At the invitation of Foreign Minister Lavrov of the Russian Federation, State Councilor and foreign minister Wang Yi will pay an official visit to Russia from May 12 to 13.
Q: it is reported that the second trial of the sherenberg case, a Canadian citizen sentenced to death in January this year, will begin on Thursday. Can you confirm whether Canadian officials are allowed to attend the trial?
A: we have stated our position on the Schellenberg case many times before. China is a country ruled by law. China's judicial organs try cases in accordance with the law and protect the legal rights of relevant personnel in the process of litigation. As for your specific concerns, I suggest you ask the judicial department.
Q: Iranian President Rouhani said on Wednesday that in view of the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear agreement, Iran will stop fulfilling part of its commitments under the agreement. What's China's comment on this? Has it made official contact with Iran?
A: the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue is a multilateral agreement approved by the UN Security Council. It is vital to the international nuclear non-proliferation system and peace and stability in the Middle East, and should be fully and effectively implemented.
China appreciates Iran's strict implementation of its obligations under the comprehensive agreement so far, firmly opposes the US unilateral sanctions and the so-called "long arm jurisdiction" over Iraq, and regrets that the US approach has further intensified the tension on the Iranian nuclear issue.
It is the common responsibility of all parties to maintain and implement the comprehensive agreement. We call on all parties concerned to exercise restraint and strengthen dialogue to avoid the escalation of tensions. China will maintain communication with all parties concerned, continue to make efforts to safeguard and implement the comprehensive agreement, and firmly safeguard the legitimate and legitimate rights and interests of domestic enterprises.
China has always maintained close communication with all parties concerned, including the Iranian side, on issues related to the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue. According to the information I have, today, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister araghi briefed the relevant parties to the comprehensive agreement, including China, in Tehran.
Q: yesterday, the house of representatives of the US Congress passed a bill reiterating the US commitment to Taiwan. The bill is expected to be passed in the Senate and take effect. Does China ask the us to prevent the passage of the relevant bill?
A: the relevant bill seriously violates the one China principle and the provisions of the three Sino US joint communiques and involves roughly China's internal affairs. China firmly opposes this and has made solemn representations to the US side.
We urge the US side to abide by the one China principle and the provisions of the three Sino US joint communiques, prevent the us from deliberating and promoting relevant bills, and properly handle Taiwan related issues, so as not to seriously damage Sino US cooperation in important fields and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Q & A of Sino US trade journalists
Q: at yesterday's press conference, you responded to US Secretary of state pompeio's remarks about China's participation in Arctic affairs and refuted the US accusation. We note that in his speech, Pompeo also mentioned that China's carbon dioxide emissions have increased significantly, indicating that the United States is a world leader in environmental protection. Do you have any further comments on this?
A: I have already responded yesterday to the unreasonable accusations made by individuals on the US side about China's participation in Arctic affairs and will not repeat them.
As for the issue of climate change and environmental protection mentioned by the United States, I would like to emphasize that China has played an important role in the signing and entry into force of the Paris Agreement, which has been highly praised and highly appreciated by the international community. In contrast, the world can see clearly who withdrew from the Paris Agreement and who hindered the international community's cooperation in tackling climate change.
According to media reports, the 11th Arctic Council ministerial meeting failed to issue a joint declaration due to the different views of the United States and other member states on the issue of climate change, which is the first time in the 23 year history of the Arctic Council. China regrets this.
Because of its unique geographical location and fragile natural ecological environment, the Arctic is more vulnerable to climate change and global warming. Proper handling of climate change is crucial to environmental protection and sustainable development in the Arctic. China is steadily promoting the construction of ecological civilization and actively participating in international cooperation to deal with climate change. China's emission reduction measures have a positive impact on the protection of Arctic climate and ecological environment. We are willing to continue to work with all parties concerned to gather political consensus, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and effectively respond to the challenges of climate change to the Arctic.
Q: you just announced that state councilor and foreign minister Wang Yi will visit Russia. Can you introduce the purpose and topics of his visit?
A: according to the annual exchange visit mechanism between Chinese and Russian foreign ministers, State Councilor and foreign minister Wang Yi will pay an official visit to Russia. During the visit, State Councilor and foreign minister Wang Yi will meet with Russian leaders, hold talks with Foreign Minister Lavrov, exchange views on important exchange arrangements between the two heads of state and activities jointly celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and international and regional hot issues of common concern.
