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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 30, 2021
2021-06-30 17:48

CCTV: It is reported that on June 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced in its news release to award China a malaria-free certification, which it says is a notable feat for a country that reported 30 million cases of the disease annually in the 1940s. What is China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. Malaria is a major public health challenge that threatens human life and health. It is good news for China and the rest of the world that China was granted the WHO certification of malaria elimination.

The elimination of malaria is a notable feat of China's health endeavor and another major achievement in China's human rights cause, following the elimination of absolute poverty. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have always given top priority to safeguarding people's life, health, safety and well-being, and have adopted various measures and achieved remarkable results. The average life expectancy of Chinese people has risen from 35 years in 1949 to 77.3 years. The main health indicators of the Chinese are generally better than the average level of middle- and high-income countries. With improvement in women and children's right to health, China is recognized by the WHO as one of the ten fast-track countries in women's and children's health.

Eliminating malaria is also a major contribution made by China to human health and the world human rights progress. Chinese scientists discovered and extracted artemisinin from Chinese herbal medicine, the most effective antimalarial drugs available today that saved millions of lives across the world, especially in developing countries. China's "1-3-7" strategy is formally included in WHO's technical documents and adopted across the world. This has facilitated malaria elimination in the world.

President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of the people-centered approach, and pointed out that "living a happy life is the primary human right". China will continue to commit itself to the health cause and medical cooperation, and make greater contribution to protecting the health and wellbeing of people in China and beyond.

Bloomberg: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said a "grave incident" stemming from a quarantine negligence has created a crisis but he didn't provide any detail. Can you tell us if China is providing any help to North Korea in regards to this crisis and if so, what sort of help? And whether China has in the past provided any vaccine to North Korea or will continue to?

Wang Wenbin: China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. We respect the anti-epidemic measures the DPRK has put in place based on its national realities and wish it smooth progress in all its endeavors. China and the DPRK have a long tradition of mutual assistance in times of need. China stands ready to positively consider providing help to the DPRK should there be such a need.

CCTV: On June 29, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting through video link. Could you share more details?

Wang Wenbin: At the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on June 29, all sides held in-depth exchange of views on issues including the pandemic, multilateralism and global governance. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, upon invitation, attended the gathering via videoconference and delivered an address titled "Promote Solidarity and Cooperation in Pursuit of Multilateralism". He pointed out that G20 members need to: stay united and work together to lead the way in the global fight against COVID-19; uphold multilateralism and rally more support for the stability of the international order; enhance openness and coordination, and forge greater impetus to global recovery; uphold inclusiveness and sharing, and garner stronger efforts for sustainable development; take a problem-oriented approach, and make the global governance system more responsive.

State Councilor Wang said that over the past one hundred years, the CPC has rallied and led the Chinese people to embark on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that suits China and has strong support from the Chinese people. Such endeavors have benefited not only the Chinese people, but also the whole world. At trying times such as the international financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, China never gives up solidarity and partnership with other countries. To date, China has provided over 450 million doses of vaccines to nearly 100 countries. China and African countries have jointly launched the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development. We welcome more countries and international organizations to join the Initiative.

China's views and proposals have won international recognition. Parties at the meeting stressed the need to uphold multilateralism and strengthen solidarity and cooperation to address global challenges such as the COVID-19 and climate change and to realize sustainable development. The G20, as a prominent forum for international economic cooperation, should play a bigger role.

This foreign ministers' meeting illustrates the leading role of the G20 in dealing with major international crises and improving global governance. It has sent out a strong, positive signal to the world. China stands ready to work with all parties to practice true multilateralism, strive for a successful Rome Summit and contribute wisdom and strength to securing a global victory over COVID-19 at an early date, realizing steady and sustained world economic recovery, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Reuters: Amnesty International said that Hong Kong's new security law is a human rights emergency. Do you have any comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: The remarks of the organization you mentioned are malicious, deliberate smears and distortion of facts. I would like to share with you some facts and truth.

Since the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR took effect one year ago, national security has been safeguarded, Hong Kong society has been brought back to the right track, the rule of law and justice have been upheld, and the lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents and foreign citizens in Hong Kong have been better protected in a safer environment. This is an undeniable fact that any unbiased people would recognize. Statistics show that in 2020, the amount of capital flowing into Hong Kong was $50 billion, and funds raised through IPOs in its stock exchange ranked the second largest globally. The Hong Kong economy grew 7.9% in the first quarter of 2021 year-on-year. A recent report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reaffirms Hong Kong's position as an international financial center. The number of overseas media outlets and people working in the press sector in Hong Kong has increased. These facts are a vote of confidence for the national security law and Hong Kong's prospect. No attack or smear can stop Hong Kong's turnaround from chaos to stability and prosperity. The Chinese government is firmly resolved in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems, and opposing external interference in Hong Kong affairs. We believe that with the full support of the Central Government and the concerted efforts of people from all walks of life in the HKSAR, Hong Kong will surely maintain lasting stability and prosperity and embrace an even brighter future.

