【英文】外交部长秦刚就中国外交政策和对外关系回答中外记者提问
转自：外交部发言人办公室
On7March2023,apressconferencewasheldonthemarginsoftheFirstSessionofthe14thNationalPeople’sCongressattheMediaCenter,duringwhichForeignMinisterQinGangansweredquestionsfromChineseandforeignmediaaboutChina’sforeignpolicyandexternalrelations.
QinGang: Friendsfromthemedia,goodmorning.I’mverypleasedtomeetyou.Astheworldisundergoingmajorchangesunseeninacentury,Chinawillcontinuetopursuetheindependentforeignpolicyofpeace,andwillcontinuetoimplementthemutuallybeneficialstrategyofopening-up.Chinawillalwaysbeabuilderofworldpeace,acontributortoglobaldevelopment,andadefenderoftheinternationalorder.NowI’mreadytotakeyourquestions.
ChinaCentralTelevision:PeopleathomeandabroadhavegreatexpectationsforChina’sdiplomacyin2023.WhatwillbetheprioritiesandhighlightsinChina’sdiplomacy,particularlyinhead-of-statediplomacy?Asthenewforeignminister,howdoyouenvisionChina’sdiplomacyintheyearstocome?
QinGang: We’reinthefirstyearoffullyimplementingtheguidingprinciplessetforthbythe20thNationalCongressoftheCommunistPartyofChina.TheCongresshasoutlinedtop-levelplansforChina’sdiplomacy,identifiedourmissionsandtasks,andmadestrategicarrangementstothatend.WiththeCOVIDsituationturningforthebetterinChina,we’resteadilyresumingexchangeswiththeworld.We’vepressedthe“accelerationbutton”,andsoundedtheclarioncallforourdiplomacy.
Wewillfollowtheguidanceofhead-of-statediplomacy.Inparticular,wewillensurethesuccessofthetwomajordiplomaticeventsthatwewillhost—thefirstChina-CentralAsiaSummitandthethirdBeltandRoadForumforInternationalCooperation,whichwillbetheshowcaseofthedistinctivecharacterofChina’sdiplomacy.
WewilltakeitasourmissiontodefendChina’scoreinterests.Wefirmlyopposeanyformofhegemonismandpowerpolitics.WefirmlyopposetheColdWarmentality,camp-basedconfrontation,andactstocontainandholdbackothercountries’development.WewillresolutelysafeguardChina’ssovereignty,securityanddevelopmentinterests.
Wewillbuildonourextensivepartnerships.Wewillpursuecoordinationandsoundinteractionsamongmajorcountries,seekfriendshipandcooperationwithothercountries,andpromoteanewtypeofinternationalrelations.Chinahashadagrowingnetworkoffriends,mademoreandmorenewfriends,andstrengthenedtieswitholdones.
Wewilltakeopennessanddevelopmentasourobjective.Wewillfacilitatehigh-qualitydevelopmentandhigh-standardopening-up.Wewillreject“decoupling”,andopposeseveringindustrialandsupplychainsandimposingunilateralsanctions.Wewillupholdanopenandinclusiveworldeconomy,andwillgeneratenewopportunitiesfortheworldwithournewdevelopment.
Wewilltakemultilateralismasthewayforward.Wewillpromotethebuildingofacommunitywithasharedfutureformankind,promotegreaterdemocracyininternationalrelations,andmakeglobalgovernancemorejustandequitable.Wewilloffermore,betterChineseinsightandsolutionstohelpmeethumanity’scommonchallenges.
Wewilltake“diplomacyforthepeople”asourguidingprinciple.Wewillalwaysbearinmindthewell-beingandsecurityofouroverseascompatriots,andhonorourcommitmenttoservingthepeople.WewillenhancetheserviceforandprotectionofChinesecitizensandinstitutionsabroadtomaketheiroverseastravelsandexchangessaferandmoreconvenient.
Theworldisfarfromtranquil,beingentangledinintertwinedturmoilsandtransformation,theclashbetweenunityanddivision,andthecoexistenceofopportunitiesandchallenges.ThenewjourneyofChina’sdiplomacywillbeanexpeditionwithgloriesanddreams,anditwillalsobealongvoyagethroughstormyseas.Theharderthemission,themoregloriousitsaccomplishment.UnderthestrongleadershipoftheCPCCentralCommitteewithComradeXiJinpingatitscore,wewillputXiJinpingThoughtonDiplomacyintofullpractice,followthroughonthedecisionsofthe20thCPCCongress,andupholdourforeignpolicygoalsofsafeguardingworldpeaceandpromotingcommondevelopment.Wewillmeetchallengeshead-on,boldlytakeonresponsibilities,fosteranenablingexternalenvironmentforbuildingamodernsocialistcountryinallrespects,andwriteanewchapterinChina’sdistinctivemajor-countrydiplomacyinthenewera.
Roseal-Yūsuf: ManyseetheChinesepathtomodernizationasanewpathtomodernitythatwillinspireothercountries,especiallythedevelopingcountries.HowdoyouseethesignificanceoftheChinesepathtomodernizationfortheworld?
