Summary of the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on October 11

On October 11, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning held a regular press conference.

CCTV: The ASEAN-China Summit and the ASEAN-China-Japan-ROK Summit were held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Can you tell us more about the meeting and the highlights of the outcome?

Mao Ning: On October 10, the 27th ASEAN-China Summit and the 27th ASEAN-China-Japan-ROK Summit were successfully held in Vientiane, Laos. The leaders of the countries had an in-depth discussion on how to maintain the good situation of peace and stability in East Asia and maintain the positive momentum of rapid growth in the context of the chaotic and intertwined international situation and the rise of protectionism, and generally agreed that we should work together to cope with the uncertainties in the current international environment, jointly safeguard the free trade system, strengthen the interconnection of production and supply chains, create high-quality development momentum, and firmly promote the process of regional economic integration, so that the region will continue to become an important engine of global economic growth and a highland of unity and cooperation.

At the ASEAN-China Summit, Premier Li Qiang said that China-ASEAN relations have gone beyond the bilateral scope and have important Asian significance and global influence. The two sides should make good use of the advantages of China and ASEAN's super-large-scale markets, and make more efforts and find ways to jointly build and share markets, so as to bring stronger and longer-term development momentum to both sides. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to build a three-dimensional connectivity network, actively promote infrastructure cooperation, tap the potential of new industrial cooperation, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and promote the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. The leaders of ASEAN countries attending the meeting spoke highly of the strong development momentum of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and unanimously agreed that it is necessary to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, which is very important for regional peace and prosperity. At the meeting, the leaders of the two sides announced the substantive conclusion of the negotiations on the upgrade of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) version 3.0, and for the first time reached the highest level of digital economy, green economy and supply chain connectivity in their respective economic and trade agreements. These upgraded achievements will comprehensively expand mutually beneficial cooperation between China and ASEAN in emerging fields, strengthen the integration and interconnection of standards and rules between the two sides, jointly build a safe, stable, smooth and efficient supply chain cooperation network, and promote mutual benefit and win-win results between the two sides to a new level.

At the ASEAN-China-Japan-ROK summit, Premier Li Qiang said that as President Xi Jinping pointed out, a better world in Asia is the only way to do so. Looking ahead, China is ready to work with ASEAN, Japan and the ROK to build a strong sense of Asia, promote the wisdom of the East, continue to create a favorable regional environment, continue to improve the level of regional development, continue to stimulate regional innovation, and move steadily towards building a peaceful, tranquil, common prosperity, open and integrated Asia. The leaders of the participating countries called for close solidarity and coordinated action, upholding multilateralism, deepening cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, finance, food security, digital economy, green economy, and social and people-to-people relations, and working together to address global challenges. The highlight of the meeting was the adoption of the Statement of the Leaders of ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea on Strengthening Regional Supply Chain Connectivity, in which all parties reached a series of consensus on strengthening supply chain coordination and cooperation, releasing a positive signal for East Asian countries to jointly safeguard the free trade system, and injecting strong impetus into deepening regional economic integration and promoting world and regional economic recovery.

AFP: United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference in Vientiane today that China should not use Taiwan's leader's "Double 10" speech as an excuse to take "provocative actions". Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair and brooks no interference by any external forces. The key to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait lies in resolutely opposing "Taiwan independence". What the US should do is to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués.

Hong Kong China Review News: The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on October 10 the decision to take countermeasures against three United States military-industrial enterprises and 10 senior managers.

Mao Ning: China has always firmly opposed US arms sales to China's Taiwan region. A few days ago, the United States once again provided large-scale arms assistance to China's Taiwan region, seriously violating the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, especially the "17 ·" communique, seriously interfering in China's internal affairs and seriously undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China, China has taken countermeasures against the United States military enterprises and senior managers involved.

I would like to stress that "Taiwan independence" is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait. The Lai Qingde authorities' practice of "resisting reunification by force" is like a mantis arm as a car, and no matter how many weapons they buy, they will not be able to stop the general historical trend of China's inevitable reunification. The US side's insistence on "aiding independence by force" will only push Taiwan into a dangerous situation, and no amount of arms sold can shake our firm determination to oppose "Taiwan independence" and defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed in Sino-US relations. We urge the US side to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, stop arming Taiwan in any way, and stop conniving at and supporting "Taiwan independence." China will continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

Anadolu News Agency of Turkey: According to reports, the military facilities of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon were attacked by Israel forces in southern Lebanon. China is one of the countries contributing peacekeepers to UNIFIL, what is your view on the current situation?

