December 19, 2023*** Spokesperson Wang Wenbin.
Presided over the regular press conference.
foreign ministry spokesperson wang wenbin’s
regular press conference on december 19, 2023
Reporter from the Chinese Global Program Center of China Central Television: On the evening of December 18, Beijing time, Egypt's National Election Commission announced the results of the new election, and the incumbent Sisi was re-elected. Do you have any comment?
cctv: egypt’s national elections authority announced the result of the presidential election on the night of december 18, beijing time. incumbent egyptian president abdel fattah el-sisi was re-elected. what is china’s comment?
Wang Wenbin: China would like to extend its sincere congratulations on the successful holding of Egypt's elections and the re-election of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. It is believed that under the leadership of Sisi, Egypt's national construction will achieve greater achievements.
wang wenbin: we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations on the smooth presidential election in egypt and on the re-election of president el-sisi. we believe that under the leadership of president el-sisi, egypt will achieve greater success in its national development.
China and Egypt have a traditional friendship. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Sisi and Sisi, the development of bilateral relations has entered the fast lane, practical cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, and the friendship between the two peoples has been deepened. China has always viewed the development of China-Egypt relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and stands ready to work with Egypt to continue to work with Egypt to firmly support each other, deepen and expand cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, and push the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.
china and egypt enjoy a traditional friendship. in recent years, under the strategic guidance of president xi jinping and president el-sisi, bilateral relations h**e entered the fast lane, with fruitful practical cooperation in various areas and ever-deeper friendship between the two peoples. china views its relations with egypt from a strategic height and long-term perspective. we would like to continue working with egypt to firmly support each other, deepen and expand belt and road cooperation, and take the china-egypt comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height.
Bloomberg: Do you have any comment on the UK's request for consular visits to Jimmy Lai, who holds British citizenship?
bloomberg: can you comment on the uk government demanding consular access to jimmy lai, who is also a uk citizen?
Wang Wenbin: Yesterday we introduced our position. I would like to reiterate here that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, and those who violate the law must be prosecuted. Jimmy Lai is the main planner and participant in the anti-China and destabilizing events in Hong Kong, the "best person" and "pawn" of the anti-China forces, and the driving force behind the chaos in Hong Kong. The law enforcement agencies of the HKSAR handle cases impartially, and the judicial organs handle the cases in accordance with the law, which is reasonable, reasonable and lawful. The attempt to slander, smear, interfere with and sabotage the Hong Kong National Security Law will never succeed.
wang wenbin: we h**e stated our position yesterday, and i would like to reiterate that hong kong follows the rule of law, any law in hong kong must be observed and those who break the law must be held accountable. jimmy lai is a major mastermind and participant of the anti-china riots in hong kong. he is an agent and pawn of the anti-china forces, and the person behind the previous instability in hong kong. the hong kong law enforcement and judicial authorities h**e handled and tried the case in accordance with the law. this is fully justified, legitimate and lawful. attempts to smear, disturb and sabotage hong kong’s national security law will not succeed.
NHK: **A spokesperson said on the 14th that the Tatmadaw and all parties had reached an agreement on a temporary ceasefire at the urging of China, but relevant UN organizations reported that the fighting continued. What is the Spokesperson's response to this?
nhk: the foreign ministry spokesperson said on december 14 that with china’s facilitation, myanmar’s military and relevant parties reached agreement on a temporary ceasefire, but relevant un agencies reported that the fighting still continues. how do you respond to this?
Wang Wenbin: China has always firmly supported the peace process in northern Myanmar and has always provided support and facilitation for dialogue and engagement with relevant parties in Myanmar. Our position has been consistent. It is hoped that all relevant parties in Myanmar will step up the implementation of the agreements and consensus reached, exercise maximum restraint with each other, take the initiative to ease the situation on the ground, manage emergencies in a timely manner, and jointly promote a soft landing in northern Myanmar.
wang wenbin: china supports the peace process of northern myanmar and has provided support and facilitation for dialogue and contact between relevant parties in myanmar. our position is consistent. china hopes that relevant parties in myanmar can speed up efforts to implement what has been agreed, exercise maximum restraint, actively ease the situation on the ground, promptly manage sporadic confrontation events and together realize the soft landing of the situation in northern myanmar.
