Assistant Foreign Minister Miao Deyu attended a seminar on foreign legal affairs to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland
On May 17, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Macao SAR Government jointly held the "New Achievements, New Opportunities, New Achievements - Seminar on Foreign Legal Affairs in Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Macao's Return to the Motherland". Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Miao Deyu, Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macao SAR Government Cheong Weng Chun, Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government Lam Ting-kwok attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Australia, Liu Xianfa, attended the opening ceremony.
Miao said that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core has taken the helm and led the way, and the practice of "one country, two systems" in Macao has achieved a series of groundbreaking results. The constitutional order based on the Constitution and the Basic Law has been strengthened, the level and efficiency of the SAR in governing according to law have been continuously improved, and the rights and freedoms enjoyed by residents in accordance with the law have been fully guaranteed. Miao pointed out that to do a good job in Macao's foreign legal affairs, it is necessary to strengthen the foundation and consolidate the constitutional order determined by the Constitution and the Basic Law. It is necessary to pioneer and innovate to serve the country's foreign-related rule of law construction and high-level opening-up; We need to give full play to our strengths to help national diplomacy and global governance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to handle the external affairs of the SAR in strict accordance with the Basic Law, actively support Macao's external exchanges, enhance Macao's international visibility and influence, and contribute to the long-term prosperity and stability of the SAR.
About 370 people attended the meeting, including the Basic Law Committee and the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee, the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong and Macao, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong and Macao, government officials of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, well-known experts at home and abroad, legal professionals of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and university students.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on May 17, 2024
Presided over the regular press conference
Xinhua News Agency: On May 16, the 33rd session of the Council of the League of Arab States (LAS) was held in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. We note that President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the rotating President of the conference, King Hamad of Bahrain, who thanked him in his speech at the opening ceremony. Can you tell us more about that? What is China's expectation for the future development of China-Arab relations?
Wang Wenbin: On May 16, the 33rd Summit of the League of Arab States was held in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to King Hamad of Bahrain, the rotating chairman of the meeting, congratulating the successful convening of the meeting, saying that China-Arab relations are at the best period in history, and China is ready to work with Arab countries to continue to carry forward the spirit of China-Arab friendship, build a China-Arab community with a shared future, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Since the 24th session of the Council of Heads of State of the League of Arab States in 2013, President Xi Jinping has sent congratulatory letters to all previous sessions, fully demonstrating that China attaches great importance to the development of China-Arab relations. China-Arab relations have a traditional friendship, and the relations between the two sides have withstood the test of history and international changes, and have become a model of South-South cooperation. The first China-Arab States Summit in 2022 was successfully held, and President Xi Jinping and Arab leaders unanimously agreed to make every effort to build a China-Arab community with a shared future for the new era, opening a new chapter in China-Arab friendship and cooperation. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, and the 10th Ministerial Conference of the Forum will be held in China. We hope that China and Arab States will take this opportunity to further deepen traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, strengthen international cooperation, and promote the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future. Shenzhen TV: We noted that the European Commission recently raised its forecast for China's economic growth this year by 0.2 percentage points to 4.8% in its Spring 2024 Economic Outlook report. Recently, a number of international financial institutions have also raised their forecasts for China's economic growth this year. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: Since the beginning of this year, China's economy has continued to pick up and improve, and its economic and social development has made a good start. In the first quarter of this year, China's economy grew by 5.3 percent, and the upward trend has been consolidated. In April, the manufacturing PMI was 50.4%. The import and export of goods increased by 8% year-on-year to 3.64 trillion yuan, a record high for the same period in history. China's economic rebound has further strengthened the confidence of the international community in being optimistic about China and increasing its weight on China. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, UBS and other international financial institutions have recently raised their forecasts for China's economic growth this year. The Asian Development Bank expects China to contribute 46 percent of the economic growth of developing Asia this year and next. A.T. A.T. A.T. Kearney believes that China's large economy and stable and positive policy environment have boosted the confidence of international investors in recent years. China's development is an open development, and China's opportunities are the world's opportunities. A China with a steady economy and an ever-expanding opening up will continue to be the engine of world economic growth and a hot spot for enterprises from all over the world to invest. We welcome everyone to continue to invest in China, deepen China, and win in China! Beijing Daily: According to reports, on May 17, Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) launched the sixth batch of Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge, which is expected to last until June 4, with a planned discharge of about 7,800 tonnes of nuclear contaminated water. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: China's firm opposition to the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima into the sea is consistent and clear. The discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima is related to human health, the global marine environment, and the international public interest. So far, the Japanese side has not addressed the concerns of its neighbors about the safety of the sea discharge, the long-term reliability of the purification plant, and the effectiveness of the monitoring arrangements. China urges Japan to fully cooperate with the establishment of an independent and effective long-term international monitoring arrangement with the substantive participation of neighboring countries and other stakeholders, so as to effectively prevent the irreversible consequences of discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the sea. On this issue of international public interest, the Japanese side should take seriously its legitimate and reasonable concerns at home and abroad, and take a responsible and constructive attitude to properly handle it.
