Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on October 25, 2022
2022/10/25

CCTV: The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded in Beijing on the morning of October 22. What is the Congress’s significance for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics?

Wang Wenbin: The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was a Congress of holding high our banner, pooling our strength and forging ahead in unity. On the diplomatic front, the Congress held up the banner of promoting world peace and development and building a human community with a shared future. It has drawn a grand roadmap and charted the course for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on a new journey.

The Congress emphasizes that China has always been committed to its foreign policy goals of upholding world peace and promoting common development, and it is dedicated to promoting a human community with a shared future. China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace and has always decided its position and policy on issues based on their own merits. China adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in pursuing friendship and cooperation with other countries. It is committed to its fundamental national policy of opening to the outside world and pursues a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. China plays an active part in the reform and development of the global governance system and works to make global governance fairer and more equitable. China sincerely calls upon all countries to hold dear humanity’s common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom and join forces to meet all types of global challenges. The Congress agrees to include in the Party Constitution statements on holding dear humanity’s shared values and advancing the building of an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity, etc. These revisions reaffirm the Party’s commitment to promoting the building of a human community with a shared future, and leading the tide of human progress.

In the past decade, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, particularly Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, we have pursued major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on all fronts, promoted the building of a human community with a shared future, firmly upheld international fairness and justice, advocated efforts to practice true multilateralism, unequivocally opposed hegemonism and power politics, and unswervingly rejected unilateralism, protectionism and bullying practice. We have advocated a new type of international relations, actively participated in the reform and development of the global governance system, and fully engaged in international cooperation in fighting COVID-19. All these efforts have won wide recognition from the international community and significantly increased China’s international influence, ability to inspire, and power to shape. 

The 20th National Congress of the CPC will guide China’s diplomacy in the new era in making great strides. All those in the foreign service will study and implement the spirit of the meeting and develop a deep understanding of the decisive significance of the establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping’s core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, rally more closely around the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. We will follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, in particular Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, to break new ground in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and make new contributions to building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. 

Bloomberg: US officials say they are still working to set up a meeting between President Joe Biden and General Secretary Xi Jinping. My question is, what is the possibility of a call or a meeting taking place between the two leaders? 

Wang Wenbin: I have no information to offer on your question at the moment.

China Daily: During the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this year, leaders of many countries called on the West to lift illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe as soon as possible. Today, October 25, is the Anti-Sanctions Day declared by the Southern African Development Community (SADC). African countries have once again called for the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe. What’s China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: The 39th SADC Summit held in 2019 named October 25 as the Anti-Sanctions Day and called on the US and some other Western countries and organizations to remove illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe. Today, on the occasion of the fourth Anti-Sanctions Day, multiple African countries have called for justice. China supports their voice.

The decades-old sanctions imposed by the US and some other Western countries seriously violate Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, undermine the Zimbabwean people’s right to development, and contravene the basic norm in international relations of not interfering in other countries’ internal affairs. This year’s UNGA General Debate saw leaders of even more countries and international organizations speak out openly, urging relevant countries to correct their erroneous actions. This made it clear what is the just stance with broad support in the international community. 

China firmly supports Zimbabwe in opposing external interference and pursuing a path of independent development. We reiterate our call for the US and certain countries and organizations to lift illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe soon and take concrete actions to remedy the humanitarian consequences these sanctions have caused, instead of staying on the wrong side against international fairness and justice.

AFP: US Attorney General Merrick Garland said yesterday that China has repeatedly sent spies to interfere with the rights and freedoms of individuals in the United States and also to undermine the judicial system there. Do you have any response to this criticism?

Wang Wenbin: I do not know the details of the case. The Chinese side always asks overseas Chinese citizens to comply with the host countries’ laws and regulations. Some US law enforcement officials, driven by a Cold War zero-sum mentality and ideological bias, have repeatedly brought unfounded accusations against China under false pretexts. They have sought to suppress Chinese companies, openly provide shelter for Chinese fugitives, and obstruct and undermine China’s efforts to repatriate fugitives and recover illegal proceeds. Actions like these are turning the US into a safe haven for corrupt individuals and lawbreakers and putting the US on the wrong side of justice and the rule of law. They undercut the foundation of China-US law enforcement cooperation and have dented the US’s own image. We urge these officials to right the wrongs and halt the attacks on China. China will continue to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.

China News Service: On October 22, the Communist Party of China successfully concluded its 20th National Congress. We have noted that the international community has highly commended the 20th National Congress of the CPC, and leaders of many countries have extended congratulations to China. Could you share more with us?

Wang Wenbin: Over the past few days, the 20th National Congress of the CPC has received world attention. Numerous heads of state and government and the leaders of political parties and important organizations have sent congratulatory messages and letters to extend warm congratulations on Comrade Xi Jinping’s election as the General Secretary of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and to commend China for the successful conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the CPC.

The 20th National Congress of the CPC has charted the course for China’s future development and injected strong impetus into China’s friendly cooperation with other countries in the world. We, together with the people in the world, are ready to advance humanity’s common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, pursue world peace and development, strive to forge a human community with a shared future and jointly build a better future for the world.