QinGang: Indeedasyousaid,“Chinesemodernization”hasbecomeapopularphraseintheworld.Achievingmodernizationforacountryofmorethan1.4billionpeoplewillbeanunprecedentedfeatinhumanhistory,oneofprofoundglobalsignificanceinitself.
Chinesemodernizationofferssolutionstomanychallengesfacinghumandevelopment.Itbuststhemyththatmodernizationiswesternization;itcreatesanewformofhumanadvancement;anditprovidesanimportantsourceofinspirationfortheworld,especiallydevelopingcountries.AsIseeit,Chinesemodernizationhasatleastfivefeatures:
First,independence.ThereasonwhytheChinesepathtomodernizationworksisexactlybecauseitisdevelopedinChinaandrootedinChineseculture,andfitsinwellwithChina’snationalconditions.China’ssuccessindevelopmentalsoprovesthateverycountryhastherightandabilitytochooseitsownpath,andtoholditsfuturefirmlyinitsownhands.
Second,puttingpeoplefirst.Chinesemodernizationisthemodernizationofcommonprosperityforall.Itisaboutachievingbothmaterialabundanceandcultural-ethicalenrichmentforthepeople.Modernizationshouldnotservetheinterestsofonlyafewcountriesorindividuals.Itshouldnotmaketherichricherandthepoorpoorer.Norshoulditleadtoculturalimpoverishment,moraldegradationordisorder.Peoplearoundtheworldshouldallenjoytherightstoseekdevelopmentasequalsandpursuehappiness.
Third,peacefuldevelopment.Chinesemodernizationisnotpursuedthroughwar,colonization,orplundering.Itisdedicatedtopeace,development,cooperationandmutualbenefit,andiscommittedtoharmonybetweenhumanityandnature.ItisanewpathdifferentfromWesternmodernization.
Fourth,opennessandinclusiveness.Humanity’smodernizationshouldnotbeaone-flowershowbutahundredflowersinbloom.Itisimportanttorespecttherightofeverycountrytopursueamodernizationpathtailoredtoitsnationalreality,andencourageexchangeandmutuallearning,sothatallwillflourishandprospertogether.
Fifth,workinghardinunity.China’ssuccessprovesthatactingindisunitylikeaheapofloosesandwillgetusnowhere,andthatonlybystrivinginunitycanwepoolstrength.Wewillpersevereincarryingoutthesetblueprintuntilitbecomesreality.Partisanrift,emptytalkandfrequentpolicyflip-flopasseenincertaincountrywillonlymakeeventhebestblueprintanillusionandacastleintheair.
TheprocessofChinesemodernizationisaboosttotheforceforpeace,justiceandprogressintheworld.Wehopeandbelievethatasmoreandmorecountriesbegintheirownjourneyofmodernization,thevisionofbuildingacommunitywithasharedfutureformankindwillbecometrue.
TASS:HowdoyouviewthefutureofRussia-Chinarelations?Willitprovideanewmodelforstate-to-staterelations?WilltheChinesePresidentvisitRussiaaftertheNPCandCPPCCSessions?IsitpossibleforourtwocountriestodroptheuseoftheUSdollarandtheEuroinbilateraltradesettlement?
QinGang: Youmentionedthemodelformajor-countryrelations.ThatisagoodperspectiveforobservingChina-Russiarelations.Majorcountriesshouldfigureoutwhattheywantwitheachother—buildingexclusiveblocs,orfosteringfriendshipthatisopenandsincere.ChinaandRussiahavefoundapathofmajor-countryrelationsfeaturingstrategictrustandgoodneighborliness,settingagoodexampleforanewtypeofinternationalrelations.
SomecountrieswhoareinclinedtoviewChina-RussiarelationsthroughthelensofColdWaralliancesseenothingbuttheirownimage.TheChina-Russiarelationshipisbasedonno-allianceandno-confrontation,anditisnottargetedatanythirdparty.Itisnotathreattoanycountry,norisitsubjecttoanyinterferenceordiscordsownbyanythirdparty.WithChinaandRussiaworkingtogether,theworldwillhaveadrivingforcetowardmultipolarityandgreaterdemocracyininternationalrelations,andglobalstrategicbalanceandstabilitywillbebetterensured.Themoreunstabletheworldbecomes,themoreimperativeitisforChinaandRussiatosteadilyadvancetheirrelations.
Head-of-stateinteractionisthecompassandanchorofChina-Russiarelations.Underthestrategicguidanceofthetwopresidents,theChina-Russiacomprehensivestrategicpartnershipofcoordinationforthenewerawillsurelygrowfromstrengthtostrength.
AsforthecurrenciestobeusedinChina-Russiatrade,theanswerissimple.Iwouldsaywhicheverthatareefficient,safeandcredible.Currenciesshouldnotbetrumpcardsforunilateralsanctions,stilllessadisguiseforbullyingorcoercion.
People’sDaily: TheGlobalDevelopmentInitiative(GDI)andtheGlobalSecurityInitiative(GSI)putforwardbyPresidentXiJinpinghavebeenwelcomedbymanycountries.WhatroledoesChinawanttoplayinstrengtheningandimprovingglobalgovernance?Whatfurtherstepswillittaketothisend?
