Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on March 26, 2021

A video of Daniel Dumbrill delivering remarks at the event "Genocide in Xinjiang?"-A Discovery Zoom Panel was screened before the regular press began.

Hua Chunying: Good afternoon, friends from the press. Welcome to our daily press conference. As you can see, we have put up a projector here. Before the press conference started, you watched the video featuring Daniel Dumbrill, a Canadian, delivering remarks at the event "Genocide in Xinjiang?"-A Discovery Zoom Panel. I'd like to show you one more short video.

(Playing the video clip of remarks by Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell and retired US Army Colonel at the Ron Paul Institute in August 2018)

We've just watched this video clip together. I wonder what you think of it. The speaker is Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell and retired US Army Colonel. He was speaking at the Ron Paul Institute in August 2018 on the threefold purposes of the US presence in Afghanistan, one of which is to contain China. He said undisguisedly that "the third reason we were there [in Afghanistan] is because there are 20 million Uyghurs [in Xinjiang]. The CIA would want to destabilize China and that would be the best way to do it to foment unrest and to join with those Uyghurs in pushing the Han Chinese in Beijing from internal places rather than external".

Doesn't it feel like a déjà vu? In an April 2019 speech at Texas A&M University, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo boasted, "we lied, we cheated, we stole. [...] We had entire training courses. It reminds you of the glory of the American experiment." This is what the US has said and done.

In 2003, the US launched military strikes against Iraq on the grounds that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, causing hundreds of thousands of casualties and making more than one million homeless. Years later, the US admitted that the evidence of Iraq's holding weapons of mass destruction was nothing more than a small tube of white washing powder.

In 2018, the US, the UK, France and some other countries launched air strikes on Syria, claiming that the Syrian government forces used chemical weapons against the Syrian people. The air strikes led to hundreds of thousands of casualties and displacement of innocent civilians. But the evidence of the so-called use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government turned out to be nothing more than a staged video directed by the White Helmets, a group funded by US and UK intelligence agencies.

In 2019, during the disturbance over proposed legislative amendments in Hong Kong, the CIA worked hand in glove with National Endowment for Democracy to sponsor, instigate and even command anti-China, destabilizing forces in Hong Kong to launch vandalizing, looting and arson attacks, and storm the Legislative Council building in the name of fighting for democracy and freedom in an attempt to spark a "color revolution" in Hong Kong .

Now, the US and its several Western allies are targeting the pure and white Xinjiang cotton. They imposed sanctions on relevant Chinese individuals and entity over the false accusation of the sensational "crimes" of "forced labor", "forced sterilization" and even "genocide" in Xinjiang.

However, as admitted by the former US official in the video clip you watched, the so-called Uyghur issue in Xinjiang is just a strategic conspiracy with an attempt to disrupt China from within and contain China. In this "play" staged by the US, some politicians and media outlets in the US and its ally countries played a very disgraceful role. Some of they colluded with anti-China forces to unscrupulously pursue rumor-mongering and smearing campaign against China with unfounded pretexts. And some, out of ideological prejudice, would rather believe in lies concocted by a handful of anti-China elements than listen to the voice of the 25 million people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and face squarely the basic facts of development and progress in Xinjiang. They are full of righteous indignation in "defending" human rights in Xinjiang by citing some so-called "credible" witnesses or information. Now, after watching this video of Lawrence Wilkerson, will they believe in the words of their government official or continue to trust those clumsy actors of the play?

Facts have proved time and again that the Xinjiang issue is by no means about ethnicity, religion or human rights, but an issue of fighting separatism, terrorism and interference. The US has crafted the so-called Xinjiang issue, not because it cares for the Uighur people. Otherwise, why did it attack Muslim countries under the pretext of counter-terrorism following the September 11 attack, leading to deaths and family separations of tens of millions of Muslims? And why did they put in place the one and only "Muslim ban" in the world and discriminate against and persecute Muslims and other ethnic minorities in the US? Their true intention is to undermine China's security and stability and stop China from growing stronger.

We solemnly inform the US side that today's China is neither Iraq nor Syria, still less the late Qing Dynasty downtrodden by the Eight-Power Allied Forces. China is open and aboveboard. All malicious lies and rumors against China will fall apart before facts and truths. We have full resolution, determination and capability to firmly defend national sovereignty, security, dignity and honor.

My friends, I believe you will make a clean cut with all the lies and disinformation about Xinjiang after watching this video clip. Let the curtain fall on this US-staged play.

