Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong called on Pakistani President Alvi
On January 22, 2024, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who is visiting Pakistan, called on Pakistani President Alvi. Sun Weidong said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. China appreciates Pakistan's firm adherence to the one-China principle, support Pakistan's defense of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and support Pakistan's unity, stability, development and prosperity. China is ready to work with Pakistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, build an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. Alvi said that the friendship between Pakistan and China has a long history and has endured strength, and it is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of the two countries. Pakistan firmly supports the one-China principle and will continue to firmly support China in safeguarding its core interests. Pakistan is ready to work with China on the high-quality construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and exchange development experience so that the fruits of cooperation can better benefit the two peoples. From January 20 to 22, Sun Weidong visited Pakistan, during which he also called on Pakistani Prime Minister Kakar, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Sahir, Army Chief of Staff Munir, and Foreign Minister Jilani, and co-chaired the fourth meeting of the CPEC International Cooperation and Coordination Working Group with Pakistani Foreign Secretary Kaz. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong attended the relevant activities.
Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong met with ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar Alunjo
On January 22, 2024, Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong met with ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar Allenjo to exchange views on China-ASEAN relations, East Asian cooperation, the situation in Myanmar and other issues of common concern.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on January 22, 2024
Presided over the regular press conference
Shenzhen TV: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. On January 19, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Brazil. Could you elaborate on the highlights of Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Brazil, as well as the outcomes and consensus reached during the meeting?
Wang Wenbin: A few days ago, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister of the CPC Central Committee, visited Brazil and Jamaica upon invitation. During his visit to Brazil, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Brazilian President Lula, Vice President Alcmín and Principal Special Adviser to the President Amorim, and held the fourth China-Brazil Foreign Minister-level Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue with Brazilian Foreign Minister Patrick Vieira and held a joint press conference. President Lula said that since the first day of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Brazil has openly supported and pursued the one-China policy, and will continue to unswervingly adhere to this position in the future. Pakistan is optimistic about China's development prospects and looks forward to learning from China's experience in governance and continuously enriching cooperation with China. Pakistan and China have a high degree of consensus on many major issues, and Pakistan hopes to work with China to improve global governance and jointly enhance the overall strength and international discourse power of developing countries. The Pakistani side also said that it looks forward to taking the hosting of the G20 Rio Summit as an opportunity to strengthen high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China, inject strong impetus into bilateral relations, and lead Pakistan-China friendship and cooperation into the next 50 years with broader prospects. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Brazil is the first developing country to establish a strategic partnership with China and the first major Latin American country to upgrade its bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. China has always given diplomatic priority to China-Brazil relations, firmly supports Brazil in accelerating economic and social development, and firmly supports Brazil in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. China is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to join hands with Pakistan to build the next "golden 50 years" of China-Pakistan relations. During the visit, China and Pakistan reached a series of consensuses: First, we will work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate strategic mutual trust, and continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. Second, we will work together to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples. China-Pakistan cooperation "up to space, down to soybeans". The two sides will uphold the concept of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, and promote cooperation in various fields to a new level. Third, we should work together to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, consolidate the foundation of friendship between China and Pakistan, facilitate visa grants to each other, and expand two-way people-to-people exchanges. Fourth, we should work together to demonstrate our responsibility as a major country and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The two sides will strengthen communication and cooperation, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, and build a China-Pakistan community with a shared future and a China-Latin America community with a shared future. During his visit to Jamaica, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met and held talks with Jamaican Prime Minister Holness and Foreign Minister Johnson-Smith respectively. The Javaya side said that it will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy, give priority to Javai-China relations, and strive to build a strong Java-China strategic partnership. Jamaica admires China's remarkable development achievements and looks forward to learning from China's successful experience to achieve more efficient and equitable development. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China advocates the equality of all countries, big or small, adheres to the democratization of international relations, never interferes in the internal affairs of any country, never engages in geopolitical contention, and never forces other countries to choose sides. China respects Jamaica's choice of a system and way of life with its own characteristics, supports Jamaica in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and supports Jamaica in playing a more important role in regional and international affairs. Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to six countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean continues the fine tradition of Chinese Foreign Minister's first visit to Africa at the beginning of each year for 34 years, and shows that China, as a member of the "Global South", has always shared a common destiny with other developing countries. China will always stand on the side of fairness and justice, and on the side of developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, work with other countries to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and continue to make new contributions to human development and progress.