Global Times: According to media reports, the Taiwan authorities have long been bribing the president or "gold-yuan diplomacy" to gain political support for Guatemala. However, Guatemala's presidential palace said that President Arévalo had considered refusing to attend the so-called "May 20 inauguration". Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: The DPP authorities have always been accustomed to using the hard-earned money of the Taiwan people to indiscriminately carry out "gold-yuan diplomacy" and try to bribe political leaders from other countries to "support the scene". Facts have proven that the DPP authorities' "gold-yuan diplomacy" is not only not conducive to the development of the countries concerned, but will also become a hotbed for corruption. The Chinese side reiterates that upholding the one-China principle is the general international interest, the aspiration of the people and the trend of the times, which cannot be bought with any amount of money. We hope and believe that the crisis side will make the right choice as soon as possible that conforms to the general international trend and historical trend and is in the interests of the people. China Daily: The US State Department spokesperson said on November 16 that China cannot have the best of both worlds, and that China cannot hope to establish relations with Europe and other countries while continuing to exacerbate the biggest long-term threat to European security. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: The logic of the US side is black and white, which is an attitude of seeking enemies rather than peace, and is a continuation of the Cold War mentality. In fact, the Cold War mentality of the US bears unshirkable responsibility for the outbreak and intensification of the Ukraine crisis. China is not the creator or party to the Ukraine crisis, we have always stood on the side of peace and dialogue, always committed to promoting peace talks, and actively supported the building of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture. China's objective and fair position and constructive role have been widely recognized by the international community. The bell also needs to be tied to the bell. China advises the US to stop throwing the blame at China, stop trying to drive a wedge between China and the EU, let alone continue to add fuel to the fire, and do something practical for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Hubei Media Group: A few days ago, the Constitutional Council of Chad confirmed the final results of the presidential election, and the incumbent Transitional President Mohammed was elected President of Chad with 61% of the vote. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: We have noted that the Chadian Constitutional Council has announced the final results of the presidential election and expressed our sincere congratulations to President Mohamed on his victory. It is believed that under the leadership of President Mohamed, Chad will achieve greater achievements in achieving national stability and development. China attaches great importance to the development of friendly relations with Chad and is willing to work with the new Chadian government to strengthen mutual support and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields for the benefit of the two peoples.
Shen Bo, Director General of the Department of International Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the meeting of the Group of Friends for the Defence of the Charter of the United Nations and held consultations on UN affairs with relevant countries
On May 13, 2024, Shen Bo, Director General of the Department of International Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the high-level meeting of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations held in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and met with representatives of Venezuela, Russia, Cuba, Iran and other countries. The meeting issued a political declaration reaffirming its commitment to multilateralism, opposition to unilateral coercive measures, and commitment to safeguarding the common interests of developing countries.
Before and after the meeting, Shenbo went to Algeria and Germany to hold consultations on China-Arab and Sino-German UN affairs, and exchanged views on the current work of the UN and the Security Council, the preparations for future summits, and international and regional hotspot issues of common concern.