CCTV: Recently at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, in response to the so-called concerns of Australia, the US and a handful of Western countries over issues related to Xinjiang and Xizang, over 100 countries voiced support for China in various ways and opposition to interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. What’s China’s comment?
Lin Jian: On October 22, at the Third Committee of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan delivered a joint statement on behalf of 80 countries. They pointed out that issues related to Xinjiang and Xizang are China’s internal affairs. They spoke against the interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, and stood for abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and respecting the right of people of each state to choose independently the path for development fit for their national conditions. Another 20 plus countries, by making statements either individually or collectively, expressed support for China and opposition to politicizing human rights issues and applying double standards. The fact that over 100 member states voiced their support for China’s just position demonstrates what the international community truly stands for and shows that the attempt of a handful of Western countries, including Australia and the US, to resort to political manipulation under the pretext of human rights will gain no support and will never succeed.
Promoting and protecting human rights is the common cause of humanity and requires the joint effort of the international community in solidarity. Out of their ideological bias, Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries stoked confrontation at multilateral platforms for their selfish political interest, which undermines international fairness and justice, and is by no means what the international community wants. Australia, long plagued by systemic racism and hate crimes, has severely violated the rights of refugees and immigrants, and left Indigenous people with vulnerable living conditions. Australian soldiers have committed abhorrent crimes in Afghanistan and other countries during their military operations overseas. The US and some Western countries have a bad track record in racism, gun violence, judicial injustice, wealth gap, abuse of force, unilateral sanction, and other issues. These Western countries turn a blind eye to their severe human rights issues at home but in the meantime point their fingers at other countries. This says a lot about their hypocrisy on human rights. We urge Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries to face up to and address their own severe human rights problems, stop the wrongful moves of politicizing human rights issues and using them as tools, and play a constructive role in international cooperation on human rights.
AFP: India’s Foreign Ministry said Prime Minister Modi will meet President Xi Jinping today at the BRICS Summit. Can you confirm this and provide details on when that will be?
Lin Jian: We will release timely information if anything comes up.
Beijing Daily: Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its annual World Energy Outlook 2024 and Renewables 2024, suggesting that the global energy market is entering an “age of electricity” led by China, with China driving the rise of electric mobility. The IEA’s Executive Director Fatih Birol stated that “we are now in a world where almost every energy story is essentially a China story.” However, some media, including Foreign Policy magazine, believe that China’s current energy transition plan is still conservative, and China could do more. Do you have any comment?
Lin Jian: I have also noticed the reports you mentioned. China has always placed high importance on addressing climate change and actively promoted the green transition of energy and structural adjustment of industries. Over the past decade, China has generated over half of its domestic electricity consumption increase through the increase in clean energy generation, accounted for over 40 percent of the world’s annual additional installation of renewable energy, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 3 billion tonnes. It is one of the countries with the fastest energy intensity reduction and the top one user of renewable energy. China has established the world’s largest carbon emissions trading market, carried out green energy projects cooperation with more than 100 countries and regions, built a number of landmark hydropower, photovoltaic and wind power projects in fellow developing countries, and stopped building new coal power projects overseas. China’s “new trio” (EVs, lithium batteries, and solar cells) have developed rapidly in open competition, forming advanced green production capacity and making important contributions to the global energy transition.
In response to the comments from some Western media you mentioned, let me point out that China, in accordance with its domestic conditions and stage of development, has been advancing energy transition in a coordinated and balanced way, and working to realize a virtuous cycle in high-quality economic and social development by nurturing new quality productive forces. That said, to realize global energy transition goals, all countries need to work together. Developed countries, in particular, need to honor their words and create favorable conditions for international green cooperation. Protectionism, unilateralism, and politicization will only harm the common interests of the international community.
The story of global energy transition should not be a “China story.” Rather, it should be a “global story” of solidarity and cooperation. The third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC has set the direction for the future development of clean energy in China. China will continue to uphold the vision of ecological civilization, deepen international green cooperation, work with other countries to promote sustainable energy development, and make greater contributions to the global response to climate change and green and low-carbon energy transition.
AFP: Israel said it has killed the new leader of Hezbollah after the death of the group’s former leader. Does China have comment on this?
Lin Jian: China is deeply concerned over the escalated turmoil in the Middle East, opposes the violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and opposes moves that fuel antagonism and escalate tensions in the region. We hope that relevant sides will return to the track of political settlement as early as possible, and settle differences and disputes through communication and dialogue to cool down the regional situation as soon as possible.
AFP: China expelled a Volkswagen executive for allegedly testing positive for drug use. This was after he’d been detained for 10 days. Can the Foreign Ministry provide further details on the situation?
Lin Jian: To my knowledge, this person of Volkswagen was placed under 10-day administrative detention by China’s public security authorities in accordance with the law for consumption of cocaine and was deported. I’d refer you to competent authorities for anything specific.
AFP: Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it is monitoring a Chinese aircraft carrier passing through the Taiwan Strait. Can China confirm this? And a follow-up to that, Taiwan defense minister referring to the military drills earlier this month today said an actual blockade would be an act of war. Does China have any comment on this?
Lin Jian: Taiwan is a province of China. There is no so-called “defense ministry” or “defense minister” of Taiwan. What you asked about is not about foreign affairs either. Taiwan is part of China’s territory. It is just normal for China’s aircraft carrier to carry out relevant activities.
Let me stress that whatever the Taiwan authorities say or do, they cannot change the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China. Nor can they change the trend that the two sides of the Strait will and must be reunified.
