According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at today's regular press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian answered reporters' questions on the Slovenian prime minister's erroneous remarks on Taiwan. The following is a transcript of the Q&A:
CCTV: According to reports, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a video speech at the 2022 World Economic Forum that it is still far from the WHO's target of completing 40% of the global population's COVID-19 vaccination by the end of 2021 and completing 70% by the middle of this year, "the vaccination rate in high-income countries is shamefully 7 times higher than that in African countries", and once again called for fairness in vaccines. What is the Spokesperson's comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: Secretary-General Guterres's words are thought-provoking. The COVID-19 pandemic has been postponed to its third year, posing a serious threat to human life and health and global economic development. At the same time, the immune defense line built by vaccines continues to be impacted by mutated strains, and the "immunization gap" between developed and developing countries is still widening. In the face of the complex situation of the global fight against the epidemic, strengthening confidence and working together is the only correct way to defeat the epidemic.
China will believe in what it says and its deeds will bear fruit. We have put forward the global vaccine cooperation action initiative, and have always stood in the "first square" of international anti-epidemic cooperation and served as the "first echelon" of fair distribution of vaccines. Last year, China provided more than 2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations, completing President Xi Jinping's declaration to the world. China has become the country that provides the most vaccines to the outside world. One in two vaccines used globally is "Made in China." Many countries, especially developing countries, received the first vaccines from China, and most of the vaccines obtained by these countries so far also come from China. As President Xi Jinping recently announced, China will provide another 1 billion doses of vaccines to Africa, of which 600 million doses will be free aid, and another 150 million doses of vaccines will be provided to ASEAN countries. We are also working with 20 countries to produce vaccines on the spot, with practical action to help developing countries produce vaccines.
Ending the pandemic is imperative. According to the barrel theory, the amount of water that a barrel can hold is determined by the shortest plank. It is hoped that relevant countries and international organizations will work with China to jointly bridge the global "immunization gap" and truly contribute to mankind's early victory over the epidemic.
Yonhap News Agency: According to reports, the United States has officially pushed the Security Council to impose a new round of sanctions on the DPRK. If China does not raise any objections before the 20th of this month, the Security Council will formally adopt the draft resolution on sanctions against the DPRK. Will China raise objections to this?
Zhao Lijian: The Chinese side has noted the recent developments in various aspects of the situation on the Korean Peninsula. What I can tell you is that the Security Council did not discuss the arrangements for the so-called draft resolution on sanctions against the DPRK. We hope that Security Council members will focus on the long-term and overall situation, take a careful view of the current situation, focus on promoting the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue, seriously consider the relevant proposals put forward by the Chinese side, and make positive efforts to stabilize the situation, accumulate mutual trust and restart dialogue.
Polish Radio: The Polish side said that President Duda will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, what is your comment on this? It is said that President Duda will also meet with President Xi Jinping, can you confirm it? President Duda was infected with the new crown virus and recently recovered, can you please introduce China's epidemic prevention regulations involving foreign heads of state going to China? In addition, which heads of state have confirmed their attendance at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics?
Zhao Lijian: We have noted that President Duda has recently returned to work after recovering. The Chinese side warmly welcomes President Duda to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which fully expresses the common aspiration of the international community to "move forward together for the future". The curtain is about to open on the Beijing Winter Olympics. China is confident to work with all parties to practice the Olympic spirit of "greater unity" and present to the world a simple, safe and wonderful Winter Olympics.
As for which heads of state you asked have confirmed their attendance at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, according to Olympic rules, leaders attending the Olympic Games are invited by their national Olympic Committees and registered in the IOC system. At present, many heads of state, heads of government and members of the royal family have registered to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics. We welcome them.
China is committed to making more contributions to the international Olympic cause and will present a simple, safe and wonderful Olympic event to the world.
Polish Radio: A Chinese citizen who was the head of Huawei's public relations department has been detained in Poland for three years. What is China's comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: China has stated its position on this case many times before. The Chinese Government has always attached great importance to safeguarding the legitimate and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens abroad. We demand that the Polish side handle this case in accordance with the law, impartially and properly, and earnestly protect the legitimate rights and interests, safety and humanitarian treatment of the parties concerned.