Reuters: According to a Philippine report, Marcos said that bilateral relations between the Philippines and China are now "going in the wrong direction".Will China invite the Philippines for talks?What does Marcos mean by the so-called "going in the wrong direction" in China-Philippines relations?
reuters: according to philippine media, philippine president marcos said that philippine diplomatic efforts with china is heading “in poor direction”. has the philippines invited china for a new round of talks? will china invite the philippines for talks? what does marcos mean by saying “in poor direction”?
Wang Wenbin: Some of the recent incidents between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea are entirely due to the Philippines' deliberate infringement and provocation, and the responsibility lies with the Philippines. China firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and at the same time, we believe that maritime differences are not the whole story of China-Philippines relations, and China is ready to properly manage differences with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation, and will not close the door to dialogue and engagement with the Philippines. It is hoped that the Philippine side will make the right choice, implement its commitment to properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, work with China in the same direction, and work together for the sound and steady development of bilateral relations and regional peace and stability.
wang wenbin: the recent events between china and the philippines in the south china sea are caused by deliberate infringement of china’s sovereignty and the provocations of the philippines. the responsibility lies with the philippines. we will resolutely protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. at the same time, maritime disputes do not represent the entirety of china-philippines relations. we stand ready to properly handle disputes through dialogue and consultation with the philippines and will not close our door of dialogue and contact with the philippines. we hope that the philippines will make the right choice, seriously honor its commitment of properly handling disputes through dialogue and consultation and work with china to pursue the healthy and steady growth of bilateral ties and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region.
Beijing: According to reports, Serbia's Vučić announced on November 17 local time that a coalition of parties with the ruling Kadima Party at its core has won the National Assembly elections, winning more than half of the parliamentary seats needed to form an independent government. Do you have any comment?
beijing daily: it’s reported that on december 17 local time, serbian president vucic declared the victory of the coalition around the ruling serbian progressive party in parliamentary elections, which won more than half of the seats in the national assembly, the number needed to form a government. what’s china’s comment?
Wang Wenbin: We congratulate Serbia on the smooth holding of parliamentary and local elections, and believe that under the leadership of Vučić and the new Serbian government, Serbia will continue to make new progress in national construction. China attaches great importance to the development of China-Cyprus relations and looks forward to working with Cyprus to consolidate political mutual trust between the two countries, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and push the China-Cyprus comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level.
wang wenbin: we congratulate serbia on its smooth parliamentary and local elections. we believe that under the leadership of president vucic and the new government of serbia, serbia will continue to make new progress in national development. china attaches great importance to the growth of china-serbia relations. we look forward to working with serbia to consolidate our political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation in various areas and bring china-serbia comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level.
Hubei Media Group: According to reports, US Ambassador to China Burns said at a seminar at the Brookings Institution, a US think tank, on November 15 that China hopes to expand its influence in the Middle East, but the responsibility for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains on the shoulders of the US. Do you have any comment?
hubei media group: it’s reported that us ambassador to china nicholas burns said at the brookings institution on december 15 that china has a wish to become more influential in the middle east, but the work to end the conflict is really on us’ shoulders. what’s your comment?
Wang Wenbin: Since the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has been committed to promoting a ceasefire, protecting civilians and alleviating the humanitarian crisis. The President attended the BRICS Leaders' Special Summit on Palestine and Israel, and sent a congratulatory message to the United Nations "International Day of Solidarity with Palestinians" for 11 consecutive years, and repeatedly stated his position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of the CPC National Committee, had in-depth communication with dignitaries and responsible persons of more than 20 countries and international organizations, and went to New York to preside over a high-level meeting of the Security Council on the Palestinian-Israeli issue. China's special envoy for the Middle East has visited countries in the region, attended relevant international conferences, and worked extensively in all aspects. As the rotating presidency of the Security Council in November, China pushed for the adoption of the first resolution of the Security Council since the outbreak of the conflict and the submission of China's Position Paper on the Settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, in order to promote greater momentum and action in the Security Council. China has provided several batches of emergency humanitarian cash assistance, food, medicine and other material assistance to the people of Gaza through various channels.
