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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on August 8, 2022

Xinhua News Agency: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi just wrapped up attending the ASEAN-plus foreign ministers’ meetings. What’s your comment on the outcomes of these meetings?

Wang Wenbin: From August 4 to August 5, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. This is the first time that the ASEAN-plus foreign ministers’ meetings are held physically since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the meetings, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi elaborated on China’s propositions on China-ASEAN cooperation, East Asian cooperation and regional security cooperation and held in-depth exchange of views with other participating countries on strengthening solidarity and cooperation, maintaining security in Asia and promoting recovery and development.

First, the need to uphold ASEAN centrality and practice open regionalism. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out the importance to keep East Asian cooperation in the right direction, uphold the spirit of openness and inclusiveness, adhere to the Asian way, consolidate the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation architecture, strengthen the ASEAN-centered cooperation platform, reject drawing ideological lines, oppose the introduction of bloc confrontation, prevent small exclusive groupings from impacting the regional architecture. The Chinese side also distributed documents such as the Position Paper of the People’s Republic of China on Supporting ASEAN Centrality in the Evolving Regional Architecture and a list of cooperation initiatives and projects in four priority areas of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Foreign ministers attending the meetings expressed appreciation for China’s long-standing support for ASEAN centrality.

Second, the need to deepen post-COVID recovery cooperation. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed that in pursuing regional cooperation, countries should continue to give priority to development and people’s livelihood, and increase input in poverty alleviation and other fields, to better solve the development issue and achieve common development. China supports ASEAN in setting up regional vaccine production and distribution centers and strengthening capacity building in public health. We call for efforts to implement the cooperation initiative on global food security, jointly promote energy security and availability, and ensure a stable energy supply. We call for efforts to support the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, keep the functioning of industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, and build a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and an Asia-Pacific Economic Community. China is willing to arrange a special allocation for RCEP economic and technical cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund. China supports the building of the APT Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies. China will increase financial support for the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve. It is important to expand exchanges and cooperation in digital infrastructure, e-commerce, digital logistics, smart cities and other fields. Countries need to work for the establishment of an APT low-carbon cooperative partnership.

All parties agreed to accelerate regional economic integration, fully implement RCEP, deepen cooperation in public health, digital economy, green development and other fields to achieve low-carbon and sustainable development and better benefit the people of all countries.

Third, the need to uphold regional peace and stability. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that countries should promote common security, attach importance to and show respect for other countries’ legitimate security concerns, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. All countries should earnestly abide by the UN Charter and international law, jointly maintain the international system with the United Nations at its core, and uphold the international order underpinned by international law, instead of imposing the so-called "rules" of an individual country or a bloc of countries on other states and coercing them into taking sides. China opposes the action of certain major countries to wantonly advance unilateralism, still less will China accept illegal sanctions and acts of suppression.

China has played a constructive role in further promoting the sound and solid development of East Asian cooperation and demonstrated its sense of responsibility as a major country.

During the meetings, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi further elaborated on China’s stern position on the US’s provocation that infringed upon China’s sovereignty. He stressed that the one-China principle is what underpins peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The true “guardrails” for peaceful coexistence between China and the US are the three China-US joint communiqués. Seeking independence by soliciting US support is a dead end and attempts to use Taiwan to contain China are doomed to fail. The US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted on visiting China’s Taiwan region in disregard of China’s grave concern and firm opposition. The Chinese side absolutely needed to respond resolutely to it. China’s position is justified, reasonable and lawful; our measures are firm, strong and proportionate; and China’s military exercises are open, transparent and professional. They are consistent with domestic and international laws, as well as international practices. China is not only firmly safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also upholding the international law and the basic norms governing international relations, particularly non-interference in countries’ internal affairs, which is the most important international norm enshrined in the UN Charter. That is why more than 100 countries have openly reiterated their firm commitment to the one-China policy and said that they understand and support China’s legitimate position.

Many foreign ministers at the meeting said that they adhere to the one-China policy and understand and support the necessary measures China has taken to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ASEAN foreign ministers released a statement on the cross-Strait development reiterating ASEAN Member States’ support for the one-China policy.

Prensa Latina: Right now Cuba is facing one of its worst fires in a few depots. So the Cuban government calls for international help and many countries have answered to that call. What’s China’s comment about this tragedy? And does China have plans to offer help and aid to the Cuban government in this situation?

