2021年1月8日外交部发言人华春莹主持例行记者会
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference on January 8, 2021
总台央视记者：王毅国务委员兼外长刚结束访问博茨瓦纳，你认为此访取得的最重要成果或亮点是什么？
CCTV: State Councilor Wang Yi has just concluded his visit to Botswana. What do you think is the most important achievement or the highlight of this visit?
华春莹：王毅国务委员兼外长此次访问非洲，每一站都有亮点。在刚刚结束的对博茨瓦纳的成功访问中，王毅国委会见了马西西总统，同夸佩外长举行了会谈。双方都高度评价了中博双边关系。
Hua Chunying: Every stop of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Africa comes with its own highlight. He has just concluded a successful visit to Botswana. President Masisi met with State Councilor Wang Yi, and State Councilor Wang Yi held talks with Foreign Minister Unity Dow. The two sides all spoke highly of bilateral relations.
今年是中博建交46周年，王毅国务委员访问期间，双方共同签署了中博两国政府关于推进“一带一路”建设的谅解备忘录等合作文件，这标志着博茨瓦纳成为非洲第46个同中方共建“一带一路”的伙伴国。这是一个很好的亮点，也是一个美好的象征，将为中博两国深化互利合作提供新机遇、拓展新领域、开辟新前景。
This important visit to Botswana came as the two sides celebrate the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. As the two foreign ministers singed a MoU on BRI cooperation on behalf of the two governments, Botswana has become the 46th African country inking BRI cooperation documents with China. This is a highlight and a good symbol, which will bring out new opportunities, break new grounds, and open up new prospects for our mutually beneficial cooperation.
中方愿同博方一道，进一步落实两国元首重要共识和中非合作论坛北京峰会、中非团结抗疫特别峰会成果，进一步增进政治互信、加强务实合作，推动中博关系迈上更高水平。
China is willing to work with Botswana to further implement the important consensus reached between the heads of state of the two countries and the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID19, enhance political mutual trust, strengthen practical cooperation, and promote China-Botswana relations to a higher level.
澎湃新闻记者：据报道，美国电动车生产商特斯拉CEO马斯克日前接受美国媒体专访时称，中国政府很关心人民福祉，可能比美国政府对人民福祉“更有责任感”。你对此有何评论？
The Paper: Elon Musk, CEO of electric vehicle producer Tesla, said in an interview with an American news outlet that the Chinese government cares a lot about the well-being of the people and is possibly more responsible to people’s happiness than the U.S. government. Do you have a comment?
华春莹：我也看到了有关报道。特斯拉CEO马斯克说中国政府关心人民福祉，我想这个评价是客观的。的确，中国共产党从成立第一天起，就把为人民服务作为自身的宗旨。让老百姓过上更好的生活，满足人民日益增长的美好生活需要是我们一切工作的出发点和落脚点。来自人民、为了人民、依靠人民是中国共产党执政最大的底气和战胜一切艰难险阻的法宝。
Hua Chunying: I have also taken note of the report. I believe Mr. Musk made an objective statement when he said that the Chinese government cares a lot about the well-being of the people. Since its founding, the CPC has dedicated itself to the mission of serving the people. To improve people’s living standards and to meet their increasing needs for a better life is the motivation and purpose of all our work. The CPC is a party of the people, for the people and by the people. In this lies the source of its invincible confidence in overcoming all difficulties as the ruling party.
正如大家看到，在这次抗击疫情期间，中国共产党坚持人民至上、生命至上，坚持把人民生命安全和身体健康放在第一位，全力护佑每一个人的生命安全、健康和尊严。我们还实施了人类历史上规模最大、力度最强的脱贫攻坚战，成功实现8.5亿人摆脱贫困。今年我们开启全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程，中国人民日益增长的美好生活需要将进一步得到满足。国际权威机构民调显示，中国民众对中国政府的满意度连年超过90%。
As you’ve all seen, in the fight against COVID-19, the CPC puts people and life front and center and makes the best effort possible to protect every citizen’s safety, health and dignity. We waged the largest and most vigorous battle in human history against poverty, lifting 850 million out of poverty. This year we will begin a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country, which will help meet people’s increasing needs for a better life. According to authoritative international research, the Chinese people’s overall satisfaction toward the Central Government exceeds 90 percent for many years.