QinGang: Amidthechangesandconfusion,peoplearewonderingwhat’swrongwithourworldandwhatweshoulddoaboutit.Humanityhascometoanewcrossroads.Keepinginmindthelessonsofhistoryaswellasthewell-beingoftheworldandallhumanity,PresidentXiJinpinghasproposedtherightapproachtoglobalgovernance.Throughthepasttenyearsinthenewera,PresidentXiJinpinghasputforwardahostofmajorinitiativesandproposals,includingbuildingacommunitywithasharedfutureformankind,theBeltandRoadInitiative,thecommonvaluesofhumanity,theGDIandtheGSI.Thecoremessageoftheseinitiativesisthatcountriesareinterdependent,mankindhaveasharedfuture,andtheinternationalcommunitymustgetunitedforcooperation.Withsolidarityandcooperation,wecandefeatCOVID,addressclimatechange,tacklethedeficitinpeace,security,developmentandgovernance,andbuildanopen,inclusive,cleanandbeautifulworldoflastingpeace,universalsecurityandcommonprosperity.
Yetthepathtoglobalgovernanceisfarfromsmooth.AnancientChinesephilosopherobservedthat“goodwillleadstogoodgovernancewhileenmity,chaos”.Anotherancientphilosopherstressedthat“theruleofselfishinterestsspellschaoswhiletheruleoflawbringsgoodgovernance”.ThemoralofthesewisesayingsisthatglobalgovernanceshouldbepromotedinaccordancewiththelawandtheprinciplesofinternationallawenshrinedintheUNCharter;equityandjusticemustbeupheldwhilehegemonismandselfishinterestsmustberejected;solidaritymustbedefendedwhiledivisionandconfrontationmustbeabandoned.Developingcountriesaccountformorethan80percentoftheglobalpopulationandmorethan70percentofglobaleconomicgrowth.Peopleindevelopingcountriesareentitledtoabetterlife,anddevelopingcountriesareentitledtogreaterrepresentationandaloudervoiceininternationalaffairs.
Ajustcauseshouldbepursuedforthecommongood.Chinawillkeepinmindtheinterestsoftheworld,takeanactivepartinglobalgovernance,andcontributemoretoworldpeaceanddevelopmentandtohumanprogress.
NBC:Youoncewrote,“ThefutureofAmericanandChinesepeoples—indeed,thefutureoftheentireplanet—dependsonahealthyandstableChina-USrelationship.”Healthyandstablerelationship?Isthatstillpossiblegiventhewideningconflictofinterestsonawholerangeofissues?Orhowdoyoupurposetomakeitpossible?BesidesChina’scoreinterests,haveyoualsoconsideredthecoreinterestsoftheUnitedStates?
QinGang: ArecentepisodeinChina-USrelationsistheunmannedairshipincident.Itisentirelyanaccidentcausedbyforcemajeure,anditsfactsandnaturearecrystalclear.EventheUnitedStatesdidnotbelieveitposedaphysicalthreat.However,inviolationofthespiritofinternationallawandinternationalcustomarypractices,theUnitedStatesactedwithapresumptionofguilt.Itoverreacted,abusedforce,anddramatizedtheaccident,creatingadiplomaticcrisisthatcouldhavebeenavoided.
Anaccidentcanrevealsomethingfundamental.Inthiscase,theUSperceptionandviewsofChinaareseriouslydistorted.ItregardsChinaasitsprimaryrivalandbiggestgeopoliticalchallenge.Thisislikethefirstbuttoninashirtbeingputwrong.AndtheresultisthattheUSChinapolicyhasentirelydeviatedfromtherationalandsoundtrack.
TheUnitedStatesclaimsthatitseeksto“out-compete”Chinabutdoesnotseekconflict.Yetinreality,itsso-called“competition”meanstocontainandsuppressChinainallrespectsandgetthetwocountrieslockedinazero-sumgame.TheUnitedStatestalksalotaboutfollowingrules.ButimaginetwoathletescompetinginanOlympicrace.Ifoneathlete,insteadoffocusingongivingone’sbest,alwaystriestotriporeveninjuretheother,thatisnotfaircompetition,butmaliciousconfrontationandafoul!Itsso-called“establishingguardrails”forChina-USrelationsand“notseekingconflict”actuallymeansthatChinashouldnotrespondinwordsoractionwhenslanderedorattacked.Thatisjustimpossible!IftheUnitedStatesdoesnothitthebrakebutcontinuestospeeddownthewrongpath,noamountofguardrailscanpreventderailing,andtherewillsurelybeconflictandconfrontation.Whowillbearthecatastrophicconsequences?Suchcompetitionisarecklessgamblewiththestakesbeingthefundamentalinterestsofthetwopeoplesandeventhefutureofhumanity.NaturallyChinaisfirmlyopposedtoallthis.IftheUnitedStateshastheambitiontomakeitselfgreatagain,itshouldalsohaveabroadmindforthedevelopmentofothercountries.ContainmentandsuppressionwillnotmakeAmericagreat,anditwillnotstoptherejuvenationofChina.