Mao Ning: China expresses grave concern and strongly condemns the attacks by the Israel Defense Forces on UNIFIL positions and watchtowers, which resulted in injuries to UNIFIL personnel. Any deliberate attack on UN peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and UNSCR 1701 and is absolutely unacceptable and must cease immediately. We demand that the incident be investigated, those involved held accountable, and that measures be taken to prevent recurrence. All parties to the conflict must ensure the security of all United Nations personnel and assets, including UNIFIL. China urges the parties concerned, especially Israel, to take immediate measures to de-escalate the situation, ensure the safety of United Nations peacekeepers and prevent the conflict from further expanding or even getting out of control.

The Paper: According to reports, the European Parliament passed an emergency resolution on November 10 condemning the Chinese government's "human rights violations" in Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao and the mainland, calling on companies operating in China to comply with their human rights due diligence obligations, and calling on the EU and member states to impose more sanctions on senior officials and entities "involved in human rights abuses in China". Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: China expresses strong indignation and resolute opposition to the relevant resolution of the European Parliament, which ignores the facts, reverses black and white, viciously attacks China's human rights situation in Xinjiang, grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty, and seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations.

What about Chinese human rights, it is the Chinese people who have the most right to speak, not the European Parliament. At present, Xinjiang is in the best period of development in history, and China's policy of governing Xinjiang is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, which is a fact that no one can deny.

The European Parliament is concerned about the so-called "forced labor" in Xinjiang, but it has turned a blind eye to the serious human rights problems in Europe and turned a deaf ear to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which has once again exposed to the world what double standards are. We strongly urge the European Parliament to immediately stop fabricating lies to smear China, to stop interfering in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty in the name of human rights, and to stop practicing double standards on human rights issues. What the European Parliament should do is to reflect on itself, abandon arrogance and prejudice, face up to China's human rights achievements, and respect China's sovereignty and the human rights development path chosen by the Chinese people.

AFP: United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with ASEAN leaders today to condemn China's increasingly dangerous and illegal actions in the South China Sea. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: I would like to stress that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have been formed over a long period of history and have a sufficient historical and legal basis. China and the countries concerned in the South China Sea are fully capable and wise to properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly manage the maritime situation. The United States and some other countries outside the region have escalated their military deployment and military activities in the South China Sea, provoking confrontation and creating tension, which is the biggest source of instability in the South China Sea.

Shenzhen TV: On October 10, the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted by consensus a resolution on barrier-free construction led by China. Can you tell us more about that?

Mao Ning: On October 10, local time, the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus the resolution on "Barrier-free Construction to Promote Human Rights for All" submitted by China on behalf of 30 countries, including Cameroon, Honduras, Pakistan and Turkey. This is the first time that the United Nations has adopted a thematic resolution on accessibility.

The connotation of human rights is comprehensive and rich, and it is also constantly evolving. Barrier-free construction is an important guarantee for promoting the equal and convenient participation of various groups such as the disabled and the elderly in social life and the full realization of various human rights. The resolution will effectively enhance the understanding and concern of all parties on barrier-free construction, promote international cooperation in relevant fields, and promote the healthy development of the international human rights cause.

AFP: The President of the European Council said today on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit that China must adjust its behaviour to resolve the escalating trade friction with Europe. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: China has repeatedly stated its position on the China-EU economic and trade disputes. I would like to point out that the EU should be soberly aware that the imposition of tariffs will not solve any problems, but will only undermine the EU's business environment, shake the confidence of Chinese enterprises in European investment and cooperation, weaken the competitiveness of the EU's relevant industries, undermine the stability of the global production and supply chain, and harm others and itself. We urge the EU to take concrete actions to work with China in the same direction and seek solutions through consultations to avoid the escalation of trade frictions.

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After the meeting, a reporter asked: We have noticed that the deployment of the "Typhon" medium-range missile system in the Philippines in the previous stage by the United States has aroused widespread concern. Recently, the Philippine military claimed that it hopes to deploy the "Typhon" intermediate-range missile system in the Philippines for a long time. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: In April this year, the US delivered the Typhon intermediate-range missile system to the Philippines. This is the first deployment of intermediate-range missiles overseas and in the Asia-Pacific region by United States since the end of the Cold War, and the first deployment of such strategic weapons since United States withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019. The deployment of strategic offensive weapons by a nuclear power on the doorstep of other countries seriously undermines regional peace and stability, undermines the legitimate security interests of other countries, and runs counter to the aspirations of the peoples of all countries for peace and development.

China firmly opposes United States deployment of land-based intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines, in any way. It is hoped that all parties concerned will recognize the highly sensitive and harmful nature of this issue, oppose the US attempt and act of escalating confrontation and inciting an arms race in the region, and work together to maintain security and stability in the region.

Source: Beijing Daily client

Reporter: Liu Xiaoyan