China Review News: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded his visit to China. After meeting with Chinese leaders, he told reporters that “I walk away from the meeting satisfied that we have positive engagement between Australia and China” and thanked the Chinese side for its warm hospitality. How does China see the visit? What are your expectations for bilateral ties going forward?

Wang Wenbin: This is the first visit by an Australian Prime Minister to China in seven years and Prime Minister Albanese’s first visit to China since he took office. The visit pays tribute to the historic visit by former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam to China 50 years ago, and marks yet another important high-level exchange between the two countries since President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Albanese in Bali last November and the meeting between Chinese Premier and the Australian Prime Minister in Jakarta in September. It is an important opportunity for the two sides to build on what has been achieved and chart the way forward.

During the visit, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Albanese held in-depth strategic communication on issues of strategic and overarching importance that bear on the direction and long-term growth of China-Australia relations, which provides strategic guidance for sustained improvement and advancement of bilateral ties. Premier Li Qiang held talks with Prime Minister Albanese. They had comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views on China-Australia relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, and reached important common understandings. NPC Chairman Zhao Leji also had in-depth friendly exchanges with Prime Minister Albanese on bilateral relations and exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries. The exchanges between the leaders were wide-ranging, deep-going, productive and carried out in a friendly atmosphere. The visit was positively received in both countries and internationally. 

China is ready to work with Australia to be guided by the important common understandings reached by the leaders, stay committed to the principle of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and seeking common ground while shelving differences, actively implement the outcomes of the visit, further strengthen dialogue and cooperation, deepen political mutual trust, enhance friendship between our peoples, and promote the continued improvement and growth of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership from this new starting point to deliver more benefits to both countries and peoples and contribute more positive energy to regional and global peace and stability.

TASS: Kyodo News quoted a US official as saying that US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping plan to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm this?

Wang Wenbin: The two sides have agreed to work together for the meeting between the two Presidents in San Francisco. In the meantime, it won’t be plain sailing to San Francisco, nor can we leave it to autopilot to get us there. The two sides need to return to what was agreed between the two Presidents in Bali and truly act on it. What is vital is for both sides to rise above disruptions, overcome obstacles, expand common understandings and accumulate potential outcomes.

Global Times: It’s reported that French President Emmanuel Macron announced he will hold a “humanitarian conference” on Gaza on November 9. Will China send delegates to the conference?

Wang Wenbin: Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun will attend the international conference on humanitarian aid for Gaza’s civilians in France on November 9. China will continue to work relentlessly with the international community to bring about an early ceasefire, protect civilians, provide humanitarian assistance and implement the two-state solution.

AFP: It was said that the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council will be hosting a dinner on November 15 in San Francisco. Does the foreign ministry have any details on which official will be attending?

Wang Wenbin: I do not have information to offer on that.

Bloomberg: The Chinese Ambassador to Estonia told a member of the Estonian parliament that the ambassador may leave the country if Taiwan opens a representative office there. Can you confirm those comments that were told to the media by the Estonian parliamentarian? Do you have anything more to add to that?

Wang Wenbin: There is only one China in the world. The government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. We firmly oppose any form of official interaction between the Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic ties with China and oppose any action supporting “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. We call on Estonia to stay committed to its solemn commitment of adhering to the one-China principle, not to allow Taiwan to set up any organization of official nature, and earnestly safeguard the political foundation of its relations with China.

NHK: The recent “International Uyghur Forum” in Tokyo urged the Japanese government to conduct an independent investigation into the human rights situation in Xinjiang. What’s the foreign ministry’s response to this?

Wang Wenbin: Xinjiang today enjoys social stability, economic prosperity, ethnic solidarity and religious harmony. The people in Xinjiang live a peaceful and happy life. Since the beginning of this year, more than 100 foreign delegations, including two groups of Japanese tourists, have visited Xinjiang. They experienced in person the unique charm of Xinjiang and spoke highly of its economic and social progress. They also recognized the strong efforts of the Chinese government to protect the multi-ethnic culture and freedom of religious belief in Xinjiang. 

The so-called “World Uyghur Congress” is an anti-China separatist organization. It has a long track record of spreading rumors and lies about Xinjiang and inciting violence, terrorism and separatism. The so-called “International Uyghur Forum” you mentioned is nothing but theatrics staged by the “World Uyghur Congress”.

Xinjiang-related issues are China’s internal affairs. No country has the right to interfere. We firmly reject attacks and smears against China by anyone or any force using human rights as a pretext and groundless accusations about the human rights conditions in Xinjiang. Such attempts will not get anywhere.

Beijing Daily: We noted that the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) this week released the World Intel