Bloomberg: So is it your contention that the CIA has convinced the world that there's genocide occurring in Xinjiang. And given all your efforts to change the narrative about Xinjiang, are you saying that the CIA did a better job than China?

Hua Chunying: As you can see from the video, a former senior American official, who helped instigate the Iraq war, confessed that an important reason for the U.S. presence in Afghanistan is that there are 20 million Uyghurs in Xinjiang. "The CIA would want to destabilize China, that would be the best way to do it to foment unrest, and join those Uyghurs in pushing the Han Chinese in Beijing from internal places rather than external." As you can see, that's his words. Some western media always talk about citing reliable sources. Would you regard this video a reliable source?

You all know what the CIA has done since then. A few years ago, BBC's Newsnight program revealed the relation between of the CIA and National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in the Occupy Central movement in Hong Kong. This is not a secret, but a well-known fact.

In the earlier video, you saw Daniel Dumbrill speaking at the "American/Canadian Propaganda - a Xinjiang 'Genocide' Panel". To go over a few points he made, "why the Xinjiang narrative matters so much to western governments right now, particularly the US, it's not because they really care about the Muslims". "One of the things I really wanted to figure out was if there was any concern that the US government is putting so much money behind this narrative, funding overseas Uyghur groups millions of dollars, and dedicating a lot of airtime towards it, and what this kind of effort usually means. We have a precedent for fake propaganda created to serve America's geopolitical interests". He also mentioned why the Canadian Parliament passed a resolution accusing China over Xinjiang-related issues. He said, "one of the main contributors was from the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, a Canadian NGO set up with funds from the NED, an organization that had its president say that what the CIA used to do covertly, they now do through the NED. This is basically a front to overthrow and destabilize governments and it has nothing to do with democracy." Over the years, there were only a few countries that the US has not interfered or instigated "color revolutions" directly or caused political turmoil and regime subversion behind the scenes.

Now the same thing is happening in Xinjiang. The CIA, ASPI and some western academics and media all have a role to play in this show plotted and directed by the US. It's high time that this show was wrapped up.

China Review News: On March 25, President Joe Biden said at his press conference after taking office that he asks China to play by the international rules. He also said that China doesn't have a democratic bone and the US won't allow China to out-compete it. "We're not looking for confrontation, although we know there will be steep, steep competition," Biden said. What is your response to his remarks?

Hua Chunying: We noticed that President Biden said the US is not seeking confrontation. China's position on China-US relations has been clear and consistent. Our policy toward the US has also been highly stable and consistent. As the Chinese side pointed out at the China-US high-level strategic dialogue in Anchorage, China is ready to earnestly implement the important common understanding reached between the two heads of state, and hopes that the US can work with China toward the same direction, and approach the bilateral relations in the principle of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, so as to ensure sound and steady development of China-US relations.

I would like to point out the following:

First, the US is not in the position to ask China to play by international rules. The only system in the world is the international system centered on the UN, and the only set of rules is the basic norms governing international relations with the UN Charter as the core. Speaking of abiding by international rules, China is doing a great job while the US has a poor record. This is a fact recognized by the international community.

Second, the key to judge whether a political system is good or not lies in whether it suits a country's condition, whether it can bring political stability, social progress and better livelihood, whether it is welcomed and supported by the people, and whether it can contribute to the progress of humankind. No matter how a country boasts about its democratic values, it is not eligible to claim itself a "beacon of democracy" if it sits back and does nothing when over 500,000 people die of COVID-19, when over 40,000 citizens die of gunshots every year, and when hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians die and numerous families are shattered because of attacks it launches on sovereign countries under the pretext of fabricated proof.

China follows a people-centered philosophy. On the contrary to the electoral politics and partisan political interests pursued by the US, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government serve the people whole-heartedly. We hit the poverty reduction target set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. We have put in place the world's largest social security system, covering nearly 1.4 billion people and ensure that everyone has access to housing, education and medical insurance. The Chinese people's satisfaction and support toward the Chinese government's exceeds 90%. China has, after long-term exploration, found a right path to development. We are confident about this path. We will unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Third, difference and competition exists everywhere in our world. It is only natural for China and the US, the largest two economies with intertwined interests, to have competition. The key is to compete in a fair and just manner that can improve both sides, rather than seeking a zero-sum game. It is in the interests of the two countries and the world for cooperation to become the major goal of China and the US. We hope to have mutual respect, sound interactions and mutually beneficial cooperation with countries including the US so as to reinforce each other and deliver more benefits to the world.