AsPresidentXiJinpingpointedout,whetherChinaandtheUnitedStatescanhandletheirrelationshipwellbearsonthefutureoftheworld.Gettingtherelationshiprightisnotoptional,butsomethingwemustdoandmustdowell.IhavealsonotedthatmoreandmorepeoplewithvisionandinsightintheUnitedStatesaredeeplyworriedaboutthecurrentstateofChina-USrelations,andhavebeencallingforarationalandpragmaticpolicytowardChina.
TheAmericanpeople,justliketheChinesepeople,arefriendly,kindandsincere,andwantabetterlifeandabetterworld.WhenIwasworkingintheUnitedStates,Ivisitedmanyplaces.InLosAngeles,workersattheportofLongBeachsharedwithmehowtheirentirefamiliesliveofftradewithChina,stressingthattheUnitedStatesandChinashouldprospertogether.FarmersinIowatoldmethattheywanttoproducemorefoodbecauseagreatnumberofpeopleintheworldarestilllivinginhunger.Presidentsofuniversitiesstressedthatinternationalexchangeiscriticalfortechnologicaladvancement,andthattechnologicaldecouplingisalose-loseandall-lose.AkidintheYinghuaAcademyinMinnesota,theworldchampionofthe“ChineseBridge”Chineseshowforforeignelementaryschoolstudents,confidedinmeinfluentChinesethatsheislearningthelanguagebecauseshelovesChina.EverytimeIthinkaboutthem,I’mconvincedthattheChina-USrelationshipshouldbedeterminedbythecommoninterestsandsharedresponsibilitiesofthetwocountriesandbythefriendshipbetweentheChineseandAmericanpeoples,ratherthanbyUSdomesticpoliticsorthehystericalneo-McCarthyism.
ChinawillcontinuetofollowtheprinciplesputforthbyPresidentXiJinping,namely,mutualrespect,peacefulcoexistenceandwin-wincooperation,topursueasoundandstablerelationshipwiththeUnitedStates.WehopetheUSgovernmentwilllistentothecallsofthetwopeoples,ridofitsstrategicanxietyof“threatinflation”,abandonthezero-sumColdWarmentality,andrefusetobehijackedby“politicalcorrectness”.WehopethattheUnitedStateswillhonoritscommitmentsandworkwithChinatoexploretherightwaytogetalongwitheachothertothebenefitofbothcountriesandtheentireworld.
PhoenixTelevision:SomeUSthinktanksandofficialshavebeenhypingupthepossibilityofaconflictbetweenChinaandtheUSovertheTaiwanquestionintheyear2027or2025.SomemediaevensaytheUnitedStateshasmadeupaplanforthe“destructionofTaiwan”.HowdoyouseethecurrentsituationintheTaiwanStrait?HowlikelyissuchaconflictbetweenthetwocountriesintheTaiwanStrait?
QinGang: IknewthattheTaiwanquestionwouldberaised,soI’vebroughtacopyofthe ConstitutionofthePeople’sRepublicofChina.LetmefirstquotetwolinesfromthePreambleoftheConstitution—“TaiwanispartofthesacredterritoryofthePeople’sRepublicofChina.ItistheinviolabledutyofallChinesepeople,includingourcompatriotsinTaiwan,toaccomplishthegreattaskofreunifyingthemotherland.”ResolvingtheTaiwanquestionisamatterfortheChinesepeople,andnoothercountryhastherighttointerfereinit.SomeseniorUSofficialshaverecentlyassertedthattheTaiwanquestionisnotaninternalaffairofChina.Wefirmlyopposesuchabsurdcomments,andwewillstayonhighalert.
ThetwosidesoftheTaiwanStraitbelongtoonecommonfamily,whichiscalledChina.Asbrothersandsisters,wewillcontinuetoworkwiththegreatestsincerityandutmosteffortstopursuepeacefulreunification.Meanwhile,wereservetheoptionoftakingallnecessarymeasures.Infact,China’sAnti-SecessionLawhasexplicitlymadethispoint.IncasethisLawisviolated,wemustactinaccordancewiththeConstitutionandtheLaw.Nooneshouldeverunderestimatethefirmresolve,strongwillorgreatcapabilityoftheChinesegovernmentandpeopletosafeguardnationalsovereigntyandterritorialintegrity.
TheTaiwanquestionisthecoreofthecoreinterestsofChina,thebedrockofthepoliticalfoundationofChina-USrelations,andthefirstredlinethatmustnotbecrossedinChina-USrelations.TheUShasunshirkableresponsibilityforcausingtheTaiwanquestion.ThereasonwhyChinaraisesthisquestiontotheUSistourgeittostopinterferinginChina’sinternalaffairs.TheChinesepeoplehaveeveryrighttoask:WhydoestheUStalkatlengthaboutrespectingsovereigntyandterritorialintegrityonUkraine,whiledisrespectingChina’ssovereigntyandterritorialintegrityonChina’sTaiwanquestion?WhydoestheUSaskChinanottoprovideweaponstoRussia,whileitkeepssellingarmstoTaiwaninviolationoftheAugust17Communiqué?WhydoestheUSkeeponprofessingthemaintenanceofregionalpeaceandstability,whilecovertlyformulatinga“planforthedestructionofTaiwan”?
