Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on July 5, 2024
Presided over the regular press conference
At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, Charlotte Salvi, will pay an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands will pay an official visit to China from July 9 to 15. At the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belarusian Foreign Minister Rezhinkov will pay an official visit to China from July 6 to 9. At the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thai Foreign Minister Mari will pay an official visit to China from July 9 to 10 and hold the second meeting of the China-Thailand Foreign Ministers' Consultation Mechanism. AFP: After the Labour Party won the general election, Prime Minister Starmer said that the UK should move away from its dependence on China on trade and technology, but cooperate with China on other issues such as climate change. What is China's response to Starmer's election? Mao Ning: We have taken note of the election results in the UK. China's position on the development of Sino-British relations is consistent and clear. China and the UK are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world, and the development of a stable and mutually beneficial China-UK relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and is conducive to jointly addressing global challenges and promoting world peace and development. We hope to work with the UK to push China-UK relations on the right track on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation. China News Service: This year's SCO summit approved Belarus as a member state. Do you have any comment? Mao Ning: For a long time, Belarus, as an observer state of the SCO, has highly identified with the "Shanghai Spirit" and other core SCO concepts, actively participated in cooperation in various fields, and made important contributions to the development of the SCO. At this year's summit, President Xi Jinping and the leaders of other member states signed a resolution granting Belarus the status of a member state, bringing the number of SCO member states to 10. China once again warmly congratulates Belarus and looks forward to its active, comprehensive and in-depth participation in the SCO's activities and new contributions to the development of the SCO. As the world's most populous and extensive comprehensive regional organization, the SCO member states have further developed and expanded, demonstrating the strong vitality, cohesion and attractiveness of the "Shanghai Spirit", and fully demonstrating that the SCO follows the development trend of the times and practices the concept of open and inclusive cooperation, which has been welcomed and praised by the international community and regional countries. At present, more and more countries want to strengthen cooperation with the SCO and obtain or improve their legal status within the SCO. China welcomes more countries that share the Shanghai Spirit and the SCO's purposes and principles to join the SCO family, work together to build a closer SCO community with a shared future, promote international fairness and justice, promote world peace and stability, and contribute to global prosperity and development. Reuters: The European Commission confirmed yesterday that it will impose temporary tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. China's Ministry of Commerce announced this morning that it will continue to conduct anti-dumping investigations on imported brandy originating in the European Union. Does China plan to introduce more retaliatory measures? Mao Ning: I suggest you check with the competent authorities of the Chinese side for specific questions. China has repeatedly expressed strong opposition to the EU's countervailing investigation into China's electric vehicles. We have always maintained that specific economic and trade issues should be properly resolved through dialogue and consultation. China will also take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
Xinhua News Agency: The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Astana a few days ago, and President Xi Jinping attended the meeting. Can you tell us more about the meeting? What initiatives did China put forward at this meeting?
Mao Ning: On July 4, the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Astana, Kazakhstan. President Xi Jinping was invited to attend the summit and delivered an important speech entitled "Working Together to Build a Better Home for the SCO". During the meeting, President Xi Jinping had an in-depth exchange of views with the leaders of the participating countries on international and regional issues of common concern, drawing a blueprint and describing the prospects for the next step of the SCO's development, and reaching a series of consensuses. The summit adopted more than 20 documents, including the Astana Declaration, the Initiative on Solidarity and Solidarity for World Justice, Harmony and Development, and the Statement on the Principles of Good-Neighborliness, Mutual Trust and Partnership. A positive signal to jointly promote safe development. It can be said that the summit has achieved fruitful results, which has given a strong impetus to the new development of the SCO and demonstrated the growing attractiveness and influence of the SCO. In the face of changes in the world, the times and history, President Xi Jinping has a keen grasp of the general trend of the world, stands at the strategic height of the long-term development of all mankind, and points out that in order to cope with the changes in a century, the key is to have the wisdom to change, the way to adapt and the courage to change. President Xi Jinping pointed out that the region is facing the triple risks of the Cold War mentality, "small courtyards and high walls", and interference and division, and put forward three targeted response plans to safeguard the bottom line of security, safeguard the right to development, and consolidate the strength of unity, and called on all parties to continue to hold high the banner of the "Shanghai Spirit" and jointly stabilize the direction of the SCO's development. President Xi Jinping stressed the need for the SCO countries to firmly establish a sense of community with a shared future, always uphold the "Shanghai Spirit", unswervingly follow a development path suited to their national