Associated Press of Pakistan: After the cross-border strikes between Iran and Pakistan last week, the spokesperson said that China is willing to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation. We have noted that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu had a telephone conversation with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Bagheri last night, and Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong is also visiting Pakistan in the past few days. Does China use its good offices between Iran and Pakistan?
Wang Wenbin: China maintains close communication with Iran and Pakistan. I would like to stress that Iran and Pakistan are friendly neighbors, and both countries are good friends of China. China has always been committed to maintaining regional and international peace and stability, and supports Iran and Pakistan in continuing to resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation. We are also willing to continue to play a positive and constructive role in improving relations between the two countries in accordance with the needs of Iran and Pakistan. China News Service: During the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 held last week, the head of Switzerland Tourism expressed the hope that it will learn from China, attract more Chinese tourists, and share the economic resources of ice and snow. "Switzerland's application to join the cultural tourism competition" once became a hot topic among Chinese netizens. Wang Wenbin: We have also noted relevant reports. According to a report released by the China Tourism Academy, as the second ice and snow season after the Beijing Winter Olympics, the number of ice and snow leisure tourists in China is expected to exceed 400 million for the first time in the 2023-2024 ice and snow season, and the national ice and snow leisure tourism revenue is expected to reach 550 billion yuan. China's strong holiday consumption and ice and snow economy have injected strong impetus into the global tourism market and demonstrated the strong vitality of China's economy. As Premier Li Qiang pointed out in his special speech at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2024, China has a super-large market and is in the stage of rapid demand release, and the Chinese market has a vast space and is constantly expanding, which will surely play an important role in increasing global aggregate demand. "Lucid waters and lush mountains" have become invaluable assets, and "ice and snow" have become popular all over the country, all of which reflect the growing capacity and demand for China's tourism consumption, reflect the confidence and confidence of China's economy to brave the wind and waves, and also provide new opportunities for China and Switzerland and other countries to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. We will continue to explore and unleash market demand, continue to provide a broader world for the growth of world trade and investment, and inject more impetus into the global economic recovery. Nippon TV: According to reports, some North Korean IT technicians are engaged in business activities in Beijing and earn foreign exchange. Some analysts believe that this may violate the relevant sanctions provisions of the UN Security Council. Wang Wenbin: I don't know much about the situation. On the issue of implementing Security Council resolutions, China has always fully and conscientiously fulfilled its international obligations. Bloomberg: The recently re-elected president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) said at his inauguration ceremony that he would renegotiate the details of the Huagang Mining concession agreement, which he discussed during his meeting with Chinese leaders during his visit to China last year. Can you confirm the details of the renegotiated mining concession agreement and the specific timing and method of payment? Wang Wenbin: I am not aware of the relevant information you mentioned, and I suggest that you check with the relevant parties. UTA: At the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, the need for direct dialogue between the leaders of Ukraine and China was repeatedly mentioned. Wang Wenbin: China and Ukraine have always maintained smooth communication channels and exchanged views on issues of common concern. The two sides will continue to engage in exchanges based on the needs of bilateral relations.
Reuters: Two US congressional committees dedicated to investigating "security threats and risks" posed by China are reviewing the operations of Swiss engineering company ABB in China, in particular the installation of ABB equipment on shore-side container cranes exported to the US by Chinese company Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries. The two commissions tried to investigate the relationship between the two companies. What is the response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to this, and has it communicated with Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry on this matter?
