Global Times: A recent poll launched by huanqiu.com shows that nearly 90% of Chinese netizens surveyed believe that the United States does not stand on the side of fairness and justice on the Ukraine issue, but instead practices l hegemony and intimidation. What’s your comment ?

Zhao Lijian: I noted the poll, which reflects the voice of majority justice. The ins and outs of the unfolding Ukrainian dossier are perfectly clear. The US-led NATO moves have escalated the tension between Russia and Ukraine to breaking point. The United States, instead of taking concrete steps to calm the situation, has continued to add fuel to the fire, to aggravate the conflict, to force other countries to choose sides and create a chilling “friend or foe” effect. What else could that represent but hegemony and intimidation? The United States has also consistently spread misinformation to smear China and distort China’s responsible stance of facilitating peace talks. It houses the agenda to shift blame, incite confrontation, take advantage of the situation, and seek space to simultaneously contain China and Russia. What else could it be but hegemony and intimidation?

The Ukraine question revealed what the United States would do in its pursuit of hegemony and intimidation. But the list of similar American practices is long. Clinging to the Cold War mentality, the United States is obsessed with drawing ideological lines as it forms closed, exclusive cliques and stirs up opposition and confrontation. The real agenda is to prolong US hegemony and power politics. Under the inescapable banner of democracy, freedom and human rights, the United States unleashed “color revolutions” which provoked regional conflicts and went so far as to wage wars directly against other countries which heighten tensions in the regional and global security situation. The scheme is to take advantage of the instability for huge economic interests and geopolitical advantage. Deliberately wielding the stick of unilateral sanctions, the United States also engages in economic coercion that seriously undermines the stability of global industrial and supply chains. This decision is aimed at suppressing and containing other countries. Following international law and international rules as it sees fit, the United States enforces the so-called “rules-based order” as “gang rules” to uphold power politics and hegemony.

Peace and development is a mainstream trend and garners overwhelming support. The intimidation and hegemonic practices of the United States against the trend of the time drew stronger criticism and rejection from the international community. The United States should face global public opinion, including China, abandon the Cold War and zero-sum mentality and the outdated idea of ​​seeking its absolute security at the expense of others at an early date. , and return to the path of upholding international equity and justice.

The Paper: On April 12, Beijing time, the “China Travel Advisory” on the US State Department website shows that the United States has ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees and all members of their family from the Consulate General in Shanghai. This means that the “authorized departure” announced earlier by the United States has now been changed to “ordered departure”. What is China’s comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: The Chinese side has clarified its position after the United States allowed the voluntary departure of some employees and their family members at its consulate general in Shanghai. Whether it is an “authorized” or an “ordered” departure is the United States’ own decision. I would like to underline three points.

First, China’s anti-epidemic policy is science-based and works effectively. We have every confidence to contain the new wave of COVID-19 in Shanghai and elsewhere. Many foreign nationals, including US citizens in Shanghai, are joining Shanghai residents in solidarity to fight the virus and overcome the current difficulties.

Second, relevant Chinese authorities and local governments have always provided foreign diplomatic and consular personnel in China with assistance and convenience to the greatest extent possible within the framework of relevant policies for the performance of their duties in accordance with international conventions. The line of communication between China and the United States also remains open.

Third, we deplore and reject the politicization and instrumentalization by the United States of the issue of personnel departures. We have made formal representations to the American side. The United States should immediately stop attacking China’s anti-epidemic policies, stop political manipulation under the guise of the epidemic, and stop smearing China.

Associated Press of Pakistan: On April 11, Shahbaz Sharif was elected as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan. How do you see the future relations between Pakistan and China under his leadership?

Zhao Lijian: We congratulate Mr. Shahbaz Sharif on his election as Prime Minister of Pakistan. China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners with strong and unbreakable relationship. China looks forward to working with the Pakistani side to continue traditional friendship, deepen cooperation in various fields and jointly build a high-quality China-Pakistan economic corridor so as to forge an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future. new era.

Seoul Broadcasting System: According to ROK media, the ROK government discovered a mobile oil drilling structure installed by the Chinese side in the disputed waters, or the interim measures area, and held a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss countermeasures. What is China’s comment?

Zhao Lijian: I am currently unaware of the situation you mentioned. I can tell you that China and the Republic of Korea are advancing the negotiations on the delimitation of maritime boundaries. The two sides also established the maritime affairs dialogue and cooperation mechanism. The two countries are in good communication on maritime issues within the framework of existing mechanisms.

Bloomberg: Sri Lanka has warned creditors of a possible default and suspended payments on part of the external debt, which is an extraordinary measure taken to preserve its stockpile of dwindling dollars for food and food imports. fuel. Sri Lanka is seeking to borrow $1 billion from China so it can repay existing Chinese loans due in July. Does the department have a comment on the current situation?

Zhao Lijian: To answer your question, China and Sri Lanka have always enjoyed mutual understanding and support since the establishment of diplomatic ties. China has helped Sri Lanka in its socio-economic development to the best of its ability and will continue to do so in the future.

Bloomberg: The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said China’s COVID lockdowns have caused “significant disruption” for many businesses. Almost half of German companies said in a survey that their supply chains had been affected. Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have a comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: China’s dynamic zero-COVID policy and anti-epidemic protocols are based on science and expert opinions, and consistent with its national realities and WHO guiding principles. They have effectively protected the lives and health of Chinese nationals and foreigners living in China and made important contributions to the global fight against the pandemic. The international community, including the WHO, has praised it.

Since last year, some Chinese cities have adopted a host of prevention and control measures in response to sporadic outbreaks. Although these measures have had some impact on daily life and production, the effect is limited in both duration and scope. Thanks to these measures, the vast majority of the population in most regions can enjoy normal life and production. Naturally, all prevention and control measures have a price. All these efforts are helpful to protect people’s life and health. Facts have proven that the global dynamic zero COVID guideline is appropriate as it matches the realities of China and has yielded desirable results. And China’s number of confirmed cases and deaths and economic growth statistics all point to the conclusion that China’s COVID-19 containment is among the most successful in the world. By adopting robust and effective containment measures, China is able to maintain socio-economic growth and, at the same time, make an important contribution to maintaining the stability and smoothness of industrial and supply chains. world and maintaining global economic growth.

I would like to reiterate that the fundamentals that underpin China’s sound economic growth over the long term have not changed, that China’s status as a vital engine of global economic growth has not changed, and that confidence of the international community in the Chinese economy has not changed. We stand ready to strengthen cooperation with all parties, as always, to give impetus to the sustainable recovery of the global economy.