conditions and the realities of the region, and advocate the building of the "Five Common Homes", namely solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness, friendship and fairness. President Xi Jinping's important speech was well received, and all participants hoped that China's ascension to the SCO presidency would inject new impetus into the development of the SCO, and stressed that the SCO will firmly fulfill its original mission, tap the potential of cooperation, and comprehensively expand the breadth and depth of cooperation, so that the fruits of cooperation can better benefit the people of all countries. We are confident that the SCO countries will follow the development trend of the times, work in solidarity and work hand in hand, strive to achieve the goal of enabling people to live, work and be happy in peace, and jointly inject strong impetus into world peace and development. The Paper: Can you tell us more about the arrangements for the Prime Minister's visit and China's expectations? Mao Ning: During the visit, the leaders of the two countries will exchange views on bilateral relations and important issues of common concern, and jointly chart a blueprint for the development of China-Vanuatu relations. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vanuatu 42 years ago, bilateral relations have made great progress, and bilateral practical cooperation has progressed steadily. China is ready to work with Vanuatu to take Prime Minister Salvi's visit to China as an opportunity to renew the traditional friendship, deepen all-round mutual support, and push bilateral relations to a new level for the benefit of the two peoples. China Daily: On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, President Xi Jinping and Azerbaijani President Aliyev held a bilateral meeting, during which the two sides issued a joint statement to formally establish the China-Azerbaijan strategic partnership. Why is this time to enhance China-Arab relations? Can you tell us more about that? Mao Ning: China and Azerbaijan established diplomatic relations on April 2, 1992. As President Xi Jinping pointed out, over the past 30 years, China-Arab relations have been developing in a healthy and stable manner, and the cooperation between the two countries has achieved fruitful results and enriched strategic connotations. Especially in recent years, President Xi Jinping has maintained close exchanges with President Aliyev and provided strategic guidance for China-Arab relations. The two sides firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and other core interests. The volume of bilateral trade has grown from more than one million US dollars to more than one billion US dollars. The two countries maintain close communication and cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the CICA and the United Nations. Against this backdrop, it is a matter of course for China-Arab relations to be upgraded. The announcement by the heads of state of China and Azerbaijan on the establishment of the China-Azerbaijan strategic partnership is an important milestone in the history of the development of China-Azerbaijan relations. The two sides will take this as a new starting point to further increase mutual political support, deepen all-round cooperation with high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the main line, carry out effective coordination in international affairs, and promote the sound and steady development of the China-Arab strategic partnership for the benefit of the two peoples.
CCTV: It is understood that the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council on July 4 endorsed China's report on China's participation in the fourth round of country-by-country human rights reviews. Can you tell us more about that?
Mao Ning: On July 4, the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed China's participation in the fourth round of country human rights reviews. Country human rights reviews are an important platform for countries to engage in equal and frank exchanges, constructive dialogue and cooperation. China attaches great importance to the Endorsement Conference, at which it introduced the Chinese Government's position on the recommendations made to China by various countries during the country reviews of human rights, as well as the phased progress of the 30 new human rights protection measures that the Chinese Government has committed to admitting, expounded the development path, concept and achievements of Chinese human rights, stressed that China will adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, make the fruits of modernization more and more equitable to benefit all people, and steadily improve the level of human rights protection in the process of Chinese-style modernization. We will continue to make new contributions to the healthy development of the world's human rights cause. At the meeting, Russia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Zambia, the Gambia, Venezuela and many other countries spoke positively of China's efforts and achievements in the development of the human rights cause, commended China's open and frank participation in the fourth round of country-by-country human rights reviews, affirmed China's acceptance of most of the recommendations in accordance with its own national conditions and people's wishes, and supported the Council's approval of China's participation in the country-by-country human rights review report. After the Human Rights Council approved China's participation in the country human rights review, the venue burst into warm applause, and many representatives congratulated the Chinese delegation. The Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed China's participation in the fourth round of country human rights reviews, which fully demonstrates that the international community highly appreciates Chinese's achievements in human rights and contributions to the international human rights cause. China will adhere to the path of Chinese human rights development, continuously improve the level of human rights protection, practice true multilateralism, and promote global human rights governance in a more fair, just, reasonable and inclusive direction. Hubei Radio and Television: Can you tell us more about the arrangements for the Solomon Islands Prime Minister's visit and China's expectations?