Global Times: It's reported that the Canadian senators on the evening of June 29 local time voted down a motion to label China's treatment of its Uyghur population in Xinjiang as a genocide. Could I have China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: China has presented facts and truth about Xinjiang on multiple occasions. The allegation of "genocide" in Xinjiang is nothing but downright lies, which runs counter to facts and common sense. Its real purpose is to undermine social stability in Xinjiang and hamstring China's development. The rejection of the wrong motion on Xinjiang by the Canadian Senate once again shows that the despicable schemes of a few anti-China forces have been seen through by more and more people of vision, and the hype of "genocide" in Xinjiang is unpopular and doomed to fail.

At present, Xinjiang enjoys social stability and economic development. The people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang live and work in peace and contentment, enjoying unprecedented rights and dignity. This is a fact that no one can deny. We welcome more foreign friends to visit Xinjiang and see with their own eyes the real situation there. All the rumors will crumble before facts.

China is unswervingly determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as Xinjiang's development, stability and ethnic solidarity. We urge some Canadian politicians to respect facts, stop the clumsy trick of attacking China for their selfish political gains, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. We also hope that all social sectors in Canada can view the Chinese government's Xinjiang policy and Xinjiang's development in an objective and fair light, and not be blinded by lies and rumors.

China News Service: It is reported that the National Assembly of the ROK adopted a resolution strongly condemning the Japanese government's decision to release Fukushima's nuclear contaminated water into the sea and urging the immediate withdrawal of the decision. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We support the just position of the ROK side. Over the past two months since Japan made the unilateral decision to discharge nuclear contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, countries on the Pacific Rim including China and the ROK, and organizations like the Pacific Islands Forum have all expressed grave concerns.

The past two months and more could have been spent to have full consultation with stakeholders, adjust the disposal plan, and rectify TEPCO's problematic management. However, the Japanese side is bent on pressing ahead with preparations for the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea without responding seriously and responsibly to the concerns of the international community.

We would like to tell the Japanese side once again that the disposal of nuclear contaminated water must be handled with the utmost caution as it concerns the lives and health of the Japanese people and people around the world, and the safety of the global marine ecology. Japan should revoke its wrong decision as soon as possible and come back to the right track of having full consultation with all stakeholders of the international community and the IAEA.

Bloomberg: Can you give me a yes-or-no answer on whether China has provided vaccines to North Korea?

Wang Wenbin: I've just made our position clear.

Reuters: The Mekong River Commission has urged China and other Mekong countries to share more operational data of hydropower dams on the Mekong River in order to improve water resource management. Do you have any comment on this request by the Mekong River Commission?

Wang Wenbin: Since November 2020, China has been providing hydrological information of the Lancang River to Mekong countries on a daily basis through the Lancang-Mekong water resource cooperation information sharing platform website and has been offering notification on major changes in discharge volume downstream. The information is completely open and transparent. Chinese authorities for water resources maintain close communication with the five Mekong countries and the Mekong River Commission. We stand ready to work together with Mekong countries to advance water resources cooperation, promote the sustainable development and use of water resources, and contribute through concrete actions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

China Daily: Could you brief us on the website named "China's Diplomacy in the New Era" which was launched on June 28?

Wang Wenbin: A website dedicated to China's Diplomacy in the New Era was launched in both Chinese and English on June 28. The website was jointly created by the China Internet Information Center and the China Institute of International Studies with guidance from the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. The website serves as an official platform to introduce and popularize Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in a comprehensive and systematic manner. The website focuses on Xi Jinping's important foreign affair activities, remarks, statements and signed articles, as well as literature and studies on Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, with the aim of demonstrating major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, with the foresight of a great strategic thinker and a keen appreciation of the laws of human society, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a comprehensive assessment of the trajectory of the international situation and the historical juncture in which China finds itself, and put forward a series of new ideas, new propositions and new initiatives with distinctive Chinese features, which reflect the call of our times and lead the trend of human progress. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy has thus been formed and established, pointing the direction and providing fundamental guidance for China's foreign policy in the new era.

Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, we in the Chinese diplomatic service have followed the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and taken firm position to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. We have built up a global network of partnerships, and made Belt and Road cooperation a platform for international cooperation. We have made contributions to the reform of the global governance system and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Actions and practice must be guided by ideas and theories. In this momentous new era, we in the Chinese diplomatic service will continue to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and take pioneering steps to make greater contributions to national rejuvenation and human progress!



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