Wang Wenbin: China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades and good brothers. We express our sorrow and condolences for the loss of life in the accident and extend sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. The Red Cross Society of China has decided to offer emergency humanitarian assistance to the Red Cross Society of Cuba. We stand ready to provide the Cuban side with further assistance.

China Review News: Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said recently that Japan strongly condemned China’s firing of missiles during military drills after they landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), adding that they’ve noted China doesn’t agree to this. He also called it a “problem that impacts our national security and the safety of our citizens” and has “a serious impact on the peace and stability of ... the international community”. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We are firmly against Japan’s erroneous remarks and groundless accusations. Either legally, politically or morally, Japan is in no position, and has no right to make such remarks on the Taiwan question. 

Recently, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has seriously refuted the Japanese side’s remarks at the East Asia cooperation foreign ministers’ meetings. Japan once illegally invaded and occupied Taiwan and kept the island under its colonial rule for as long as five decades. It has killed more than 600,000 of our Taiwan compatriots, plundered local resources there, and forcibly recruited laborers from countries in East Asia and elsewhere, many of whom were tortured to death. The Cairo Declaration jointly issued by China, the US and the UK in 1943 stipulates clearly that all the territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese, such as Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, shall be restored to China. Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation published in 1945 stipulates that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. Later Japan accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and announced unconditional surrender. The China-Japan joint statement signed in 1972 when the two countries normalized their diplomatic relations clearly stipulates that “The Government of the People’s Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China. The Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation”. Japan must never forget that part of history and there is a need for Japan to reflect on it from time to time.

Japan has adopted such an assertive tone on the Taiwan question lately. Does it mean Japan has forgotten the commitments it made when signing the China-Japan joint statement? Does it mean Japan intends to subvert the political foundation of China-Japan relations? Does it mean that Japan has the ambition of laying its hands on China’s Taiwan region again? Does it mean that Japan is ready to use this as a pretext to expand military buildup, forsake its pacifist constitution and stop following the path of peaceful development? The Japanese side needs to give the international community a responsible explanation to all these questions.

As to Japan’s claim that China’s military drills have infringed on Japan’s so-called EEZ, since China and Japan have yet to carry out maritime delimitation in relevant waters, how could areas there be called “Japan’s EEZ”? Taiwan is part of China’s territory. China has conducted normal military drills in waters off its own territory. This move is open, transparent, professional and in line with China’s domestic law, international law and established international practices. This is both a warning we send to the provocateurs and a legitimate step to uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China urges the Japanese side to earnestly reflect upon its history of aggression, fully understand the highly sensitive nature of the Taiwan question, abide by the principles of the four China-Japan political documents and the commitments it has made, stop echoing the US’s negative rhetoric and act, stop following the US’s erroneous behavior of containing China using the Taiwan question, and avoid further causing serious harm to bilateral relations.  

Bloomberg: Can you help us understand if the drills in the immediate area of Taiwan have ceased as scheduled? Last week you announced some drills in the area. My question is, have they ceased as scheduled or are there ongoing military drills that you can share more details with us?

Wang Wenbin: The Chinese military has issued a notice on that. Let me refer you to that.

AFP: As you mentioned, the Chinese military said today that it will continue to carry out joint exercises around Taiwan. What is the reason for this? Is this part of the countermeasures against Pelosi’s Taiwan visit? And if so, why were the exercises last week not considered sufficient?

Wang Wenbin: In total disregard of the firm opposition and repeated representations of the Chinese side and with the connivance and arrangement of the US government, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi went ahead with the visit to China’s Taiwan region. This reckless move seriously undermined China’s sovereignty, seriously interfered in China’s internal affairs, seriously violated the commitments made by the US side, and seriously jeopardized peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. As State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out, China’s position is justified, reasonable and lawful; our measures are firm, strong and proportionate; and our military exercises are open, transparent and professional. They are consistent with domestic and international laws, as well as international practices. They are aimed at sending a warning to the perpetrator and punishing the “Taiwan independence” forces. We will firmly safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, resolutely stop the US’s attempt to play the “Taiwan card” to contain China, and shatter the Taiwan authorities’ wishful thinking to pursue “Taiwan independence” by soliciting the support of the US. By doing so, China is also upholding the international law and the basic norms governing international relations, particularly non-interference in countries’ internal affairs, which is the most important international norm enshrined in the UN Charter. 