wang wenbin: since the palestinian-israeli conflict broke out, china has been committed to promoting a ceasefire, protecting the civilians and easing the humanitarian crisis. president xi jinping attended the brics extraordinary virtual summit on the palestinian-israeli issue, sent congratulatory messages to the un special commemorative meeting in observance of the international day of solidarity with the palestinian people for 11 consecutive years, and stated china’s position on the palestinian-israeli conflict on multiple occasions. member of the political bureau of the cpc central committee and foreign minister wang yi has had in-depth exchange of views with leaders and senior officials of more than 20 countries and international organizations and tr**eled to new york to chair the un security council high-level meeting on the palestinian-israeli question. china’s special envoy for the middle east issue visited countries across the region, attended international conferences and widely engaged relevant countries. as the president of the security council in november, china enabled the adoption of the first security council resolution since the current palestinian-israeli conflict broke out, submitted the position **of the people’s republic of china on resolving the palestinian-israeli conflict and worked to galvanize more support and action from the security council. china has provided multiple batches of aid, including humanitarian cash assistance, food and medicine, to the people in gaza.
I would like to stress that China has no selfish interests in the Middle East, does not engage in "small circles", and firmly supports the people of the Middle East countries in taking their destiny into their own hands. China has always worked with the vast number of Arab and Islamic countries to firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. In recent years, China has put forward a five-point proposal for achieving security and stability in the Middle East, a four-point proposal for a political settlement of the Syrian issue, and a three-point idea for implementing the two-state solution to the Palestinian question. China will continue to work tirelessly with the international community to that end.
i want to stress that china does not h**e selfish interests in the middle east and does not seek to form exclusive blocs in the region. china always supports the people in middle east countries in keeping the region’s future in their own hands. china stands ready to work with arab-islamic countries to firmly support the palestinian people’s just cause of restoring their lawful national rights. in recent years, china has proposed a five-point initiative on achieving security and stability in the middle east, a four-point proposal for the political settlement of the syrian issue, and a three-point vision for the implementation of the two-state solution to the palestinian question. china successfully hosted the saudi arabia-iran talks in beijing which produced major outcomes. all the efforts are aimed to encourage regional countries to seek strength through solidarity and resolve disputes and differences through dialogue and consultation. china will continue to work relentlessly to that end with the international community.
At present, the international community is calling for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities, and the General Assembly has twice adopted relevant resolutions by an overwhelming majority. We hope that the US side will listen carefully to the strong call of the international community, stop blocking the adoption of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and play its due role in promoting an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe on a larger scale.
the international community has been calling more strongly for a ceasefire. the un general assembly has adopted two resolutions with an overwhelming majority. we hope the us will listen to the voice of the international community, stop single-handedly blocking security council resolutions, and play its due role to promote an immediate ceasefire and prevent an even larger humanitarian catastrophe.
Bloomberg: The commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command said that since the meeting between President Biden and President Biden last month, China has reduced its dangerous air interceptions of US warplanes. What is the Spokesperson's response to this?
bloomberg: the us military commander in the indo-pacific has said that china has reduced the number of the so-called “dangerous fighter jet intercepts” against us aircraft since the summit meeting between president biden and president xi jinping last month. can you respond to that？
Wang Wenbin: Please contact the competent authorities of the Chinese side for details. As a matter of principle, I would like to stress that China has always firmly opposed the frequent dispatch of US warships and aircraft to the waters and airspace around China for close reconnaissance. We urge the US to correct its dangerous practices that threaten to undermine China's security and raise the risk of regional conflict.
wang wenbin: i refer you to competent chinese authorities for the specifics. let me say more broadly that china is firmly opposed to the frequent close-in reconnaissance conducted by us warships and aircraft around china’s airspace and waters. we urge the us to stop those dangerous activities which threaten and undermine china’s security and heighten the risk of regional conflict.
