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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s Regular Press Conference on March 28, 2024
2024-03-28 19:34

CCTV: It’s reported that yesterday President Xi Jinping met with representatives of the US business, strategic and academic communities. Can you share more information with us?

Lin Jian: On March 27, President Xi Jinping met with representatives of the US business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The meeting lasted more than an hour and half, and before the meeting, President Xi Jinping took a group photo with the US representatives.

President Xi Jinping noted in the meeting that the China-US relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. China and the US should help rather than hinder each other’s development. As long as both sides see each other as partners and show mutual respect, coexist in peace and cooperate for win-win results, China-US relations will get better. President Xi Jinping expressed the hope that people from all sectors of Chinese and American societies will have more mutual visits and exchanges, expand common ground and mutual trust, overcome distractions, and deepen cooperation, in an effort to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples and inject more stability into the world. 

President Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese economy is sound and sustainable. China did not collapse as predicted by the “China collapse theory,” nor will it peak as forecasted by the “China peak theory.” We will continue to advance high-quality development and Chinese modernization. China’s reform will not pause, and its opening up will not stop. We will provide broader development space for US and other foreign businesses. In the business cooperation, the two sides should stay committed to mutual respect, mutual benefit and equal-footed consultation, respect each other’s development rights, and work for win-win outcomes for the two countries and the world at large.

This is the first meeting between President Xi and US personalities since the summit meeting in San Francisco. The US attendees responded warmly to the meeting and said that President Xi sent a clear, full signal about China’s development and China-US relations. The US companies are optimistic about China’s development prospects, will maintain their strong commitment to the Chinese market, and pursue close and long-term cooperation with China. The US business, strategic and academic communities support the United States and China in bolstering exchanges and communication at all levels, enhancing mutual understanding, trust and cooperation, joining hands to address global challenges, and fostering a stable, sustainable and productive US-China relationship.  

China-Arab TV: It was reported that G42’s divestment from China was a result of it being forced to pick sides. What is China’s comment on this?

Lin Jian: We noted the reports. I would like to stress that China opposes turning economic and trade issues into political and security issues or using them as weapons. We are against economic coercion, which undermines international trade order and rules and threatens the stability of global industrial and supply chains. We stand for universally-beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and work to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. We will work with all countries in the world to make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all.

Beijing Daily: Can you share the latest development on the investigation and follow-up work of the Dasu terrorist attack in Pakistan?

Lin Jian: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy in Pakistan are actively engaged in the emergency response and follow-up work. On March 27, the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan visited the project camp whose personnel came under the attack to convey sympathy to the project’s Chinese employees. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari visited the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to offer his condolences over the Chinese nationals killed in the attack. He promised that the Pakistani side will take resolute measures to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. The Pakistani side is working intensively to investigate and handle the aftermath and has taken concrete steps to enhance security for Chinese personnel, projects and institutions. We believe Pakistan will get to the bottom of the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.

Also yesterday, the UN Security Council President issued a press statement, condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attack and expressing deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of Pakistan and China. We stand ready to step up cooperation with the international community to fight all forms of terrorism and safeguard world peace and tranquility.

Reuters: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson wrote on social media on Tuesday that journalists in the Philippines manipulated the videos they recorded in the South China Sea to project the Philippines as a victim. The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines said in its response yesterday that it strongly rejects this and stressed that Filipino journalists are independent and are not in cahoots with the government. What is China’s comment on this?

Lin Jian: The statement distorts the truth and calls white black. China firmly opposes it.

Who’s been stirring up trouble and making provocations on the South China Sea issue? Who’s been breaching the common understandings between our two countries and reneged on their own commitments? Who’s been staging a show and hyping up tensions? Who’s been pulling forces outside the region to interfere in the issue? China has provided details about the situation several times. Whenever the Philippines carries out an operation in the South China Sea, it brings journalists along, including photo journalists from third countries. Why would the Philippines do that? I believe anyone fair-minded and unbiased can see that.