SeparatismforTaiwanindependenceisasincompatiblewithpeaceandstabilityoftheTaiwanStraitasfirewithwater.ForpeaceandstabilityintheTaiwanStrait,itsrealthreatistheseparatistforcesforTaiwanindependence,itssolidanchoristheone-Chinaprinciple,anditsgenuineguardrailsarethethreeChina-USjointcommuniqués.MishandlingoftheTaiwanquestionwillshaketheveryfoundationofChina-USrelations.IftheUnitedStatestrulyexpectsapeacefulTaiwanStrait,itshouldstopcontainingChinabyexploitingtheTaiwanquestion,returntothefundamentaloftheone-Chinaprinciple,honoritspoliticalcommitmenttoChina,andunequivocallyopposeandforestallTaiwanindependence.
GlobalTimes: TheRussia-Ukraineconflicthasbeengoingonforoverayear.SomeintheUnitedStatesandotherWesterncountriesarenowurgingChinanottoprovidelethalassistancetoRussia,andhypingupChina’s“specialresponsibility”.Whatisyourtakeonthis?
QinGang: TheUkrainecrisisisatragedythatcouldhavebeenavoided.Butithascometowhereitstandstoday.Therearepainfullessonsthatallpartiesshouldtrulyreflectupon.
TheUkrainecrisishasacomplexhistoryandreasons.Inessence,itisaneruptionoftheproblemsbuiltupinthesecuritygovernanceofEurope.Chinaalwaysmakesitsownjudgmentindependentlybasedonthemeritsoftheissue.Betweenpeaceandwar,wechoosepeace.Betweendialogueandsanctions,wechoosedialogue.Betweenloweringthetemperatureandfanningtheflames,wechoosetheformer.Chinadidnotcreatethecrisis.Itisnotapartytothecrisis,andhasnotprovidedweaponstoeithersideoftheconflict.Whyonearththeblame,sanctionsandthreatsagainstChina?Thisisabsolutelyunacceptable.
Lessthantwoweeksago,weissued China’sPositiononthePoliticalSettlementoftheUkraineCrisis.Itoffers12propositions,includingrespectingthesovereigntyofallcountries,abandoningtheColdWarmentality,ceasinghostilities,andresumingpeacetalks.Thecorestanceistopromotetalksforpeace.
Regrettablyhowever,effortsforpeacetalkshavebeenrepeatedlyundermined.Thereseemstobe“aninvisiblehand”pushingfortheprotractionandescalationoftheconflictandusingtheUkrainecrisistoservecertaingeopoliticalagenda.
TheUkrainecrisishascometoacriticaljuncture.Eitherhostilitiesstopandpeaceisrestoredandtheprocessofpoliticalsettlementbegins,ormorefuelisaddedtotheflamesandthecrisisfurtherexpandsandspiralsoutofcontrol.Conflict,sanctionsandpressurewillnotsolvetheproblem.Whatisneedediscalmness,reasonanddialogue.Theprocessofpeacetalksshouldbeginassoonaspossible,andthelegitimatesecurityconcernsofallpartiesshouldberespected.ThisistherightwaytoachievedurablesecurityinEurope.
AssociatedPressofPakistan:ThisyearmarksthetenthyearofChina’sBeltandRoadInitiative.TheUnitedStatesandtheEuropeanUnionhavealsocomeupwiththeirownglobalinfrastructureinitiatives.Doyouseethemascompetinginitiatives?SomepeoplesaytheBeltandRoadcanleadtodebttraps.Howwouldyourespondtothat?
QinGang: TheBeltandRoadInitiative(BRI)isahigh-qualitypublicgoodinitiatedbyChina,builtbythepartiesinvolved,andsharedbytheworld.TheBRIdelivershigh-standard,sustainableandlivelihood-enhancingoutcomes,andishencewidelywelcomed.Todate,overthreequartersofcountriesaroundtheworldand32internationalorganizationshavejoinedthisinitiative.
Tenyearsafteritsinception,theBRIhasevolvedfromvisionintoreality,boostingdevelopmentinpartnercountriesandbringingrealbenefitstothepeople.Adecadeofeffortshavelaiddownapathwaytowardcommondevelopment,andcreatedanarrayofnationallandmarks,livelihoodprojects,andmilestonesofcooperation.Overthepastdecade,theBRIhasgalvanizednearlyUS$1trillionofinvestment,establishedmorethan3,000cooperationprojects,created420,000localjobs,andhelpedliftalmost40millionpeopleoutofpoverty.TheChina-LaosRailwayhelpsmakeland-lockedLaosaland-linkedcountry.ThePuttalampowerplanthelpslightupnumerousSriLankanhomesatnight.TheMombasa-NairobiRailwayaddsmorethantwopercentagepointstolocaleconomicgrowth. Luban workshopshelpyoungpeopleinover20countriesacquirevocationalskills.TheChina-EuropeRailwayExpresshascompleted65,000freightservices,servingasasteelcamelfleetbetweenAsiaandEurope,andahealthtraindeliveringmedicalsuppliesduringthepandemic.ChinawillhostthethirdBeltandRoadForumforInternationalCooperationthisyear.Takingthisasanopportunity,wewillworkwithallrelevantpartiesformorefruitfuloutcomesfromBeltandRoadcooperation.
