At the invitation of the government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, President Xi Jinping’s special envoy and Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu will travel to Papua New Guinea to attend its 50th independence anniversary celebrations from September 15 to 17.
CCTV: The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council recently held the Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Following up on CSW69 and Beijing +30 Action Agenda. Can you share relevant information?
Lin Jian: On September 8, the ongoing 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held a high-level commemorative event for “Beijing +30” in Geneva, Switzerland. China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva attended and addressed the event. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women 30 years ago remains the guiding document for advancing women’s rights globally. China will convene a Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing in the latter half of this year. As we hold commemorative events on “Beijing +30,” we strive to accelerate the new process of women’s all-round development, advocate that all parties should uphold true multilateralism, and protect and advance women’s rights through better development. Participating parties of the commemoration spoke highly of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which is of milestone significance, and expressed the hope to meet in Beijing again to jointly improve the global governance on the cause of women.
Reuters: The head of Taiwan’s foreign affairs office is now in Europe. Can I have your comment on that?
Lin Jian: Taiwan is a province of China and the person you mentioned a local official of that province in charge of foreign affairs.
There’s only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question bears on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have consistently and unequivocally opposed any form of official interaction between China’s Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic ties with China. No country should provide any platform for “Taiwan independence” separatists. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it and has protested to relevant countries.
We urge relevant European countries to abide by the one-China principle, and take effective measures at once to stop “Taiwan independence” separatists from visiting Europe. The Taiwan authorities must know that seeking “Taiwan independence” is bound to fail and any attempt to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” will lead nowhere.
China-Arab TV: The U.S. has imposed a new round of sanctions on Yemen’s Houthis. The U.S. Treasury Department said that those being sanctioned include several Chinese companies that helped to transport military-grade components and other companies that arranged for shipments of dual-use goods to the Houthis. What is China’s response?
Lin Jian: We firmly oppose the U.S. abusing unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. Such moves violate international laws and basic norms in international relations.
Folha de S.Paulo: Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was convicted yesterday for attempting a coup d’état. What is China’s comments on this?
Lin Jian: This is Brazil’s domestic judicial affair.
AFP: China says that its aircraft carrier the Fujian sailed through the Taiwan Strait to carry out research trials and training missions in the South China Sea. The navy said that this is not directed at any specific target. Can the Foreign Ministry give any additional comment on this and if this means that the Fujian will soon enter active service?
Lin Jian: Relevant information was released by the Chinese navy. China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, passed through the Taiwan Strait to carry out scientific research tests and training missions in the South China Sea. The cross-sea tests and training for the Fujian is a regular arrangement in the aircraft carrier’s construction process, and it is not aimed at any specific target. Let me stress that the Chinese vessel’s activities in relevant waters are fully in line with China’s domestic laws and international law.
Bloomberg: It’s reported by Reuters that in Madrid next week, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent is to meet with Vice Premier He Lifeng to discuss trade, economic and national security issues, which is another sign of warming negotiations between the two countries. Could the Foreign Ministry confirm it and provide more details?
Lin Jian: I have no information to offer at the moment.
The Paper: Today is the UN Day for South-South Cooperation. The world is now facing multiple development challenges. The poverty rate of some Global South countries remains stubbornly high, and many countries suffer from severe economic inequality. As a major developing country who takes the lead in shaking off poverty and eradicating absolute poverty, how is China working with Global South countries on poverty relief to realize common development?
Lin Jian: China is committed to focusing South-South cooperation on development and assisting Global South countries in meeting the challenges in poverty relief. China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty and realized the poverty reduction goal set by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in advance, which gives confidence to fellow Global South countries. China’s region-specific, demand-oriented, targeted and dynamic approach in poverty alleviation offers reference for other countries. Through cooperation in the forms of transfer of technology and know-how, financial support, capacity building, development of platforms and so on, China provides systemic support for global poverty reduction.
Since the Belt and Road Initiative was implemented, it has helped over 40 million people get rid of poverty. Since the Global Development Initiative was put forward, it has pooled greater consensus for development, mobilized development funds at a large scale, made international cooperation on development better serve the interests of the Global South, and given a boost to developing countries’ poverty relief campaign and development. From digging wells for irrigation to building roads and bridges, from Juncao planting to hybrid rice, and from major flagship projects to “small and beautiful” livelihood programs, thanks to those efforts, more and more people in Global South countries are leading a better and promising life.
No country or no one should fall behind on the path to a poverty-free world. We stand ready to galvanize global poverty eradication campaign with concrete actions, and develop and thrive together with Global South countries so that hope prevails in every corner of the world.
AFP: German investigators searched the offices of far-right MP Maximilian Krah on Thursday. This is after parliament lifted his immunity as part of an investigation into suspected bribe taking from Chinese sources. Krah has long been at the center of speculation over links to China, but he has called the allegations against him absurd and fabricated. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this case?
Lin Jian: This is Germany’s internal affair. China will not make a comment on that. Let me stress that we oppose spreading false narratives on threats of “China spy.”
China-Arab TV: Israel attacked six countries in 72 hours, including Qatar, Lebanon and Yemen. What’s China’s comment?
Lin Jian: China is deeply concerned on the continued escalation in the Middle East. We oppose the violation of regional countries’ sovereignty and security, condemn all attacks killing and hurting innocent civilians, and are against any inflammatory action that fuels upward spiraling of tensions in the region. Violence and force will not deliver peace and security. We strongly call for efforts, especially from Israel, to end the conflict, resume talks, and restore regional peace and stability, instead of the other way around.
Bloomberg: When discussing the hunt for U.S. conservative political activist Charlie Kirk’s killer, Utah governor Spencer Cox said today, “We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world, that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence. I would encourage you to ignore those.” Would the Foreign Ministry like to respond?
Lin Jian: China condemns all unlawful and violent acts. That said, we firmly oppose some U.S. politicians groundlessly accusing China and we firmly oppose spreading disinformation and vilifying China.
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The following question was raised after the press conference: We have learned that Pakistani President is visiting China. Could you share with us his itinerary?
Lin Jian: From September 12 to 21, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is to attend the opening ceremony of the Golden Panda International Cultural Forum and to visit Sichuan, Shanghai and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.