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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on November 10, 2021
2021-11-10 20:56

CCTV: The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council have issued a circular on further promoting the nationwide battle to prevent and control pollution. Analysts said this is a new step to better synergize the reduction of pollution and carbon emissions and promote global climate governance. Could you share more details on that?

Wang Wenbin: The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council issued a circular on further promoting the nationwide battle to prevent and control pollution on November 7. According to the circular, by 2025, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of the country's GDP will be reduced by 18 percent from the level in 2020. In cities at or above the prefectural level, the intensity of PM 2.5 will be decreased by 10 percent, and the proportion of days with good air quality will reach 87.5 percent. By 2035, carbon emissions will stabilize and decline after reaching a peak, and the country's ecological environment will see fundamental improvement. The objective of building a beautiful China will be basically achieved, among others. The circular also makes specific arrangements for accelerating green, low-carbon development, winning the battles to defend blue skies, clear waters and clean land and improve the modernization of the ecological environment governance.

We stressed many times that in addressing climate change, China has matched its words with deeds, and formulated specific timetable and roadmap for the targets it set. The issuance of the circular marks another new step China takes to coordinate pollution control, eco-environmental protection and response to climate change in light of the country's new development stage, development philosophy and development pattern. It shows China's firm determination in climate change response and drive to deliver what it has promised. Over the years, we have taken on international commitments that match our national circumstances and vigorously explored a green and low-carbon path to development. Making coordinated efforts to reduce pollution and carbon emissions is an important part of such endeavor. Carbon dioxide and other ordinary pollutants often come from the same sources, mainly from the burning and utilization of fossil fuels. To reduce the utilization of fossil fuels and ensure the efforts to reduce pollution and carbon emissions are planned and carried out in tandem, and the performance assessment of the two is also conducted jointly will be conducive to realizing synchronized progress in peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality and the fundamental improvement of the country's ecological environment.

Looking ahead, China will continue to honor its commitments and step up efforts to peak carbon emissions. Through such means as establishing a system to control the total volume of CO2 emissions, setting up and improving a carbon trading market and strengthening control of emissions of methane and other non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases, China has been earnestly implementing its objectives of nationally determined contributions by 2030 and making its contributions to global climate change response.

AFP: According to reports, Pakistan is hosting a troika plus meeting with the US, China and Russia to discuss Afghanistan issues tomorrow. Can you confirm China's participation? Secondly, the former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating recently criticized the Australian government's approach to China in a speech. What's your comment?

Wang Wenbin: On your first question, China supports Pakistan in hosting this extended meeting of the China-US-Russia consultation mechanism and supports all international efforts conducive to promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan and building consensus among all parties. Yue Xiaoyong, Special Envoy for Afghan affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, will lead a delegation to attend the meeting.

On your second question, the current difficult situation in China-Australia relations was caused entirely by the Australian side. Australia is fully aware of this. For quite some time, many visionary people in Australia have made objective and rational voices on China-Australia relations and put forward helpful suggestions on improving bilateral relations, which should be carefully listened to with deep reflection by the Australian government. The Australian side should face squarely the crux of the setbacks in the bilateral ties, view China and its development in an objective and rational light, and handle bilateral relations in accordance with the principle of mutual respect and equality. It should correct its erroneous words and actions on China that have been around for a while and do things that can help to enhance mutual trust and practical cooperation. 

Bloomberg: It's reported yesterday that President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold a virtual summit next week although no date has been set yet. Do you have any comment or any more details on this matter?

Wang Wenbin: Since the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping has spoken with President Biden over the phone upon invitation twice. The two heads of state agreed to maintain frequent contact through multiple means. At present, China and the US are in close communication over the specific arrangement for the leaders' summit.

Kyodo News: Today, Fumio Kishida, President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was elected as Japan's Prime Minister. What is China's expectation for China-Japan relations going forward?

Wang Wenbin: China congratulates Mr. Fumio Kishida on his reelection as Japan's Prime Minister.