TheBRIisapracticalandopeninitiativeguidedbytheprincipleofextensiveconsultation,jointcontributionandsharedbenefits.Itscooperationisconductedthroughconsultation,anditspartnershipsarebuiltwithfriendshipandgoodfaith.Wewelcomeallinitiativesthatarenotideologically-drivenproposedbyothercountries,andwearehappytoseethemsucceediftheydon’tcarryageopoliticalagenda.
Chinashouldbethelastonetobeaccusedoftheso-calleddebttrap.Datashowthatmultilateralfinancialinstitutionsandcommercialcreditorsaccountforover80percentofthesovereigndebtofdevelopingcountries.Theyarethebiggestsourceofdebtburdenondevelopingcountries.Particularlysincelastyear,theunprecedented,rapidinteresthikesbytheUnitedStateshaveledtocapitaloutflowsinmanycountriesandworsenedthedebtproblemsinthecountriesconcerned.
Chinahasbeenmakingeffortstohelpthecountriesindistress,andisthebiggestcontributortotheG20’sDebtServiceSuspensionInitiative(DSSI).Chinawillcontinuetoparticipateconstructivelyintheresolutionofinternationaldebtissues.Meanwhile,wecallonotherpartiestoacttogetherandsharetheburdenfairly.Whenpartiessittogetherandtalkthingsthrough,therewillbemoresolutionsthanproblems.
NHK:Thisyearmarksthe45thanniversaryoftheJapan-ChinaPeaceandFriendshipTreaty.Now,thedifferenceinthepositionsofthetwocountriesinthefieldsofpolitics,economyandsecurityhasbecomeclear.HowdoesthenewChinesegovernmentplantobuildrelationswithJapaninthefuture?
QinGang: ChinaandJapanarecloseneighbors.TofosteraChina-Japanrelationshipforthenewera,itisimportanttodothefollowing:
First,honorcommitments.Ourtwocountriessignedthe TreatyofPeaceandFriendship 45yearsago,codifyingtheprinciplesanddirectionforthedevelopmentofChina-Japanrelationsforthefirsttime.ThisTreaty,togetherwiththeotherthreepoliticaldocumentsbetweenChinaandJapan,formthepoliticalfoundationofthebilateralrelations.Thesedocuments,particularlytheimportantpoliticalconsensusthatthetwocountriesshould“bepartners,notthreats”,mustbetrulyobserved.Wordsmustbematchedwithactions.
Second,learnlessonsfromhistory.TheimmensesufferingsimposedbytheJapanesemilitaristsontheChinesenationarestillpainfultoday.TheChinesepeoplewillnotforgetthis,andtheJapanesesidemustnotforget.Forgettinghistoryisabetrayal,anddenyingacrimeistorepeatacrime.ChinaalwaystreatsJapanwithgoodwillandhopesforfriendshipandgood-neighborliness.Yet,shouldsomepeoplefromtheJapanesesidechooseabeggar-thy-neighborapproachratherthanpursuingpartnership,andeventakepartinanewColdWartocontainChina,thebilateralrelationswouldonlysuffernewwoundswhentheoldonesareyettobehealed.
Third,preservetheinternationalorder.SomeleadersinJapanrecentlyhavealsobeentalkingalotabout“internationalorder”.Weneedtomakeclearwhatordertheyaretalkingabout.Today’sinternationalorderisbuiltonthevictoryoftheWorldAnti-FascistWar,whichcostthelivesandbloodof35millionChinesesoldiersandcivilians.TheChinesepeoplewillneveracceptanyformofhistoricalrevisionismthatchallengesthepost-warinternationalorderandinternationaljustice.The TreatyofPeaceandFriendship explicitlyopposedhegemonism,anditsspiritremainsrelevanttoday.
Fourth,promotewin-wincooperation.ChinaandJapanarehighlycomplementaryandneedeachother.Weshouldupholdmarketprinciplesandafreeandopenspirit,increasecooperation,jointlyensurestableandsmoothindustrialandsupplychains,andinjectimpetusandvitalityintoglobaleconomicrecovery.
OnemoreissueIwishtoraisehere.TheJapanesegovernmenthasdecidedtodischargecontaminatedwateroftheFukushimanuclearpowerplantintothesea.ThisisnotJapan’sprivatebusiness,butamajorissuevitaltothemarineenvironmentandhumanhealth.WeurgetheJapanesesidetoproperlyhandlethismatterinaresponsiblemanner.