我想，任何不带偏见、希望客观了解中国的外国朋友，都可以从过去100年的中国发展历史和以及目前在中华大地上正在发生的日新月异的变化当中得出自己的结论。我们欢迎越来越多的外国朋友到中国来旅游、学习、工作、参观、访问，希望他们能够通过和中国人民的近距离接触，增加对中国真实、立体和全面、正确的了解。
Foreign friends free from bias and wishing to get an objective understanding of China will surely arrive at their own conclusion from the history of China’s development in the past century and the changes taking place now. We welcome more foreign friends to come to China for tourism, study, work, sightseeing and visit so as to get a first-hand experience of the real China through their interactions with the Chinese people.
《环球时报》记者：美国国务卿蓬佩奥连续发出多条推特称，美国本届政府发布的关于中国共产党对美人民和美企业构成威胁的信息比以往任何一届政府都多。请问中方对此有何评论？
Global Times: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that “We’ve released more information about the CCP threat to the American people and U.S. businesses than any other administration.” Do you have any comment?
华春莹：蓬佩奥国务卿在其任内，以其“谎言外交”对美国同其他国家关系、对美国国家形象和声誉所造成的损害比以往任何一届政府都多，可谓登峰造极，无可企及。这是国际社会，包括美国国内各界有识之士的普遍共识。
Hua Chunying: During his tenure of office, Secretary of State Pompeo makes “lying diplomacy” a byword for U.S. foreign policy, when this U.S. administration has dented U.S. image and reputation as well its relations with other countries more than ever. This is a consensus shared by the international community, including those clear-eyed Americans.
近年来，美方大搞单边主义，破坏多边合作，肆意毁约退群，动辄制裁威胁,这几年已经退出十多个国际条约和国际组织。我之前也介绍过，在气变领域，美方拒绝批准《京都议定书》并退出《巴黎协定》。在军控和防扩散领域，美方先后退出伊朗核问题全面协议、《中导条约》，撤销签署《武器贸易条约》，宣布退出《开放天空条约》，消极对待《新削减战略武器条约》延期。在国际社会最需要团结抗疫的关键时期，宣布退出世卫组织。事实一再证明，美国才是威胁全球和平与安全的最大不稳定因素。多份国际民调显示，45%的受访者都认为美国是世界的重大威胁，包括美一些盟友在内的10多个国家民调显示，有一半甚至更多的人认为美国对他们的国家安全构成威胁。美国国内也有很多人认为，对美国构成最大威胁的不是别人，恰恰是美国自己。
In recent year, the United States has been pursuing unilateralism, undermining multilateral cooperation, wantonly pulling out of treaties and organizations, and arbitrarily resorting to use or threat of sanctions. To date, it has withdrawn from a dozen international treaties and organizations. On climate change, it refuses to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement. On arms control and non-proliferation, it pulled out of the JCPOA and the INF Treaty, unsigned the Arms Trade Treaty, announced its withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty, and has been dragging its feet towards extending the New START. At the crucial juncture when members of the international community joined hands to fight COVID-19, the United States pulled out of WHO. Facts have proven time and again that the United States is the biggest destabilizing factor for global peace and security. Polls surveying people in over 10 countries including Germany, Japan and the ROK show that half or more interviewees believe the United States poses major threats to their national security. Many Americans believe that the biggest threat to the United States is no other but itself.
蓬佩奥为一己私利不择手段打压中国，变本加厉搞“末日疯狂”，蓄意破坏中美关系。他这样做只会使自己站在历史错误一边，违背中美两国人民友好民意，必将遭到历史的审判。
For his own benefit, Pompeo unscrupulously suppressed China, and put on stage his “final madness” as his term is coming to an end, and frantically sabotage bilateral relations. His actions will only put him on the wrong side of history and in odds with the friendly sentiment cherished by the Chinese and American peoples. He will be convicted by history.
法新社记者：欧盟方面呼吁中方立即释放在香港被逮捕的50余人，敦促特区政府尊重香港法治、民主自由。联合国人权高专办公室也对逮捕行动表示关切，呼吁立即释放被捕的“在参与政治和公共生活中行使合法权利”的人员。外交部对此有何评论？
AFP: The European Union has called for the immediate release of over 50 people arrested in Hong Kong and urged authorities to respect Hong Kong’s rule of law, democracy and freedom. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has also said it was deeply concerned over the arrests, calling for the release of the arrested people who were “exercising legitimate rights to participate in political and public life”. What is the foreign ministry’s response?
