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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on December 8, 2021

2021-12-08 20:14:16

Xinhua News Agency: Australian Prime Minister Morrison announced that Australian government officials would not be going to the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and said Beijing had not responded to several issues raised by Canberra including alleged human rights issues in Xinjiang, but Australian athletes will compete in the Games. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have reiterated many times that the Winter Olympic Games is not a stage for political posturing and manipulation. China hasn’t invited any Australian government official to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics. In fact, no one would care whether they come or not, and Australian politicians’ political stunt for selfish gains has no impact whatsoever on the Olympics to be successfully held by Beijing. 

I need to point out that Australia always has excuses to find fault with China, and its attribution of not sending government officials to the Beijing Winter Olympics to the so-called human rights issues in Xinjiang is another case in point. The Australian practice gravely violates the principle of political neutrality enshrined in the Olympic Charter, runs counter to the Olympic motto of “together” and stands on the opposite side of global athletes and sports fans. It also fully lays bare the fact that the Australian government has been so blindly following certain country that it doesn’t even scruple to confuse right with wrong. China deplores and firmly opposes the act of the Australian side and has lodged stern representations with it.

I noted that Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., Chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, said he was extremely proud, happy and hopeful that all athletes of the world will gather together in Beijing. Not long ago, the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus the resolution on Olympic Truce for the Beijing Winter Games that is co-sponsored by 173 countries, showcasing the international community’s full support to the Beijing Winter Olympics. The world will see a streamlined, safe and splendid Winter Olympics to be successfully held in Beijing as scheduled.  

CCTV: We noticed that the Global Development Initiative put forward by China has been well received and supported by many parties. At the recent Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, African countries also said they welcome and support the initiative. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: Since President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative at the general debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, it has received wide support from the international community, especially developing countries. So far, dozens of countries and many international organizations have expressed their support. The Joint Statement of the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations acknowledged the initiative. The Joint Statement of China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting stated that Pacific Island Countries welcomed the initiative and  expressed readiness to support and join this important initiative to ensure alignment with the Pacific Roadmap for Sustainable Development and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The Declaration of the Third Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum welcomed the initiative, which will bring new opportunities for developing countries, Latin American countries included, to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The initiative also received widespread support from 53 African countries and the African Union. The recently-held Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) released the Dakar Declaration and the FOCAC Dakar Action Plan. Both documents stated that African countries welcome and support the Global Development Initiative proposed by China. They believe that global partnership is imperative to accelerate implementation of Agenda 2063 of the AU and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the UN, and commit to promote stronger, greener and healthier global development and build a global community of development with a shared future. These facts fully show that the Global Development Initiative meets the development trend of the world, serves the needs of developing countries, and demonstrates strong vitality and appeal, thus becominghighly recognized by the international community. 

At a time when the world faces once-in-a-century changes and pandemic, solidarity and cooperation remain an unchanging theme and irreversible trend. China welcomes the participation of all like-minded partners in the Global Development Initiative. Together, let us garner strong impetus for the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and jointly advance the global sustainable development cause. 

MASTV: The spokesperson for the ROK’s foreign ministry said on December 7 that the ROK supports a successful Beijing Winter Olympic Games, and hopes the Games can contribute to the peace and stability of Northeast Asia and the whole world as well as the development of inter-Korean relations. What is China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted and applaud the ROK’s remarks. The ROK hosted the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games in 2018 and will host the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics. China and the ROK have been supporting each other in hosting Olympic Games, which demonstrates the friendly, cooperative relations between our two countries and the manner of the big Olympic family. 

The Beijing Winter Olympics is a gathering of Olympic athletes and winter sports lovers across the world. We are convinced that, under the guidance of the Olympic spirit and with joint efforts of all sides, we will deliver a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Games for the world and promote the development of the international sports cause. We also believe that the Beijing Winter Olympics will be a peaceful and friendly event, which will play an important and positive role in promoting solidarity and deepening friendship.

Sputnik: US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said after the meeting between President Putin and President Biden on December 7 that the US is going to take every action to make sure that Taiwan is not reunified by force and to deter the invasion into Ukraine by Russia. What is your comment on this? And what is your comment on the Russia-US summit?

Wang Wenbin: As for the Russia-US summit, we believe that as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major countries with important international influence, both Russia and the US shoulder important responsibilities for international peace and security. China is glad to see them engage in communication and dialogue to improve their relations, which is conducive to world peace and development and the international community’s joint efforts to address common challenges.

As to the Taiwan-related remarks by Mr. Sullivan you mentioned, the US statement once again proved the allegation that the Indo-Pacific strategy does not target any third party is nothing but a disguise. On the Taiwan question, the US has been saying and doing wrong things and emboldening the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. China is firmly opposed to this.

The root cause of the current tension in cross-Strait relations lies in the DPP authorities’ repeated attempt to solicit US support for “Taiwan independence”. This also has to do with some people in the US, who seek to use Taiwan to contain China. We are ready to make every effort with the utmost sincerity to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification. But it is absolutely necessary for China to resolutely respond to “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external interference, and safeguard its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. No one should entertain any illusion about this. The sequence and causal relations here are crystal clear, and the US should not distort facts. We urge the US side to fully recognize the highly-sensitive nature of the Taiwan question, and strictly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués. It should handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly, stop selling arms to Taiwan and stop all official and military ties with Taiwan, refrain from sending any wrong signal to the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, and avoid seriously undermining China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. I need to stress that China’s reunification is an unstoppable historical trend that will not be changed by anyone, any force or any country.  