I also want to stress that it is the job and responsibility of journalists to report the truth. I hope the relevant association and journalists will stay objective and present the whole picture and report what actually happened in an accurate way.

Global Times: On March 27, the Office of the Spokesperson of the US Department of State released a readout on the call between Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, saying the call was part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication between the US and China and responsibly manage competition in the relationship. Campbell underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, in the South China Sea, and on the Korean Peninsula. He also raised concerns over China’s support for the Russian defense industrial base. What’s your comment?

Lin Jian: On March 27, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu had a phone call with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell at US request. They exchanged views on the current China-US relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Vice Minister Ma said the two presidents successfully met in San Francisco and established the San Francisco vision. Both sides need to deliver on the important common understandings and outcomes reached at the San Francisco summit meeting, and work to put China-US relations on a steady, sound and sustainable trajectory.

Vice Minister Ma elaborated on China’s position on Taiwan, Hong Kong, the South China Sea and economic, trade, scientific and technological issues. He asked the US side to seriously abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, and respect China’s core interests, stop turning economic, trade, scientific and technological issues into political and security issues, stop irresponsibly pointing fingers on Hong Kong, and start playing a constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea instead of doing the opposite.

Vice Minister Ma also stated China’s principled position on the Korean Peninsula issue and the Ukraine crisis.

CRI: You mentioned the press statement issued by the UN Security Council President. The Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack related to the Dasu Hydropower Project in Pakistan. What’s China’s comment?

Lin Jian: On March 27, the UN Security Council issued a press statement, condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attack near Besham, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of Pakistan and China. They reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Members also underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Governments of Pakistan and China. The statement noted that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. All States need to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law.

The press statement issued by the Council demonstrates the firm resolve of the international community to combat terrorism. China opposes all forms of terrorism and firmly supports Pakistan in combating terrorism. China will work with Pakistan with even stronger commitment to do everything possible to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan. We will also step up counterterrorism cooperation with the international community to safeguard international and regional peace and stability.

Dragon TV: The ROK Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said on March 26 that the government has expressed grave concerns over the repeated use of water cannons recently in the South China Sea, which damaged a Philippine ship and injured a Filipino sailor; such actions increase tensions in the major international navigation route used by all countries, including the ROK, while undermining peace, stability, safety and rules-based maritime order; freedom of navigation and overflight must be respected by all countries in the international community under all circumstances, based on the principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. What is China’s comment?

Lin Jian: We’ve also noted the biased and unfactual comments made by the ROK Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on the South China Sea issue over the past few days. China deplores this and has lodged representations to the ROK. We have made our position clear on the Philippines’ resupply mission to Ren’ai Jiao. I would like to stress once again that Ren’ai Jiao is part of China’s Nansha Qundao and has always been China’s territory. On March 23, the Philippines, breaking its promise once again, sent a supply vessel and two Coast Guard vessels to illegally intrude into the adjacent waters of Ren’ai Jiao in the name of sending supplies of daily necessities. The fact is, the Philippines was not sending living necessities, but construction materials for repairing and reinforcing the illegally grounded warship. Their goal is to set up a permanent outpost on the uninhabited reef that belongs to China in an attempt to permanently occupy Ren’ai Jiao, which is illegal. The Philippines has gone back on its own words, repeatedly broken its commitments made to China, and seriously violated Article 5 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. In response to the forced intrusion of Philippine vessels, China Coast Guard had to take necessary law-enforcement measures. Their operation at the scene was justified, lawful, professional, restrained and beyond reproach. China asks the Philippines to immediately stop infringing on China’s sovereignty and rights and stop making provocations. If it continues down this wrong path, China will take resolute measures to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea has never been an issue. Every year, over 100,000 commercial vessels sail through those waters. None of them have encountered obstruction.

The ROK is not a party to the South China Sea issue. What the ROK has done lately does not contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea, still less to China-ROK relations. We urge the ROK to stay prudent when it comes to the South China Sea issue.

