On January 27, Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia Wan Li was invited to be a guest on the "Hello Tunisia" interview program on Tunisian National Television, talking about the 60 years of friendly relations and cooperation between China and Tunisia. The transcript is as follows:
Moderator: Greetings to Mr. Wan Li, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Tunisia. Welcome to today's "Hello Tunisia" program, hello!
Ambassador Wan: Hello!
Moderator: This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tunisia and China.
Ambassador Wan: China and Tunisia are good friends and partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 60 years ago, the relations between the two countries have been developing very well, and the most fundamental reason is that the two sides respect each other, treat each other as equals, adhere to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, and understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. Just two weeks ago, Wang Yi, member of the Politburo and head of the Communist Party of China, made a very successful visit to Tunisia. The Turkistan side reiterated its adherence to the one-China principle and its support for China's great cause of reunification. China also expressed its continued firm support for Tunisia in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions. China and Turisia also have identical or similar positions on many major international issues. For example, in the recent conflict in Gaza, we all advocate a ceasefire as soon as possible to stop violence and provide the people of Gaza with the greatest possible humanitarian assistance. Cooperation between the two sides has also been fruitful in many areas, especially in the field of health. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of China's dispatch of foreign medical teams to Tunisia, and now a total of 28 batches of Chinese medical teams have been working in Tunisia. During the pandemic, the Sfax General Hospital, which China helped build, also played an important role in responding to the pandemic. A batch of medical supplies donated by China to Sfax General Hospital has arrived in Tunisia, and the two sides have also actively discussed the expansion project of Sfax General Hospital and reached an agreement in principle. The two sides also agreed to build an oncology center in Gabès.
During the first China-Arab States Summit held in Riyadh in December 2022, China and Tunisia Saied held a successful meeting, which pointed out the strategic direction for the future development of bilateral relations. The two sides will further strengthen cooperation in the fields of infrastructure construction, public health, new energy, and high and new technology. In terms of infrastructure, a Chinese company recently won the bid for the Grand Bridge project, and we will ask the Chinese company to complete the project with high quality, improve the local traffic situation, and contribute to the local economic and social development. Tunisia has a good geographical advantage and a large number of high-quality talents, and China is willing to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest directly in Tunisia.
Moderator: Mr. Ambassador just talked about the fruitful results of cooperation between the two countries in various fields since the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, including in the field of journalism. Last year, I had the privilege of participating in the Arab-Chinese Radio and Television Cooperation Forum and had a wonderful and unforgettable visit to China, where we visited the headquarters of China's leading radio and television station and other beautiful places. Within the framework of Silk Road cooperation, Arab countries and China have become more closely cooperating in the field, Mr. Ambassador, can you tell us more about this?
Ambassador Wan: The cooperation between China and Tunisia has been very good. Before the pandemic, China invited Tunisians, including radio and television stations, as well as newspapers and magazines, to visit China every year. Due to the pandemic, this exchange was interrupted for a while, but now it is gradually returning to normal. Director Dali of your station recently went to China to attend the Sixth Sino-Arab Radio and Television Cooperation Forum. This year, we will also invite more Tunisian staff to visit and participate in the training in China.
There is also a good collaboration between the two sides in terms of TV shows** and production. Last year, our embassy cooperated with Tunisian national television to hold a week of Chinese film and television programs. As far as I know, Tunisian state television is currently in talks with a Chinese company to produce an animation program. The Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and on this occasion, China has recommended a TV series "Mountains and Seas" to Tunisian national television, which I believe will be loved by Tunisian audiences. It tells the story of people in an arid and rainless area who moved to another area with relatively good conditions, and built a new town with their own hands on a vacant land, relying on their own hands, self-reliance, and hard work, interpreting the spirit of relying on their own efforts to overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes, and it is also the epitome of China's great practice of lifting more than 800 million people out of poverty over the past 40 years of reform and opening up. This is based on real events, and I watched the TV series seriously myself. I am sure it will resonate emotionally with the Tunisian audience.
This year is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese lunar calendar. The image of the dragon symbolizes prosperity and prosperity in traditional Chinese culture, and is a symbol of auspiciousness. I would like to take this opportunity to send my best wishes to the two countries and the two peoples, and wish them prosperity and happiness and well-being in the Year of the Dragon.
Moderator: Thank you for your blessings. I would also like to give the floor to Mr. Ambassador to the International School of Diplomacy in Tunisia. Not long ago, Saeed** attended the opening ceremony of the college and unveiled the college. Mr. Ambassador, could you please tell us about the values, characteristics and purpose of the College?
Ambassador Wan: The establishment of the International Diplomatic Academy has been a long-standing wish of Tunisia, with the aim of not only cultivating outstanding diplomatic talents for Tunisia, but also using it as a platform to cultivate outstanding diplomatic talents for other countries, especially Arab and African countries. At the same time, the Turkistan side is also willing to invite experts, scholars and senior diplomats from other countries to this platform to conduct training and discuss relevant international issues, so this is an open platform. I am confident that the International School of Diplomacy can become a new symbol of cooperation between the two countries and play an important role in Tunisia's diplomatic career.
Moderator: Congratulations on the inauguration of the International Diplomatic University, which will be the best testimony to Turkistan-Chinese relations and build a new bridge for exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. As I mentioned earlier, after going to China, I personally felt that China is a great and beautiful country that has shaken off poverty and backwardness and achieved rapid economic development through its own efforts. Through medium- and long-term planning to promote development and construction, it has achieved success and leading position in many fields. China is also a major country that plays an important role in international affairs, such as supporting our Palestinian brothers and actively promoting a ceasefire and ending hostilities. Thank you, Mr. Ambassador, and take this opportunity to extend your best wishes for the Chinese New Year.
Ambassador Wan: Finally, I would like to add one more point. China and Tunisia are both important members of the "Global South", and we share a common mission and pursuit in developing the economy and improving people's livelihood. Today's world is facing great changes unseen in a century, and what kind of world to build and how to build this world are the issues we are all facing. The answer given by China is to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world with the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative as strategic guidance. China is ready to work with developing countries, including Tunisia, to promote an equitable and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization for the benefit of our people.
Moderator: Thank you again for being a guest on "Hello Tunisia", thank you.