The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin held a Regular Presser on Aug 25, 2023.
Some excerpts
The New York Times: Commerce Secretary Raimondo will be coming here on Sunday. She will be the fourth senior American official to come here in the last several months. We haven’t seen any Chinese senior officials going to the US. Is there a plan for China to reciprocate by sending a senior Chinese official to the US in the next couple of months?
Wang Wenbin: China and the US are in touch about bilateral engagement and exchange. I have nothing to share.
CCTV: The China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue was held yesterday in Johannesburg, South Africa. What’s the considerations of holding this meeting? What has been achieved through the dialogue?
Wang Wenbin: Strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries will always be an important cornerstone of China’s foreign policies. President Xi Jinping and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday co-chaired the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue in Johannesburg. African leaders attending the meeting include Comorian President Azali Assoumani who is currently the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Senegalese President Macky Sall who is also the African Co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), presidents of Zambia, Burundi, Djibouti, the Republic of the Congo and Namibia, and leaders of Chad, Libya and Nigeria representing sub-regional organizations, and the representative of the AU Commission. The dialogue is the first in-person engagement between leaders of China and African countries since the pandemic and of unique importance to deepening China-Africa relations and building the China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech entitled “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Create a Great Future for China and Africa”. President Xi Jinping pointed out that in 2013, he was there in Africa for his first foreign visit after becoming Chinese President and announced the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China’s Africa policy. Over the past 10 years, China has stayed committed to this principle. Together with the African friends, China has taken China-Africa relations to a new height and entered the new stage of jointly building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. China and Africa must work together to create a sound environment to promote a just and equitable international order, safeguard a peaceful and secure global environment, build an open and inclusive world economy, overcome estrangement between civilizations through exchanges and realize countries’ respective development visions.
President Xi Jinping emphasized that on the path to modernization, China has all along been a firm supporter, and walking side by side with Africa. Looking ahead, China will work with Africa to enhance the synergy of their development strategies and continue to support Africa in continuously elevating its international standing. President Xi Jinping made the three proposals on enhancing China-Africa practical cooperation in the next stage and assisting in Africa’s integration and modernization. First, China will launch the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Industrialization. China will better harness its resources for cooperation with Africa and the initiative of businesses to support Africa in growing its manufacturing sector and realizing industrialization and economic diversification. Second, China will launch the Plan for China Supporting Africa’s Agricultural Modernization. China will help Africa expand grain plantation, encourage Chinese companies to increase agricultural investment in Africa, and enhance cooperation with Africa on seed and other areas of agro-technology, to support Africa in transforming and upgrading its agricultural sector. Third, China will launch the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. China plans to train 500 principals and high-caliber teachers of vocational colleges every year, and train 10,000 technical personnel with both Chinese language and vocational skills for Africa through training programs. China will invite 20,000 government officials and technicians of African countries to participate in workshops and seminars.
President Xi Jinping highlighted that next year, China and Africa will host the FOCAC meeting in China, where the two sides may come together again and draw up new plans for development.
The African leaders thanked China for supporting African integration and assisting African countries in times of need and pointed out that China is Africa’s indispensable cooperation partner in its quest for modernization. The African side highly commended and welcomed the three proposals put forth by President Xi Jinping, expressed full support for the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping, and expressed readiness to work with China to continue advancing FOCAC’s institutional development. The African side is firmly committed to the one-China policy. Africa and China will firmly support each other in upholding their sovereignty, security and development interests, strengthen collaboration in international affairs and on multilateral occasions, raise the representation and voice of developing countries, and uphold the common interests of the developing world.
The meeting adopted and issued the Joint Statement of the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue. The Chinese side released the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa’s Agricultural Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development.
The China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue drew a new blueprint for China-Africa solidarity and cooperation and injected new impetus for the growth of the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership. We are confident that China and Africa will carry forward our traditional friendship, enhance solidarity and coordination, join hands to advance modernization, create a better future for the Chinese and African people, set a fine example for building a community with a shared future for mankind and inject more positive energy for world peace and development.
Reuters: The Wall Street Journal reported today that state-owned company China National Nuclear Corporation has bid to build a nuclear power plant in Saudi Arabia. Can the foreign ministry confirm this or provide any comment?
