China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin held a Regular Press Conference on July 3, 2023

Excerpts

AFP: It has been announced that US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will visit China from July 6 to 9. Does the Foreign Ministry have any more details on Secretary Yellen’s itinerary or specific expectations for her visit?

Wang Wenbin: The Chinese side has released information on the visit. As to your specific question, I’d refer you to the competent authorities.?

China News Service: It’s reported that Chinese candidate and incumbent FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu was reelected with strong support yesterday. What’s China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the next four years was elected at the 43rd session of the FAO Conference held on July 2 in Rome, Italy. Chinese candidate and incumbent FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu won another term with 168 votes. We congratulate Director-General Qu on his reelection.

As the second largest contributor to the FAO’s regular budget, China will continue to actively support the organization’s work. We believe that under the leadership of Director-General Qu Dongyu, the FAO will make new contributions to improving global food and agriculture governance and implementing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

CCTV: The third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo closed yesterday. It was reported that this expo produced fruitful outcomes and created many “firsts.” Can you share more with us?

Wang Wenbin: The third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo was held in Changsha, Hunan from June 29 to July 2. Vice President Han Zheng attended and addressed the opening ceremony. The expo brought together thousands of Chinese and African exhibitors to Hunan to jointly work for China-Africa “Common Development for a Shared Future.”

As the biggest platform for economic and trade cooperation under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo has been popular since its launch was announced in 2018. This year’s expo has been bigger in scale and attracted more people than previous ones. Fifty-three African countries, 12 international organizations, 30 Chinese provinces, regions and cities, and more than 1,700 Chinese and African businesses, chambers of commerce, associations and financial institutions were present at the expo, making the expo the biggest one in its history in terms of scale. Close to 1,600 products from 29 countries were registered for exhibition, up by nearly 166 percent than the last expo. A large variety of African goods can be found at the expo, including essential oil from Madagascar, gems from Zambia, coffee from Ethiopia, wood carvings from Zimbabwe, flowers from Kenya and wine from South Africa, attracting over 100,000 people.

Such a bustling scene at the expo epitomizes the thriving economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa. We are in the 10th year since President Xi Jinping put forth the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China’s relations with Africa. With the concerted efforts of the two sides, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has been larger in scale, higher in quality and more diverse in areas, becoming a model for South-South and win-win cooperation. As of today, China has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with 52 African countries as well as the AU Commission, and set up working groups in areas of trade connectivity, investment cooperation, industrial capacity cooperation and e-commerce. China-Africa cooperation has also extended from traditional areas of trade and projects building to emerging areas of digital economy, green development, aerospace and finance. In particular, Chinese companies have taken an active part in the building of digital infrastructure in Africa, giving a boost to the fast growth of e-commerce, mobile payment, media and entertainment in Africa.

The bustling scene at the expo once again shows to the world that China is sincere to our African friends, and down-to-earth and highly efficient in our cooperation with Africa. Rhetoric that smears China-Africa cooperation is just feeble and futile in face of the expo. China will continue to create new opportunities for African countries in the process of Chinese modernization and walk together with our African brothers to common prosperity.

ARD German TV: A German documentary that was aired this weekend by ARD German TV and Radio comes to the conclusion that the UN food agency, FAO, under its head Mr. Qu has deviated from its cause of reducing the reliance of farmers on pesticides in countries of the Global South but promoted pesticides industry. What is the view of the Chinese government on this?

Wang Wenbin: I have just made clear China’s position on Director-General Qu Dongyu’s re-election. If there is anything to add, his reelection with a big majority fully shows that his work over the past four years has been highly recognized by the international community, and the argument you just cited is totally unacceptable to the international community.

CRI: According to reports, Sierra Leone’s election commission released the presidential election results on June 27 local time. Julius Maada Bio, the ruling?Sierra Leone People’s Party candidate, won the election with 56.71 percent of the vote and was sworn in. What’s China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: We extend our congratulations on the smoothly and successfully held presidential election in Sierra Leone. Since the?establishment?of diplomatic relations 52 years ago, with the concerted efforts of the two sides, the friendly relations between China and Sierra Leone have grown stronger and deeper. China will continue to enhance exchange and cooperation in various sectors with Sierra Leone and achieve new progress in bilateral relations.?

Global Times: According to reports, on June 30, the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said at an event of the National Press Club that China wants “to be the regional hegemonic in Asia within the next 10 years” and “exceed global US military power by midcentury.” The People’s Liberation Army is developing its military capabilities with a plan of “unification with Taiwan by 2027.” The US should optimize such technologies as artificial intelligence and quantum computing to maintain the US military’s decisive advantage and readiness to deter war. What’s China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: Some in the US with evil intentions misrepresent facts and has constantly hyped up the “China military threat” narrative. They are in fact creating excuses for their efforts of arms expansion, maintaining military hegemony and sabotaging regional peace and stability and finding ways to stoke tensions in the Taiwan Strait and use Taiwan to contain China.

