CCTV: December 20 will mark the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. How would you comment on Macao’s achievements in international exchange and cooperation since its return?
Lin Jian: Twenty-five years on since its return to the motherland, Macao has made remarkable achievements in implementing One Country, Two Systems with Macao characteristics and consolidated the constitutional order established in the Constitution and the Basic Law of Macao. It is now enjoying rapid economic growth, steady improvement in people’s wellbeing, and social harmony and stability.
With the strong support of the central government, Macao has actively carried out international exchange and cooperation and made more friends globally. It has taken part in over 190 international organizations and institutions, received visa-free or visa-upon-arrival treatment from 147 countries and regions, and signed close to 60 treaties of various kinds with other countries, with more than 750 multilateral agreements applicable to the region. Macao has also set up stable economic, trade and cultural links with more than 120 countries and regions, and paired with 13 sister cities. In 2023, import and export between Macao and countries participating in Belt and Road cooperation totaled close to RMB 30 billion, hitting a record high. Macao has fully leveraged its role as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. It has held six ministerial conferences consecutively and a special ministerial conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), which boosted exchange and cooperation between China and these countries. Besides, Macao received many awards, such as the Creative City of Gastronomy, the Culture City of East Asia, the Best Convention City (Asia), and the Best BT-MICE City. The Historic Centre of Macao was inscribed on the World Heritage List. They have certainly elevated Macao’s profile on the international scene.
We have no doubt that with the strong support of the central government and the mainland as well as the concerted effort of the Macao SAR Government and people from all walks of life, Macao will write new chapters in the successful implementation of One Country, Two Systems and continue to thrive as an international metropolis.
Reuters: The US Congress is set to vote in the coming days on legislation restricting US investments in China as part of a bill that will expand restrictions on technology investments, including provisions covering national security concerns about China. What is China’s response to this?
Lin Jian: China-US economic and trade cooperation benefits each other and the people of both countries. To overstretch the concept of national security and deliberately obstruct normal economic and trade exchange for political agenda contravenes the principles of market economy, fair competition and free trade, which the US claims to champion. Such moves also destabilize global industrial and supply chains and do not serve any party’s interests. China urges relevant US politicians to stop politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues and foster necessary conditions for the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
PTI: Do you have any details regarding today’s special representatives’ talks between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian National Security Adviser Doval?
Lin Jian: As I have learned, the talks are still underway. We will release information in due course. Please stay tuned.
AFP: Regarding the 7.3-magnitude earthquake in the Pacific island of Vanuatu, can the Foreign Ministry confirm that at least two Chinese citizens were killed and will China provide aid for recovery efforts?
Lin Jian: China is closely following the situation after the earthquake and extends our deep sympathies to Vanuatu. We hope and believe that the government and people of Vanuatu will pull through this trying time and that life and work will return to normal as soon as possible. China’s medical team in Vanuatu is actively helping treat the injured at the local hospital. A Chinese company there voluntarily provided machinery to help with the quake relief, which was welcomed by the local government and people. China will keep in close contact with the government of Vanuatu and provide timely support for its quake relief effort.
In the wake of the earthquake, the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu has been checking with various sources the safety of Chinese nationals in Vanuatu and coordinating with local rescue and relief teams to make all-out rescue efforts. So far, two Chinese nationals have lost their lives and two injured in the earthquake. Our Embassy has sent personnel to the scene and will do everything we can to assist the effort to save lives, treat the injured and make proper arrangements for the deceased. The Foreign Ministry and our Embassy in Vanuatu will continue to follow the rescue and relief effort and provide consular protection and assistance to Chinese nationals and institutions in Vanuatu.
Beijing Youth Daily: It’s reported that last weekend, Black Myth: Wukong earned several nominations at The Game Awards 2024 dubbed “the Oscars of gaming” and took home the Best Action Game and Players’ Voice awards. It’s the first Chinese game that won these awards. What’s your comment?
Lin Jian: Congratulations to Black Myth: Wukong on winning the awards. We are truly glad that as one of China’s most celebrated mythology novels, Journey to the West—four centuries after it was written—is now digitally transformed into a stunning video game and taking the world by storm.
Black Myth: Wukong is not the only example of success when Eastern aesthetics meets modern technology and when emerging industries embrace traditional culture. Iconic Chinese TV dramas have been immensely popular in countries like Thailand, Japan, and the US with viewers constantly calling for new episodes. Chinese internet literature has been added by the British Library to its Chinese collection, and drawn fans from all over the world. The massive success of Chinese gaming industry has opened the door to exploring traditional Chinese culture. It has found the cultural wavelength that resonates with players worldwide, and provides a fresh way for cultures to meet and inspire each other.
While gaining popularity outside China, Chinese cultural products are bringing international friends into China. Many are retracing Wukong’s journey by visiting some of the scenic spots that appeared in the game, such as Yuhuang Temple in Jincheng, the Wooden Pagoda in Yingxian, Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing and other ancient architectural sites as well as discovering the performances of traditional storytellers in northern Shaanxi, giving these visitors an extraordinary experience of what it is like to be the hero of the Journey to the West and “the Destined One” in the game.
We welcome international travelers to come to China, and experience these smash-hit cultural products and the unique charm of Chinese culture, and write their own Journey to the East.
Reuters: US lawmakers have proposed three bills aimed at China’s role in the fentanyl crisis, with measures that would set up a task force to disrupt narcotics trafficking and pave the way for sanctions on Chinese entities. Does the ministry have a response to this?
Lin Jian: China certainly won’t accept it when some US politicians distort the facts and use disinformation to smear China’s counternarcotics efforts. China has the toughest resolve and policy against drugs and we have one of the best counternarcotics track records in the world. China has scheduled the largest number of substances and has the strictest drug control in the world. Every day, China’s counternarcotics authorities fight the illicit diversion of precursor chemicals in strict accordance with the law and make sure that relevant companies do their business in accordance with the laws and regulations.
The US needs to look within for the root cause of the issue of drug abuse, and the key to resolving the issue lies in the US’s own hands. We call on some US politicians to face the US’s own issues squarely and take more practical measures to strengthen drug control and cut demand at home, rather than scapegoating others.