Wang Wenbin: China and Saudi Arabia are comprehensive strategic partners. Our mutually beneficial and friendly win-win cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. China will continue to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation with Saudi Arabia in various fields, including civil nuclear energy, while strictly abiding by international non-proliferation obligations. As for the specific project you mentioned, I would refer you to the competent authorities.
TV?Asahi: The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) just released the test result of the water in the ocean after the discharge of the ALPS-treated water, saying that the concentration of tritium is below its limit of detection. What’s your view on this test result?
Wang Wenbin: We have said repeatedly that the Japanese government is acting against strong international opposition and against the rights of people in Japan and elsewhere to health, development and a healthy environment by forcibly starting the ocean discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water and putting the world at the risk of nuclear contamination. This is extremely selfish and irresponsible. Japan has yet to prove the legitimacy and legality of its ocean discharge decision, the long-term reliability of the purification facility, and the authenticity and accuracy of the nuclear-contaminated water data. It has yet to deliver on its commitment to the IAEA and the international community, and establish an international long-term monitoring and on-site supervision arrangement led by the IAEA and with full participation of state stakeholders. We urge Japan to change course, immediately correct its wrongdoing and dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a truly responsible way.
CCTV: On August 24, President Xi Jinping attended the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue and delivered important remarks. Could you share more information on this?
Wang Wenbin: On August 24 local time, President Xi Jinping attended the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in Johannesburg. The event was chaired by South African President Ramaphosa, and attended by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Putin, more than 60 leaders and representatives of African countries and other emerging markets and developing countries, and heads of international and regional organizations such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President Dilma Rousseff of the New Development Bank. President Xi delivered an important speech entitled “Hand in Hand Toward a Community of Shared Development”.
President Xi noted that development embodies our people’s aspiration for a better life. It is the top priority for developing countries and a timeless theme for humanity. The international community must pursue the larger interests of all countries, respond to people’s concerns, and restore development to the center of the international agenda. The representation and voice of developing countries in global governance should be increased, and developing countries be supported in realizing better development. It is also important to uphold true multilateralism, forge a global development partnership, and create a secure and stable international environment for shared development.?
President Xi pointed out that China proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), precisely for the purpose of calling on the world to stay focused on development and lending impetus to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We have put development first and allocated more resources. China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and will soon set up a special fund dedicated to the implementation of the GDI. We have taken results-oriented actions and deepened practical cooperation. Over 200 cooperation projects have come to fruition, and cooperation mechanisms are growing in areas such as poverty reduction, education and health.?We have unleashed the power of innovation and built up momentum for development. We have prioritized green development, new-type industrialization, the digital economy and some other key areas, and pursued a Partnership on New Industrial Revolution to boost high-quality development.?We have tided over difficulties together and made development more resilient. We have launched a China-FAO South-South Cooperation Trust Fund and provided food assistance to and shared agrotech with many countries. We have also initiated a Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership with a view to achieving energy security.
President Xi stressed that China is a friend that Africa can count on. Going forward, China will carry out more cooperation with African countries to support Africa in enhancing its own capacity for development. Specific measures will be taken, such as providing satellite mapping data products, implementing a Smart Customs cooperation partnership, and launching with UNESCO a “GDI for Africa’s Future” action plan, to support sustainable development in Africa.
Back in 2017, President Xi Jinping put forward the concept of BRICS Plus at the BRICS summit in Xiamen. Over the past six years, the vision of BRICS Plus championed by China has become a reality and continued to gain traction, for it meets the aspiration of people across the world for peace, development and cooperation. More and more countries are knocking on the door of BRICS, aspiring to join our cooperation. This is a testament to the vitality and influence of the BRICS cooperation mechanism and to the fact that the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation as well as its commitment to multilateralism accords with the trend of the times.
As President Xi stressed in the speech, China has invariably stood in solidarity with fellow developing countries through thick and thin. China has been and will always remain a member of developing countries. We will bring out the best in BRICS cooperation and ensure a promising future for BRICS countries. China will continue to work with all parties to build a community of shared development, and make sure that in the process of global modernization, no country is left behind.
