Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on October 9, 2020 |
2020-10-09 22:37 |
At the invitation of Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, and Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay official visits to Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos and Thailand and pay a transit visit to Singapore from October 11 to 15. CCTV: The US Department of the Treasury announced on October 8 its decision to sanction 18 Iranian banks. Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif said on Twitter that "amid COVID-19 pandemic, US regime wants to blow up our remaining channels to pay for food and medicine," and that "conspiring to starve a population is a crime against humanity." Does China have any comment? Hua Chunying: Neglecting the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the principles of international law, the US arbitrarily imposes unwarranted unilateral actions such as economic blockade and financial sanctions against other countries, severely undermining international political and economic order, the global governance system, and the sanctioned countries' capabilities to develop their economy and improve people's lives. It has impact on the basic rights of innocent civilians, including women, children, the elderly and the disabled. As COVID-19 is still spreading across the globe, the US unwarranted unilateral actions restrict the transportation of medical supplies and obstruct the sanctioned countries' effort to contain the virus and recover the economy, directly damaging the life and health of people in those countries as well as the rights of these people, especially the vulnerable groups. The UN Secretary General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the relax and removal of unwarranted unilateral actions. During the 75th UNGA session general debate, multiple state leaders also called for the elimination of unwarranted unilateral actions. At the general debate of the General Assembly Third Committee on October 5, China spoke on behalf of 26 countries to once again call for immediate, total elimination of unilateral compulsory measures so that the international community can handle the virus in a comprehensive, effective and efficient manner. China urges the US to respond to the international voice of justice, stop erroneous actions at once, and return to the track of global solidarity and international cooperation as soon as possible. During Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif's upcoming visit to China, he will have talks with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. We would like to work with Iran to deepen our bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. People's Daily: September is a "United Nations month" for China. Chinese leaders attended a series of high-level meetings marking the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and delivered important speeches. What impact do you think this will have on China and the world? Hua Chunying: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave an interview to the Chinese media on October 2 in which he made a comprehensive and systematic review of President Xi Jinping's attendance at a series of high-level meetings commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. He gave a detailed account of the significant propositions put forward by President Xi Jinping and their significance and impacts. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. It is a year worthy of commemoration by all countries. An unexpected COVID-19 outbreak has accelerated the evolution of the international landscape, adding many uncertainties to the future of mankind. Where will the world go in the next 75 years? This is a question that many countries are seriously thinking about. At such a historic juncture bearing on the future and destiny of mankind, President Xi Jinping attended the UN 75th anniversary summit, the General Debate of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly, the Biodiversity Summit and the High-level Meeting to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the World Conference on Women in Beijing and delivered a series of important speeches. President Xi Jinping, proceeding from serving the common and long-term interests of mankind, gave his well-thought answers to what kind of post-COVID-19 world humans will face, what role China will play, and what kind of international order we need. He distinctively expressed that China will adhere to multilateralism, uphold the authority of the United Nations, walk the path of peaceful development and win-win cooperation, and firmly push to build a community with a shared future for mankind. President Xi's important remarks, which demonstrate a great vision for the world and a firm sense of responsibility as a major country, have been widely welcomed and highly appreciated by other countries. All parties agreed that President Xi Jinping's speeches and China's propositions will have a positive and far-reaching impact on the current and future evolution of the international landscape. This is reflected in six aspects. First, new impetus has been injected into global cooperation against COVID-19. Second, new consensus has been forged for the reform of the global governance system. Third, new solutions have been offered to promote global economic recovery. Fourth, new benchmarks have been set for global ecological progress. Fifth, new strength has been fueled to the cause of women around the world. Sixth, new responsibilities have been assumed in supporting the central role of the United Nations. As unilateralism undermines the existing international order, bullying challenges norms governing international relations, and world peace and stability face real threats and challenges, President Xi Jinping has clarified the dialectical relationship between "what can be changed" and "what cannot be changed" in the global governance system. What cannot be changed? The purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations cannot be changed, nor can the banner of multilateralism. There should be only one international system in the world, one with the United Nations at its core. There should be only one set of international rules, the basic set of ones governing international relations based on the UN Charter. What can be changed? The global governance system should be able respond to global challenges through enhanced international coordination in keeping with the changing times; The practice of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits should be followed to reflect the international political reality of the collective rise of developing countries. We should make addressing non-traditional security challenges such as public health a priority in the work of the United Nations, give prominence to the issue of development within the global macro framework, and effectively increase the representation and voice of developing countries at the United Nations. President Xi Jinping also pointed out that burying one's head in the sand like an ostrich in the face of economic globalization or trying to fight it with Don Quixote's lance goes against the trend of history. President Xi Jinping has called for countries to pursue the vision of building a big family of win-win cooperation, combine their own interests with the common interests of other countries, and strive to expand converging interests. These important remarks by President Xi Jinping are his strategic thinking on mankind's future and destiny. They speak to the common aspirations of most countries, point out the right direction for the reform of the global governance system,and chart the course for the future of the United Nations. People are now more confident of the future of the UN. As State Councilor Wang said in his interview with the Chinese media, we firmly believe that no matter what difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will never stop, the right path of multilateralism will never be interrupted, and the world trend of peaceful development will never be reversed. CCTV: Lately US Secretary of State Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Esper and other US officials on multiple occasions accused China of coercing other countries. Do you have any comment? Hua Chunying: I have seen relevant reports. Speaking of coercion, the first country that comes to anyone's mind is the US. For quite some time, certain US politicians have been traveling around the world coercing other countries, even its allies, into following its orders, openly hyping up ideological confrontation, trying to hijack others onto its anti-communism and anti-China chariot, and even threatenin |