The US said it won't allow China to out-compete the US. I must point out that our goal is not to out-compete the US, but rather to out-compete ourselves and constantly make progress.

AFP: Just to follow up on the videos that you screened earlier and the statement that you made afterwards regarding the Xinjiang issue. Would it be right to say that this is the ministry or China's stance that all the media outlets who have on separate occasions independently reported on the situation in Xinjiang over the past years, were acting in coordination and under the instructions of the US operations? You showed us the two clips earlier. I believe one involves the Canadian blogger who lives in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, China. So have Chinese official agencies themselves also embarked on study on the US influence that you alluded to earlier?

Hua Chunying: The question you raised is actually about the relationship between the media and some anti-China forces in the US and the West that spread rumors and disinformation to discredit Xinjiang. And I need to clarify to you that I was referring to some of the Western media.

As for foreign journalists in China, we made a special video and sent it to hundreds of foreign correspondents in China before the Spring Festival this year. Because last year was not easy and we wanted to extend our care to the foreign correspondents, who have worked very hard. Many of you have been in China for more than a decade or even decades. It is through your reports, and with your pen and lens, that the world has come to know China better. Especially last year during the outbreak, many foreign journalists stood by their posts and told the world about the Chinese people's fight against the epidemic. We have noticed that there are more and more objective reports on China, richer in content and with more diverse perspectives. We appreciate that. You can also feel that the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and my colleagues have always been sincere, open and friendly in providing convenience and assistance to foreign journalists in their work and life in China. For example, during the outbreak last year, we helped you with interviews, which I believe you know very well.

But I must also stress that a few Western media have made very unfair reports on China, which are not only one-sided, but even fake news sometimes. What is the relationship between them and the US as well as its several allies? I have no idea. But there is no doubt that certain western media have played a disgraceful role in the US-led disinformation campaign against China.

In the video clip you just watched, Daniel Dumbrill named two media outlets, one from the US and the other from the UK. To save their face, I'm not going to specify them here. A so-called "concentration camp survivor" was propped up in a major way by these two media outlets recently, and the third version of her story widely deviated from the first. Curiously, the passport renewal date of this "survivor" was oddly the only thing blurred out in the report. It turns out it's a huge loophole in her story that nobody's talking about. It would be odd enough if China would grant a passport to someone they were trying to "genocide". It would be even more odd that her passport was renewed during the time she said she was under arrest. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows there's a problem here. So why such reports were made? Are such media outlets objective, fair and honest? Are they worthy of their readers?

That is why we are grateful to the vast majority of our friends from the media, who continue to report on China to the world and are willing to have a sincere and objective understanding of China. However, it is true that some Western media have spread a lot of disinformation about China. I think you all know who these media are. Journalists with these media outlets also know that very well. They should ask themselves, do they deserve the good working environment that the Chinese side provides them? Can they look the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang in the eye? As they unconscionably fabricate fake news to smear China, can their conscience really be at ease? Won't their conscience smite them? I don't want to mention their names. What is done by night appears by day. I think the relevant media and journalists know what they've done better than anyone else. We will, as always, continue to facilitate the reporting of foreign correspondents in China and will do our best to provide more interview opportunities for you. Please feel free to come to me and my colleagues if you have any problem.

BBC: We've had an announcement from the Chinese government about sanctions on specific individuals and organizations in the United Kingdom. Can you explain a little bit about that? Why the decision was taken to do it and what the purpose of the sanctions is?

Hua Chunying: The United Kingdom (UK) imposed unilateral sanctions on relevant Chinese individuals and entity, citing the so-called human rights issues in Xinjiang. This move, based on nothing but lies and disinformation, flagrantly breaches international law and basic norms governing international relations, grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, and severely undermines China-UK relations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has summoned British Ambassador to China to lodge solemn representations, expressing firm opposition and strong condemnation. The Chinese side decides to sanction nine individuals and four entities on the UK side that maliciously spread lies and disinformation. As of today, the individuals concerned and their immediate family members are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China, their property in China will be frozen, and Chinese citizens and institutions will be prohibited from doing business with them. China reserves the right to take further measures.

China is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and warns the UK side not go further down the wrong path. Otherwise, China will resolutely make further reactions.