Anadolu Agency: The drills are mentioned in previous questions. But the Notice to Airmen, NOTAM, which was published for those activities, expired yesterday on August 7, at noon. To continue the exercises seems like a move which is not very consistent with the internationally customary practices. So will NOTAM for those new exercises be declared? Will there be any warning for civilian shipping or air traffic?

Wang Wenbin: Taiwan is part of China’s territory. China’s normal military exercises are open, transparent and professional. Relevant authorities have issued notices in a timely manner. They are consistent with domestic and international laws, as well as established international practices. This serves as a message of warning to the provocateurs and is also a legitimate move to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Phoenix TV: On August 5, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa released a joint statement after holding a trilateral strategic dialogue. “There is no change in the respective one China policies, where applicable, and basic positions on Taiwan of Australia, Japan, or the United States”, they said in the statement. Similar wording was found in the statement released earlier by the G7 foreign ministers and the EU High Representative last week. What’s China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: The one-China principle is an established international consensus and widely accepted basic norm in international relations. It constitutes part of the post-WWII world order and is affirmed in UNGA Resolution 2758. It is the political foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and countries in the world. The UN Secretariat stressed in legal opinions that “the United Nations considers ‘Taiwan’ as a province of China with no separate status”. Certain countries have unilaterally added preconditions and provisos to the one-China policy in an attempt to distort, fudge and hollow out their one-China commitment. This is illegal, null and void. China is firmly against this.

The definition of the one-China principle is crystal clear, i.e., there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The applicability of this principle is universal, unconditional and indisputable. All countries having diplomatic relations with China and all Member States of the UN should unconditionally adhere to the one-China principle and follow the guidance of UNGA Resolution 2758. What some individual countries have done is essentially an attempt to misrepresent and distort the one-China principle. This is in effect challenging the basic principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations. This is also a challenge to the post-WWII world order.

A person without credibility has no place in society; and a country that loses its credibility would falter. We urge certain countries to make sure that they read about the history, abide by the commitments they seriously made in black and white and recognize how dangerous and detrimental it is to act in bad faith and to justify the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. Attempts to challenge the one-China principle, international rule of law and the international order are bound to be rejected by the international community and get nowhere.

The Hindu: This is a question on the visit of a Chinese ship to Sri Lanka. Reports said China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka met with President Wickremesinghe on Saturday. This followed the request from Sri Lanka that China delay the visit of the research vessel Yuan Wang 5. Can you confirm that Sri Lanka made this request to delay the visit and do you also have a response?

Wang Wenbin: I have noted relevant reports and would like to stress two points. First, Sri Lanka is a transportation hub in the Indian Ocean. Scientific research vessels from various countries including China have made port calls in Sri Lanka for replenishment. China always exercises freedom of the high seas in accordance with law and fully respects coastal countries’ jurisdiction over scientific research activities in waters under their jurisdiction. Second, Sri Lanka is a sovereign country. It has the right to develop relations with other countries based on its development interests. To have normal cooperation is the independent choice made by our two countries. It serves the shared interests of both sides and does not target any third party. It is completely unjustified for certain countries to cite the so-called “security concerns” to pressure Sri Lanka. As Sri Lanka grapples with economic and political difficulties, to grossly interfere in Sri Lanka’s normal exchange and cooperation with other countries is to exploit its vulnerability, which is morally irresponsible and against the basic norms governing international relations. We urge the relevant parties to see China’s marine scientific research activities in a rational light and stop disrupting normal exchange and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.

CCTV: About the joint statement on the situation across the Taiwan Strait and the Taiwan question released by the Australian Foreign Minister together with the US Secretary of State and the Japanese Foreign Minister after their trilateral strategic dialogue, how does China see this move by Australia  against the background of the current atmosphere of China-Australia relations? 

Wang Wenbin: I just stated China’s position on the statement by the US, Australia and Japan. The Australian side, in disregard of facts, has wantonly criticized China’s legitimate, justified and lawful measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Australia’s act violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs, and undermines regional peace and stability. China firmly opposes it.

In the past few years, China-Australia relations have experienced serious difficulties for reasons caused by the Australian side. The merits of the issues involved are quite clear. China’s position on developing relations with Australia is consistent and clear. The sound and steady development of China-Australia relations serves the fundamental interests and shared aspirations of the two peoples. We urge the Australian side to develop a clear understanding of the situation, pursue the right course, respect China’s core interests and major concerns, abide by the one-China principle, observe basic norms governing international relations, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, stop saying or doing the things that undermine regional peace and stability, refrain from echoing or assisting certain countries’ misguided strategy of using the Taiwan question to contain China, and avoid creating new obstacles for China-Australia ties.

