CCTV: It was reported that on March 4, Arab countries held an emergency summit in Cairo to discuss the Palestinian question, and proposed the Arab plan on the recovery and reconstruction of post-conflict Gaza. What is China’s comment on this?
Lin Jian: China supports the effort by Egypt and other Arab countries to promote the continuous and effective implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, advance humanitarian assistance and restore security and stability there. We support a post-conflict governance plan in Gaza that is recognized by the Palestinian people and embodies the consensus of Arab countries. The plan must follow the principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine” and align with the two-State solution so that Palestine and Israel will live side by side peacefully and there will be lasting peace in the Middle East.
China Daily: On June 7, 2024, the 78th United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proposed by China to establish the “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations” by consensus. Recently, we learned that the U.N. Secretariat has launched a special website (in English) for the “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.” What is China’s comment on this?
Lin Jian: Last year, the resolution proposed by China to establish the “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations” was adopted at the 78th United Nations General Assembly by consensus. This marks a successful practice of China’s Global Civilization Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping, and represents a significant contribution to promoting dialogue among different civilizations worldwide, as well as advancing global peace and development. The special website for the “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations” launched by the U.N. recently will help promote the common values of humanity, raise public awareness of respecting diversity of civilizations, and draw attention to finding solutions to global challenges.
On June 10 this year, the international community will celebrate the first “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.” As the initiating country, China stands ready to work with the international community to actively implement the spirit of the UNGA resolution, organize diverse celebration activities, jointly promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, better safeguard world peace and foster common development through dialogue among civilizations, and make unremitting efforts to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
AFP: President Donald Trump today made an address to the U.S. Congress. He said he had received a message from President Zelenskyy to help end the war in Ukraine. He also repeated some statements to the effect that he hopes to see greater U.S. control over the Panama Canal and Greenland. Do you have any comment or any further remarks?
Lin Jian: We noted relevant reports. China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Dialogue and negotiation is the only viable solution to the crisis.
On the Panama Canal issue, China supports Panama’s sovereignty over the Canal, and stays committed to maintaining the status of the Canal as a permanently neutral international waterway. China has never engaged in the management and operation of the Canal. Never ever have we interfered. The so-called China’s control over the Canal is nothing but a lie.
On the issue of Greenland, China always believes that relations between countries should be handled in accordance with the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter.
EFE: In yesterday’s briefing, you said that if the U.S. wants war, tariff war, trade war or any type of war, China is ready to fight till the end. A similar remark was made by the Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Does China fully stand by this statement? What does “any type of war” refer to?
Lin Jian: Yesterday, we made clear China’s serious position on the issue. The U.S. is bent on using the fentanyl issue as a flimsy excuse to raise tariffs again on Chinese imports. China has made clear its opposition more than once and has taken legitimate and necessary countermeasures. If the U.S. truly wants to solve the fentanyl issue, then the right thing to do is to consult with China on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit to address each other’s concerns. If the U.S. has other agenda in mind and if harming China’s interests is what the U.S. wants, we’re ready to fight till the end. We urge the U.S. to stop being domineering and return to the right track of dialogue and cooperation at an early date.
China-Arab TV: Also on the emergency Arab summit held in Egypt yesterday, the day before yesterday, European leaders also held an emergency summit on the Ukraine crisis in London. The two emergency summits have one thing in common: they both rejected remarks from the U.S. Do you have any comment on the recent statements made by the United States?
Lin Jian: I’ve stated China’s position on the emergency summit held by Arab countries.
On the Ukraine crisis, China noted that there are new developments concerning the political settlement of the crisis. On this issue, we always follow the four points about what must be done which were proposed by President Xi Jinping. China hopes that relevant parties can find a sustainable and lasting solution that takes into account each other’s concerns through dialogue and negotiation.
Reuters: An investor group backed by BlackRock has agreed to buy a majority stake in the Hong Kong-based company that runs ports along either side of the Panama Canal. This would give a U.S. firm control of key docks in that area amid pressure from the White House. Does the Ministry have any comment on this?
Lin Jian: We have no comment on the relevant commercial deal. The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region made a response to the operation of the ports by the relevant Hong Kong company. Let me say more broadly that China supports Chinese companies, including those from Hong Kong SAR, in investing and doing business overseas. Hope they can have access to a fair and just business environment everywhere they go. We oppose any abuse of coercion and pressuring in international trade and economic relations.