China Daily: We noticed that during his visit to the Middle East, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made five proposals on achieving stability and security in the region. What is China's consideration behind the proposals?

Hua Chunying: The Middle East was a highland of brilliant civilizations in human history. Yet, due to protracted conflicts and turmoil in the more recent history, the region descended into a security lowland. For the region to emerge from chaos and enjoy stability, it must break free from the shadows of big-power geopolitical rivalry, stay impervious to external pressure and interference, and explore development paths suited to its regional realities. It must build a security architecture that accommodates the legitimate concerns of all sides.

Now, the Middle East still faces on-going epidemic, disturbances and hotspot issues. The region is again at a crossroads with choices to make about where it is heading. It is in this context that State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made five proposals on realizing peace and stability in Middle East in an interview with Saudi Arabian media during his visit to the region.

First, advocating mutual respect. It is important to change the traditional mindset and see Middle East countries as partners for cooperation, development and peace, instead of simply perceiving the Middle East through the lens of geo-competition. It is important to support Middle East countries in exploring their own paths of development and pursue political settlement of such regional hotspot issues as Syria, Yemen and Libya.

Second, upholding equity and justice. Nothing represents equity and justice in the Middle East more than a sound solution to the question of Palestine. In its presidency of the UN Security Council this May, China will encourage the Security Council to fully deliberate on the question of Palestine to reaffirm the two-state solution. We will continue to invite peace advocates from Palestine and Israel to China for dialogue. We also welcome Palestinian and Israeli representatives to China for direct negotiations.

Third, achieving non-proliferation. Based on the merits in the evolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, relevant parties need to discuss and formulate the roadmap and time frame for the United States and Iran to resume compliance with the JCPOA. The pressing task is for the US to take substantive measures to lift its unilateral sanctions on Iran and long-arm jurisdiction on third parties, and for Iran to resume reciprocal compliance with its nuclear commitments, in an effort to achieve early harvest.

Fourth, jointly fostering collective security. It is important to encourage equal dialogue and consultation, mutual understanding and accommodation and improved relations among Gulf countries. It is imperative to resolutely combat terrorism and advance deradicalization. China proposes holding a multilateral dialogue conference for regional security in the Gulf region in China, to explore the establishment of a Middle East trust mechanism, and to build step by step a framework for collective, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security in the Middle East.

Fifth, accelerating development cooperation. It is important to help post-conflict countries rebuild, support greater diversity in the economic growth of oil producing countries, and assist other Middle East countries in achieving development and revitalization, in light of the resource endowments of different countries in the region. China will continue to hold the China-Arab Reform and Development Forum and the Middle East Security Forum to increase the sharing of governance experience with Middle East countries.

China has signed documents on Belt and Road cooperation with 19 Middle East countries and carried out distinctive collaboration with each of them. Looking ahead, China will deepen vaccine cooperation in light of the needs of regional countries and discuss with them trilateral vaccine cooperation with Africa. China will maintain close communication and coordination with relevant parties on the above-mentioned proposals so as to contribute our wisdom and strength to realizing peace, security and development in the Middle East.

CCTV: On March 24, the Schiller Institute released on its website a Declaration of China Experts from all over the World, which was jointly signed by 34 dignitaries from 18 countries, including former politicians, diplomats and scholars. The statement condemned recent international anti-China movement, and called on the west to acknowledge China's development achievements and splendid culture, have cooperation rather than confrontation with China. What is China's comment?

Hua Chunying: We have taken note of the above-mentioned statement. It represents the rational and just voice of visionary people in the world, condemns and rejects the crazy words and deeds of the western anti-China forces that wantonly attack, smear and even crafted rumors against China in disregard of facts.

The signatories of the statement have either lived and worked in China, or traveled to China on regular basis for long stay. They all have first-hand experience and objective observation of China. Many of them have witnessed the remarkable achievement China has scored since reform and opening up. They witness the journey where the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese government, with people-centered approach, led 850 million Chinese people out of extreme poverty. More recently, they have seen how 1.4 billion Chinese people, united as one, defeated the COVID-19 epidemic. Their statement once again proves that seeing is believing.

As a matter of fact, many foreign friends who have been living in or dealing with China for many years find that the closer they get to China, the more they will see that China in reality is far from or even completely opposite to the image some western media and politicians try to portray. I saw a lot of video clips uploaded by foreigners saying that they realized they were fooled by foreign media reports only after arriving in China and seeing the country as it is. China has always been open to the world. We welcome people from across the world to get closer to us and understand China. We hope certain individuals in the west will discard bias, return to rationality, liberate their thinking, seek truth from facts and view China from an objective perspective.