China-Arab TV: Last week, your colleague shared some information about the visit to Xinjiang by diplomats from Islamic countries. Could you give us more on the visit?

Wang Wenbin: From August 1 to August 5, a delegation of diplomatic envoys posted in China from 30 Islamic countries, including Algeria, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, visited the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region upon invitation. The delegation visited Kashgar, Aksu and Urumqi, and they visited mosques, Islamic institutes, grassroot communities, cotton fields and the former sites of vocational education centers, among others. They also visited Uyghur families, talked to local religious figures, toured an exhibition on counter-terrorism and de-radicalization, and saw with their own eyes that people from all ethnic backgrounds live in harmony, their freedom of religious belief are fully protected and breakthroughs have been made in poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, which is the true reality in Xinjiang. Members of the delegation commended the Chinese government’s approach of putting people at the center and enormous effort and achievement in Xinjiang’s economic development and ethnic solidarity. They said that the fruits in Xinjiang taste so sweet, and the life of the people there is just as sweet as the fruits. They said that people in Xinjiang live a happy, free, harmonious and peaceful life, who enjoy freedom of religious belief, and the languages and cultural heritage there are well protected. The envoys said they have full confidence in the future of Xinjiang and hope their countries can share with Xinjiang the opportunities presented by Belt and Road cooperation and have more cooperation in infrastructure construction, modern agricultural development, and education and scientific research with Xinjiang.

Seeing is believing. This is not the first time a foreign delegation to Xinjiang has made such remarks. It is the people of Xinjiang who have the best say in whether the situation of human rights and the freedom of religious belief in Xinjiang is good or not, and the international community also bears witness to this. Since December 2018, more than 2,000 people from various sectors from over 100 countries and regions have visited Xinjiang and seen with their own eyes the social stability, economic prosperity, ethnic harmony and people’s happy life in Xinjiang. At the recent session of the UN Human Rights Council, nearly 100 countries unanimously spoke up in support of the just position of the Chinese government and opposed interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. 

A few Western politicians would rather believe the lies concocted by a handful of individuals than listen to the shared voice of the more than 25 million people in Xinjiang. They would rather be part of the clumsy stunt of a few anti-China forces than face up to Xinjiang’s development and progress. We urge these Western politicians to listen more to the just voice of the international community, stop confounding black and white and spreading lies, and stop trying to disrupt Xinjiang or to contain China with Xinjiang-related issues. 

Reuters: What’s the agenda for the South Korean Foreign Minister’s visit in China? Will he be meeting with the Chinese officials face-to-face? And what does China hope to get out of visit?

Wang Wenbin: Last week, the Chinese side released announcement on the visit by ROK Foreign Minister Park Jin to China upon invitation. During his visit in China, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold talks with him. China will put out timely readouts. Please check back for updates.

Kyodo News: Have the military drills scheduled to conclude at noon of August 7 ended?

Wang Wenbin: You may refer to the information put out by the Chinese military.

Bloomberg: I just want to clarify, did the ASEAN group support China on the recent Taiwan actions? I’m asking because Antony Blinken is also citing ASEAN supporting the US position. I wonder if you could clarify a little bit about the ASEAN response specifically on recent Taiwan actions by China?

Wang Wenbin: I am happy to share with you some details in this regard.

The ASEAN foreign ministers released a statement on the cross-Strait development reiterating their commitment to the one-China policy.

The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos released a statement saying the following: The Lao PDR reaffirms its consistent policy of supporting “One China Policy” and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and opposes any intention aiming at creating a situation for “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”. The Lao PDR reiterates its support for the policy of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the national reunification by peaceful means.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said the US has recently violated China’s sovereignty, reneged on its own promise and heightened the tension across the Taiwan Strait, which exposed Washington’s failure to match its words with actions as well as its hegemonic nature. Cambodia supports China’s effort to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, and respond firmly to the provocative moves of the US.

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said during talks with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the East Asia cooperation foreign ministers’ meetings that Singapore has a clear and consistent “One China” policy and is opposed to “Taiwan independence” and any unilateral moves to change the status quo.