华春莹：首先，你提到的个别人对香港警方正当执法行动妄加评论，严重干涉中国主权和内政，中方坚决反对。香港警方依法拘捕的人涉嫌违反香港国安法颠覆国家政权罪。香港国安法对危害国家安全罪行有明确定义，并依法保护香港居民根据基本法和两个国际人权公约适用于香港的有关规定所享有的各项权利和自由。我们多次强调，香港事务纯属中国内政，不容外部干涉。他们没有任何权力要求中方释放被依法拘捕的犯罪分子。
Hua Chunying: First, the wanton criticism by the few people you mentioned of the Hong Kong Police Force’s law enforcement constitutes grave interference in China’s sovereignty and domestic affairs. China is firmly against it. Those arrested are suspected of subverting state power as set out in the Law on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong. They were by no means “exercising legitimate rights to participate in political and public life”. The national security law provides clear definitions of crimes threatening national security. It also stipulates that the rights and freedoms which the residents of Hong Kong enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law. As we’ve stressed repeatedly, Hong Kong affairs are entirely China’s domestic affairs that brook no external interference. No one has any right to demand that China release lawfully-arrested criminals.
我昨天回答你问题时也说了，在美国和香港发生的是相似的场景，为什么有些人作出不同的反应？为什么同样是抗议者，在美国就是“暴徒”，在香港就是“民主英雄”？为什么在美国就是“捍卫民主自由”，在香港就成了“压制民主自由”？
As I said while answering your question yesterday, although the scenes in the United States and Hong Kong were similar, the descriptions or reactions by some are entirely different. Why is it that protesters of the same nature are branded “rioters” in the United States, but eulogized as “heroes of democracy” in Hong Kong? Why is it that the same thing is called two different names, defense of democracy and freedom in the United States, but suppression of democracy and freedom in Hong Kong?
我今天上午看到美国白宫发言人在电视声明中说，美宪法第一修正案保障和平集会自由，但昨天在华盛顿看到的不是和平集会。他们破坏了第一修正案的权利。她以最强烈的措辞谴责暴力行为，表示触犯法律者应受到法律最严厉的惩罚。你也知道，美国有些社交媒体对美国领导人也采取了限制措施。这说明，即便在美国，言论自由也是有界限的，滥用所谓的自由是要付出沉重代价的。为什么在美国不可接受的事情，香港就必须接受？为什么在美国都不允许的“自由”，要求香港必须允许？
I saw on TV this morning a statement by the White House press secretary. She said that the First Amendment guarantees the right of the people to peaceably assemble, but what they saw yesterday in Washington was not that, and the rioters were undermining the legitimate First Amendment rights. She also said they condemn the violence in the strongest possible terms and those that broke the law should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. As you know, some social media platforms have imposed restrictive measures on the U.S. leadership. This shows that even in the United States, freedom of speech is not limitless. Those that abuse this freedom will pay dearly for it. Why must something unacceptable in the Unites States be acceptable in Hong Kong? Why must freedoms off limits in the Unites States be within reach in Hong Kong?
在香港发生的事情，事实经纬是清清楚楚的。香港特区政府和警方已详细介绍了有关情况并阐明立场，香港媒体也进行了大量报道。有关人员的行为涉嫌违反香港国安法，目的是要瘫痪、颠覆特区政府。危害国家安全行为与民主自由无关，所谓政见不同与企图严重破坏政府依法履行职能之间是存在清晰界限的。任何法治国家和法治社会都不会允许危害国家安全和严重破坏政府依法履行职能的行为。
What happened in Hong Kong is plain and clear. You may have noted the detailed information released by the SAR government and police force and their position. There have also been a large amount of reporting by Hong Kong media. Those arrested are suspected of breaking the national security law with a view to paralyzing and subverting the SAR government. Undermining national security has nothing to do with democracy or freedom. There is a distinct difference between political dissent and seriously disrupting the normal functioning of the government. No country or society with rule of law will allow activities that undermine national security or seriously disrupt the normal functioning of the government.
