Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on October 22, 2019

Q: According to media reports, US Secretary of State Pompeo said on October 21 that the long arm of the Chinese government is reaching out into US companies, stealing their intellectual property, and forcing technology transfer, making it very difficult to make a profit in China for many US companies. I wonder what's your response?

A: As is well known, the "long-arm jurisdiction" is a tool for unilateral sanctions and bullying practices used by the US to wantonly oppress foreign entities and individuals based on its domestic law. In fact, the abuse of "long-arm jurisdiction" should be counted as an intellectual property of the US. China is firmly opposed to it, has no interest in it and will never "steal" it.

Regarding the so-called difficulties of US companies in making a profit in China, I think you may still remember the 2019 China Business Environment Member Survey released recently by the US-China Business Council. The result shows that 97% of surveyed US companies have made profits in Chinese markets, 74% of AmCham China members plan to expand investment in China and over 95% surveyed companies say they were never asked to transfer technologies to China. I wonder how Mr. Pompeo came to the conclusion that you talked about?

Q: US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Chad Sbragia said at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on October 21 that the US is neither seeking a decoupling from China nor asking any country to pick sides. What the US is seeking is "rebalance and right relationships to ensure that we have equity". What's your comment?

A: As the Chinese side has repeatedly pointed out, given the size of our economies and the level of interdependence, the so-called "decoupling" or "shutting the door to each other" is neither sensible nor realistic for China and the US. Decoupling from the Chinese economy would be decoupling from opportunities and the future. We believe the US is fully aware of that.

Openness and integration is the right way forward. China is further opening up to all countries including the US. In the meantime, we hope the US will keep its door wide open to China and reduce unreasonable restrictions, which will meet the interests of both sides and the aspiration of the world.

Q: China is seeking counter-sanctions against the US for failing to comply with the WTO ruling. Do you expect this to affect the ongoing trade talks between China and the US?

A: I'll leave that to the competent authority.

Q: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said yesterday that the company noticed that Russia, Iran and China have tried to meddle in US presidential elections to be held next year. I wonder if you have any comment?

A: This is not the first time that someone accuses China of meddling in US presidential elections, which is just absurd and hilarious.

China pursues the principle of non-interference. We do not have any interest in interfering in other countries' internal affairs including the presidential elections in the US. Those accusing China of such interference should present evidence.

Q: Yesterday according to CNN and some other American media, an Australian scholar found that Ron Vara, an expert who was known as a hardliner on China and was quoted to criticize China in books by Director Peter Navarro of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy at the White House, is in fact a fabricated figure. Mr. Navarro acknowledged that this "scholar" wasn't real, saying that "somebody finally figured out an inside joke that has been hiding in plain sight for years." I wonder if you have any comment on that?

A: I believe you, my Chinese and foreign friends from the press, may have read the media reports.

Frankly, this case triggered strong responses and astonishment worldwide. On some level, it shows that out of personal or political hidden intentions, certain people in the US can do whatever they can think of to contain and smear China without scruple. It is absurd and extremely dangerous to make lies, spread lies and even formulate policies based on lies. Such moves will threaten and undermine normal international relations and order. Apart from that, the US will hurt its own interests in the end.

Unfortunately, however, we did hear the acknowledgment by certain person in the US that "We lied, we cheated, we stole. It is the glory of American experiment." We did see lies are what the US used to fuel the wars in Iraq and Syria, and now they are again used on issues related to China's Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Huawei and related 5G technologies, the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as the so-called "Chinese interference in US presidential elections" as the Russian journalist asked earlier.

It is necessary for one to set some bounds on one's behavior. We hope certain people in the US will return to reason as early as possible. In the meantime, we hope the international community including you, my journalist friends, will learn something from this case and carefully examine the ideas and views that certain people in the US are so desperately disseminating in their propaganda.

Q: Has China offered Justin Trudeau its congratulations for the Canadian election result?

A: We noted the Canadian election result. We do not comment on it as it is Canada's internal affair.

Q: Vice President Wang Qishan attended the enthronement ceremony for the new Japanese emperor today. Can you comment on that?

A: Vice President Wang attended Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony as President Xi's special envoy and paid a friendly visit to Japan. He will also be meeting the Japanese leadership and representatives from various sectors. Through his visit, we hope our two countries will keep the momentum of high-level exchange, step up practical exchange and cooperation in various fields, and move forward China-Japan relationship along the sound, right track.

Q: A question about Turkey. US Secretary of State Pompeo said yesterday that President Trump is fully ready to order the US military action against Turkey if necessary amid current Middle East crisis. How do you see this will affect the current situation in the Middle East?

A: Many eyes are on Turkey and Syria now. We called on Turkey many times to stop its military action. We hope all sides will form a synergy to combat terrorism, advance the political settlement process of the Syrian issue, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the region.

Q: What are China's expectations for Japan's new emperor?

A: We surely hope for more progress in the bilateral relations between China and Japan.