Mao Ning: This is Prime Minister Manele's first official visit to China since he took office in May this year. During the visit, the leaders of the two countries will exchange views on Solomon Islands relations and important issues of common concern. Over the past five years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, Solomon Islands relations have developed rapidly, and the two sides have firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and have achieved fruitful results in exchanges and cooperation in various fields. China is ready to work with Solomon Islands to take Prime Minister Manele's visit as an opportunity to strengthen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, and promote the continuous development of bilateral relations. CRI's Chinese Global Program Center: The 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-level Conference on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence opened in Shanghai, which has attracted wide attention from all parties. Can you tell us more about the meeting? Mao Ning: From July 4 to 6, the 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-level Conference on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence was held in Shanghai. Premier Li Qiang pointed out that as an important force in the development of global AI, China has always actively embraced intelligent transformation and continuously explored effective paths for AI development and governance. In order to promote the global development of artificial intelligence, improve human well-being, and jointly move towards a better intelligent future, it is necessary to deepen innovation and cooperation and release intelligent dividends. promote inclusive development and bridge the smart divide; Strengthen coordination and co-governance to ensure intelligence for good. The conference issued the Shanghai Declaration on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, which put forward a series of proposals for promoting the development, security, governance, public participation and improvement of social well-being of artificial intelligence, and made new contributions to the construction of an international framework for global governance of artificial intelligence. Held in the context of the rapid development of global artificial intelligence, the gradual intensification of the "intelligent divide" and the significant increase in the urgency of governance, this conference is a major measure for China to promote the implementation of the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative, injecting strong impetus into global artificial intelligence governance, building a new platform for international exchanges and cooperation in artificial intelligence, and comprehensively demonstrating the development and governance achievements of Chinese artificial intelligence. China is ready to take this conference as an opportunity to uphold the concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and work with all parties to promote the healthy, safe, fair and orderly development of global AI. Kyodo News: A spokesperson for the Japanese government said at a press conference today that it regrets that the Chinese oceanographic survey vessel has set up buoys in the waters of the southern Pacific Ocean. Do you have any comment? Mao Ning: Chinese vessels operating on the high seas of the western Pacific Ocean and laying tsunami buoys are for scientific research and public welfare purposes, and are also an international practice. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the high seas are open to all countries, and all countries enjoy the freedom to engage in scientific research on the high seas, and Japan has no right to interfere.
Shenzhen TV: China has just announced that Thai Foreign Minister Mari will visit China. What is China's expectation for this?
Mao Ning: China and Thailand are good neighbors, good friends, good relatives and good partners. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Thai leaders, the two sides have maintained close high-level exchanges, continuously strengthened political mutual trust, deepened cooperation in various fields, and achieved new achievements in building a China-Thailand community with a shared future. China has been Thailand's largest trading partner for many years in a row, and in recent years, it has become Thailand's largest source of foreign investment. As of early June, more than 3 million Chinese tourists have visited Thailand this year, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have become closer in the "visa-free era". Thai Foreign Minister Mari's current visit to China is his first visit to China since he took office. The exchange of visits between the foreign ministers of the two countries in less than half a year reflects the friendship of "China and Thailand as one family". Foreign Minister Mali will meet with him during his visit to China, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold the second meeting of the China-Thailand Foreign Ministers' Consultation Mechanism to exchange views on implementing the high-level consensus between the two countries, deepening China-Thailand comprehensive strategic cooperation, and international and regional issues of common concern. Through this visit, China looks forward to strengthening strategic communication with Thailand, renewing traditional friendship, deepening practical cooperation, and pushing the building of a more stable, prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future to a new level. Global Times: According to South Korean media reports, the DPRK has recently changed the transmission channel of its national television broadcasts from Chinese satellites to Russian satellites, which has led to a deterioration in the quality of the DPRK television signals received by the DPRK. Does China see this move as an example of North Korea's intensification of cooperation with Russia? Do you have any comment on this?
Mao Ning: I don't know about the specific situation you mentioned. From the perspective of common sense, satellite-related services are commercial activities, and how to carry out cooperation is determined by business partners through consultation, and there is no need to over-interpret. Yomiuri Shimbun: A follow-up question about the buoys. In July last year, the same vessel set up oceanographic survey buoys in Japan's "exclusive economic waters" northwest of the Diaoyu Islands without permission. In this regard, the Japanese side asked the Chinese side to remove the buoys during the Japan-China summit meeting, but there has been no response. Does the foreign ministry have any comment? Mao Ning: Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory, and the surrounding waters are under China's jurisdiction. It is reasonable and lawful for China to set up hydrometeorological observation buoys in the relevant sea areas. Beijing Daily: According to reports, a spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on April 4 that the US military is withdrawing from the Philippines the US equipment used in the annual "Shoulder to Shoulder" joint military exercise. According to the plan, the "Typhon" land-based intermediate-range missile system currently deployed in the Philippines will be transported away in September or even earlier. The Philippine military has received guidance on the use and maintenance of the "Typhon" system, but it has not been used in live-fire exercises. Do you have any comment? Mao Ning: China has noted relevant reports. With regard to the deployment of the US INF in the Philippines, China has repeatedly stated its solemn position, saying that the relevant practices have seriously reversed history, seriously threatened regional national security, seriously undermined regional peace and stability, and ran counter to the common aspirations of the people of regional countries for peace and development. We urge the countries concerned to heed the voices of countries in the region and correct their erroneous practices as soon as possible.