至于民主自由，我昨天也说了，英国对香港统治期间，香港民众有什么民主和自由？1976年英国政府批准《公民权利和政治权利国际公约》时，通过保留方式明确指出，公约所规定的定期选举的规定在香港不适用，并通过《公安条例》和《社团条例》对香港民众集会、游行和结社作出了严格限制。香港正是在回归祖国以后，才真正建立和发展起了民主制度。中国中央政府和香港特区政府根据香港基本法和全国人大常委会有关决定，为推进香港民主发展作出巨大努力，这是不容任何人否定和抹黑的。
As to democracy and freedoms, as I said yesterday, during the British colonial rule over Hong Kong, were the people granted any rights or freedoms? When ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1976, the British government made a reservation not to apply to Hong Kong the periodic elections provisions. Both the Public Order Ordinance and the Societies Ordinance during the British rule imposed draconian restrictions on assembly, procession and association in Hong Kong. It was only after Hong Kong’s return that a democratic institution was truly established and developed. The tremendous efforts made by the Chinese government and the Hong Kong SAR government to promote democratic progress in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law and decisions by the NPC Standing Committee shall not be denigrated.
我注意到个别媒体称，在香港发生的冲击立法会事件和在美国会发生的事情是不同的，不应该作比较。如果非说两者不同的话，我想至少有两点不同：第一，2019年7月冲击香港立法会的那些暴徒，打砸破坏立法机构，追杀无辜民众，用汽油弹和匕首攻击警察。这样的罪行比在美国爬上国会外墙、冲进国会更严重、更恶劣，更应该被定义为“暴徒”、“恐怖分子”，更应该受到法律严惩。第二，在美国国会发生的事情是美国人自己组织的，而在香港发生的事情是有外部势力煽动、策划、组织、指挥和实施的，而美国有些人在其中扮演了极不光彩的角色。
I also noticed that some media claim what happened in the United States should not be compared with the storming of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Speaking of where they differ, I can think of at least two points. First, the riot was much worse in Hong Kong. The mob that stormed the Hong Kong Legislative Council back in July 2019 vandalized the facility, harassed innocent civilians and attacked police officers with petrol bombs and daggers while in the US, it’s just climbing over exterior walls of the Capitol and storming into Congress. The mob in Hong Kong more justly deserve to be called rioters and terrorists and be punished by law. Second, what happened on Capitol Hill was organized by Americans, but what happened in Hong Kong was instigated, orchestrated and implemented by external forces, with some in the United States playing a dishonorable role.
一些人认为美国发生的事和香港的不同。这是一种双标行为，反映的是其心中西方至上的优越感和意识形态偏见，这也涉及到怎么定义民主和自由的问题。你在中国工作，可能听过中国老百姓有句话叫“金杯银杯，不如口碑”。一个国家到底有没有民主、有没有自由，关键要看老百姓满不满意，有没有幸福感、安全感和获得感，是全体社会成员还是极少数人在真正享受自由和发展。同一些国际学者说“美国政府属于1%，依靠1%，为了1%”不同，中国政府代表、反映和维护的是绝大多数人的利益，致力于确保每一个中国人的生命、价值和尊严。我们的民主是广泛、真实和管用的。新中国成立以来，中国人民生存和发展的基本自由得到了有效保障，人民的政治、经济、文化权利也取得了明显进步，人民的自由事业实现了历史性的跨越。我们成功使8亿多人摆脱贫困，有国际学者还表示，中国人民经历了过去3000年历史上生活水平提高最快的30年。每年有1.2亿左右中国人自由出境旅游，然后又自由地回到了中国。如果中国真的像个别政客或媒体说的“中国人民被压迫、没有自由”，那么这些人为什么会高高兴兴地又回到中国呢？我刚才也提到，国际民调连年指出，中国政府享有的满意度和支持率都超过90%，这难道还不能说明问题吗？在民主、自由问题上，对中国作出种种指责的人，要么是不了解中国，要么就是太过妄自尊大。我们希望相关人士能努力放下身段去了解真实的中国。我们愿意向他们介绍中国的真实情况，同时也坚决反对他们以所谓的民主自由为名干涉中国内政。
Those saying what happened in the United States is different from what happened in Hong Kong. This double-standard reaction reveals their deep-seated sense of western supremacy and ideological bias. It bears on the question of how to define democracy and freedoms. During your post here, you might have heard a popular Chinese saying which can be translated as “trophies or prizes, nothing is worth more than good word of mouth”. The ultimate yardstick for measuring a country’s democracy and freedom is people’s sense of satisfaction, happiness, security and gain. We should see if it is the whole society or just a small minority that enjoys freedoms and progress. Unlike the American government, which, according to international academics, is of, by and for the one percent, the Chinese government represents and