Kyodo News: China released the information that Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Jianghao met with the newly appointed DPRK Ambassador Ri Ryong Nam. What topics were brought up in their meeting? What did they talk about?

Hua Chunying: About Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Jianghao's meeting with ambassador Ri Ryong Nam, the Foreign Ministry released relevant information on its website. I don't have any more information to offer at the moment.

Xinhua News Agency: On March 24, Serbian people commemorated the victims of the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia 22 years ago. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stressed Serbia will never forget what happened in 1999. Vucic reminded how NATO countries "attacked a sovereign country, without an approval of the United Nations". He condemned it as "a horrific act of crime, and act of aggression", and added that "They attacked us in order to kill us, humiliate us, and in the end -- to take a part of our territory." During the 78-day military attack, 2,500 civilians were killed, among whom 79 were children. Do you have any response?

Hua Chunying: NATO is picking a fight against China. At the foreign ministers' meeting of NATO members three days ago, they called China a "challenge". We have to remind NATO that it owns a debt of blood to the Chinese people. It shall not forget that the US-led NATO blatantly bombed Yugoslavia in 1999 in severe violation of relevant international conventions and basic norms of international relations, killing many innocent civilians, including three Chinese journalists. The deceased were gone and the living need to stay vigilant and ponder.

Today, the historical trend of peace and development is unstoppable, but power politics and hegemonism still resurface from time to time, seriously undermining and threatening world security, stability and international equity and justice. In Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya and Syria, no one will forget the innocent civilians killed in the bombings, the crumbling walls under artillery shells, the glorious historical sites engulfed by raging fires.

The US and some western countries keep talking about "human rights" and "accountability". But did they show any care to the human rights of the people of those sovereign states when they blatantly waged war against them without the authorization of the Security Council, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths, numerous family separations and displacements? Is this what they call "international rules"? Shouldn't they be held accountable for acts of war?

The world today doesn't run in a might-is-right way. The days when the big and strong bullied the small and weak are long gone. We call on all countries to work together to reject unilateral bullying practice, reach out with an open hand rather than fist, and have a handshake for peace.

Both China and Serbia are indomitable peace-loving countries that will not yield to might and power. China is ready to work with all peace-loving countries and people in the world, including Serbia, to firmly safeguard international fairness and justice and jointly uphold and promote world peace, stability and development.

AFP: The sanctions China announced today on the UK side include the Essex Court Chambers. I wonder if the sanctions apply to all the barristers with it?

Hua Chunying: I'd refer you to the statement we released.

The Chinese side decides to sanction the nine individuals and four entities on the UK side that maliciously spread lies and disinformation. The individuals concerned and their immediate family members are prohibited from entering China, their property in China will be frozen, and Chinese citizens and institutions will be prohibited from doing business with them. As to who the sanctions apply to, I believe they can feel it.

Yonhap: According to reports, the foreign ministers of the ROK and China will hold talks next week. The ROK government also says it's working on plans for talks between the foreign ministers. Do you have a comment?

Hua Chunying: China and the ROK are close neighbors and important cooperative partners. The two foreign ministers have all along maintained close exchange and good communication and coordination. We welcome the newly-appointed Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong to visit China at a mutually-convenient time. If the two sides come to any specific plan on that, we'll release information in due course.

China News Service: On March 25, the 75th session of the UN General Assembly held a meeting to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Ambassador Dai Bing, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, attended and addressed the meeting. Can you give us more details?

Hua Chunying: On March 25, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly held a special meeting attended by President of the General Assembly Volkan Bozkır and Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres. Ambassador Dai Bing, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, attended the meeting and delivered a speech.

Slavery and the slave trade are among the worst violations of human rights in the history of humanity. For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history. What is even worse is that people of African descent still face racial discrimination today, prejudice, hatred and social injustice. This is a challenge to the conscience of mankind. The transatlantic slave trade ended more than two centuries ago, but the white supremacy mindset that underpinned it persists. Unfortunately, in the United States, tens of millions of people of African descent still suffer from discrimination and injustice. To them, freedom and equality are nothing but empty words in law documents. The death of African American George Floyd has led to them crying "I cannot breathe" in anger. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a surge in violent attacks against people of Asian descent. According to statistics, hate crimes against Asians in the 16 largest cities in the US soared by 150% between March 2020 and February 2021. We can't help but wonder: who will be the next victim?

