Yonhap News Agency: The DPRK fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) today off its east coast. This is the first time the DPRK fired an ICBM this year. The ROK and the US condemned the launch and said they would respond strongly. The ROK presidential office said it will begin discussions with Ukraine regarding a visit by Ukraine’s special envoy in response to the DPRK’s deployment of troops to Russia. How does China view the current situation?
Lin Jian: China noted the reports. As a close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China is following the developments there. We always believe that safeguarding peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and advancing the political settlement of the Peninsula issue serves the common interests of all parties, and hope that all parties will work to this end.
Prensa Latina: Yesterday, the international community, once again, showed support for Cuba against the US blockade, leaving the United States standing alone in this issue. Would you like to share any comments on this?
Lin Jian: Once again the UN General Assembly adopted relevant resolution with an overwhelming majority of 187 votes, demonstrating firm support to the Cuban people for their just effort to safeguard sovereignty and oppose external interference and blockade. It shows that the US’s unilateral and bullying moves, which seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, have been met with overwhelming condemnation and firm opposition of the international community.
The US’s continued unilateral coercive measures against Cuba have brought profound sufferings to the Cuban people. According to data from Cuba, US blockade over the past six decades and more has caused over US$160 billion of loss to Cuba, of which, over US$5 billion was lost between March 2023 and February 2024, affecting almost all livelihood areas, including food, medicine, fuel and energy.
China as always opposes US’s blockade and sanctions on Cuba. Since 1992, for 32 consecutive times, China has voted in support of Cuba’s resolution calling for an end to the blockade imposed by the US at the UN General Assembly. China will stand firm on the side of international fairness and justice and continue to support the Cuban people in standing against external interference and blockade and defending sovereignty and national dignity.
China News Service: Today is the World Cities Day. The 2024 World Cities Day China Observance events are being hosted by Weihai and Shanghai under the theme “Build People-Centered Cities for Better Life.” As we speak, cities around the world face development challenges of resource shortage, environmental pollution and extreme weather. How would you comment on China’s achievement and contribution to the world in the sustainable development of cities?
Lin Jian: The World Cities Day is the first World Day that was initiated by China and adopted by the UN General Assembly. It was established to carry forward the vision of “Better City, Better Life” proposed at the 2010 Shanghai Expo, and provides an important platform for exploring joint response to problems cities face and implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, thus receiving growing support from countries around the world.
China is experiencing the world’s largest-scale and fastest urbanization, and has made historic achievement in the development of cities and urbanization. Over recent years, China has made solid efforts to advance a new type of urbanization centered on the people, deepen reform in the construction, management and governance system of cities, and transform the development ways of cities at a faster pace. China’s urbanization rate of permanent residents has hit 66.16 percent, with over 930 million people living in urban areas. The functions, living environment and governance level of Chinese cities have been significantly improved. Chinese cities ranked much higher in the newly released 2024 Global Cities Index, with three cities listed among the world’s top ten.
While independently exploring high-quality development of cities, China has actively shared experience of cities’ development, and carried out cooperation with multiple countries and regions in smart transportation, energy conservation of buildings and green and low-carbon development, contributing China’s wisdom to the sustainable development of cities worldwide. We support the UN-Habitat in setting up the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award), and creating the Urban Monitoring Framework – Shanghai Adapted Index and other public goods, to help other countries improve cities’ governance efficiency and share outcomes of sustainable development.
Cities are a characteristic of modern civilization. Lightening up cities requires joint efforts of all countries. China stands ready to work with all parties to implement the Global Development Initiative, deepen cooperation on cities and jointly build better cities for the future.
AFP: AstraZeneca China said its President is under investigation by Chinese authorities. Can the Foreign Ministry provide details on this investigation?
Lin Jian: I’d refer you to competent Chinese authorities on that. Let me stress that the Chinese government welcomes foreign companies to invest and do business in China and will protect their lawful rights and interests in accordance with the law.