Wang Wenbin: It seems that the "victim paranoia" of politicians in the United States is getting worse and worse. I would like to ask these US politicians: Why do they blindly accuse China-related enterprises of threatening US national security without any evidence? Why does the spearhead of US national security "threats" always point at China's leading enterprises in all walks of life? Why does the United States still coerce other countries to block relevant Chinese companies even though they do not feel that Chinese products pose a threat? From accusing China's information technology equipment of having a "back door" to claiming that China-made cranes are "Trojan horses" for gathering intelligence The bubble of "China threat" advocated by relevant US politicians is getting bigger and bigger, and their true intention to contain China's development under the guise of national security is becoming more and more exposed. As far as these US politicians are concerned, whatever China is advanced and whatever is a "threat," it is necessary to take all measures to suppress it, and only the shirts and socks exported by China do not pose a threat to the United States. What US politicians have done is nothing but naked bullying and domineering. US politicians talk about abiding by the rules, but in fact they ignore the rules and break the rules; they talk about fair competition, but in fact they do whatever it takes to suppress competitors and deprive other countries of their legitimate development rights. Such despicable acts deserve to be condemned and rejected by the international community. CCTV: Some foreign media have commented that in recent times, international talents have been "discouraged" from working and living in Hong Kong, and there has even been a "wave of talent leaving Hong Kong". Wang Wenbin: The remarks you just mentioned are groundless, ignore the fact that Hong Kong continues to become a highland for international talents, irresponsibly disparage Hong Kong's freedom and human rights situation, and mislead the public and public opinion. The reality is that Hong Kong's current strong attraction for international talent continues unabated. Statistics from the Hong Kong SAR government show that from mid-2022 to mid-2023, Hong Kong will have a net inflow of 174,000 people, and there is no so-called "wave of departures". From January to November 2023, the HKSAR Government received more than 200,000 applications for its talent introduction schemes, of which more than 120,000 were approved and 80,000 have arrived in Hong Kong, far exceeding the target of at least 35,000 talents per year. In the World Talent Report 2023 released by the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, Hong Kong's talent competitiveness ranked second in Asia. These statistics and facts fully demonstrate that Hong Kong continues to be valued and favored by talents from all over the world. At present, Hong Kong has entered a new stage of moving from chaos to order to order and prosperity, and Hong Kong people live and work in peace and contentment, and their rights and freedoms enjoyed in accordance with the law have been effectively guaranteed, which has provided an unprecedentedly good environment and rare opportunities for talented people at home and abroad to start businesses in Hong Kong. We believe that under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, Hong Kong's unique advantages of "relying on the motherland and connecting with the world" will be further strengthened, the good situation of vigorous development in various economic and social fields will be further consolidated, and the attractiveness of Hong Kong to global talents will be further enhanced. The Central Government of the People's Republic of China will, as always, support the HKSAR in attracting outstanding international talents and continuously creating new advantages, and welcome talents from all over the world to start businesses in Hong Kong, share Hong Kong's development opportunities and jointly create a better tomorrow for Hong Kong. Global Times: Since the National Independent Electoral Commission of the Comoros announced on January 16 that incumbent President Azali had won the first round of the general election with 62.97% of the vote, street protests have erupted in Côdo, and the United States, the European Union and France have issued statements questioning the election results. Wang Wenbin: The presidential election is an internal affair of the Comoros, and China has always upheld the principle of non-interference in its internal affairs and respected the wishes and choices of the Comoros people. As a good friend and good partner, China is pleased to see that the Comoros maintains social stability and continuity of domestic and foreign policies, and hopes that all parties concerned will express their demands through legal channels. The international community should play a constructive role in that regard, but it should not interfere arbitrarily, otherwise it would be counterproductive. China is ready to work with international partners to support the Comoros in maintaining social stability and exerting a positive influence on peace and development there. Bloomberg: In response to Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Brazil, the spokesperson said that China supports Brazil in playing a greater role in regional affairs. Wang Wenbin: I just briefed Foreign Minister Wang Yi on his visit to Brazil, and I would like to take this opportunity to brief you on the bilateral relations between China and Argentina. China and Argentina are both large developing countries and important emerging economies, and are comprehensive strategic partners of each other. In recent years, China and the Arab States have actively promoted cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, and the two sides have signed a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation plans and other important cooperation documents. We stand ready to work with the Arab side to continuously enhance political mutual trust between the two countries, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, give full play to the complementary advantages of the two countries, deepen various types of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the sustained and stable development of the China-Arab comprehensive strategic partnership. At the same time, we are also ready to work with the Arab side to further enhance China-LAC cooperation.