safeguards the interests of the vast majority and is committed to defending the value and dignity of every life. Our democracy is broad-based, real and it works. As you’ve witnessed, since the founding the New China, the Chinese people’s freedoms and rights to subsistence and development have been effectively guaranteed; political, economic and cultural rights made visible progress; and historic leaps have been made in the cause of freedom; over 800 million people have got out of poverty. As a foreign academic puts it, the Chinese people have experienced 30 years of the fastest improvement in living standards throughout the past 3,000 years. I’m not sure if you know that an average of 120 million Chinese tourists travel abroad every year. After a pleasant trip in foreign parts, what do they do? They get back home! If what the politicians and media said were true, that the Chinese people are oppressed and stripped of their freedoms, why, then, would the 120 million tourists choose to come back? The international research I mentioned just now also shows that the Chinese government’s satisfaction and support rate exceeds 90 percent. Isn’t this enough to prove the point? I think those criticizing China on democracy and freedoms either don’t know the real situation in China or are just too full of themselves. We hope they will get off their high horse and try to understand the real China. We are more than ready to show them the real conditions. That being said, we are firmly against their interference in our domestic affairs in the name of democracy and freedom.
彭博社记者：我的问题是关于：美国明晟（MSCI）公司将在星期五从相关指数中移除中国三大电信公司的数据，外交部对此有何评论？
Bloomberg: I’d like to ask a question about the MSCI Inc. who will remove three Chinese telecom companies from its indexes on Friday. I’d just like to ask what the foreign ministry’s comment is?
华春莹：我这几天已多次回答有关问题。中国有关公司一直遵守美方规则和监管要求，也受到了全球投资者的普遍认可。相信你提到的三家公司能够妥善应对当前局面造成的不利影响。中方也会采取必要措施维护中国企业的合法权益。我要重申，中方坚决反对美方滥用国家力量、泛化国家安全概念、无端打压中国企业的行为。美方行为是短视的，它不仅违背了美方标榜的市场竞争原则和国际经贸规则，违背时代发展的潮流，而且损害各国投资者利益，损害美国国家利益和自身形象声誉。
Hua Chunying: I have been responding to questions similar to this these days. The relevant Chinese companies have always abided by the rules and regulatory requirements of the United States, which is widely recognized by global investors. For the three companies you mentioned, we believe that they can properly deal with the negative impacts caused by the current situation. I also said earlier that China will take necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. Since you asked again, I’d like to reiterate that China firmly opposes the U.S. side abusing state power, stretching national security concepts, and oppressing Chinese companies. We also believe that the U.S. actions are short-sighted. The United States not only violates the market competition principles and international economic and trade rules it brags about, but also goes against the trend of the times. By doing so, it harms the interests of investors from all countries and its own national interests, image and reputation.
俄新社记者：昨晚美国常驻联合国代表团宣布，美常驻联合国代表克拉夫特将于1月13日至1月15日访问台湾。中方对此有何评论？
RIA Novosti: The U.S. Mission to the United Nations announced last night that U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft will visit Taiwan from January 13 to 15. Do you have any response?
华春莹：我昨天已表明了中方原则立场。美方行为严重违反“一个中国”原则和中美三个联合公报，中方坚决反对。
Hua Chunying: We stated China’s principled position yesterday. China’s position on the issue of U.S.-Taiwan exchanges is clear and consistent. The actions of the U.S. side seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. China firmly opposes it.