Developing good-neighborly, friendly, cooperative relations between China and Japan meets the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples. It is also conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and beyond. We hope the Japanese side will work with China to deepen cooperation in various fields, properly manage differences and jointly foster China-Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era. 

Associated Press of Pakistan: Pakistan has been participating in the China International Import Expo for the last four consecutive years. Talking to media, a senior Pakistani official said that the expo has helped Pakistan in improving its overall trade with China and also increasing its exports to China. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: Pakistan has been participating in the China International Import Expo for the last four consecutive years and China welcomes that. Since its inception, the China International Import Expo (CIIE) has yielded impressive results with intended deals increasing for years running. The CIIE thus enables global enterprises to share the huge market opportunities in China. The number of countries and companies that joined the expo this year hit record highs. More than 80 percent of Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders took part in the expo for at least the second time.

A total of 100 on-site activities were held on the sidelines of this year's CIIE. Dozens of companies launched their new products, cutting-edge technologies and innovative services, more than half of which made their debuts in China, Asia or the world. Many products were also tailored for the Chinese market. Summits and forums in various sectors were held, and many reports and policy interpretations were published. Famous companies at home and abroad expressed their optimism about the China market and expectations to expand cooperation for common development. 

The fruitful outcomes of the CIIE is the best testament to China's further opening up. We are glad to see what has been achieved in China-Pakistan economic and trade cooperation at this CIIE, and stand ready to work together with Pakistan to further deepen and expand all-round cooperation including on trade and continue to substantiate China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era that will bring more benefits to the two countries and the two peoples.

RIA Novosti: Taiwanese media reported yesterday that several members of the US Congress have visited Taiwan yesterday on a military plane. Do you have any comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: The visit of the relevant members of the US Congress gravely violates the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques. China firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representation with the US side. We ask the US side to immediately stop all forms of official interactions with Taiwan and avoid sending wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, lest it should seriously undermine China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. 

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The one-China principle is an unshakable norm governing international relations. China's reunification is an unstoppable trend of history. On both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the 1.4 billion Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan, share the overwhelming aspiration for national reunification. The clumsy show of a handful of "Taiwan independence" elements and foreign politicians cannot change the unbreakable landscape where 180 countries in the world are committed to the one-China principle. 

We urge the relevant US lawmakers to get a clear understanding of the situation: it is a dangerous game to collude with "Taiwan independence" forces, and joining the "Taiwan independence" forces in playing with fire will only get oneself burnt. All adventurist and provocative moves to confront the trend of China's reunification is like an ant trying to topple a giant tree and will end up in failure.

Reuters: The Dalai Lama said today that he has no particular plans to meet the Chinese leader. Is China willing to resume the dialogue with the Tibetan government-in-exile? 

Wang Wenbin: The so-called "Tibetan government-in-exile" is an out-and-out separatist political group and an illegal organization completely in violation of China's Constitution and laws. It is not recognized by any country in the world. The Central Government of China's policy on contact and negotiations with the 14th Dalai Lama is consistent and clear, and the door for contact and negotiations remains open. I want to stress that the contact and negotiations are only about the personal future of the 14th Dalai Lama, not the so-called "Tibetan issue". What the 14th Dalai Lama should do is to truly give up the position of splitting the motherland, stop activities that will separate the country, and win the trust of the Central Government and the Chinese people with concrete actions. 

TBS: Yesterday the PLA conducted a patrol in the Taiwan Strait. Does it have anything to do with the fact that US lawmakers visited Taiwan?

Wang Wenbin: As for this combat readiness patrol of the PLA military aircraft, I would refer you to competent authorities. As for the US congressmen's visit to Taiwan, I have just answered the question.

Bloomberg: A Chinese government official in Hong Kong told us that Hong Kong's border with the mainland could open in a limited capacity in January. This is earlier than previously indicated. Do you have any comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: I already responded to a related question the other day and you may refer to that.


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