Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 26, 2021 |
2021-02-26 21:14 |
CRI: Chinese ambassador to Germany Wu Ken said in an interview with WirtschaftsWoche that China has invited representatives of the EU and its member states to visit Xinjiang, but is still waiting for their reply. Can you confirm this invitation extended by China? Why hasn't the visit been made yet? Wang Wenbin: China welcomes people from all over the world to visit Xinjiang. Over the past years, more than 1,200 diplomats, journalists and religious personnel from over 100 countries visited Xinjiang and saw the region with their eyes, knowing that what they witnessed was entirely different from some Western media reports. China welcomes the EU officials and EU member states' diplomats stationed in China to visit Xinjiang, and has extended multiple invitations and made meticulous arrangements to satisfy their request to the best extent, showing the maximum sincerity and flexibility. Regrettably, however, the EU side has been postponing the visit, raising unreasonable demands and even asking to see criminals sentenced for engagement in separatist activities. It made us feel that the EU side doesn't have the interest in visiting Xinjiang if China doesn't take orders from it. This is apparently a provocation that neglects Chinese laws and interferes in China's judicial sovereignty. Xinjiang's door is wide open to the world, and China's invitation and sincerity remain unchanged. However, the visiting delegation shouldn't be an "investigation task force" with the presumption of guilt. NOS: Yesterday the Dutch House of Representatives passed a motion calling China's actions in Xinjiang "genocide". It was the first European parliament to do so. What's your response to that? Is there indeed a genocide going on in Xinjiang? Also, as you were referring in your first answer to the EU, would you be willing to give meaningful access to Xinjiang to truly independent observers? Does this motion have any consequences for the relationship between China and the Netherlands? Wang Wenbin: Some facts first. Since 1978 to 2018, the Uyghur population in Xinjiang grew from 5.55 million to 12.71 million. That means the Uyghur population in Xinjiang more than doubled over the past four decades or so. Between 2010 and 2018 alone, the Uyghur population in Xinjiang increased by 25 percent. This figure is higher than the total population growth rate in Xinjiang and 10-plus times higher than that of the Han population during the same period. I would like to ask lawmakers in the Dutch parliament who supported the so-called "motion": with the above-mentioned numbers in mind, how do they justify the passing of the so-called "motion"? This motion of the Dutch House of Representatives disregards facts and legal common sense. It represents an intentional effort to smear China and a blatant interference into China's internal affairs. China strongly condemns and firmly rejects that. In essence, Xinjiang-related issues are about countering violent terrorism, radicalization and separatism. They concern China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security. A few years ago, Xinjiang witnessed thousands of violent terrorist cases, bringing sufferings to hundreds and thousands of innocent people. In this context, the Chinese government firmly cracked down on terrorism and took preventative counter-terrorism measures to achieve de-radicalization through education. The Xinjiang region of China has been earnestly implementing the UN Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, which is consistent with the principles and spirit of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Thanks to the efforts of the local people of all ethnic groups, there has been no violent terrorist case for more than four years in a row in Xinjiang. The region now enjoys social stability and a sound development momentum, and the local people are living a safe and happy life. Facts have proved that there has never been any "genocide" in Xinjiang. This is a lie of the century deliberately concocted by extreme anti-China forces, and a ridiculous farce to smear and defame China. I would like to reiterate that Xinjiang-related issues are purely China's domestic affairs. We are firm in upholding national sovereignty, security and development interests. We hope the relevant personnel in the Netherlands can hold an objective and just position, respect China's core interests and major concerns, stop their erroneous practices immediately and uphold the big picture of bilateral ties with concrete actions. On your second question, I already stated our position earlier. We are ready to provide and we have indeed been providing convenience to those who want to come and see Xinjiang as what it is with an unbiased mind. Xinjiang's door is always open. For diplomats of the EU and its member states who are stationed in China and wish to visit Xinjiang, our invitation stands, and so does our sincerity. But the visits are not supposed to be investigation based on presumption of guilt. NOS: Can I assume then that there will be no consequences for the relationship between China and the Netherlands as of now? Wang Wenbin: I'd like to reiterate that Xinjiang affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and China is determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. We hope the Netherlands can view Xinjiang-related matters in an objective manner and uphold the big picture of bilateral relations through concrete actions. Beijing Youth Daily: The spokesperson of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) confirmed yesterday that Mr. Xie Zhenhua now serves as China's special envoy on climate change. Has the special envoy had any contact with U.S. special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry? Wang Wenbin: The appointment of Xie Zhenhua as China's special envoy for climate change demonstrates the high importance China has attached to coping with climate change. Mr. Xie has got in contact with his U.S. counterpart Kerry and the two sides have started dialogue and consultation. China stands ready to work with the United States and the international community to strengthen cooperation on addressing the challenge of climate change, jointly advance the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and boost global green and low-carbon development. PTI: Yesterday in the telephone talks between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, both sides mentioned the establishment of hotlines. Can you provide any details? Is this going to be between the two foreign ministries or between the ministers or periodic contacts? When is it going to be established? Wang Wenbin: As you mentioned, Chinese and Indian foreign ministers had a phone conversation yesterday and we published a press release on that. The specifics you asked about will be discussed by both sides. Prasar Bharati: Regarding the talks between Chinese and Indian foreign ministers, they talked about the implementation of the Moscow agreement and the disengagement from all the friction points. So I was just curious whether you have any update on the disengagement in the other areas after the completion of the first phase, and when it is going to begin? Wang Wenbin: Chinese and Indian front-line troops have completed disengagement in the Pangong Lake area, and the situation on the ground gets much better. Both sides should cherish the hard-won result, consolidate current progress, keep the momentum of talks, further ease tensions, improve the border management and control mechanism, advance boundary negotiations and enhance mutual trust, so as to realize peace and tranquility in the border areas. China Review News: U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted an unbinding resolution condemning actions by the Chinese central government and local authorities in Hong Kong that they said violated rights and freedoms in the city, including the promulgation and implementation of the national security law for HKSAR. The resolution encourages the Biden administration to work with other countries to hold the Chinese government accountable. Do you have any comment? Wang Wenbin: China's position on Hong Kong-related matters is consistent and clear. Since the national security law entered into force, Hong Kong has been experiencing a major turnaround from chaos to order. People in Hong Kong are no longer under the threat of turbulence and violence, and |