世界上只有一个中国，台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分，中华人民共和国政府是代表中国的唯一合法政府，这是国际社会公认的事实。美方在中美《建交公报》中就此作出明确的承诺。中方坚决反对任何形式的美台官方往来，这一立场是一贯和明确的。我们注意到一段时间以来，特朗普政府内少数反华政客，明确地说，就是蓬佩奥之流在不断上演“最后疯狂”，不择手段利用所剩任期蓄意破坏中美关系，服务其个人政治私利。这种伎俩逆历史潮流而动，违背两国人民友好民意，必将遭到历史的惩罚。
There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China. This is a fact recognized by the international community. The United States made a clear commitment on this in the Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between China and the United States. China firmly opposes any form of official ties between the United States and the Taiwan region. This position is consistent and clear. We have noticed that for a period of time, a few anti-China politicians in the Trump administration, or Pompeo and his like if you will, have put on stage their “final madness”, unscrupulously using the remaining days in office to sabotage China-U.S. relations and serve their personal political gains. This trick goes against the tide of history and runs counter to the desire of the Chinese and American peoples for friendship and peace, which will definitely get punished by history.
我们敦促美方回归理性理智，停止破坏中美关系的言行。中方将采取一切必要措施坚决维护自身主权、安全利益。美方如果执意妄为，必将为其错误行为付出沉重代价。
We also urge the U.S. side to return to reason and stop any words and deeds that undermine bilateral relations. China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its own sovereign and security interests. If the U.S. side insists on going its way, it will pay a heavy price for its wrong words and deeds.
《南华早报》记者：美国国会正式确认拜登当选下一任美国总统。中方对此有何评论？
South China Morning Post: The U.S. Congress confirmed Joe Biden as the presidential election winner. What’s your comment?
华春莹：我们注意到美国会已正式确认拜登当选新一任总统。2020年11月25日，习近平主席已致电拜登，祝贺他当选美国总统。
Hua Chunying: We noticed that the U.S. Congress has officially confirmed that Biden was elected as the new president. On November 25, 2020, President Xi Jinping sent a message to Joe Biden to congratulate him on election as U.S. president.
《北京青年报》记者：有个别美国媒体报道称,中国正利用美国当前的乱局,借机扩大中国的影响力，美国更加无法阻挡中国的发展了。发言人对此有何评论？
Beijing Youth Daily: Some American media reported that China is taking advantage of the chaos in the United States to expand China’s influence, and the United States is even more unable to stop China’s development. What is your comment on this?
华春莹：相关媒体这么报道，说明它本身看法有问题。没有任何一个国家可以通过利用别国的混乱来实现自己长久的发展。中国取得巨大发展进步成就，靠的是全体中国人民的勤劳奋斗。的确，美方有些人对于中国的快速发展非常焦虑，想方设法要阻挡、拖延中国发展的步伐。但是，正如王毅国务委员兼外长指出的，最可持续的领先是不断地提升自我，而不是阻挡别国的发展。未来的世界不应当也不可能让中国变成美国，而应是美国使自己成为更好的美国，中国则必将成为更好的中国。
Hua Chunying: I think such reports reveal that these media’s points of view are problematic. No country can achieve its own long-term development by taking advantage of chaos in other countries. China’s great development and progress is achieved through the diligent and hard work of all Chinese people. Regarding some problems in current China-U.S. relations, we know that some people in the United States are indeed very anxious about China’s rapid development, and are trying to dominate or delay China’s development. But as State Councilor Wang Yi pointed out, the best way to keep one’s lead is through constant self-improvement, not by blocking others’ development. We don’t need a world where China becomes another United States. This is neither rational nor feasible. Rather, the United States should try to make itself a better country, and China will surely become its better self.
总台国广记者：我们注意到在周边新冠肺炎疫情形势严峻背景下，中国同阿富汗、巴基斯坦、尼泊尔、斯里兰卡和孟加拉国最近举行了抗疫会议，六国还讨论了减贫问题。请问有关会议在当前召开有何重要意义？
CRI: Recently, a director-general virtual meeting on COVID-19 and poverty relief cooperation by China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Could you give us more details?
