According to the website of the Chinese Embassy in France, on January 17, 2022, Ambassador to France Lu Shaye was interviewed by France 24 television station (France24) to answer reporters' questions on the Beijing Winter Olympics, Taiwan, neutral relations and other issues. The transcript of the interview is as follows:
Reporter: In less than three weeks, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics is about to open, but there are some concerns about the epidemic. The number of new cases in China reached 223 on Monday, the highest recorded since March 2020, and the Opmi kerong variant virus has also emerged in Beijing. Will the Beijing Winter Olympics be affected by the rebound of the epidemic?
Ambassador Lu: China is now fully prepared to welcome athletes from all over the world to participate in China and will dedicate a wonderful and outstanding Winter Olympic Event to the world. Regarding the epidemic situation, China has recently reported some sporadic cases, but compared with the overall international epidemic situation, the epidemic situation in China has been very well controlled, and although there are currently 100 or 200 new cases per day, the situation is not severe, and China has mature and effective experience in epidemic prevention and control.
Reporter: We have noted that Xi'an has recently adopted "lockdown" measures because of individual cases. If foreign athletes and delegations arrive, or if there are local cases that cause a rebound in Beijing, will Beijing take the same measures?
Ambassador Lu: China and the International Olympic Committee have jointly studied and formulated the epidemic prevention policy for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, and the relevant venues have adopted "closed-loop management" during the games, ensuring that the teams and medical staff are in place. Regarding the epidemic in Xi'an, we have taken the necessary "partial lockdown" measures to better cut off the chain of virus infection. The relevant measures have achieved positive results, and the number of new cases in Xi'an has dropped significantly compared with before.
Reporter: During the Winter Olympics, will this measure also be implemented in Beijing? Or not at all?
Ambassador Lu: It depends on the situation. From the current point of view, Beijing has recently reported only one case, which is easy to track and locate, and there is no need to worry at all. I believe there will be no serious outbreak in Beijing during the Winter Olympics.
Reporter: From a diplomatic perspective, some countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Denmark, and other countries, have called for "no officials to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics" to express their concern about the situation of Chinese rights, especially the human rights situation in Xinjiang. Is China worried that other countries will join the camp?
Ambassador Lu: The Olympic Games are an arena for athletes from all over the world, not a performance field for politicians from individual countries, and whether they come or not will not affect the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics at all. As for their use of the human rights situation in Xinjiang as an excuse, they are completely based on lies.
Reporter: If the athletes who participated in the competition decided to protest on the Xinjiang and Tibet issues, how would China react?
Ambassador Lu: The IOC has clear rules on basic principles such as "political neutrality in sport", and athletes from all countries should strictly abide by this principle.
Reporter: The next question is about the regional situation, especially the Taiwan issue. A few days ago, Taiwan's "foreign minister" said in an interview with taiwan that "the military threat from Beijing is very serious." China's president has recently expressed concern about the catastrophic consequences of a global confrontation. Are we approaching a war in a dangerous way, Mr. Ambassador?
Ambassador Lu: First of all, it must be made clear that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and that There is no so-called "foreign minister" in Taiwan at all. The gentleman's remarks were contrary to the facts and unfounded. The key issue at present is not reunification by force, but the need for the Taiwan authorities and Taiwan independence separatist forces to immediately stop their provocative actions that have escalated tension in the Taiwan Strait.
Reporter: Do you think the Taiwan side is stepping up its provocations? However, the Taiwan side said that it Chinese mainland explicitly expressed its hope for peaceful reunification, but in fact it was preparing for war. Because of this, they believe that external support, especially the United States, is needed.
Ambassador Lu: Realizing the reunification of the motherland is the common mission of all the people of Chinese, including the people of Taiwan. Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China's territory since ancient times. That is why China has introduced the Anti-Secession Law. If the Taiwan authorities continue to provoke and the situation heats up, the Chinese government will have to respond accordingly. The United States has not played a good role on the Taiwan issue. It is precisely because the Taiwan independence forces have the support of the United States that they dare to go farther and farther down the road of so-called "Taiwan independence."
Reporter: Do the corresponding measures you mentioned include the use of military means if necessary? Or do we insist on peaceful reunification in any case?
Ambassador Lu: Peaceful reunification is always a priority. You can see that the Chinese government has introduced a number of measures to promote cross-strait economic cooperation and exchanges. This is precisely to improve the people's livelihood in Taiwan and bring more benefits to the people of Taiwan. But we will never allow Taiwan to secede from China. We do not renounce the use of force, and we are not targeting the people of Taiwan, but taiwan independence separatists and certain external forces.
Reporter: Taiwan recently set up a representative office in Lithuania, a member of the European Union, with the name "Taiwan" instead of the commonly used "Taipei". Subsequently, China decided to reduce diplomatic relations with Lithuania. The EU has accused China of retaliating against Lithuania for trade. But China has not severed diplomatic relations with Lithuania, is it afraid that the severance of diplomatic relations will lead to eu-level consequences?
Ambassador Lu: The EU adheres to the one-China policy, and what Lithuania has done violates the EU's unified position on Taiwan-related issues and creates trouble for the EU. The Chinese government's response was justified. We must ensure that all countries that have diplomatic relations with China abide by the one-China principle. Of course, so far, we have only lowered the level of diplomatic relations with Lithuania and have not broken off diplomatic relations.
Reporter: Why do you keep handing over? Is it fear that the EU may react?
Ambassador Lu: It is not a question of harm or fear, but to show its resolute opposition to Lithuania's blatant violation of the one-China principle. We have always had friendly feelings towards the Lithuanian people. It is hoped that the Lithuanian Government will correct its mistake and return to the correct stand of adhering to the one-China principle.
Reporter: Mr. Ambassador, on your last question, there is news that Taiwan is negotiating a bilateral investment agreement with the European Union. Will an agreement between Taiwan and the EU touch China's red line?
Ambassador Lu: We are firmly opposed to official exchanges between countries and organizations that have established diplomatic relations with China and the Taiwan authorities.
Reporter: If they do, does it hit a red line for you?
Ambassador Lu: We oppose the actions of the Taiwan authorities to undermine China's relations with the EU.
Editor: Shi Wei