The Malaysian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China Tiong King Sing released a statement urging Western nations against practicing double standards, trying to compare Taiwan with Ukraine. “On the one hand, they condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine ... but, on the other hand, they intend to interfere in the internal affairs of the Taiwan Strait region”, he said. These acts are typical examples of using democracy as a pretext to interfere in and infringe upon other countries’ sovereignty in violation of basic principles of international law.

In fact, not just ASEAN countries, more than 170 countries in the international community have voiced staunch support for China on the Taiwan question through various means. They form an overwhelming majority versus the US and its few followers.

Global Times: According to reports, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on countries with nuclear weapons to commit to the “no first use” policy and stressed that it is totally unacceptable to admit the possibility of a nuclear war while attending the Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6 in Hiroshima, Japan. This is the first time a UN Secretary-General has made this call, according to a UN official. What’s China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: We applaud Secretary-General António Guterres’s call for relevant parties to commit to the “no first use” of nuclear weapons. Since the first day of possession of nuclear weapons, China has advocated for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons. We have pledged to “no first use” of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances and pledged unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones. China is the only one among the five nuclear weapon states to have made these pledges. We call on the other nuclear weapon states to adopt the same policy so as to jointly safeguard global strategic stability and effectively reduce the risks of a nuclear war.

Reuters: The Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines said today in Taipei that the Chinese military drills won’t prevent him from visiting friends. What’s China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: Just now I made it clear that China’s military exercises are open, transparent and professional. They are consistent with domestic and international laws, as well as international practices. They are aimed at sending a warning to the perpetrator and punishing the “Taiwan independence” forces. The vast majority of countries in the world have expressed their understanding and support. 

As to the remarks you mentioned, I want to stress that there’s only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. No one can change this fact no matter what pretext or gambit they use. Standing up for the one-China principle is the right thing to do. It has the overwhelming support of the international community and represents the trend of the world. We believe relevant countries will eventually recognize this trend and make a decision that is consistent with where the trend is leading at an early date.

Beijing Youth Daily: A ceremony was held in Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6 to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in his remarks that Japan will endeavor toward “a world without nuclear weapons”, “no matter how narrow, steep, or difficult that path may be” and that Japan will be “firmly upholding the Three Non-Nuclear Principles” toward that end. What is China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. Conversations about the atomic bombing must not be disconnected from its historical context. The Japanese side mentioned the bombing itself without any deep reflection on the history of aggression. I wonder how the intentional community, including the US, thinks of this.

Japan, as the only country ever hit by a nuclear strike, has long styled itself as a “model student” in international nuclear disarmament and nuclear nonproliferation, and advocates a world without nuclear weapons. In reality, however, Japan has been sitting comfortably under the US’s “nuclear umbrella”. It opposes and obstructs the US’s relinquishing its policy of first use of nuclear weapons. Some Japanese politicians have even clamored for nuclear sharing with the US and claimed that the US’s deployment of nuclear weapons in Japan should not be a taboo topic. The Japanese government not only connives at such discussion, but also deleted the formulation of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles in the report submitted to the 10th Review Conference of the NPT. People couldn’t help but ask: What is Japan’s real intention? Can its actions match its words regarding nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation?

We urge Japan, as a non-nuclear-weapon state party to the NPT, to earnestly fulfill its international obligations, strictly abide by its Three Non-Nuclear Principles, not to develop or introduce nuclear weapons and take real actions to contribute to a vision of “a world without nuclear weapons”.

Beijing Daily: Recent conflicts between Israel and an armed group in Palestine caused mass casualties on the Palestinian side. On August 7, the two sides reached a ceasefire under Egypt’s mediation. What is China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: The recent conflict between Israel and Palestine has caused many civilian casualties, including children. It is indeed very heartrending. China firmly opposes and condemns all violence targeting civilians. We welcome the ceasefire under Egypt’s mediation and appreciate the efforts of the Egyptian side. As the situation is still fragile at the moment, we urgent all parties, especially the Israeli side, to exercise restraint, follow relevant UN resolutions, avoid escalating the tension again and safeguard stability of the Palestine-Israel situation. 

The underlying reason for the recurrent conflicts between Israel and Palestine is the absence of the implementation of the two-state solution and long denial of the Palestinian people’s legitimate appeal of establishing an independent state. China calls for a more authoritative and more influential international peace conference at a larger scale to work for a lasting and just solution to the question of Palestine on the basis of the two-state solution. China will continue to firmly support the Palestinians in their just cause of restoring their legitimate rights and will continue to make relentless efforts for that.