华春莹：你跟踪得非常细。的确，1月6日，中国、阿富汗、巴基斯坦、尼泊尔、斯里兰卡、孟加拉国六国举行司局级抗疫合作工作组和减贫合作工作组首次会议。此次会议是去年7月中阿巴尼四国外长应对新冠肺炎疫情视频会议和去年11月中巴尼斯孟五国副外长应对新冠肺炎疫情视频会议的后续落实。
Hua Chunying: You are well-informed. Indeed, on January 6, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh held the first meeting of director-general level working groups on COVID-19 and poverty alleviation cooperation. This meeting is a follow-up step to the video conference of foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal on COVID-19 in July and the video conference of vice foreign ministers of China, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh on COVID-19 in November 2020.
在6日会上，六方代表分享了抗疫和减贫经验，就应对疫情冲击、恢复经贸合作、应对非传统安全挑战、推进可持续发展议程以及消除贫困等议题深入交换意见，并就开展相关务实合作达成初步共识。会议的成功举办体现了六方加强地区抗疫合作、共同应对挑战、实现合作发展的强烈意愿和坚定信心。中方愿同各方一道，落实好会议共识，打造可视成果，为构建地区卫生健康共同体作出贡献。
At the meeting, representatives from all parties shared anti-epidemic and poverty relief experience, exchanged views on addressing COVID-19’s impact, resuming economic and trade cooperation, responding to non-traditional security challenges, advancing the sustainable agenda and eradicating poverty, and reached preliminary consensus on practical cooperation in relevant fields. The successful meeting demonstrates all parties’ strong will and firm confidence in strengthening regional anti-epidemic cooperation, jointly addressing challenges and achieving development through cooperation. China stands ready with all parties to implement the consensus of the meeting, produce visible outcomes and make greater contributions to building a shared community of health for the region.
《北京日报》记者：我们注意到有个别西方媒体报道称,中国媒体将美国当前的暴乱与香港发生的“支持民主”的暴力活动相比较,是在借机宣传，中方对此有何回应？
Beijing Daily: Some western media commented that the Chinese media are comparing the Capitol Hill riot with the violent riot Hong Kong experienced to serve its own propaganda purpose. What is your response?
华春莹：对于近日美国国会发生的事情，美国媒体做了大量报道，有很多电视画面、照片。美国各界人士也发表了很多看法。世界很多领导人也都纷纷发表了评论，有的还进行了呼吁。怎么中国媒体一报道就成了“宣传”？
Hua Chunying: What’s happened at the Capitol Hill has been extensively covered by the US media. We’ve seen TV programs playing out violent scenes 24/7. We’ve heard world leaders commenting on it. People from all walks of life in the United States are talking about it. Then why, when the Chinese media are following this widely-reported event, it suddenly became propaganda?
昨天回答外媒提问时，我也请大家思考这个问题：为什么有些人对在美国发生的事情和在香港发生的类似场景用词和反应截然不同？为何中国媒体作了一些事实性报道，就要被扣上“宣传”，甚至是“虚假信息”的帽子？是不是只要有些人觉得不中听或者不愿意听，就不是真实报道了？这不符合新闻的真实性原则吧。不管中方媒体报还是不报，中方说还是不说，事实真相都在那里。
When I responded to a foreign journalist’s question yesterday, I invited all of you to seriously think about why some people reacted differently to similar scenes played out in the United States and Hong Kong and why they termed them differently. Why are factual reports by the Chinese media being labeled propaganda or even disinformation? Is it simply because some people in the United States find them unpalatable? I don’t think this complies with the truthfulness principle of journalism. Besides, facts are there, beyond anyone’s denial, regardless of whether they came up in the Chinese media reports or not.
个别西方媒体的说法反映出的其实是一种双重标准，以及个别人内心深处的一种优越感和意识形态偏见。他们可能会觉得：只要是西方国家的，就是民主的、自由的，即使他们内心也有痛恨和不满；只要是中国的，就是专制的、威权的，即便他们内心可能也有些羡慕。对于美西方国家的问题，他们自己可以对骂，但中国人就说不得，一说就是“宣传”或者“虚假信息”。
However, this does uncover the ubiquitous existence of double standard when it comes to Chinese media and reflect the sense of superiority and ideological prejudice long harbored by some individuals. For some people in the west, they pride themselves on their democracy and freedom, even though deep down they have their grievances and dissatisfaction; they criticize China as being authoritarian and totalitarian, even though deep down they may hope they could lead a life as the Chinese do. For those issues that have come up in the United States or in other western countries, they in the west can argue, debate and comment in ways whatever they want, but if the Chinese side pitches in, then it suddenly morphs into “propaganda” or “disinformation”.