The Chinese side has noted that the US has begun to publicly acknowledge its serious human rights problems. Admitting problems is good, but correcting mistakes is all the more important. It is hoped that the US side will take concrete actions to address such issues as racism, racial discrimination and police violence to effectively protect the rights of ethnic minorities. It should also engage in international cooperation based on sincerity and equality, stop spreading political lies and launching groundless attacks against other countries, stop labeling other countries based on lies and false information, and stop willfully provoking unilateral illegal sanctions and confrontation against other countries.

BBC: In an earlier answer, you referred to, I think, a BBC report detailing the CIA's role in Hong Kong. Do you have the details of that report? The date it was broadcast and the platform and that type of things?

Hua Chunying: Did I mention the BBC?

Journalist: Maybe I misheard.

Hua Chunying: I mentioned that there was a British media and an American media, and you made the connection yourself, right? There is too much to be said about the untrue reports by the BBC. I will not go into details here. We can do it some other day.

Bloomberg: You've mentioned that you think that the CIA is fomenting unrest in China and I wonder if you have any evidence that you like to show to us about that. If this is true, what security actions China's taking to counter the threat that you described from the CIA?

Hua Chunying: I need to correct you. It is Mr. Lawrence Wilkerson, retired US Army Colonel and chief of staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell who said so openly, as you saw in that video clip. If you need to check again, we can forward the video to you.

Journalist: I did hear you say that the CIA is fomenting unrest in China. Is that the implication that you're making by showing this video? Just to be clear, you don't have any evidence the CIA is fomenting unrest in Xinjiang, right?

Hua Chunying: It is Mr. Wilkerson who said so. I said something to the effect that we can see its shadow in a series of incidents, including during the disturbance over the proposed legislative amendments in Hong Kong. We did see it.

As to the things CIA and NED have done, there are many videos and reports available online. If you are truly interested and not selective, you can find them easily enough. Perhaps you can ask the US side for clarification whether Mr. Wilkerson was telling the truth. Do they or do they not intend to use Uyghurs in Xinjiang as a pawn to foment unrest and destabilize China from within? The US should give China an explanation and clarification, a clear yes or no.

On issues relating to Xinjiang, we have abundant evidence to prove that some anti-China forces in the US and other Western countries fabricated rumors. As to what the US actually did, maybe they should make clarifications. China is aboveboard and has nothing to hide. We stand ready to expose all those lies and rumors with facts and truth, but will the US do likewise? So perhaps we can ask them to clarify and give an explicit answer, a clear yes or no.

Reuters: I just want to ask, following the recent coordinated sanctions by the US, EU, Canada and the UK, does China have any plans to impose any more retaliatory sanctions, especially I want to ask whether China has plans to impose sanctions on the US as well?

Hua Chunying: As we have said many times, the sanctions imposed by the US, the UK, Canada and the EU on relevant Chinese individuals and entities are utterly based on lies and false information. That is to say, the premise and basis for their sanctions against China are completely non-existent. It was based on malicious lies, rumors and false information that they've imposed the sanctions that severely undermine China's interests. We will not turn a blind eye to anything that undermines China's sovereignty, security and development interests, or impairs China's honor and dignity. We will make legitimate and necessary reactions. I also want to stress that it is the US, the UK, Canada and the EU that started provocation first. China was only acting in self-defence. China's response is legitimate, just and necessary.

The Chinese side has repeatedly and patiently explained to the US, the UK, Canada and the EU about the truth in response to their accusations in the best way it can. Unfortunately, they didn't want to listen. But when the day comes, don't say you are not given a heads-up. If they are bent on harming China's interests, we will have to talk and deal with them in a way that they can understand and remember .

NHK: Myanmar is to hold a large-scale military ceremony tomorrow. Will China send someone to attend?

Hua Chunying: I'm not aware of that.

The Paper: On March 25, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a bill to direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, asking the Secretary of State to give an account of the changes and improvements made to the United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the World Health Assembly. I wonder if you have a comment?

Hua Chunying: The US bill is a serious breach of the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques. It runs counter to international law and basic norms governing international relations. China rejects it. According to UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1, the participation of China's Taiwan region in WHO events must be handled following the one-China principle. Based on this principle, the Central Government of China has made proper arrangements for the Taiwan region's participation in global health affairs.

