CGTN: On October 28 local time, the 81st UN General Assembly adopted the draft resolution titled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.” What’s your comment?
Guo Jiakun: The illegal economic embargo and unilateral economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. against Cuba have lasted for 64 years, inflicting untold suffering on Cuban people. Since 1992, the UN General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to adopt the resolution calling for an end to U.S.’s economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba for 34 consecutive times. It shows that the overwhelming majority of countries in the world are outraged by the U.S.’s serious violation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and underscores the international community’s longstanding call for the U.S. to immediately stop infringing on Cuban people’s right to survive and thrive.
China will continue firmly supporting Cuba’s just effort for safeguarding national sovereignty and dignity, and opposing external interference and embargo. We once again urge the U.S. to heed the call for justice from the international community, immediately lift its blockade and sanctions against Cuba, and stop all forms of coercion and pressure on Cuba, including through the threat of force.
China-Arab TV: Pakistani Defence Minister said yesterday that Pakistan has closed its airspace to airlines of China’s Taiwan region in adherence to the one-China policy. This makes Pakistan the first country in the world to take such a measure. What’s China’s comment?
Guo Jiakun: The one-China principle is a prevailing consensus of the international community. To our knowledge, there is no impediment to the international travel by residents of the Taiwan region.
Associated Press: The U.S. announced a ban to imports from three Chinese biotechnology companies. I know that the Ministry of Commerce already condemned the decision, but I want to hear from MOFA if you think that this decision will affect the upcoming meeting between Chinese and U.S. presidents?
Guo Jiakun: The U.S. has been spreading disinformation about Xinjiang and using so-called “forced labor” as false pretext to suppress Chinese enterprises. China deplores and firmly opposes the move.
The so-called “forced labor” is a huge lie propagated by anti-China forces to destabilize Xinjiang, smear China and curb its development. China urges the U.S. to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and curbing China’s development in the name of human rights. China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
Yonhap News Agency: The DPRK fired more than ten short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on October 29, a move in violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. What is China’s comment on this?
Guo Jiakun: We noted that relevant parties have different views on what the projectiles are. We hope relevant parties will face up to the root cause of the Korean Peninsula issue, stick to the direction of political settlement, and make an effort for peace and stability in the region.
Associated Press: Today, there’s an ASEAN meeting in the Philippines. The U.S. and Japan announced an agreement to jointly produce advanced air-to-air missiles in Japan. What is the comment from China?
Guo Jiakun: The development of bilateral relations and security cooperation between the U.S. and Japan should not come at the price of regional peace and stability, nor should such developments target or harm the interests of any third country.
Since the current administration came to power, it has been breaking free from the constraints of the international and domestic laws in the name of coping with the so-called “threats,” which constitutes a challenge to the postwar international order and a threat to regional peace and stability. The international community must stay on high alert and firmly reject such moves.
AFP: Australia’s Defense Minister said Thursday that China’s military buildup was creating a “condition of pressure” in Southeast Asia, and said we are “obviously seeing the biggest conventional military buildup that the world has seen since the end of the second World War from China.” Does the foreign ministry have a comment on this?
Guo Jiakun: China is committed to the path of peaceful development. The development of military capabilities aims to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. We never target any country nor seek military expansion. The relevant party should view this objectively and stop making irresponsible comments.
Reuters: The Japanese toy company Sanrio has canceled a partnership with a Japanese spy drama because of the social media backlash in China. Does China have any response?
Guo Jiakun: We have noted relevant reports. This TV drama once again shows that there is a force in Japan continuously seeking to use cultural products to vilify and smear China and disseminate hatred against China. The international community and insightful people in Japan must be vigilant against this.