Shenzhen TV: The 132nd session of the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) concluded on October 24. As the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is scheduled to open in early November, the world will see yet another round of China’s efforts to boost opening up. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: Ten years ago, right after the conclusion of the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping paid a visit to Guangdong province, where he unequivocally pronounced that “China will never stop its endeavors to pursue reform and opening up”. Ten years later, shortly after the conclusion of the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping said when members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee met the press that “China will open its door ever wider. We will be steadfast in deepening reform and opening up across the board and in pursuing high-quality development. A prosperous China will create many more opportunities for the world.” This strong commitment once again demonstrates to the world that China’s resolve to pursue high-level opening up and share development opportunities with the world will remain unchanged. 

You mentioned the Canton Fair and the CIIE. These two international exhibitions are vivid examples of China’s efforts to promote high-level opening up and build an open world economy. The Canton Fair, known as the epitome of China’s opening to the outside world, has gone through 65 years. The number of exhibitors taking part in this year’s Fair rose by nearly 10,000 compared with last year. The CIIE is the world’s first import-themed national-level expo. The value of deals reached at the previous four expos exceeded $272.2 billion. The recruitment of companies for the upcoming 5th CIIE Business Exhibition has been fully conducted. The CIIE online Country Exhibition started its trial operation yesterday. It is believed that more foreign enterprises will take this opportunity to share the new opportunities presented by the Chinese market.

For some time, however, economic globalization has faced headwinds and countercurrents. Some countries attempt to decouple with others, sever supply chains and build “a small yard with high fences”. However, the more challenges we face, the more important it is for us to follow the logic of historical progress and ride the tide of development of our times, so as to achieve development of higher quality in a more open environment. China will never be held back by headwinds or the current of undertows. We will never follow the old path of isolation and rigidity, and the world will never fall back into isolation and division. 

Just as China cannot develop in isolation from the world, the world needs China for its development. China is committed to its fundamental national policy of opening to the outside world and pursues a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. We will continue to create new opportunities for the world with our new development, and work to build an open world economy so as to deliver greater benefits to people of all countries. 

Bloomberg: Does the foreign ministry have any comment on Rishi Sunak in the UK who is set to become the next Prime Minister of the UK and in particular his stance on China going forward?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. China’s position on developing its relations with the UK is consistent and clear. Cultivating and advancing sound bilateral ties is the shared responsibility of China and the UK. It serves the common interests of both our peoples. China hopes to advance ties with the UK along the right track on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

CCTV: Fifty-one years ago today, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which recognized the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China, including the Taiwan region. For some time, some forces in the US have falsely claimed that UNGA Resolution 2758 doesn’t decide Taiwan’s status in an attempt to help Taiwan expand the so-called “international space”. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, which “decides to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations”, and to expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan authorities from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it. With the adoption of Resolution 2758, the “dual representation” proposal put forward by the US and some other few countries in order to retain Taiwan’s seat became a piece of waste paper. Once and for all, Resolution 2758 resolved, politically, legally and procedurally, the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the UN and international institutions. It has also made it clear that there can only be one seat representing China in the UN. The one-China principle has become a prevailing consensus of the international community and a widely-held basic norm of international relations, thus fully eliminating any room for anyone, any country or any force to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”. The Taiwan region has no basis, ground or right whatsoever to participate in the UN or any other international organizations that can only be joined by sovereign countries.

Over the past 51 years, on the basis of abiding by the one-China principle, the number of countries having established diplomatic relations with China has risen from over 60 to 181. This fully shows that the one-China principle has the overwhelming support and recognition of the international community and represents the irreversible trend of the world. 

In recent years, some forces in the US have deliberately distorted UNGA Resolution 2758 and falsely claimed that the resolution does not decide Taiwan’s status, and called for Taiwan’s participation in the UN system. In doing so, they have attempted to fudge and hollow out the one-China principle and connive at and support the “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, which has seriously harmed peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Attempts like these to turn back the wheel of history will only meet the opposition of the international community and fail completely in front of the strong resolution, will and capability of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

The history of the past half century shows that UNGA Resolution 2758 must not be challenged and the one-China principle is unshakable. The wheels of history are rolling on toward China’s reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Complete reunification of our country can, without doubt, be realized!

Reuters: The United States has charged two Chinese nationals with trying to obstruct the prosecution of a Chinese telecommunication company that a person familiar with the matter identified as Huawei. Can you comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: I am not aware of what you mentioned. China is always opposed to the US’s moves to overstretch the concept of national security and abuse state power to wantonly hobble Chinese enterprises. 

NHK: Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the Taiwan region, said in a speech today that Taiwan is facing increasing military threat and economic coercion from the mainland. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The DPP authorities have confounded black and white in an attempt to mislead the public. This once again exposes their separatist nature and real agenda of seeking “independence”. Let me stress that there is no other right way forward for Taiwan than to reunify with the mainland. Advancing the “Taiwan independence” separatist agenda will only spell failure for the DPP authorities.