CCTV: A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu on December 17, causing severe damage to buildings in the capital city Port Vila and other places. It’s reported that China has sent engineering experts to carry out post-disaster assessment in Vanuatu. Can you give us more details?
Mao Ning: In the wake of the earthquake in Vanuatu, China has taken active actions and provided disaster relief assistance for Vanuatu. At the request of the government of Vanuatu, four Chinese earthquake engineering experts have arrived in the capital city Port Vila of Vanuatu on December 30. They will look at the structure and assess the safety of buildings in hard-hit areas and conduct post-quake secondary disaster survey. This is the first post-disaster assessment team that China has sent to a Pacific island country. China is ready to do more to assist the post-disaster reconstruction effort in Vanuatu.
The Chinese government stands ready to continue providing relevant assistance to Vanuatu in light of the situation on the ground and actual needs.
AFP: Former US President Jimmy Carter, who with Deng Xiaoping helped establish formal diplomatic ties between Washington and the People’s Republic of China, has died at the age of 100. Does China have any comment on the former US President’s death?
Mao Ning: China extends deep condolences on the passing of former US President Jimmy Carter. We pay high tribute to President Carter. He was a driving force and the decision-maker in the establishment of diplomatic ties between the US and China, and made important contribution over the years to the bilateral relationship and friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
Yomiuri Shimbun: This year marks the 75th anniversary of the China-DPRK diplomatic relations and also the “China-DPRK Friendship Year” as announced by the two countries. What events did China take part in? How would you review the “China-DPRK Friendship Year?” The opening ceremony of the friendship year was held in Pyongyang in April this year. Why wasn’t there a closing ceremony?
Mao Ning: China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors and always enjoy a traditional friendship and cooperative ties. China stands ready to work with the DPRK to follow the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries and to maintain, consolidate and develop our bilateral relations.
China Daily: Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi last week, and they had an in-depth exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East. The turbulence and instability in the region this year has drawn worldwide attention. Can you elaborate on China’s position on the Middle East issue and the role China has played?
Mao Ning: During the talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward “four respects” on the Middle East issue, namely, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Middle East countries needs to be respected, their legitimate and reasonable concerns need to be respected, the choices independently made by Middle East people need to be respected, and the historical and cultural traditions of Middle East countries need to be respected. Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that the Middle East belongs to the people in the region. It is not a wrestling ground for major-power rivalry, nor should it become a victim of geopolitical contest of countries outside the region. To end the instability and restore order in the Middle East, the pressing priority is to end the fighting and violence at once, ease the humanitarian crisis, stick to political settlement, and resume dialogue and negotiations. This is the basic position of China on the Middle East issue.
Over the past year, we have galvanized effort at the UN Security Council to adopt the first resolution on ceasefire in Gaza, brought Palestinian factions together for reconciliation talks which resulted in the adoption of the Beijing declaration, provided multiple batches of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, spoken up for Lebanon at the UN and other multilateral occasions, made consistent effort to advance the reconciliation process between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and supported regional countries in settling differences with an inclusive mind, enhancing mutual trust through cooperation, and building a sustainable security architecture in the Middle East.
There will not be tranquility in the world with a Middle East in turmoil. China will continue to play a constructive role in upholding peace and stability in the Middle East, and firmly support countries in the region in exploring development path independently, settling issues through dialogue and consultation, and safeguarding sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
AFP: Yesterday, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the acting South Korean President on the Jeju Air crash that killed 179 people. Would the Foreign Ministry like to comment further on China’s reaction to the fatal plane crash in Muan, South Korea?
Mao Ning: We are following the tragic air crash in the ROK, which resulted in heavy fatalities. President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to the ROK’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok on the day the accident happened. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, President Xi expressed deep condolences over the death of the victims and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
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