Xinhua News Agency: Former Deputy Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme and Kenyan economist Hannah Ryder in a recent interview said that in cooperation with China, African countries are not forced to change their own policies and that a defining feature of such cooperation is that it is driven by Africa’s need. She also noted that this has influenced Western countries and other partners outside the continent to consider more about Africa’s need and establish equal-footed partnerships with Africa. The National Interest, an American magazine, published an article saying that China is winning the Global South as a provider of a large amount of public goods for developing countries, including African ones. What’s your response?
Lin Jian: In its cooperation with Africa, China always follows the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, and always bears in mind the fundamental interest of both Chinese and African people. The underlying feature of China-Africa cooperation has always been sincerity and equality, mutual benefit, fairness and justice, and openness and inclusiveness. We are committed to advancing Africa’s development through our development and promoting Africa’s modernization through our own modernization.
In our effort to grow ties with Africa, there’s no selfish agenda, but only profound friendship; there’s no zero-sum game, but only solid steps; there’s no empty promise, but only sincerity and tangible result. We always bear in mind the welfare and the need of the African people, treat Africa with respect and as equals, and never impose our will onto others, still less seeking selfish gains.
It is the common responsibility of the international community to support Africa’s development. As a natural member of the Global South, China never seeks to “win the Global South,” but is committed to helping Global South partners, including African countries, truly realize development and prosperity. China never engages in geopolitical games in Africa either, but is glad to see concrete contribution from all countries to Africa’s development. We would be happy to see other countries pay greater attention to Africa and increase investment there just like China, and we hope they will view China-Africa relations and cooperation with an open mind. We stand ready to engage in tri-party and multi-party cooperation on the basis of respecting Africa’s will to jointly contribute to Africa’s development and prosperity and bring benefit to the African people.
AFP: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday that on Xinjiang, “many problematic laws and policies remain in place.” What is China’s comment?
Lin Jian: China always puts the people front and center in all our work, views respecting and protecting human rights as an important part of governance, and has made historic achievements in this aspect. The Chinese people now enjoy a growing sense of fulfillment, happiness and security. This is a simple fact that anyone without bias can see. People of all ethnic groups in China are equal and their legitimate rights and interests are fully protected. Xinjiang today enjoys social stability and economic growth and the people there live a happy life. It is at its best in history where people of all ethnic groups are working together for a better life.
China stands ready to have constructive exchange and cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the basis of mutual respect. We believe that the OHCHR needs to fulfill its mandate in a just and objective manner, respect countries’ sovereignty, respect facts, conduct constructive dialogue and cooperation with countries, reject acts that politicize human rights or stoke division and confrontation, and refrain from being used by political forces aiming at containing and vilifying China.
Shenzhen TV: We noted that recently Western media and organizations such as The New York Times and Human Rights Watch issued disinformation about Xizang to bring up again so-called human rights issues in the region, claiming that China’s measures aimed at economic growth harm the way of life and ecoculture of people in Xizang. Some politicians of other countries are using this as a pretext to interfere in China’s internal affairs. However, many foreign scholars and media workers who have actually visited Xizang noted that the many supporting measures by China’s central government have enabled sound political, economic and social development in Xizang, which is completely different from the narrative in some Western media. What is your comment?
Lin Jian: We strongly oppose relevant politicians, media and organizations distorting facts and spreading lies.
China’s position on Xizang-related issues is consistent and clear. Xizang affairs are China’s internal affairs which brook no interference by any external forces. Over the years, Xizang has seen continued and sound economic growth, social harmony and stability, sound preservation of its cultural heritage, and significantly better life for its people. This is a fact that has the wholehearted recognition of people of all ethnic groups in Xizang and is seen by many in the international community.
The development and progress in Xizang would not have been possible without the care from the central government and the support and assistance from people across the country. Thanks to effort under the guidelines of the CPC for governing Xizang in the new era, Xizang has entered a historical era in which greater development and bigger changes have been made and more benefits delivered to the people than in the past. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the program of national pairing assistance to Xizang. The Xizang Autonomous Region held the Achievement Exhibition for the 30th Anniversary of National Pairing Assistance to Xizang. We welcome more foreigners to visit Xizang to gain first-hand experience of the region and its development.
AFP: Australia said today that leaders of Pacific Island countries have agreed to set up a multinational Pacific police force. What is China’s comment?
Lin Jian: China believes that various parties should make joint effort to promote the development and prosperity of Pacific Island countries.
CCTV: It’s reported that head of the water authority for Red Sea state in eastern Sudan said in a message on August 26 that the collapse of Arbaat Dam in the state on August 25 left 60 dead and hundreds missing. What’s your comment?
Lin Jian: We noted the reports. We express deep condolences over the lives lost, and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured.
AFP: It’s said that a Chinese military plane intruded into Japan’s territorial airspace on Monday. Has the Chinese side confirmed it? What’s China’s response to this incident?
Lin Jian: There is ongoing communication between China and Japan on this incident. Let me reiterate that China’s military airplane has no intention to intrude into any country’s airspace.
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