CCTV: It’s reported that on September 23 local time, China held the High-level Meeting on the Global Development Initiative at the UN headquarters in New York. Leaders, foreign ministers and ministerial-level officials from many countries and heads of major international organizations attended the meeting. Can you share more information about that?
Guo Jiakun: Premier Li Qiang attended and addressed the High-level Meeting on the Global Development Initiative (GDI) at the UN headquarters in New York. Premier Li noted that the GDI, which was put forward by President Xi Jinping at the UN General Assembly in 2021, has played a leading role in promoting common development. This important initiative has attracted the participation of over 130 countries and international organizations and become a widely welcomed international public good. With international development cooperation facing severe challenges, we need to all the more focus on development, foster a stable and open international environment for development, build balanced and universally beneficial development partnerships, cultivate impetus for innovation-driven development oriented towards the future, and promote more sustainable green and low-carbon development.
China is a supporter and promoter of common development. We have actively taken actions and shouldered due responsibilities. With China’s support, the GDI over the past four years has mobilized over US$ 23 billion to support the development and prosperity of the Global South and carried out more than 1,800 cooperation projects. In the coming five years, China will roll out another 2,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects in developing countries, and deliver on more health cooperation projects together with relevant countries and WHO. China will also continue providing funds to the WTO “China Project” to help least developed countries integrate into the global trade system.
Development has no limit. Cooperation drives the future. China will continue working with other countries to advance the GDI and through that effort, accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and jointly create a more prosperous and brighter future.
Shenzhen TV: It’s reported the Taiwan authorities have imposed semiconductor exports curbs on South Africa, citing national security concerns. Taiwan’s so-called “Ministry of Economic Affairs” announced in a statement export restrictions on the shipment of 47 categories of goods to South Africa to call on the country to have discussions with them as soon as possible. The restrictions will take effect in 60 days. This decision emerged after South Africa sought to downgrade Taipei’s institution and relocate it out of Pretoria. What’s China’s comment?
Guo Jiakun: The Taiwan authorities’ action is a deliberate move to destabilize global chip industrial and supply chains and counter the prevailing international commitment to the one-China principle by weaponizing chips. Such political manipulation will only end in failure. In recent years, China’s chip industry has thrived rapidly. Our mature chip capacity accounts for about 28 percent of the global market, and the advanced chip sector has produced groundbreaking outcomes. According to South African customs, in 2024, the mainland’s chip exports to South Africa tripled the amount from the Taiwan region. Taiwan’s measures will not substantively affect South Africa’s relevant industry, and will only backfire.
China commends the South African government resolutely moving forward the relocation of Taiwan’s institution there. We stand ready to expand cooperation in various fields, including chips, with South Africa and achieve greater progress in promoting the all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era between the two countries.
China-Arab TV: The state of Palestine is recognized by 157 member states of the United Nations, while over 30 countries, including the U.S., Israel, Japan and Germany, do not recognize Palestine. What’s China’s comment?
Guo Jiakun: More and more countries recognize the state of Palestine. This fully shows where global opinion trends and what the global community wants. The question of Palestine is at the core of the Middle East issue. The two-State solution is the only viable way out of the question. China will continue working with the international community to firmly support the Palestinian people in realizing independent statehood, and make unremitting effort for the comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question at an early date.
China Daily: We noted that at the High-level Meeting on the Global Development Initiative, Premier Li Qiang put forward the AI+ International Cooperation Initiative. Could you share more details on that?
Guo Jiakun: With AI’s strong ability to empower, its integration with numerous industries is a prevailing trend. The AI+ International Cooperation Initiative is yet another important public good provided by China for the international community. The initiative focuses on five key areas that can be empowered by AI, namely public well-being, technological advancement, industrial application, cultural prosperity, and talents cultivation. It calls upon all countries to proactively carry out AI+ campaigns in light of their national conditions, and enhance policy exchange and practical cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
As a Chinese saying goes, “A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden.” With abundant resource and talent, China is ready to turbocharge its innovation drive. China stands ready to work with the rest of the world for new bright spots in AI+ cooperation and generate new opportunities for global development through Chinese modernization.
Bloomberg: Just to go back to the thing between Taiwan and South Africa. Taiwan has said that China applied pressure to South Africa to close this representative office or move it. Would the Ministry like to comment on that accusation?
Guo Jiakun: Upholding the one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and a basic norm in international relations. It is also the foundation for China to develop relations with other countries. We commend the South African government’s abiding commitment to the one-China principle.
China-Arab TV: When addressing a UN Security Council high-level meeting on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that China is a powerful state on which Russia is fully dependent today, and China must force Moscow to stop the invasion. He also said, “Without China, Putin’s Russia is nothing. Yet too often China stays silent.” What is China’s comment on this?
