China Daily: Yesterday President Xi Jinping attended the “BRICS Plus” Dialogue and delivered important remarks. The international community, especially developing countries, welcomed President Xi Jinping’s three-point proposal and believed that it sets the direction for the Global South to strengthen solidarity and cooperation going forward. Can you share more details on that?
Lin Jian: Yesterday the “BRICS Plus” Dialogue was successfully held in Kazan. President Xi Jinping attended the event and delivered important remarks. President Xi Jinping made a three-point proposal: we should uphold peace and strive for common security, reinvigorate development and strive for common prosperity, and promote together development of all civilizations and strive for harmony among them. We should come forward together to form a stabilizing force for peace. We should strengthen global security governance, and explore solutions to address both symptoms and roots of hotspot issues. We should make ourselves the main driving force for common development. We should play an active and leading role in the global economic governance reform, and make development the core of international economic and trade agenda. We should be advocates for exchanges among civilizations. We should enhance communication and dialogue, and support each other in taking the path to modernization suited to our respective national conditions. The three-point proposal is consistent with the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. The proposal not only responds to the Global South’s urgent need for peace, development and cooperation, but also demonstrates China’s firm determination of joining hands with the Global South for common development.
China is always a member of the Global South. Solidarity and cooperation with fellow developing countries is the unshakable foundation of China’s foreign relations. We proposed to carry out open and inclusive cooperation of the Global South, announced eight measures in support of Global South cooperation, provided development assistance for over 160 countries, conducted Belt and Road cooperation with more than 150 countries, advanced cooperation on the Global Development Initiative with more than 100 countries, the UN and many other international organizations, invested and mobilized nearly US$20 billion of development fund and carried out over 1,100 projects, injecting strong impetus for the development and prosperity of the Global South with concrete actions.
No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will, as always, keep the Global South in its heart and stay committed to supporting the development and prosperity of the Global South. China will continue to work with Global South countries to advance high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation and open up a new chapter of solidarity and cooperation of the Global South.
CCTV: China announced Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s state visit to China. Could you share with us the program and China’s expectation of the visit?
Lin Jian: During President Stubb’s visit, President Xi Jinping will have talks with him, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will meet with him respectively. The two sides will have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.
Finland was one of the first Western countries to recognize New China. Our bilateral relations are growing with a sound momentum. The day President Stubb arrives in Beijing will mark the 74th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. China stands ready to work with Finland to maintain high-level exchanges, carry forward traditional friendship, step up mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as economic exchange and trade, investment and green transition, address global challenges, and make progress in the growth of bilateral relations.
AFP: The US, South Korea, Ukraine and today also Japan have said that there are thousands of North Korean soldiers training in Russia and they may be sent to fight in Ukraine. Has the Foreign Ministry also confirmed reports of these troops in Russia and what would North Korean troops operating in Ukraine mean for the conflict?
Lin Jian: We have stated more than once China’s position on that. China does not have information on that and our position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We always believe that all parties need to promote the deescalation of the situation and strive for a political settlement.
Hubei Media Group: Today marks the Anti-Sanctions Day established by the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Zimbabwe hosts events in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Day and calls for the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West as soon as possible. What’s China’s comment?
Lin Jian: The 39th SADC Summit in 2019 named October 25 the Anti-Sanctions Day and called on the US and some other Western countries and organizations to remove illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe. China supports Zimbabwe who holds the SADC’s rotating presidency and suffers from illegal sanctions in hosting the commemorative events of the fifth anniversary of the Day.
The US and some other Western countries have illegally sanctioned Zimbabwe for over 20 years. This typical act of hegemonism severely undermines Zimbabwe’s national sovereignty, infringes on Zimbabwean people’s right of development, disrupts the effort of Southern Africa to deepen cooperation and pursue common development, and harms international fairness and justice. China, as always, firmly supports Zimbabwe in opposing external interference and keeping to its own development path. We once again urge the few countries and organizations to lift the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe as soon as possible, and take responsible and concrete steps to help the country develop its economy and improve people’s wellbeing. China stands ready to work with African countries and the international community to help Zimbabwe uphold its independence and sovereignty, remain stable and achieve development.
Reuters: China’s ambassador to Afghanistan on Tuesday wrote on social platform that China will offer Afghanistan zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. Could you please provide any further information on this arrangement?
Lin Jian: In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on September 5, President Xi Jinping announced that China will voluntarily and unilaterally open its market wider, and has decided to give all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. This has made China the first major developing country and the first major economy to take such a step.