I want to point out that China has always pursued a national defense policy that is defensive in nature and stays committed to peaceful development. China’s military growth means a stronger force for world peace and is conducive to safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia Pacific and beyond. Realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of the Chinese people and we will strive for the prospects of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and efforts. Meanwhile, we will never allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from our motherland.

We urge the US to stop smearing China, stop dangerously ramping up military build-up, stop manipulating the Taiwan question, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués and safeguard regional peace and stability with concrete actions.

Bloomberg: The International Atomic Energy Agency’s director general Rafael Grossi will visit Japan starting tomorrow. He will deliver a report on the safety of discharge of tainted water from the Fukushima nuclear plant. That report may give backing for Japan to proceed with the discharge, which, as we all know, China opposes. How does the foreign ministry respond?

Wang Wenbin: China’s opposition to Japan’s efforts of pushing through the discharge plan of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean is consistent. It is neither ethical nor lawful to spill the risk of nuclear pollution to the rest of the world. China urges Japan to face up to the legitimate concern of the international community and people in Japan, stop forcibly proceeding with its ocean discharge plan, dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a science-based, safe and transparent manner and place itself under the strict monitoring of the international community. I noted that the ROK media recently have been running stories on the inappropriate influence imposed by Japanese officials on the IAEA comprehensive review report through political donations, etc, which heightened doubts and concerns of the international community on Japan’s plan of discharging the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea. The Japanese government has the responsibility of providing a credible explanation on this. If Japan refuses to change course, it will be condemned and pay for its erroneous acts.

China believes that the IAEA should come to a conclusion on the ocean discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima that is responsible and can stand up to the test of history and science and must not endorse Japan’s wrongdoings in the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water. It is for the maritime environment that we all share, the life and health of all human beings and the only planet that we call home.

Dragon TV: According to media reports, a bus carrying Chinese tourists was attacked in Marseille on June 30. Could you share the latest updates? Do you have any advice for our Chinese compatriots in France?

Wang Wenbin: Recently, our foreign ministry and the Chinese embassy in France have been closely following the personal safety of our compatriots in France, issuing timely alerts and taking measures to protect their safety and lawful rights and interests. A Chinese tour group was affected by the unrest in Marseille, France during its trip there. A bus carrying the Chinese tourists had its windows smashed, leading to minor injuries. The Chinese Consulate-General in Marseille instantly activated the consular protection emergency mechanism, helped the tourists to call the police and handle the emergency, and lodged representations with the French side. So far, the group of tourists have left France ahead of schedule and returned to China safely.

We would like to once again remind our compatriots in France to closely follow the local security situation, be cautious about going out, stay away from the areas where demonstrations, protests and violent conflicts erupt, and strengthen safety precautions. In case of accident, please immediately call the police and contact the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in France for help.?

Xinhua News Agency: According to reports, a serious road accident in Kericho county in northwestern Kenya on June 30 local time killed at least 52 and injured 32. Does China have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have heard of the tragic accident and are deeply grieved by the heavy casualties. In this moment of grief, our hearts are with the Kenyan government and people. We mourn for the lost lives, extend condolences to the bereaved families, and wish the injured a speedy recovery.

Reuters: The US Treasury Secretary and also former Secretary of State and US climate envoy John Kerry are expected to visit China soon. What’s China hoping to get out of these talks?

Wang Wenbin: China and the US are in communication on dialogue and exchange at all levels. As for the specific visits you asked about, I’d refer you to competent authorities.

Reuters: According to a Financial Times report, China sent a diplomatic note to a number of developing countries to ask them to not support a motion to introduce a levy on shipping with regard to emissions that is apparently being proposed. I was wondering can you confirm that China did indeed share such a diplomatic note with other nations and what was the content of this note??

Wang Wenbin: As a member state of the IMO and Category A member of the IMO Council, China highly values and actively supports IMO’s efforts to address climate change. China believes that in carrying out relevant work, the IMO should follow the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, take into consideration different national conditions, accommodate the legitimate concerns of developing countries, and promote the formulation of a fair and practical greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction strategy and relevant measures for the international shipping industry.

In relevant work, China has always maintained cooperation and coordination with other member states in an active and constructive manner. For example, we have worked for the adoption of the IMO’s initial strategy to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping that is based on China’s proposal, taken a lead in working out important measures and technical documents concerning emissions reductions, participated in and carried out IMO GHG studies, and played a guiding role and served as a bridge in multiple critical processes including at the meeting this time. All this has won widespread recognition by member states.??

Going forward, China will continue to actively offer its wisdom and ideas under the IMO framework, and work with all member states to contribute to the global response to climate change and the sustainable development of the international shipping industry.

Follow-up: Could you confirm did China send such a diplomatic note to other nations or not?

Wang Wenbin: I have answered this question just now and have nothing to add.

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/202307/t20230703_11107008.html