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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on October 13, 2022

2022-10-13 19:19:14

AFP: The US government said that Beijing has ambitions to become “the world’s leading power” and the US would “prioritize maintaining an enduring competitive edge over the PRC”. What is your comment on this?

Mao Ning: It is neither popular nor constructive to hold on to the Cold War zero-sum mentality and play up geopolitical conflicts and major power competition. China and the US are both major countries in the world. As the biggest developing and developed country, China and the US have a responsibility of defending world peace and stability and promoting economic prosperity and development. The US needs to follow the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, follow through on President Biden’s “five-noes” commitment, and work with China to bring China-US relations back onto the track of sound and steady development.

Reuters: So just following up on this National Security Strategy that the White House released. It said that even after Russia’s invasion, China represents the most consequential challenge to the global order and the United States must win the competition against China. Does the foreign ministry have any response to this?

Mao Ning: We have noted the new National Security Strategy released by the US government. The world is undergoing changes unseen in a century. Nevertheless, peace and development remain the unchanging theme of the times and the shared aspiration of humanity. We oppose the outdated Cold War mentality and zero-sum mindset. We see no benefit in any rhetoric or act that plays up geographical conflict or major power competition, for they go against the trend of the times and the aspiration of the international community. They are not going to be welcomed and will not succeed.

China’s development is fundamentally about the happiness of the people and rejuvenation of the nation. China has always been a force for world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, a provider of public goods and part of the mediation efforts on hotspot issues. This is the reality known to the international community.

China and the US are respectively the biggest developing country and the biggest developed country with a responsibility of preserving world peace and stability and promoting economic prosperity and development. China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. The US needs to follow the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, follow through on President Biden’s “five-noes” commitment, and work with China to bring China-US relations back onto the track of sound and steady development.

Xinhua News Agency: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently called on the international community to provide assistance to African countries to respond to climate change. He said countries must deliver concrete action on loss and damage. For many countries, particularly in Africa, climate change is a question of survival. What is your comment? 

Mao Ning: We have noted the Secretary-General’s remarks. China has been supporting Africa in responding to climate change and has never been absent. The eighth ministerial meeting of FOCAC adopted the Declaration on China-Africa Cooperation on Combating Climate Change, proposed to establish a China-Africa partnership of strategic cooperation of the new era for the fight against climate change, and included the green development program in the first three-year plan of China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035. Last month, China hosted a ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative and put forward the Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership, and its first group of projects include cooperation with 19 African countries on climate change and green development.

China not only helps African countries respond to climate change with every sincerity, but has also lived up to its commitments on global climate response. We actively advance low-carbon development and green transition at home and work hard to deliver the targets for carbon peaking and neutrality. We have played a constructive part in the multilateral climate process and made historic contribution to the conclusion and implementation of the Paris Agreement. China’s effort adds a strong boost to the global climate response.

Climate change is a global challenge and bears on the future of humanity. It thus requires a global response. Developed countries have unshirkable historical responsibilities for climate change. They need to adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, take the lead in substantial emission reduction, and honor their pledge of financial, technological and capacity-building support for developing countries. 

Yonhap News Agency: It is reported that in response to the threat of the DPRK’s nuclear weapons, the ruling party in the ROK has proposed that the country needs to re-deploy the US’s tactical nuclear weapons. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: We have noted the reports. Relevant parties need to fulfill their respective international obligations and commitments, and take concrete actions to uphold peace and stability on the Peninsula and in this region. 

Reuters: After North Korea test-fired two long-range strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday, the North Korean side said the country should “continue to expand the operational sphere of the nuclear strategic armed forces to resolutely deter any crucial military crisis and war crisis”, according to KCNA. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: China’s position on the Korean Peninsula issue remains unchanged. China is committed to upholding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Reuters: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday that the United States must prevent China from weaponizing trade as a tool of geopolitical coercion, as Russia has done so during its invasion of Ukraine. Does the foreign ministry have any comments?

Mao Ning: China is always against politicization and weaponization of economic and trade issues. We are committed to defending liberalization and facilitation of global trade and investment, and defending the stability of global industrial and supply chains. It is the unilateral and protectionist practices of certain countries that have impeded international economic and trade cooperation.

Under the current circumstances, the relevant parties need to abandon the unilateral and protectionist approach and work with the international community to ensure the industrial and supply chains are secure and smooth, safeguard the stability of the system, rules and foundation of the world economy, and promote the steady recovery of the world economy. 

AFP: After German Chancellor dismissed “decoupling” with China, German Foreign Minister said that Germany should reduce its dependency on trade with China. Do you have any comment on this? Also, can you confirm that German Chancellor is going to visit China next month?

Mao Ning: If attitude toward a country is based on values and normal economic and trade ties are politicized, it will not contribute to international cooperation or help diversify markets. Over the past five decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Germany, practical cooperation and mutual benefits have always been the defining feature of our bilateral relations. Both countries have been deeply engaged in and benefited from each other’s success. The two sides need to stay practical in advancing mutually beneficial cooperation so as to deliver more for the two countries and two peoples. 

As for the high-level visit you mentioned, I have no information to offer at the moment.

Global Times: Samantha Cristoforetti, a female Italian astronaut working aboard the international space station, recently posted several photos taken from space on her social media account. She quoted a few lines from an ancient Chinese calligraphy masterpiece by Wang Xizhi titled Preface to Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion to go with the photos: “Looking up, I see the immensity of the cosmos; bowing my head, I look at the multitude of the world. The gaze flies, the heart expands, the joy of the senses can reach its peak, & indeed, this is true happiness”. The post has been liked by many people in China and elsewhere. Do you have any comment on this? 

Mao Ning: I have read about it too and the Italian astronaut certainly has my like. Exploring the universe has been mankind’s dream since ancient times. Thanks to scientific and technological progress, reaching beyond the moon has become a reality. Humanity will continue to benefit from the noble endeavor of exploration and peaceful use of space.

Just a few days ago we also saw a video clip shared online showing the magnificence of our blue planet Earth seen from China’s space station. Countries around the world can and need to work together to look after the planet we all call home and make the world a better place for all.

CNR: It is reported that the military barracks in Djibouti’s Tadjoura region were attacked by “Armed FRUD” (Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy). The attack has left seven soldiers killed, four wounded and six missing. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: We have noted relevant reports. China is shocked by and condemns the attack. We express deep condolences to the family of the victims. China firmly supports the efforts of the government and people of Djibouti to uphold peace and stability in the country. 

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