I have also noticed that the statements of the Polish side and Huawei said that the Wang Weijing case is a simple case. It is hoped that the Polish side will handle the case on the basis of facts and in accordance with laws and regulations.
The Paper: There are 16 days to go before the Beijing Winter Olympics begin. As the opening approaches, more and more countries and international organizations have expressed their views on the Beijing Winter Olympics, expressed their confidence in the Beijing Winter Olympics and supported China in hosting the Games. Could the Spokesperson provide a briefing?
Zhao Lijian: As you said, for some time now, the voice of the international community firmly supporting the safe and smooth holding of the Beijing Winter Olympics as scheduled can be said to be a wave higher than a wave. I would like to ask, do all the journalists here collect stamps? Recently, the United Nations Postal Administration has announced that in celebration of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, the United Nations will issue stamps with the theme "Sport for Peace". This is the first time that the United Nations has issued a stamp for the Winter Olympics. This is good news for philatelic enthusiasts. IOC President Bach has repeatedly expressed his firm support for the Beijing Winter Olympics as scheduled. He believes that the closed loop of the Beijing Winter Olympics is a "safe haven" for the global epidemic and "the safest place in the world". He stressed that China's closed-loop management is safe and smooth, and the service guarantee is thoughtful and intimate, which is highly praised by the international community. The WHO has also repeatedly said that the existing epidemic prevention measures for the Beijing Winter Olympics are sufficient to cope with the challenges of the epidemic. In view of China's strict and effective epidemic prevention measures, WHO is full of confidence in the safe hosting of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Coates, vice president of the International Olympic Committee and president of the Australian Olympic Committee, is satisfied with and confident of the epidemic prevention measures of the Beijing Winter Olympics. He said that China's epidemic prevention and control work is very in place. For Australian athletes, the most important thing is to be able to compete safely. Therefore, they are very happy about China's epidemic prevention measures and have no complaints at all. The Canadian, Danish and Swiss Olympic Committees also publicly expressed their expectations for the Beijing Winter Olympics and believed that China could successfully host the games as scheduled. In addition, officials of the governments and Olympic Committees of Belgium, Norway, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Philippines and other countries positively evaluated the epidemic prevention and control and closed-loop management of the Beijing Winter Olympics, and expressed full trust in China's preparatory work and epidemic prevention measures.
At the same time, we note that opposition to the politicization of sport is also growing louder and stronger. My colleagues and I have described many times before that many governments and international organizations oppose the politicization of sports and look forward to the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Here I'd like to share a few more: Recently, Pakistani President Alvi said that those who attempt to intervene politically in the Beijing Winter Olympics will eventually fail. "The world will see a positive and healthy picture of the Beijing Winter Olympics." Czech President Zeman is adamantly opposed to the use of the Olympic idea by politics, arguing that "the absence of political clowns will not have any impact on the Olympic Games." In a video meeting with State Councilor Wang Yi, Estonian Foreign Minister Limetz said that Estonia supports China in running the Beijing Winter Olympics well and participated in the joint proposal of the Olympic Truce resolution. She believes the Winter Olympics will be a resounding success.
Pakistan News Agency: Pakistani President Alvi said in an interview with Chinese media that he believes China will successfully host the Beijing Winter Olympics. Pakistan will participate fully in this event. Do you have any comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: Thank you for your question. The Chinese side noted that during the interview, President Alvi spoke positively of China-Pakistan relations, highly affirmed the preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics, took a clear-cut stand against the politicization of sports, and called on the whole world to enjoy the grand event of the Winter Olympics. This once again highlights the all-weather strategic partnership and "hardcore" brotherhood between China and Pakistan. We highly appreciate that.
The preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics have entered the "line-pressing sprint" stage. Many national dignitaries, athletes and people from all walks of life, as well as international organizations such as the International Olympic Committee, have expressed their support and expectations for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. China has the confidence to work with all parties to practice the Olympic spirit of "greater unity" and present a simple, safe and wonderful Olympic event for the world.
Bloomberg: According to the Washington Post and other media reports, a member of the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee warned that foreign athletes participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics could be punished for making statements that violate Chinese law. Do you have any comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: As far as I know, the IOC has issued a statement on the ban on political protests, requiring Olympic athletes not to protest on one knee on the field or on the podium. It is hoped that individual media will not take the meaning out of context, maliciously speculate, and attack and smear China.