XinhuaNewsAgency:TheUnitedStatesclaimsthatitwill“shapethestrategicenvironmentinwhichChinaoperates”.ItsIndo-PacificStrategyisanimportantleveragetoachievethis.Asaresult,manycountriesintheregionhavefeltgreatpressure.SomemediasuggestedthatastheChineseeconomyfacesgrowingdownwardpressure,regionalcountrieshavefounditdifficulttocontinueto“relyontheUnitedStatesforsecurityguarantee,andonChinaforeconomicdevelopment”.Whatisyourview?
QinGang: TheUSIndo-PacificStrategy,whilepurportedlyaimingatupholdingfreedomandopenness,maintainingsecurityandpromotingprosperityintheregion,isinfactanattempttoganguptoformexclusiveblocs,toprovokeconfrontationbyplottinganAsia-PacificversionofNATO,andtoundermineregionalintegrationthroughdecouplingandcuttingchains.
TheUSclaimto“shapethestrategicenvironmentinwhichChinaoperates”actuallyrevealstherealpurposeofitsIndo-PacificStrategy,thatis,toencircleChina.SuchanattemptwillonlydisrupttheASEAN-centered,openandinclusiveregionalcooperationarchitecture,andunderminetheoverallandlong-terminterestsofregionalcountries.Itisboundtofail.
InoticedthatleadersofanumberofregionalcountrieshaverecentlystatedthatASEANshouldnotbeaproxyforanypartyandshouldstayclearfrombigpowerrivalry.Asapacesetteringlobaldevelopment,Asiashouldbeastageforwin-wincooperationratherthanachessboardforgeopoliticalcontest.NoColdWarshouldbereignited,andnoUkraine-stylecrisisshouldberepeatedinAsia.
Asforwhotorelyonintermsofsecurityandeconomy,Ibelieveitisnecessarytostandtogetherinfaceofdifficulties,jointlypursuesecurityanddevelopment,andworktogethertobuildaclosercommunitywithasharedfutureintheneighborhood.
SomeareconcernedaboutChina’seconomicoutlook.Ithinkthat’squiteunnecessary.SomeinternationalinstitutionshaverecentlyrevisedupwardtheirforecastonChina’seconomicgrowththisyear.Ourprojectedgrowthtargetisaroundfivepercent,farhigherthanothermajoreconomies.Lastyear,China’spaid-inforeigninvestmentwasupby8percent,anditremainedatopdestinationforforeigninvestors.TheChinaDevelopmentForumandtheBoaoForumforAsiaAnnualConferencewillsoonbeheld,andsowilltheSummerDavosinTianjin.Ihavelearnedthatmanyforeignbusinessleadershaveappliedtoparticipate.Intherecentexchangeswithmycounterpartsfromregionalcountries,developmentiswhatweallhopeforthemost,andcooperationismorediscussedthananyothersubject.IbelievethatasChinaaccelerateshigh-qualitydevelopment,expandshigh-standardopening-upandfostersanewdevelopmentparadigm,itwillsurelybringnewopportunitiestoallcountriesintheworld,especiallytoregionalcountries.
ThePaper:Latelastyear,PresidentXiJinpingattendedthefirstChina-ArabStatesSummitandtheChina-GulfCooperationCouncilSummit,andpaidastatevisittoSaudiArabia.InFebruarythisyear,ChinahostedIranianPresidentEbrahimRaisi.ThisshowsChinaisgivingmoreattentiontotheMiddleEast.WhatwillbeChina’sprioritiesinitsMiddleEastpolicy?
QinGang: Therearelong-standingrelationsbetweenChinaandMiddleEasterncountries.Wearegoodfriendsandgoodpartners.
AtthefirstChina-ArabStatesSummitlatelastyear,thetwosidesagreedtobuildaChina-Arabcommunitywithasharedfutureinthenewera.Thisisastrongboosttoourfriendshipandcooperation.Lastmonth,IranianPresidentEbrahimRaisipaidasuccessfulvisittoChina.Duringthevisit,thetwosidesagreedtodeepentheChina-Irancomprehensivestrategicpartnershipandtakethebilateralrelationstonewlevels.
ChinasupportsthestrategicautonomyofMiddleEasterncountries,andopposesforeigninterferenceintheirinternalaffairs.Chinawillcontinuetostandforjusticeandsupportcountriesinthisregioninseekingpoliticalsettlementofhotspotissuesthroughdialogueandconsultation.ChinafullyrespectsMiddleEasterncountriesasthemastersoftheirownaffairs.Wehavenointentiontofillaso-called“vacuum”.Andwewillnotbuildexclusivecircles.IntheMiddleEast,Chinawillbeafacilitatorforpeaceandstability,acooperativepartnerfordevelopmentandprosperity,andanenablerforbuildingstrengththroughunity.
TheStraitsTimes: SomeseeyourappointmentasforeignministerasasignalthatChinaismovingawayfromtheso-called“wolfwarriordiplomacy”andtakingasofterapproachwithitsdiplomacy.IsChinareallypivotingawayfromwhathadbeenviewedasatoughbrandofengagement?
