
Lin Jian: The Philippines’ claim is not factual. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and the adjacent waters. It is legitimate and lawful for China to carry out law enforcement activities in relevant waters to uphold sovereignty.
Bloomberg: Could you give us any comment on the German Foreign Minister’s visit to China? German Foreign Minister Baerbock accused China before she arrived in Beijing of providing Russia with weapons for its war against Ukraine. Something that she said prior to arriving was that this was threatening peace in Europe. And she repeated that already during her time here in Beijing today. Does the Chinese Foreign Ministry have any comment on the German Foreign Minister’s remarks?
Lin Jian: About German Foreign Minister Baerbock’s visit to China, we will release information in due course. On the Ukraine crisis, China has made clear its position many times. We firmly oppose groundless accusations, blame-shifting and political manipulation.
AFP: Just follow up on the question on Syria. Does the Chinese side have any more general comment on the recent developments in the country? Has China reached out to the government of President al-Assad for support?
Lin Jian: China is deeply concerned over the situation in northwestern Syria, and supports Syria’s effort to uphold national security and stability. As Syria’s friend, China is willing to make active effort to avoid further deterioration of the situation in Syria.