As one of the least developed countries listed by the UN, Afghanistan enjoys the above-mentioned preferential policy. We believe this will promote our trade and economic cooperation with Afghanistan and achieve mutual benefits.
Dragon TV: On October 24, the Mozambique Electoral Commission announced the election results and the governing Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) party’s candidate Daniel Chapo won the presidential election with 70.67 percent of votes. What is China’s comment on this?
Lin Jian: As a friendly country to Mozambique, China is glad to see the successful presidential, parliamentary and provincial governments’ elections in Mozambique. We express congratulations to the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) party and president-elect Daniel Chapo. China attaches great importance to its relations with Mozambique. Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. At the new historical starting point, China stands ready to work with Mozambique to further deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and bring more benefit to the peoples of the two countries.
AFP: Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te visited Kinmen today and he said in a speech that he “would not yield an inch of ground in defense of Taiwanese territory.” What is the Ministry’s comment on Lai’s visit and his remarks?
Lin Jian: Taiwan is part of China’s territory. No matter what the DPP authorities say or do, the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China will not change, and the historic trend that the two sides of the Strait will and must be reunified will never be reversed.
Reuters: India and China have started pulling back their troops from the face-off points on the disputed Himalayan frontier. This is according to an Indian government source who is familiar with the matter. Can China please confirm if this is in fact true and any further information?
Lin Jian: In accordance with the resolutions that China and India reached recently on issues concerning the border area, the Chinese and Indian frontier troops are engaged in relevant work, which is going smoothly at the moment.
Shenzhen TV: We’ve learned that head of Taiwan’s foreign affairs office Lin Chia-lung is visiting Guatemala and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo will meet with him. What is your comment on this?
Lin Jian: We noted the reports. Let me stress that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. On this day 53 years ago, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 that restored the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the UN. The fact that 183 countries in the world have established diplomatic relations with China fully proves that the Taiwan authorities’ attempt to use countries having so-called “diplomatic ties” with Taiwan for political manipulation and “Taiwan independence” agenda will lead nowhere. It will not shake the prevailing consensus on the one-China principle, or stop the overriding trend towards China’s reunification.
More and more people with vision in Guatemala are aware that establishing diplomatic relations with China is in the fundamental and long-term interests of Guatemala and its people. We hope the Guatemalan government will see this trend, meet its people’s aspirations, and make the right choice at an early date.
AFP: The Wall Street Journal reported today that Vladimir Putin had asked Elon Musk not to activate his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan and that he asked this as a favor to China. Can the Ministry confirm this and does the Ministry have a comment on this?
Lin Jian: I’m not aware of what you mentioned.
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The following question was raised after the press conference: On this day 53 years ago, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 and restored the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China at the UN. For some time, some in the world have spread claims that “the Resolution did not make a determination on the status of Taiwan” and supported Taiwan’s “meaningful participation” in the UN events. Could I have your comment on this?
Lin Jian: On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, deciding to restore all the rights of the People’s Republic of China at the UN, to recognize the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN, and to expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan region from the UN and all the organizations related to it. Once and for all, the resolution resolved the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the UN. It made clear that there is no such thing as “two Chinas,” or “one China, one Taiwan.” As an inalienable part of China’s territory, Taiwan does not have any ground, reason, or right to join the UN, or any other international organization whose membership is confined to sovereign states. On this matter of principle, there is no gray zone or room for ambiguity.
In recent years, some forces in the West have deliberately distorted UNGA Resolution 2758, falsely claimed that “the Resolution did not make a determination on the status of Taiwan,” and emboldened and supported “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, which has seriously harmed peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Let me stress once again that any move that attempts to deny the one-China principle and undermine the authority and efficacy of Resolution 2758 turns back the wheel of history, challenges the post-war international order, and is doomed to failure. China will and must realize reunification. This is an overwhelming trend of history that no one or force can stop.
The restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China at the UN is of great significance to China and has a far-reaching impact on the UN and the world. For 50 plus years, China has all along worked in solidarity with people from all countries, upheld international fairness and justice, and made important contribution to the cause of the UN and world peace and development. China has also upheld the authority and sanctity of the UN, and deepened its cooperation with the UN in various areas. Going forward, China will stay committed to peaceful development and to reform and opening up, create new opportunities for the world through our own development, and work with other parties to uphold the founding mission of the UN, practice true multilateralism, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and create a better world.