QinGang: Averyinterestingquestion.IrecallwhenIjustarrivedasChineseambassadortotheUnitedStates,Americanmediaexclaimed,“HerecomesaChinesewolfwarrior.”NowIambackastheforeignminister,themediahavestoppedcallingmethatway.Ikindoffeelataloss.Truthis,“wolfwarriordiplomacy”isanarrativetrap.ThosewhocoinedthetermandsetthetrapeitherknowlittleaboutChinaanditsdiplomacy,orhaveahiddenagendaindisregardoffacts.
Confuciussaidover2,000yearsago,“Oneshouldrepaykindnesswithkindness,andresentmentwithjustice.Ifresentmentisrepaidwithkindness,withwhatthenshouldonerepaykindness?”InChina’sdiplomacy,thereisnoshortageofgoodwillandkindness.Butiffacedwithjackalsorwolves,Chinesediplomatswouldhavenochoicebuttoconfrontthemhead-onandprotectourmotherland.
AFP:GivenChina’stenserelationswiththeUnitedStatesinrecentmonths,doesChinaplantostrengthenitstieswiththeEuropeanUniononpoliticalandcommerciallevels?
QinGang: ChinaandEuropearetwogreatcivilizations,twobigmarketsandtwomajorforces.Ourinteractionsareanindependentchoicemadebythetwosidesentirelybasedonourrespectivestrategicinterests.TheChina-Europerelationshipisnottargetedatanythirdparty,norisitsubjugatedtoorcontrolledbyanythirdparty.
Nomatterhowthesituationmayevolve,ChinaallalongseestheEuropeanUnionasacomprehensivestrategicpartnerandsupportsEuropeanintegration.WehopethatEurope,withthepainfulUkrainecrisisinmind,willtrulyrealizestrategicautonomyandlong-termpeaceandstability.
WewillworkwithEuropetoupholdtruemultilateralism,andkeeptomutualrespectandwin-wincooperation.WewishtoworkwithEuropetoovercomedisruptionsandchallenges,keepdeepeningtheChina-EUcomprehensivestrategicpartnership,andbringmorestability,certaintyandpositiveenergytoaworldofchangeanddisorder.
ChinaDaily: Werecentlylaunchedasurveytocollectquestionsfortheforeignminister.ManyyoungpeoplecarealotaboutChina’sinternationalimageandvoiceininternationalaffairs.Howcanwepresenttotheworldatrue,multi-dimensionalandpanoramicpictureofChina?WhatrolecanyoungpeopleplayinmakingChina’svoicebetterheard?
QinGang: I’dliketofirstthank ChinaDaily forconductingthissurvey.Ibelievethishelpstobringthegeneralpublic,especiallytheyoungpeople,closertoChina’sdiplomacy.I’dalsoliketothankouryoungfriendsforyourinterestinandsupportforChina’sdiplomaticwork.Thisisagoodquestion.I’mverypleasedtoseethatouryoungpeoplehavethisambitionandvision.AsaChineseproverbgoes,“Everyonehasaresponsibilityforthefutureoftheircountry.”GeneralSecretaryXiJinpingobservedthatyoungpeopleareourhopeandwillshapethefuture,andthattheyshoulddemonstratetheiryouthfulvigorinthebuildingofacommunitywithasharedfutureformankind.
Chinaismovingclosertothecenteroftheworldstage.Wemaketrendingtopicsandfindourselvesinspotlightmoreoften.Butwedon’thaveenoughmicrophones,andourvoiceisnotloudenough.Somearestillhoggingthemicrophones,andtherearequitemanynoisesandjarringnotesaboutChina.WhenitcomestomakingChina’svoiceheardloudandclear,youngChinesehaveanimportantroletoplay.
First,beconfident.Our5,000-yearcivilizationandourachievementsinmodernizationarethesourceofsuchconfidence.Ihopethatyoungpeoplewillfostergreaterambition,gritanddeterminationthroughpractice.Ihopeyouwilllooktheworldintheeyeandhavedialoguewiththeworldonanequalfootingtoshareyouruniqueperspectives,makeyourvoicesheard,andtelltheworldwhoyouare.
Second,beenterprising.TorealizethegreatrejuvenationoftheChinesenationandbuildacommunitywithasharedfutureformankind,youngpeopleshouldstepforwardwithcourageandtenacity.WhileWesternmodernizationisthepreludetothemodernizationofhumanity,thedevelopmentandprogressofdevelopingcountriesincludingChinaisasymphony.YoungChinesecancomposethemostexcitingandbeautifulpartofthissymphonywithyourrelentlesspursuitofdreams.
Third,beopen-minded.Youneedtocultivateaglobalvisionanddrawonothers’strengthsthroughexchangeandmutuallearning.YouneedtoseetheworldwithyourowneyesandtelltheworldaboutChinainyourownwords.Inthisprocess,youcanbegoodnarratorsofChina’sstoriesandenvoysofChineseculture.
Ihopemoreyoungfriendswilljointhediplomaticservice,andliveyouthtothefullestinthetimesofgreatopportunities.
QinGang: TomorrowwillbetheInternationalWomen’sDay.IwishtosendfestivegreetingstoallfemaleNPCdeputies,CPPCCNationalCommitteemembers,journalistsandfriends.WishyouahappyWomen’sDayandallthebest!
Thepressconferencelasted110minutes.
