CCTV: What are China’s expectations for the 28th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting?
Wang Wenbin: As the world faces COVID-19 outbreaks and multiple challenges in economic recovery, global cooperation against the pandemic and on economic recovery has entered a critical phase. China is an important member of the Asia-Pacific region and attaches great importance to APEC’s role as a key platform for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. We hope that all parties in the region will follow the vision of an Asia-Pacific community of destiny and encourage the implementation of the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 to give a strong impetus to the fight against COVID-19 and to a sustainable economic recovery in Asia. -Pacific and the world at large, and actively contribute to the common development of Asia-Pacific. China is ready to work with all parities for the positive results of this meeting.
AFP: First, China and the United States announced a climate deal at COP26. Does this suggest some improvement in Sino-US relations? Second, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an interview that “we have commitments … to ensure that Taiwan has the capacity to defend itself. to use force to disrupt the status quo. ” What is your answer ?
Wang Wenbin: Regarding your first question, on November 10, London time, China and the United States reached and released the Glasgow Joint Declaration on Improving Climate Action in the 2020s on the sidelines of the Conference. of Glasgow on climate change.
Building on the China-US joint declaration on the climate crisis released in Shanghai in April and the Tianjin talks in September, this joint declaration further proposes specific measures for China and the United States to take their national actions. respective, encourage bilateral cooperation and advance multilateral processes. Both sides appreciate the work accomplished so far and commit to continue the combined efforts and work with all parties to strengthen the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Both sides will take enhanced climate action to effectively address the climate crisis in accordance with common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacities, and in light of different national circumstances. The two sides agreed to establish a “Working Group on Strengthening Climate Action in the 2020s” to advance bilateral climate cooperation and multilateral processes. The joint statement has been posted online for your reference. The Glasgow climate change conference is coming to an end soon. I believe that the joint declaration will strengthen the confidence of all countries in the common fight against climate change and contribute to the success of the conference.
Since the beginning of this year, China and the United States have conducted intensive dialogues and consultations on climate change in accordance with the spirit and instructions of the telephone conversation between the two heads of state. The joint declaration is the product of frank exchange, mutual understanding, mutual respect and active efforts to broaden consensus between the two parties. This shows once again that China and the United States can work together on major international issues and accomplish many great things that benefit the people of both countries and the world through cooperation, and inject positive energy into them. multilateral processes.
Regarding your second question, I would like to stress that the relevant remarks of the American side do not take into account the facts and violate international law. The one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques are the foundation for the establishment of diplomatic relations and the harmonious development of Sino-US relations. The United States unilaterally enacted Taiwan Relations Act is illegal, null and void because it flies in the face of the United States’ commitment in the three joint communiqués and places its domestic laws in the spotlight. above international obligations. China never allows the United States to unreasonably violate China’s sovereignty and interfere in China’s internal affairs with reasons or excuses. The United States should take concrete steps to uphold the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three Sino-US joint communiques, speak and act with caution, and stop sending bad signals to the forces of “independence of China.” Taiwan ”.
There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China. It is not only a historical and legal fact that cannot be changed, but also a status quo that cannot be challenged. The One-China Principle is a universally recognized standard governing international relations and the consensus of the international community. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 recognized “the representatives of the government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations”, and decided “to expel the representatives of Chiang Kai -shek of where they illegally occupy in the United Nations and in all organizations related to it. ”When resolution 2758 was under negotiation, the proposed“ dual representation ”draft resolution proposed by states- United and a few other countries to create “two Chinas” was not adopted, which basically denied Taiwan’s representation in the UN. Relevant UN documents explicitly pointed out that “the United Nations considers’ Taiwan ‘as a province of China without separate status ”, and that“ the Taipei authorities are not considered to… enjoy any form of governmental status ”.