I would like to reiterate that China welcomes athletes from all countries to China to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics, which will ensure the safety and convenience of all athletes. We are confident to present a simple, safe and wonderful Olympic event to the world.
Agence France-Presse (AFP): What is your comment on the Announcement by the Prime Minister of Slovenia that Slovakia is preparing to exchange representatives with Taiwan?
Zhao Lijian: We have noted relevant reports. Slovenian leaders openly made dangerous remarks challenging the one-China principle and supporting "Taiwan independence." We are deeply shocked and strongly opposed to this. I would like to emphasize that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate Government representing the whole of China. The one-China principle is a universally recognized norm governing international relations and the universal consensus of the international community, as well as the political foundation for Sino-Sri Lankan and China-EU relations. China must be reunified, and it must be reunified. No one should underestimate the strong determination, will and ability of Chinese people to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their countries.
Russia Today: Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's foreign intelligence agency, said yesterday that Russia has information on smear operations by the United States and its allies against the Beijing Winter Olympics. Does the Russian side share relevant information with the Chinese side, and does the Chinese side agree with the Russian conclusions?
Zhao Lijian: We have noted relevant reports. As Director Nareshkin said, the practice of undermining and smearing the Beijing Winter Olympics harms the interests of athletes from all countries and the international Olympic cause, completely violates the Olympic spirit, and is even less in line with the mainstream public opinion of the international community. This approach is not only very narrow, but also completely wrong, doomed to be unpopular, let alone successful. At present, the preparatory work for the Beijing Winter Olympics has entered the sprint stage. China is ready. We are confident that by hosting this Winter Olympics, we will inject more unity, confidence and positive energy into the international community.
Bloomberg: The human rights group Protection Defenders issued a report saying that China used "coercion" such as kidnapping and pressure on family members to force about 10,000 fugitives to return home. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment on this?
Zhao Lijian: I don't know if the reporters have noticed that there is a TV special film on anti-corruption that is currently airing in China, with a total of 5 episodes, called "Zero Tolerance". Cooperation in combating transnational corruption crimes is also the consensus of the international community. The Chinese Government's clear-cut stand against corruption, actively promoting international cooperation against corruption, resolutely pursuing fugitives and recovering stolen goods, and bringing fugitive corrupt elements to justice are just causes and bright deeds, which have won the full support of the Chinese people and universal praise from the international community. In the pursuit of fugitives and stolen goods, China's judicial law enforcement organs strictly abide by international rules, fully respect the judicial sovereignty of other countries, submit requests and cooperate in accordance with the United Nations Convention against Corruption or bilateral agreements, etc., and at the same time actively perform international obligations, respond to requests for cooperation submitted by other countries, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of criminal suspects in accordance with the law, and have won the support and cooperation of relevant countries.
The relevant reports of the so-called human rights organizations you mentioned are full of subjective assumptions and lies. In the name of so-called "human rights," this report glorifies fugitive corruption suspects as "victims," which is an connivance and shielding of corruption crimes and completely stands on the opposite side of justice and the rule of law. The Chinese government will continue to persist in punishing corruption with a zero-tolerance attitude, insisting that those who flee must be pursued and pursued to the end, and that corrupt elements must be chased back and brought to justice even if they flee to the ends of the earth. We also urge relevant countries to earnestly fulfill their international responsibilities, actively respond to China's request for judicial and law enforcement cooperation, and not become a "haven" for corrupt elements and illegal funds.
Aoya Satellite TV: According to reports, China has issued visas to 46 US government officials to work in China during the Beijing Winter Olympics. Most of these U.S. officials are from the U.S. State Department, can the spokesperson confirm this news? Does the US application for a visa contradict the previous US claim that it will not send official and diplomatic representatives to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics?
Zhao Lijian: What I can confirm to you is that the Chinese side has issued the corresponding visas to some members of the US team composed of government officials. The team that came to China to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics included a large number of officials from the US State Department and other government departments, and many officials also held diplomatic or service passports.
We hope that the US side will put the Olympic spirit into practice and work with china to create a good atmosphere for athletes from all over the world to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Regarding what you said, whether the US side's application for visas for diplomats and officials contradicts the US side's previous claim that it will not send official and diplomatic representatives to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics, I think you should ask the US side about this question.