Beijing Youth Daily: According to reports, many public facilities have been seriously damaged in the recent unrest in Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara, making life difficult for some in the city. Does China plan to provide any assistance to the country?

Wang Wenbin: China is closely following the security situation in the capital of Solomon Islands. We condemn the violent acts that vandalize private and public property and support the government of Solomon Islands in stopping violence and chaos, restoring order and rebuilding the city. To this end China will offer assistance to the best of its capability. 

Associated Press of Pakistan: A senior Chinese diplomat in Karachi said that Pakistan and China could work out a strategy to enhance Pakistan’s export volume and asked Pakistani businessmen to take advantage of the China-Pakistan free trade agreement. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The economic cooperation and trade between China and Pakistan is mutually beneficial and has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. Since the beginning of this year, our bilateral trade volume and Pakistan’s export to China have both hit record highs. China stands ready to deepen all-round cooperation with Pakistan, including on trade and investment, and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Bloomberg: China has said it would respond to the US diplomatic boycott with countermeasures. Do you have any information on what those countermeasures might be? And will China retaliate against Australia for its similar decision?

Wang Wenbin: The US and Australia will pay a price for their erroneous actions. You may wait and see.

The Paper: We learned that at the plenary meeting of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Resolution of “No first placement of weapons in outer space” with a paragraph of “a common shared future for humankind” submitted by the First Committee was adopted with a vast majority of votes. The US has repeatedly tried to block the inclusion of the idea of “a community with a shared future for mankind” into this resolution. Can you share more information? 

Wang Wenbin: On December 6, the plenary meeting of the 76th session of the UNGA adopted with a vast majority of votes the Resolution of “No first placement of weapons in outer space”. A preambular paragraph in it reaffirmed that practical measures should be taken in the search for agreement on preventing an arms race in outer space in a common effort towards a common shared future for humankind. This is the fifth consecutive year that the idea of a community with a shared future for humankind has been included in UNGA resolutions. This fully shows that the idea has won public support and dovetails with the international community’s hope for defending common security in outer space. 

Regrettably, the US and certain other countries, out of ideological considerations, have turned a blind eye to the shared appeal of the international community while claiming that they would work“toward a shared future” and had no intention to start a new Cold War. They deliberately undermine solidarity, stoke confrontation, and try hard to smear and distort the idea of a community with a shared future for mankind. Facts have fully proven that such irresponsible and double-standard moves of the US will be firmly opposed by a vast number of UN member states.

A just cause should be pursued for common good. We hope certain countries can understand this vision instead of embarrassing themselves by inciting confrontation. They should abandon the Cold War mentality and ideological bias at an early date, actively participate in the arms control process in outer space, and stay committed to true multilateralism. China will continue to work with all parties, practice the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind in outer space, and make positive contribution to defending lasting peace and common security in outer space. 

CCTV: It is reported that the Hungarian government rejected a common EU position on the “Summit for Democracy”. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The decision of Hungary once again shows that the US’ instigation of division and confrontation under the pretext of democracy finds no support and is met with widespread opposition from the international community.

Recently, Press Secretary for the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov said that Washington is trying to privatize the term “democracy”, and create new dividing lines by hosting a “Summit for Democracy”, which runs counter to the trend of today’s world. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said the selective convocation of a summit that claims to be about democracy is a sign of the US incapable of facing the discredit and isolation of its foreign policy in the international community. Scholars and media in Kenya and Rwanda and other African countries noted that only less than one third of countries in Africa are invited to the “Summit for Democracy”, which casts doubt on the true intention of the US. The US claims to be a champion of democracy and human rights, but has hidden its dark past and hypocrisy today. The US has no moral authority to judge whether the rest of the world is democratic or not. Media in the Middle East including Al-Masry Al-Youm and Asharq Al-Awsat noted that the so-called “Summit for Democracy” is selective and considered a political review based on American values. It will only instigate division and confrontation, and the US democracy will do endless harm.

Despite widespread opposition from the international community, the US obstinately continues to engage in political manipulation under the banner of democracy and claims it “intends to host the summit with humility”. Here are questions for the US to answer: The US puts together a summit in the name of democracy without consulting the international community or coordinating with the UN or other international bodies. Is this called “humility”? The US puts half of the world’s countries into a category of so-called “non-democracies” with its own yardstick. Is this called “humility”? In the name of democracy, the US has launched military interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria and other countries, leading to hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths and displacing tens of millions. Instead of learning lessons and correcting its mistakes, the US has gone even further to instrumentalize and weaponize democracy, by openly convening this so-called “Summit for Democracy” to incite division and confrontation for its geopolitical strategy and gains. Is this called humility? 

No matter how the US glosses over itself, its true face of seeking hegemony under the guise of democracy has long been exposed to the world. The so-called “Summit for Democracy” will only go down in history as a manipulator and saboteur of democracy.

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