The one-China principle is recognized and supported by 180 countries around the world. The landscape of the international community defending the principle of one China is becoming more and more solid, and the reunification of China has become an unstoppable trend in history. The root cause of the current tensions across the Taiwan Strait is that the Taiwanese authorities and a handful of “Taiwan independence” separatist forces are attempting to deny and question the one-China principle. expand the space for “Taiwan independence” activities, which has been firmly rejected by the Chinese government and the international community. All acts aimed at questioning the one-China principle and resisting the trend towards reunification will be resolutely thwarted. All attempts to support the separatist acts of “Taiwan independence” and go against the grain of history will be unsuccessful.
Beijing Youth Daily: According to the Japanese Kyodo News Agency, researchers from Tsukuba University recently published research results claiming that cesium 137, a radioactive substance that spilled into the sea during the accident of the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2011, traveled north after reaching the west coast of the United States to the Bering Strait in the far north of the Pacific Ocean, and east returned to the northeast coast of Japan after about 7-8 years. At the same time, cesium 137 from the Fukushima nuclear accident was found in the Arctic Ocean. What is China’s comment?
Wang Wenbin: I noticed some relevant reports. The latest research from Japanese experts has shown that the radioactive substance from the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant spread throughout the North Pacific Ocean and even reached the Arctic Ocean. Authoritative international research has also pointed out that the current along the Fukushima coast is the strongest in the world, and if the nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima is released into the ocean, the radioactive substance it contains will spread to all the waters of the globe in a few years.
This proves once again that the treatment of contaminated water from Fukushima nuclear power is never a private matter for Japan. On the contrary, it concerns the marine environment and public health around the world. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed in his remarks at the Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance 2021 that we should address behaviors that harm the marine environment such as the discharge of nuclear contaminated water in strict compliance with the law, therefore in order to ensure that our blue planet retains its primary color forever and that our future generations continue to enjoy a clean ocean and blue skies. We urge the Japanese side to heed the concerns of neighboring countries and the international community, to act with a responsible attitude towards the marine environment and human health, and to revoke its bad decision to discharge water contaminated by nuclear substances in the sea. It should not begin the discharge until a consensus has been reached with all relevant stakeholders and international organizations through full consultation.
BBC: Although the COVID-19 pandemic is not 100% under control, many countries, including the United States, have relaxed border restrictions and issued tourist visas to foreign travelers. Do you have any comments on this and when will China relax its border restrictions on foreigners?
Wang Wenbin: Since the onset of COVID-19, drawing on the practice of other countries and international customary practice, China has been adjusting its management measures for inbound travelers in light of the evolving epidemic situation in a scientific way. The coronavirus continues to spread in many parts of the world with the emergence of many variants. China will continue to take preventive and control measures through scientific analysis in light of the evolving situation. On the basis of ensuring security, China stands ready to actively work to promote healthy, safe and orderly personnel exchanges with other countries.
Bloomberg: US media reports when the virtual Xi-Biden summit is tentatively scheduled. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm more details on the virtual Xi-Biden summit?
Wang Wenbin: I answered a related question yesterday. We will post the information timely if there is any.
RIA Novosti: Russian authorities reported earlier that on Monday a cargo ship bearing the name Rise Shine had run aground off the coast of the town of Nakhodka in the Russian Far East. The 14 crew members are Chinese citizens and they were successfully evacuated and disembarked. Could you please provide information on whether they have contacted the Consulate General and Embassy of China in Russia for assistance or support?
Wang Wenbin: On November 9 local time, affected by bad weather, a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship ran aground and was in danger in waters near the town of Nakhodka in Russia’s Primorye Territory in the Far East, with 14 Chinese crew members on board. The local Chinese diplomatic mission paid timely attention and took corresponding action. After receiving requests for help, the local emergency service immediately dispatched helicopters to the site for rescue, and the 14 Chinese crew members were evacuated to safety. The ship’s hull was damaged during the grounding, but it did not capsize. There was no causation. We appreciate the rescue efforts of the relevant Russian authorities.