CCTV: According to reports, on December 14, the European Parliament adopted a resolution criticizing China's forced assimilation of children through boarding schools and calling on the EU and member states to take action. Do you have any comment?
cctv: it’s reported that on december 14, the european parliament adopted a resolution criticizing the chinese government’s forced assimilation of tibetan children through boarding schools in xizang, and called on the european union and its member states to take actions. what’s china’s comment?
Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the relevant resolutions of the European Parliament that spread disinformation, smear China's image and interfere in China's internal affairs. We urge the European Parliament to stop spreading disinformation, stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, and stop undermining mutual trust and cooperation between China and the EU.
wang wenbin: we h**e noted relevant reports. what’s said in the relevant resolution of the european parliament is disinformation. it smears china’s image and interferes in china’s internal affairs. we deplore and strongly oppose this. we urge the european parliament to stop spreading disinformation, stop using xizang-related issues to interfere in china’s internal affairs and stop all words and deeds that might undermine the mutual trust and cooperation between china and europe.
At present, the economy is booming, social harmony and stability are being maintained, cultural traditions are protected and promoted, and the rights and freedoms of people of all ethnic groups, including freedom of religious belief and freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, are fully guaranteed. **Due to the extremely scattered population in the region, children travel long distances to and from school, and it is very inconvenient for children to go to school, so it is difficult to ensure the number of teachers and the quality of teaching in decentralized schools. In order to ensure that all children enjoy the right to education equally, the local ** has set up boarding schools according to actual needs, and whether to board or not depends entirely on the wishes and needs of students and parents. Boarding students can choose to go home every weekend and holiday, as well as winter and summer vacations, and parents can visit their children at any time or pick them up at any time as needed. The schools concerned have generally offered traditional cultural courses such as Tibetan language and folk dances, provided traditional plateau food, and students can also wear ethnic costumes during their school years. The European Parliament's attack on boarding schools is precisely a desecration and violation of children's right to education, as well as interference and destruction of human rights.
xizang now enjoys a booming economy, harmonious and stable society, and effective protection and promotion of cultural heritage. the rights and freedoms of all ethnic groups, including the freedom of religious belief and the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, are fully protected. the human rights conditions in xizang are better than ever, as witnessed by the international community. in the case of xizang, due to highly scattered population, children h**e to tr**el long distances to get to school, which is very inconvenient. if schools were to be built in every place the students live, it would be very difficult to ensure adequate teachers and quality of teaching in each school. that is why local governments set up boarding schools according to actual needs to ensure all children’s equal right to education. it is entirely up to the students and their parents whether to go to boarding schools or not. students can choose to go home on every weekend, holiday and festival, as well as during the winter and summer breaks. parents can visit their children at school any time and take their children home whenever needed. besides, relevant schools open courses of traditional culture, such as tibetan language and literature and folk dance, provided traditional food unique to the xizang plateau, and students are allowed to wear traditional dresses at school. the european parliament’s attacks and smears against these boarding schools in xizang are actually a kind of violation of the children’s right to education, which is damaging to the human rights conditions in xizang.
In recent years, European countries have violated the rights of refugee migrants, xenophobia and racism have risen, they have despised economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development, and there have been selectivity and double standards on issues such as freedom of the press and forced labor. If the European Parliament really cares about human rights, it should first solve Europe's own problems and pay attention to the real human rights violations in Gaza and other places, instead of engaging in double standards, selective neglect, and instrumentalizing and politicizing human rights issues.
in recent years, in european countries, we h**e seen growing violation of the rights of refugees and migrants, growing xenophobia and racism, inadequate attention to economic, social and cultural rights as well as the right to development, and selective application and double standards when it comes to freedom of the press and forced labor. if the european parliament truly cares about human rights, it should address europe’s own issues first and pay attention to human rights violations in places like gaza, rather than apply double standard and selective negligence, and instrumentalize and weaponize the human rights issue.