Bloomberg: Two questions. The first one is on US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. She said in an interview that “there is no country in the world that subsidizes its preferred or priority industries as heavily as China does,” highlighting aid to the electric car, battery and solar producers. She added that China’s desire is to really have global domination of these industries. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comments on Yellen’s remarks? And the second question is that the Ministry of Commerce has announced that China has lifted high tariffs on Australia’s wine imports. Does this signal an improvement in relations between the two countries?

Lin Jian: On your first question, China has stated its position on this issue on multiple occasions. I would like to reiterate that the global industrial and supply chains came into shape as a result of both the law of the market and the choices of businesses. To stand up to protectionism and bullying and keep global industrial and supply chains stable and functional serves the common interests of all parties. This is also a shared responsibility of all parties, including the US. China’s new energy industry has thrived because of our technological innovation and reliable quality cultivated in the process of global competition, not because of subsidies as some would believe. Speaking of subsidies, the US Inflation Reduction Act and its implementing guidelines, which contain relevant tax relief measures, distort fair competition, disrupt global industrial and supply chains and violate the rules of the WTO and the principle of market economy. China firmly opposes this and urges the US to reverse its discriminatory industrial policies as soon as possible.

On your second question, I would like to stress that for some time, China and Australia have engaged in dialogue and consultation to properly addressed each other’s concerns and jointly worked to realize a momentum of improvement and growth in bilateral relations. China stands ready to continue stepping up dialogue and cooperation with Australia under the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and seeking common ground while shelving differences to promote the steady and sound development of China-Australia relations. As for your specific question, I’d refer you to competent Chinese authorities.

TASS: New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said today that China should respect New Zealand’s right to joining AUKUS. What is the comment of the Foreign Ministry?

Lin Jian: On AUKUS, just as we have said many times before, bloc confrontation and exclusive groupings goes against the trend of the times and is not what countries in the region want. Like any other peace-loving country in the region and beyond, China has grave concerns over AUKUS. We hope relevant parties will do things that are actually conducive to mutual trust and peace and stability in the region.

On China-New Zealand relations, China hopes that New Zealand will work with China in the spirit of mutual respect, inclusiveness and focusing on cooperation and benefiting the people, deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation, and handle differences properly to promote the sustained, sound and steady growth of China-New Zealand relations and deliver more benefits to the two countries and peoples.

Reuters: The US Secretary of Defense said yesterday that the US will firmly support the Philippines in defending its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and criticized China’s “dangerous” military moves. What’s China’s comment?

Lin Jian: The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and is not in the position of interfering in issues between China and the Philippines. China is determined to uphold our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty will not move us a bit from our will and resolve.

Bloomberg: Two questions. The first one is on US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. She said in an interview with MSNBC that “there is no country in the world that subsidizes its preferred or priority industries as heavily as China does,” highlighting aid to the electric car, battery and solar producers. She added that China’s desire is to really have global domination of these industries. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comments on Yellen’s remarks? And the second question is that the Ministry of Commerce has announced that China has lifted tariffs on Australia’s wine imports. Does this signal an improvement in relations between the two countries?

Lin Jian: Southeast Asia is one of the places where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first announced and an important region for BRI cooperation. The region hosts some of the first BRI projects, which have been a success and delivered tangible benefits to people in those countries. The China-Laos Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway have made people’s travel more convenient. The construction of China-Thailand Railway and the East Coast Rail Link in Malaysia is progressing steadily. The “Two Countries, Twin Parks” between China and Malaysia, and China and Indonesia have become important platforms of economic innovation and cooperation. The list goes on.

China will remain guided by the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and open, green and clean cooperation, and continue to take a high-standard, people-centered and sustainable approach. We will follow through on the eight major measures for supporting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We will elevate high-quality cooperation with Southeast Asian countries and other BRI partners, and provide impetus for each other’s modernization. For the issues that may exist in the implementation of certain individual projects, China and relevant countries have engaged in active communication and sought to properly work through them by following the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.