我注意到有国际知名学者近日在社交媒体上一针见血地指出，个别西方人沉湎过去，否认现在，惧怕未来。我想，是时候清醒了。希望有些人好好反思，放弃双重标准，敞开胸怀，增进相互了解。特别是媒体一定要坚持真实性、客观性，这对当下的世界至关重要。
It has been very aptly pointed out by a very famous scholar on social media that the Western establishment is clinging to the past, in denial of the present, and living in fear of a very different future. I do think that it is time for them to wake up, do some reflection, discard their double standard, and open up their eyes and minds to the world. The media has a particularly special role to play in this, as their commitment to the principle of truthfulness and objectivity has a strong bearing on the direction the world is heading towards.
法新社记者：正如不少媒体报道的那样，在香港和美国发生的事情存在一定的相似性和不同点。但是这些报道中还提到了暴乱背后的目的，在美国是为了推翻选举结果，但在香港却是为了争取更多民主。对此你怎么看？
AFP: The media has noted some similarities and some differences between what happened in Hong Kong and in the United States. I think one issue that news reports pointed out was also the intent behind the unrest. In the U.S. case they were trying to overturn the results of an election, while in Hong Kong they were demanding for more democracy. I’m just wondering if you could clarify your take on this?
华春莹：两者在冲击立法会这样的暴力行径上是相似的。2019年7月，激进示威者暴力冲撞香港立法会大楼，破坏立法会设施，涂污香港特别行政区区徽，煽动仇警情绪，使用有毒液体和粉末袭击、围殴，甚至刺伤警察，但香港警方保持了高度克制。
Hua Chunying: The two are very similar in terms of subjecting legislature to violence. On July 2019, radical protesters stormed the legislature, trashed the place, defaced the Hong Kong emblem, fan up anti-police sentiment, and hurled toxic liquid and powder at and even stabbed police force. But the Hong Kong Police Force responded with maximum restraint.
我们在美国看到相似一幕。但是，的确有个别媒体的反应和用词是不同的。当他们形容美国的那些示威者时，用的都是“暴徒”、“国内恐怖分子”这样的词；但是一说到香港，就说这是一些“民主斗士”，甚至“民主英雄”。所以我认为，这种不同用词和不同反应本身，就是一种典型的双重标准。
Similar scenes played out in the United State but were reported by some press in different words. Protesters were “thugs” and “domestic terrorists” when they stormed the Capitol Hill, but were “democratic fighters” and even “heroes” when they stormed the Hong Kong Legco. It would be difficult if not impossible to find a better definition for double standard.
你刚才说香港示威者是为了争取民主。民主只是一个幌子，你要看到实质。香港警方依法拘捕的这些人是打着民主的幌子，但实际上他们涉嫌违反香港国安法颠覆国家政权罪。2019年7月，他们也是打着所谓“五大诉求”旗号，但实质上是在肆无忌惮地实施暴力犯罪，践踏香港的法治和社会秩序，挑战“一国两制”的底线，严重损害香港和国家的利益与安全。他们的所作所为已经严重超出了民主范畴，是政治恐吓、要挟和暴力犯罪。
You said those in Hong Kong were demanding for democracy, but you lost sight of their true face hiding behind their masquerade of so-called democracy. Under the pretext of democracy, they committed the crime of subversion of state power under the Hong Kong national security law. Chanting “all five demands must be fulfilled”, on July 2019, they committed violent crime, trampled on Hong Kong’s rule of law and social order, challenged the bottom of “one country, two systems”, and plunged the interests and security of the HKSAR and China into grave danger. What they did is nothing but political intimidation, blackmailing and extreme violent crimes, not even remotely related to democracy.
我刚才援引了美国白宫发言人今天的电视声明，她也认为示威者违反了美国宪法第一修正案所保障的和平集会的自由。这说明，即便在美国，所谓的自由也是有界限的，滥用自由也是要付出代价的。
I just cited a statement by the White House Press Secretary. She said herself that the protesters undermined the right of the people to peaceably assemble under the First Amendment. It is fair to say that even in the US, freedom comes with boundaries, and abusing freedoms comes with a price