Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on December 12, 2019

At the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Miro Cerar, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Spain and visit the EU Headquarters and Slovenia.

Q: The Australian Financial Review published well-known scholar James Curran's article, criticizing that the"China threat"rhetoric has now morphed not only into a classic red scare but also a paranoid syndrome in Australia. The China debate is close to losing all sense of rationality and proportion. Australia's toughness towards China is now seen as a credible way of winning kudos in American eyes. Famous American scholar and journalist Fareed Zakaria also said in his article"The New China Scare: Why America Shouldn't Panic About Its Latest Challenger"published in Foreign Affairs that, today's China is a remarkably responsible nation on the geopolitical and military front. It stands in stark contrast with the US. The costs of a cold war against China would be immensely distorting the US economy and further inflating the military-industrial complex. The West should accept China's increasingly important role in existing international system rather than isolate China at all costs. What's your comment?

A: I noticed these two articles you mentioned. We appreciate Professor Curran and Mr. Zakaria's courage and insight in their objective and rational remarks on China-related issues.

Indeed, some politicians and media in western countries seem to be plagued by "China phobia and paranoia", which is manifested as backlash against China on all fronts. They slander and smear China in every possible way, confuse right with wrong and have lost their moral compass and conscience. This phenomenon, in the final analysis, is boiled down to their problematic perception of China. As Mr. Zakaria said, China plays a highly responsible role in world politics, economy and military affairs. We have not initiated wars, interfered in others' internal affairs, occupied a single inch of other countries' territory, or violated international rules and order. We are open and aboveboard in our policies and actions. We are just living a better and better life through our own efforts. When China's sovereignty and security are threatened or infringed upon, we have shown greater ability and confidence to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests. When others throw dirt on us, we are now able to wipe it off more swiftly and effectively. We fight the necessary battles just to win the equality and dignity we deserve.

China is big, but its size has nothing to do with threat. A giant panda is big, but is it more dangerous than a bald eagle? And the Kung Fu Panda is adored by all as it is an amicable friend and justice defender.

"China-phobia" is a dangerous illness but it is not incurable. The prescription is to abandon the zero-sum cold war mentality, uphold equality and mutual respect and embrace openness and inclusiveness for mutual benefit and win-win results. Breaking this mindset leads to a broad prospect, while clinging to it without taking any remedial measures will result in endless harm.

Q: Yesterday a foreign journalist asked here about the Chinese ambassador to Denmark "threatening" Faroe Islands on Huawei 5G equipment. Has the Danish government clarified this with China?

A: Yes, the Danish side has told China explicitly that recent reports are not fully truthful. We note that the Danish foreign minister told Danish media yesterday that press indication that the Danish Foreign Ministry has told the Faroe Islands Government that it would be best not to choose Huawei as a supplier of 5G networksis not correct.The telecommunications area is a home-grown area. Therefore, the choice of 5G supplier lies with the Faroe Islands themselves. Mutual respect and international rules is the basis for Danish foreign policy. That is how Denmark works with other countries and how it works with China, with which it has a good partnership.

Faroe Islands Government Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also said to the press that they have not felt threatened or pressured in exchanges with China. Conversations with the Chinese ambassador are good and constructive on the basis of mutual respect. Many party leaders and the public in Faroe Islands see the US ambassador's open efforts against cooperation between Faroe Islands and Huawei as deeply inappropriate. Faroe islands is small, but it won't succumb to US pressure and let it swing its independent decision-making.

Perhaps you still remember that lately, US ambassadors to Denmark and Germany made open threats on relevant countries'cooperation with China, drawing strong protest in the two countries. China will never do that. We stand ready to work with Denmark to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen practical cooperation, and in the spirit of equality and mutual respect, promote our mutually-beneficial cooperation.

Q: American ambassador to Australia Arthur Culva house said in an interview on December 13 that Uighur community in Australia is being monitored and harassed by foreign agents. There's fake police cars with Chinese police logos parked outside their residences. Anyone  voicing concerns about Uighurs' treatment will be punished. The Chinese government is responsible for this and there should be consequences. What's your comment?

A: I wonder what you make of this report? It's so laughable for me anyway. Is the Chinese police too silly, the Australian police too incompetent or this US ambassador too stupid? He claims Chinese police travel all the way across the sea to threaten Uighurs with fake police cars parked outside their residences. Come on, even the worst screenwriter in Hollywood can do better than this.

A word of advice: Even if driven out of mind by attempts to defame China, please use the brain a little bit. Otherwise such tales will only end up as another laughing stock.