The Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered questions on the cancellation of tariffs between China and the United States.
On November 8, 2019, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang held a regular press conference
At the invitation of France, Wang Qishan, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China will go to France to attend the second Paris Peace Forum from November 11th to 13th.
France is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a core power of the European Union. In recent years, Sino-French relations have developed in a sustained, healthy and stable manner, with close high-level exchanges between the two countries, increasing political mutual trust and continuous achievements in pragmatic cooperation in various fields. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The Chairman of the Supreme Leader and President Macron successfully exchanged visits during the year and reached a series of new strategic consensus. Vice President Wang Qishan attended the second Paris Peace Forum on behalf of China shortly after President Macron’s visit to China, which reflected the high quality and level of current Sino-French relations. China is willing to work with France to continue to strengthen strategic communication, deepen pragmatic cooperation, thoroughly implement the consensus of the two heads of state, and push China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.
Q: About the South China Sea in China. This week, a senior Vietnamese official said that he hoped to resolve the South China Sea dispute with China through legal channels. Has Vietnam discussed this matter with China? If so, how did China respond?
A:The core of the South China Sea issue is the territorial issue arising from Vietnamese and other countries’ occupation of relevant islands and reefs in Nansha Islands of China. It is hoped that Vietnam will face up to historical facts, abide by the high-level consensus between the two countries, persist in resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, and avoid taking actions that may complicate relevant issues and interfere with peace and stability in the South China Sea and the overall situation of bilateral relations.
Q: On the 7th, during her visit to Germany, US Secretary of State Pompeo said that considering the challenges brought by the Communist Party of China (CPC), the construction of telecommunication network in Germany has become very complicated. Earlier, Pompeo said in an interview with the media that we should ensure that all countries in the world understand the risks related to the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the consequences of our long-term tolerance. What’s your comment on this?
A:Pompeo’s attacks discredit China’s political system, exaggerate the so-called China threat, and are full of ideological prejudice and cold war zero-sum game thinking. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition.
Pompeo separated the people of China from the Communist Party of China (CPC) in an attempt to sow discord between the people of China and the Communist Party of China (CPC). I can tell him clearly that the Communist Party of China (CPC), the ruling party in China, has always represented and firmly safeguarded the interests of the people of China in the struggle for nearly a hundred years, and has won the deep trust and heartfelt support of the people of China. The words and deeds of trying to separate the people of China and the Communist Party of China (CPC) are a provocation to all the people of China and are doomed to fail.
It must be pointed out that Pompeo’s remarks are very dangerous, which is seriously inconsistent with his status as US Secretary of State, and fully exposes his sinister intention of trying to gain personal political capital through anti-China.
We advise him to stop nagging at China for no reason, lest he shoot himself in the foot.
Q: First, the United States has not made a public response to the statement made by China’s Ministry of Commerce yesterday on the cancellation of tariffs between China and the United States. Have the two sides really reached an agreement on this? It seems that the United States still hesitates on this issue. Some American officials accused China of trying to renegotiate the first-stage agreement for its own benefit, while the United States had only agreed to cancel those tariffs that had not yet been imposed. Second, what is China’s concern about the time and place of signing the agreement on the first stage of economic and trade consultation? U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo hinted that the U.S. side will hold an informal APEC leaders’ meeting in January next year, when an agreement will be signed with China. Even so, the signing of the agreement between the two countries during the APEC meeting in Chile was postponed. What’s your comment on this?
A:Regarding your questions, especially the cancellation of tariffs between China and the United States, at the press conference of the Ministry of Commerce yesterday, the spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce gave a comprehensive and full response. I have nothing to add here.
Q: As usual, during the BRICS leaders’ meeting, all parties will hold BRICS+related activities. However, there seems to be no relevant arrangement during the upcoming BRICS leaders’ meeting in Brazil this year. Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs know the specific reasons? Does this mean that the BRICS countries have lost an opportunity to enhance relations with Latin America?
A:Since its inception, the BRICS mechanism has been closely linked with the fate of emerging markets and developing countries. Strengthening cooperation with other developing countries is the responsibility of BRICS countries as emerging powers, and it is also a fine tradition that we have always adhered to. In 2017, China initiated the "BRIC+"model and held the "Dialogue between Emerging Market Countries and Developing Countries" during the meeting of BRICS leaders in Xiamen. For the first time, it invited guest countries from all over the world to attend the meeting, which was highly praised by all parties. Last year, South Africa continued this practice and continued to hold the BRICS+Leaders’ Dialogue during the Johannesburg meeting, which achieved positive results. This year, we continued the "BRIC+"model in many activities and invited some representatives from emerging markets and developing countries to participate, further expanding the "circle of friends" of BRICS countries and promoting the common development of all countries.
China respects the decision of the BRICS Chairman not to hold the BRICS+Leaders’ Dialogue during the meeting in Brasilia this year.
Q: Ask a question about APEC. It is reported that the United States is considering holding an APEC meeting in January next year after Chile canceled the APEC meeting. What is China’s attitude towards this?
A:Regarding what you asked, we have been keeping in touch with all parties concerned to understand the situation. As a matter of principle, we believe that when it comes to APEC matters, we should respect the opinions of the host and follow the principle of consensus.
Q: Today, Japanese local councillor Sakuragi was sentenced to life imprisonment by the China court. What is China’s comment on this?
A:Today, the Intermediate People’s Court of Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province issued a public verdict on the drug smuggling case according to law, among which a Japanese citizen Sakuragi pondered. On October 31, 2013, when he was preparing to take a flight back to Japan via Shanghai at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, the security personnel seized methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, in the interlayer of the suitcase tie rod and the women’s muffin sandals in the box, with 3289 grams. According to the laws of China, the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Sakuragi to life imprisonment and confiscated all personal property. The court has released news on this.
I should add that China has informed the Japanese Consulate General in Guangzhou about this case.
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Not long ago, we solemnly celebrated the 70th birthday of People’s Republic of China (PRC). Today, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People’s Republic of China (PRC). Seventy years ago today, on November 8, 1949, the inaugural meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was held in Beijing. Premier Zhou Enlai, who was also Foreign Minister at that time, attended the meeting and made an important speech.
Looking back on the past 70 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China’s diplomacy has gone through a magnificent course, written magnificent chapters, achieved fruitful results that have attracted worldwide attention, and won support and respect at home and abroad.
Over the past 70 years, China’s diplomacy has firmly defended national sovereignty, security and development interests, actively served the process of reform and opening up, fully practiced the concept of "diplomacy for the people", continuously promoted the great cause of world peace and development, profoundly changed the relationship between China and the world, significantly enhanced China’s international status and created a favorable external environment for national development.
Standing at a new historical starting point, China’s diplomacy as a big country with characteristics will be guided by the diplomatic thought of the supreme leader, continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and win-win, persist in building a global partnership, actively participate in global governance, and make new contributions to realizing the Chinese nation’s great rejuvenation of the Chinese dream and promoting the building of a community of human destiny.
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Today is China Journalists’ Day. Here, I would like to wish all China journalists and foreign journalists who work and live in China a happy holiday!
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your long-term attention and reports on the diplomacy of China and China, and for your participation and support in the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We look forward to continuing to maintain close communication and cooperation with you!
I wish you all a happy holiday!