The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-US relations and the core content of the three China-US joint communiques. We urge the US side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, comply with international law and basic norms governing international relations, stop reviewing and pushing the negative Taiwan-related bill, not to send out wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces and not to help the Taiwan region to expand its so-called "international space".

BBC: There have been some reports that the WHO report may be due to be released in the coming days. Do you have any information about that?

Hua Chunying: Chinese and international experts have been working on the report. As far as I understand, the communication on the content and translation of the report is still going on among relevant experts. I don't have any details about the timing or the content. I think the time for releasing the report depends on the on-going discussions of Chinese and foreign experts. But the main conclusion, findings and suggestions of the joint study on origin-tracing have been announced to the public at the press conference on February 9. I would like to stress that the issue of origin-tracing is a scientific one that should be left to scientists who can conduct cooperation and research.

AFP: China seems to be acting stronger in diplomacy. Sometimes this is called "wolf-warrior diplomacy". We also noticed that the countermeasures China takes against the UK comes in a wider scope the UK sanctions on China. What are reasons behind this strong reaction?

Hua Chunying: As I said earlier, with regard to what's happening between China, the UK and the EU, we are not the first to make provocations, but the one forced to retaliate in self-defense. The sanctions imposed by the US, the UK, Canada and the EU on China based on rumors, lies and disinformation violate international law and basic norms governing international relations and severely infringe on China's interests. This is unacceptable, and we are forced to take legitimate, necessary and just reactions. They should not be surprised at all by China's countermeasures. The Chinese side has repeatedly told them the truth, but they would rather believe the rumors and lies fabricated by a small number of anti-China forces than the truth and facts we told them time and again. They prefer to ignore the fact that more than 25 million people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang live a happy life there.

Under such circumstances, in order to safeguard China's interests and dignity, we must firmly reject their violation of China's sovereignty and interests and communicate with them by reciprocating what we received, a way they can understand and remember. China is a country of courtesy that values harmony. But if some countries repeatedly undermine China's sovereignty, security, honor and dignity, then we have to make clear our firm position. They might be a little uncomfortable with that because they've been used to the way that "I can say it but you cannot; I can do it, but you can't even accuse me if I do it." It's just not equal. They should learn and get used to treating China and other countries as equals and with mutual respect. This is the correct way for countries to get along with each other.

RIA Novosti: French President Macron after the first day of EU virtual summit said that Europe now is facing a new type of world war in the sector of vaccination. He pointed out that there are many reasons for this, including the fact that Russia and China are trying to use the vaccines to extend their global influence. I wonder if you have any comments?

Hua Chunying: Were the remarks of President Macron released just moments ago? (The journalist nodded.)

I haven't read the report yet, but China's position on vaccines is that they should be made a global public good. No country is absolutely safe until every country is safe. That's why China has been actively advancing international cooperation on vaccines and providing help and support at the request of relevant countries.

We believe that, be it Chinese vaccines or foreign vaccines, it is good vaccine as long as it is safe and effective in helping people to resist the virus. China has been honoring its commitment to make building a community of health for all with concrete actions. We hope other countries, especially developed and major countries with the capability, can lead by example and shoulder due responsibility. Indeed, some countries have hoarded vaccines far in excess of their population's needs. This is vaccines nationalism that will create "vaccine divide". This is not right.

The global effort to fight the pandemic is at a critical juncture. Solidarity and cooperation of the international community is the only way to defeat the virus at an early date. We hope all countries can make positive contribution to ensure the availability and affordability of vaccines in developing countries. China is ready to work with France and other countries to step up international cooperation on vaccines.

Bloomberg: The US and Taiwan have reached an agreement for their coast guards to cooperate. They signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Hua Chunying: China's position on US-Taiwan interactions is clear and consistent. We ask the US to abide by the one-China principle and stipulations in the three Sino-US communiques, stop official exchanges and military interactions with Taiwan and be prudent on Taiwan-related issues. We also ask Taiwan not to try to add to its importance by soliciting US support.

TASS: On Wednesday, a giant cargo ship loaded with containers got wedged in Egypt's Suez Canal and blocked marine traffic, costing US$400 million losses per hour. Do you have any comment?

Hua Chunying: This is not a diplomatic issue. We hope the Suez Canal can function unimpeded and the relevant matter be properly handled at an early date.