Guo Jiakun: China has always been aboveboard on the Ukraine crisis. China has, since day one, held an objective and just position and promoted talks for peace. This is clear to all parties.
AFP: Chinese Primer Li Qiang is in New York for the general debate of the 80th UNGA session and relevant high-level events. Will he speak at the UN during the climate summit. What message will China deliver at the summit?
Guo Jiakun: About Premier Li Qiang’s schedule for the general debate of the 80th UNGA session and relevant high-level events, we will release information in due course. Please check back for updates.
AFP: A follow-up question on this climate summit. So the U.S. will not be attending this climate summit. So what does China think about the U.S.’s absence?
Guo Jiakun: Climate change is a challenge faced by all humanity and international cooperation is the only solution. China will continue working with all parties to deepen practical cooperation on green and low-carbon development, jointly respond to climate change and strive for global sustainable development.
Phoenix TV: On the morning of September 24, Beijing time, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attended and addressed the general debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, in which he shared his view on historical issues. What’s China’s comment?
Guo Jiakun: We noted that Prime Minister Ishiba in his speech said that “No country can forge a path to a bright future unless it squarely faces history, and we must not again repeat the devastation of war,” and that “The people of Asia showed a spirit of tolerance in accepting Japan after the war.” Meanwhile, we also noted that the speech did not mention “aggression” or “apology” and evaded Japan’s responsibility as perpetrator of war. Prime Minister Ishiba previously stated that Japan upholds the spirit of facing history squarely and looking to the future and keeps pursuing a path of peaceful development, and that Japan should reflect on history and remember the lessons so that Japan would not repeat past mistakes of war.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. China maintains that to view and treat history correctly and to take concrete action of reflecting on and apologizing for the history of aggression is an important prerequisite for Japan’s post-war return to the international community. It also matters to the political foundation of China-Japan relations, Japan’s ties with neighboring countries, and Japan’s global image. In the China-Japan Joint Statement, it is clearly written that “The Japanese side is keenly conscious of the responsibility for the serious damage that Japan caused in the past to the Chinese people through war, and deeply reproaches itself.” We hope that Japan will take a hard look at its responsibility for the war crimes and draw lessons from history. Japan needs to make a clean break with any move that seeks to whitewash or cover the history of aggression, follow the path of peaceful development, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the rest of the world through Japan’s actions. This is the responsible thing to do for history, people and the future.
AFP: I got a question on Donald Trump. He addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. He accused China and India of funding the war in Ukraine by buying Russian oil. So Mr. Trump said China and India are the primary funders of the Ukraine crisis. So what do you think of Mr. Trump’s specific remarks on that? And what do you think in general of President Trump’s speech, which contains a lot of criticism of the UN and other issues?
Guo Jiakun: On the Ukraine crisis, China holds an objective and fair position and actively promotes talks for peace. Most countries in the world, including the U.S. and European countries, continue to trade with Russia. The normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian companies are consistent with WTO rules and market principles. They do not target any third party and should not be disrupted or affected. China will do what is necessary to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
When it comes to the role of the UN, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. Over the past 80 years, the UN has played an irreplaceable role for safeguarding international peace and security and promoting global development. China always believes that in a world as turbulent as ours, it is all the more important to uphold and defend the authority of the UN. As a founding member of the UN and permanent member of the UN Security Council, China firmly supports the UN in playing a core role in international affairs. Most recently, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative, which is China’s latest proposal to strengthen and improve global governance. As we mark the UN’s 80th anniversary, China stands ready to work with other member states to renew the founding mission of the UN, reaffirm the commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and revitalize the UN’s authority and vigor in the new era, so as to play a bigger role for safeguarding world peace, promoting common development and building a community with a shared future for humanity.
AFP: A question on Chinese Premier Li Qiang. He said on Tuesday in New York that China will not seek any new special and differential treatment in future World Trade Organization negotiations. Why did China make this decision? Could you elaborate on it?
Guo Jiakun: While attending the High-Level Meeting on the Global Development Initiative, Premier Li Qiang declared that as a responsible major developing country, China will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO. It is not only a proactive step taken by China in supporting multilateral trading system, but also an important move in China’s effort of implementing the Global Development Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.
As we speak, rising unilateralism and protectionism are having a serious impact on the multilateral trading system and global economic and trade order. As the largest developing country in the world, the above-mentioned decision is yet another example of China’s sense of responsibility as a major country. China will stay committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening up. We will actively advance the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, and continue to uphold multilateral trading system, participate in the WTO reform, defend the legitimate rights and interests of developing members and build a more just and equitable global governance system.