Bloomberg: On Friday, there was an announcement whereby China listed many different areas where communication between it and the US would either be curtailed or stopped completely. I wonder if you could tell us about what areas will continue to be open for discussion, where lines of communication will remain open between China and the US?

Wang Wenbin: For any dialogue and communication to happen, there needs to be sincerity in the first place. China will continue to make démarches to the US side over Pelosi’s visit to the Taiwan region. We urge the US to earnestly reflect on and immediately correct its mistakes, stop its connivance at and support for “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, and stop playing the “Taiwan card” to contain China. At present, it is particularly important for the US to stop confounding right with wrong and deflecting blame, and stop escalating the situation and aggravating the crisis. The US needs to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués with real actions.

The Paper: Recently, Azerbaijani and Armenian troops exchanged fire multiple times at the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh, which claimed one life on the Azerbaijani side and two on the Armenian side, and wounded many. What is China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. Azerbaijan and Armenia are both friendly cooperation partners of China. We hope both sides can comply with the ceasefire consensus, avoid further escalation of the situation and address tensions and differences through political dialogue.

Reuters: According to Myanmar’s state media, the Ambassador to China recently passed away. Could you confirm that China is aware of this and is China aware of how he passed away?

Wang Wenbin: What you said is true. Since Ambassador U Myo Thant Pe assumed office in 2019, he had been actively promoting the development of China-Myanmar relations. We expressed our deep grief and regret for his sudden passing and extend our deep condolences and sympathies to his family. China is in close communication with the Myanmar side over the ambassador’s passing and will do all we can to provide convenience to the Myanmar side over the follow-up matters.

China Daily: According to reports, a White House spokesperson said on August 6 that China’s activities in and around the Taiwan Strait are a significant escalation in its efforts to change the status quo and they are provocative and irresponsible. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The US’s mischaracterization of those events does not cover up one obvious fact: it is the US that is seeking to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and causing the situation to escalate; it is the US that has made wanton provocations; and it is the US that has acted irresponsibly. 

Since four months ago, China has time and again made clear to the US through multiple channels and at various levels our stern position on Pelosi’s visit to the Taiwan region. We have been stressing that such a visit would seriously violate the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiqués and constitute a major escalation of US provocations. We have also made clear that the Chinese side would not sit idly by in the event of such a visit; that the US side must not harbor any illusion or miscalculate on this; and that all consequences arising therefrom shall be borne by the US side. China has tried every means and done everything possible to warn about the consequences of such a visit. However, the US has chosen to pursue the wrong course of action in disregard of China’s dissuasion and warnings. Just as State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, what has happened is single-handedly orchestrated and provoked by the US and the context, cause and course of events are crystal clear. China has taken legitimate countermeasures only after the US made the provocation. Our countermeasures are aimed to uphold China’s sovereignty and security and consistent with international law and China’s domestic law. The US has been going down a wrong path which deviates from its commitment to the one-China principle, and yet it accuses China of escalating the situation. This is gangster logic.

I have to point out that China’s resolute countermeasures against Pelosi’s visit is not only a necessary step to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also a legitimate move to safeguard the basic norms governing international relations and the international order established after WWII. The one-China principle has been recognized by the UN and the overwhelming majority of countries in the world, and it has become a widely accepted basic norm in international relations and constitutes an important part of the post-WWII world order. To resolutely uphold the one-China principle and firmly reject attempts to fudge and hollow out the one-China policy is to unequivocally uphold the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and the principle in international law of respecting countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. For quite some time, in the name of democracy and human rights, the US has wantonly interfered in the internal affairs of developing countries and launched military interventions and aggression against them. That poses the biggest threat to regional and international security. By firmly opposing the US’s provocations on the Taiwan question, we are saying no to the US’s bullying and highhandedness, protecting cross-Strait peace and regional stability, and upholding international fairness and justice.

China’s legitimate measures have won broad support from the international community. More than 170 countries in the world have voiced their strong support for China to uphold its sovereignty and the one-China principle. They overwhelmingly outnumber the US and its few supporters. If the US acts wantonly and arbitrarily on the Taiwan question, neither the Chinese people, nor people elsewhere in the world will say yes to this. 

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