NHK: As the treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station begins to be released into the sea, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said to the press yesterday that Japan will work actively for science-based discussion between Japanese and Chinese experts. Will China consider this proposal? Will China conduct science-based testing on the treated water?
Wang Wenbin: Let me say again that it is extremely selfish and irresponsible of Japan to go ahead with the ocean discharge, which puts the world at the risk of nuclear contamination. Japan needs to stop this wrongdoing at once and not let the water of Fukushima become the disgrace of Japan.?
I also need to stress that China and other stakeholders have the right and the responsibility to take legitimate, reasonable and necessary preventative measures to protect marine environment, food safety and people’s health in response to Japan’s extremely selfish and irresponsible action. Competent departments in China will continue to enhance monitoring, and timely follow and assess the possible radioactive impact off China’s shores resulted from the ocean discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water.
China Daily: According to foreign analysts, rather than a sizeable “bazooka”, China’s authorities seem determined to carry out a more targeted response that pinpoints particular areas of the economy for support. A Standard Chartered executive said that the trajectory of China’s markets continuing to open is clear even as challenges mount. What’s your comment?
Wang Wenbin: Since the year began, global economic recovery has been sluggish, the spillover effects of contractionary policies adopted by major developed economies have become more evident, and various factors have caused more instability and uncertainty in the international market. We have withstood that pressure, steadily recovered and improved the scale and quality of the economy. Economic performance has picked up on the whole, making China one of the fastest growing major economies. New industries and new business forms and models have generated new drivers of growth. Economic vitality continues to be unleashed. According to recent IMF projections, China’s economy will expand 5.2 percent this year and is expected to contribute a third of global growth. China remains a key engine to the global economy.
China is committed to high-level opening up and providing a world-class, market-oriented business environment governed by a sound legal framework. In the first half of this year, China’s total goods imports and exports reached a record high of RMB 20.1 trillion, of which trade in goods with countries along the Belt and Road jumped 9.8 percent year on year. Foreign-invested companies increased by 24,000, or 35.7 percent. High-tech sectors attracted 7.9 percent more investment, accounting for 39.4 percent of total new foreign investment. Recently the State Council of China issued the guidelines regarding further optimizing the foreign investment environment and intensifying efforts to attract foreign investments, announcing 24 measures in six areas. This is another proactive and solid step China has taken to advance high-level opening-up and develop an open economy of a higher standard.
China enjoys several distinct advantages: a socialist market economy in systemic terms, a supersize market in terms of demand, a full-fledged industrial system in terms of supply, and abundant, high-caliber labor force and entrepreneurs in terms of human resources. The Chinese economy has strong resilience, tremendous potential and great vitality. The fundamentals sustaining China’s long-term growth will remain unchanged. China’s economy will remain a source of important support for global growth and more opportunities for the development of all countries.
Shenzhen TV: The ninth Kubuqi International Desert Forum will open on August 26. Can you share with us China’s achievements in desertification prevention and control?
Wang Wenbin: China has achieved notable success in desertification prevention and control. We are the first country in the world to achieve zero net land degradation and reduce both desertification and sandification, making important contribution to meeting the global goal of zero net land degradation by 2030. China’s forest coverage ratio and forest stock volume have both increased for over 30 consecutive years. It is No.1 in the world in terms of forest resource growth and afforestation area and has contributed one fourth of the world’s newly added green area.
Ecological conservation is a global task. China is ready to share its experience, explore ways of green and low-carbon development, and jointly build a clean and beautiful world with the rest of the world.
AFP: Chinese President Xi Jinping met Indian Prime Minister Modi. They reportedly agreed to intensify efforts to deescalate tensions at the disputed border. Do you have more information to share with us?
Wang Wenbin:……. The two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on current China-India relations and other questions of shared interest. President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the world and the region. The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the boundary question so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
I would like to reiterate that China’s position on the China-India boundary question is consistent and clear. The boundary question is a historical issue and does not represent the entirety of China-India relations. We should place it appropriately in our bilateral relations and seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement through peaceful and friendly consultations. Before the boundary question is settled, the two sides need to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas. We hope to work with India to act on the important common understandings between the two leaders, increase strategic mutual trust, focus on our consensus and cooperation, remove disturbances and obstacles and advance the bilateral relations along a sound and stable track.

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