CCTV: The China-ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Plus Three Summit were held recently in Vientiane, capital of Laos. Can you share the details and highlights? 

Mao Ning: The 27th China-ASEAN Summit and the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Summit were successfully held in Vientiane, Laos on October 10. The summits were held in a positive atmosphere. Leaders at the summits carried out in-depth discussions on how to safeguard peace and stability in East Asia and maintain the momentum of rapid growth in a world of turbulence, transformation and rising protectionism. They believed that we should jointly address the uncertainty in the world, uphold the free trade system, enhance the connectivity of industrial and supply chains, build driving forces for high-quality development and resolutely advance the integrated development of regional economies, so that this region can keep serving as an important driver for global growth and a stellar example of solidarity and cooperation. 

At the China-ASEAN Summit, Premier Li Qiang noted that the China-ASEAN relationship has gone far beyond the bilateral scope and taken on great significance for Asia and the world at large. We need to tap into the advantage of China’s and ASEAN’s super-sized markets, and explore more ways and means to connect and share our market, so as to build stronger and more sustainable driving forces for development. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to create a multidimensional connectivity network, enhance infrastructure cooperation, tap the cooperation potential in new industries and deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. Leaders of ASEAN countries at the summit spoke highly of the strong growth momentum of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, and agreed to further deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas, for this matters much to regional peace and prosperity. Leaders of the two sides announced at the summit the substantial conclusion of the China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations, which for the first time included chapters on connectivity in digital economy, green economy and supply chains with the highest standards of all their respective economic and trade treaties. These outcomes will comprehensively expand the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and ASEAN in emerging areas, further match the two sides’ standards and rules, bring the two sides together to build a safe, stable, unimpeded and effective supply chain cooperation network, and bring the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides to a new level.

At the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, Premier Li Qiang noted that, as President Xi Jinping noted, when Asia fares well, the whole world benefits. Looking ahead, China stands ready to work with ASEAN, Japan, the ROK and all Asian countries in enhancing Asian Consciousness, promoting Oriental Wisdom, making sustained efforts to foster a sound regional environment, boost regional development, and invigorate regional innovation, and advancing steadily toward a peaceful, tranquil, open and connected Asia of shared prosperity. Leaders of participating countries called for stronger solidarity, closer coordination, commitment to multilateralism, deeper cooperation in economy and trade, finance, food security, digital economy, green economy and social, people-to-people and cultural areas, and joint response to global challenges. The highlight of the summit is that leaders of ASEAN, China, Japan and the ROK issued a statement on strengthening the connectivity of regional supply chains, which contains a number of common understandings on stepping up coordination and cooperation on supply chains, sends a positive message of East Asian countries jointly upholding the free trade system, and injects strong impetus to regional economic integration and the economic recovery in the region and worldwide.

AFP: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a press conference in Vientiane today. He said that China shouldn’t use Taiwan’s national day speech as a pretext for provocative action. What is China’s comment on this?

Mao Ning: The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair that brooks no external interference. The key to keeping the Taiwan Strait peaceful and stable lies in firmly opposing “Taiwan independence.” The US needs to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués.

China Review News: On October 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a decision on its website to take countermeasures against three US military companies and ten senior executives. Do you have any further comment? 

Mao Ning: China firmly opposes US arms sales to China’s Taiwan region. The US has, once again, provided China’s Taiwan region with huge military aid recently, which seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, especially the August 17 Communiqué of 1982. Such sale seriously interferes in China’s internal affairs, and gravely undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In accordance with China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, China decided to take countermeasures against relevant military companies and senior executives of the US. 

I would like to stress that “Taiwan independence” is as incompatible with peace of the Taiwan Strait as fire with water. The Lai Ching-te authorities’ attempt to reject reunification through the use of force is futile. No matter how many weapons they buy, they cannot stop the historical trend toward China’s reunification. The US’s decision to help advance that independence agenda by arming Taiwan will only push Taiwan towards the danger of military conflict. No matter how many weapons it sells, it will not shake our resolve to oppose “Taiwan independence” and defend China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests, and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations. China urges the US to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, stop arming the Taiwan region in any form and stop conniving at and supporting “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. We will continue taking strong and resolute measures to defend our national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

Anadolu Agency: It’s been reported that military facilities belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon are targeted by Israel’s military during their attacks in Southern Lebanon. China is among the countries that contribute to UN peacekeeping mission there. What is your comment about the situation?