It is believed that the visit will effectively implement the results of the April Beijing meeting between the two heads of state, promote bilateral cooperation in various fields, strengthen strategic cooperation between China and Russia in international affairs, and make positive contributions to the greater development of bilateral relations in this important year.
Q: according to a report issued by the relevant agencies of the U.S. Congress, the draft amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, if passed, will provide a powerful legal tool for the central government and make Hong Kong more vulnerable to coercion by the central government. What is China's response to this?
A: Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the people's Republic of China. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. We firmly oppose any attempt by foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs.
Q: you answered some questions about Sino US economic and trade negotiations yesterday. I would like to ask why the Chinese side has changed its strategy this time because it has often used tariff increases as a counter measure against the US side?
A: I don't know how you came to this conclusion. I made it very clear when I answered the relevant questions the other day. This is not the first time that the United States has issued such a threat. China has repeatedly expressed its position and attitude before, which is very clear. Our position and attitude have not changed.
Q: in China's view, what are the differences in Sino US economic and trade consultations? What are China's demands in this round of consultations and what topics will be discussed?
A: when you ask this question, it means that you didn't come two days ago. Similar questions have been asked many times. My answer is, please ask the competent authorities about the specific situation of the Sino US economic and trade consultation.
What I can tell you is that we hope that the United States and China will work together to reach a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment, taking care of each other's reasonable concerns. This is in line with the interests of both sides and the common expectation of the international community. Sino US trade
Q: it's still about the Sino US economic and trade consultation. The US side complained that China has regressed on some issues on which consensus has been reached and tried to revise the texts related to intellectual property protection and technology transfer. Can you confirm that?
A: as I said just now, you still need to ask the competent authorities about the details of the consultation, and they will give you authoritative answers. I will only elaborate on our basic position and respond in principle.
I have already answered the question of the so-called retrogression of China's position yesterday. I can repeat it today. The negotiation itself is a process of discussion, and it is normal for both sides to have differences. China does not evade contradictions and is sincere in continuing consultations.
Q: EU high representative for foreign and security policy mogherini said that the international contact group on Venezuela has decided to establish contacts with Lima group, CARICOM, Cuba, China, Russia and other countries to create a favorable environment for solving Venezuela's political crisis. What is China's comment on this?
A: China's starting point on the Venezuelan issue is to uphold the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms of international relations. We always insist that the Venezuelan issue should be resolved by the Venezuelan government and opposition parties through independent consultation through inclusive political dialogue within the constitutional framework, and oppose external interference and unilateral sanctions.
China has noted the holding of the third meeting of the international contact group on Venezuela, and we also attach importance to the relevant statements of the EU. China, the European Union and many other countries have important consensus on the Venezuelan issue. They both advocate seeking a political solution with inclusive dialogue, oppose military intervention in Venezuela, and do not want to see the situation in Venezuela out of control, affecting regional peace and stability. China is willing to strengthen communication with the international community, including the European side, and jointly play a constructive role in promoting a political solution to the Venezuelan issue, which is beneficial to the Venezuelan people and in the common interests of all parties.
Q: can you tell us when Vice Premier Liu He will arrive in Washington? When will he return? What are his entourage?
A: yesterday, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce gave a briefing on this. At the invitation of the US side, Liu He, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, vice premier of the State Council and Chinese leader of the China US comprehensive economic dialogue, will visit the us from May 9 to 10 for the 11th round of consultations with the US side on economic and trade issues.
Q: yesterday, the US China Economic and Security Assessment Commission released a report on the revised draft of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance in Hong Kong, saying that if the revised draft is formally enacted, Hong Kong will be more politically and economically vulnerable to the influence of Beijing. What is China's comment on this?
A: I have just answered. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. We oppose any foreign intervention in Hong Kong affairs.
The Committee you mentioned has always been biased against China, and their so-called reports and statements are not worth refuting.
Q: it's still about Iran. You mentioned that Iran's deputy foreign minister informed envoys of all parties concerned in the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue of his decision to stop fulfilling part of the commitments in the agreement. Some people believe that the international community should reconsider sanctions against Iran. What is China's comment on this?
A: I have just expounded China's position in a comprehensive way. Up to now, Iran has strictly fulfilled its obligations under the comprehensive agreement, which is recognized by all. Under the current situation, it is the common responsibility of all parties to maintain and implement the comprehensive agreement. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and strengthen dialogue to avoid the escalation of tensions. China will maintain communication with all parties concerned and continue to work for the maintenance and implementation of the comprehensive agreement.