Mao Ning: China is gravely concerned over and strongly condemns the Israel Defense Forces’ attack on the positions and observation tower of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which injured personnel from UNIFIL. Any deliberate attack on UN peacekeepers is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and UNSC Resolution 1701. It is absolutely unacceptable and shall be put to an immediate stop. We request investigation into the incident, effort to bring relevant people to account and measures to prevent such incident from happening again. Parties to the conflict must earnestly ensure the safety and security of all UN personnel and property, including the UNIFIL. China urges parties concerned, Israel in particular, to take immediate measures to deescalate tensions, ensure the safety of UN peacekeeping personnel, and prevent the conflict from further expanding or even spiraling out of control.

The Paper: It’s reported that the European Parliament yesterday adopted an urgent resolution that condemns the Chinese government’s human rights violations in Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, Macau and the Chinese mainland, calls on businesses operating in China to comply with the human rights due diligence obligations, and calls on the EU and member states to adopt additional sanctions against high-ranking officials and entities involved in human rights violations in China. What’s your comment?

Mao Ning: The European Parliament resolution lacks factual basis and calls white black. It attacks the human rights situation in Xinjiang, grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs and judicial sovereignty, and seriously violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations. China expresses strong indignation over and opposition to it. We will lodge serious protest with the EU.

It’s the Chinese people, not the European Parliament, who have the best say on the human rights situation in China. Xinjiang today enjoys social stability and economic growth and the people there live a happy life. It is enjoying development progress like never before, and China’s Xinjiang policy is widely supported by the people. These are facts that no one can deny. 

While showing concerns for the unfounded accusation of “forced labor” in Xinjiang, the European Parliament turns a blind eye to serious human rights issues in Europe and humanitarian disasters in Gaza. This again reveals to the world the double standards it applies. We strongly urge the European Parliament to immediately stop making up lies to smear China, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and judicial sovereignty in the name of human rights, and stop applying double standards on human rights issues. The European Parliament is in no position and has no right to lecture others on human rights. Instead, it needs to reflect on itself, abandon arrogance and prejudice, see squarely China’s achievements on human rights and respect China’s sovereignty and the human rights development path independently chosen by the Chinese people. 

AFP: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met leaders of the ASEAN bloc today where he condemned Beijing’s increasingly dangerous and unlawful actions in the South China Sea. What is China’s comment on this?

Mao Ning: Let me stress that China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and the law. China and parties to the South China Sea have every capability and wisdom to properly address differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly get the situation at sea under control. The US and individual countries outside the region are upgrading deployment of weapons and military activities in the South China Sea to incite confrontation and create tensions. They are the biggest source of instability in the South China Sea.

Shenzhen TV: On October 10, the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva adopted by consensus the resolution on promoting accessibility submitted by China. Can you share more details on that?

Mao Ning: On October 10 local time, the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus the resolution entitled “Promoting accessibility for the full enjoyment of all human rights by all” submitted by China on behalf of 30 countries including Cameroon, Honduras, Pakistan and Türkiye. This is the first time that a specific resolution on promoting accessibility was adopted at the UN.

Human rights is an all-encompassing and evolving concept. Improving accessibility provides an important safeguard for everyone including people with disabilities and the senior population to participate in social life equally and conveniently and fully realize all human rights. The resolution will effectively help all sides better understand and pay more attention to accessibility, enhance international cooperation in relevant areas, and promote the sound development of human rights protection globally.

AFP: The European Council President said today at the ASEAN summit that China must adapt its behavior to solve the escalating trade row with Europe. What is China’s comment on this?

Mao Ning: On the economic and trade disputes between China and the EU, China made clear its position more than once. Let me say that the EU needs to see clearly that higher tariffs solve no problem and will only undermine the EU’s business environment, weaken Chinese companies’ confidence in investment and cooperation in Europe, reduce the competitiveness of the EU’s relevant industry, and destabilize global industrial and supply chains. This will backfire and do no one good. We urge the EU to take concrete actions and work with China to find solutions through consultation and avoid further escalation of the trade frictions.

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The following question was raised after the press conference: We noted that the US deployment of the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system in the Philippines earlier this year drew extensive attention. The Philippine military recently said they want to keep the missile system in the Philippines. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: The US transported the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system to the Philippines this April. It was the first time the US deployed Mid-Range Capability missile system outside its territory and in the Asia-Pacific since the end of the Cold War. It was also the first time the US deployed strategic weapon of this kind after it withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019. The deployment of offensive strategic weapon at other countries’ doorstep by a nuclear power seriously disrupts regional peace and stability, undermines other countries’ legitimate security interest, and contravenes people’s aspiration for peace and development.

China firmly opposes the US’s deployment of the land-based Mid-Range Capability missile system in the Asia-Pacific, including the Philippines, whatever its form. We hope that relevant parties will see the high sensitivity and harm of this issue, oppose the US’s attempt and move to heighten antagonism and confrontation and stoke arms race in the region, and jointly uphold the security and stability of the region.