Xinhua News Agency: The World Leaders Summit at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is held in Glasgow, the UK, from November 1 to 2. President Xi Jinping delivered a written statement to elaborate on China’s propositions on climate governance and share China’s achievements and contributions in climate governance. Could you offer more information?
Wang Wenbin: The 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is held in Glasgow, the UK, from October 31 to November 12. The UK hosts the World Leaders Summit on November 1 and 2. President Xi delivered a written statement at the summit.
In this statement, he offered China’s solution to major tasks of our times including how to address climate change and revitalize the world economy. He put forward three propositions, namely, upholding multilateral consensus, focusing on concrete actions, and accelerating the green transition. He stressed that China, guided by the vision of a community of life for man and Nature, is committed to a green and low-carbon development path that gives priority to ecological conservation. The “1+N” policy framework has identified the timetable, roadmap and blueprint for China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.
President Xi’s statement demonstrates China’s sense of responsibility as a major country in actively addressing climate change and leading global climate governance. It has been highly acclaimed by the international community. Just as President Xi emphasized, “successful governance relies on solid action”. China stands ready to work hand in hand with the international community to tackle the climate challenge, protect the planet we all call home and foster a community of life for man and Nature.
Reuters: Why did the Chinese leader only deliver an address at the opening leaders’ segment of COP26 in written format, and not via video link?
Wang Wenbin: As I understand, the host of the conference did not provide the option to participate by videoconference. What I want to stress is that President Xi Jinping's written statement to COP26 demonstrates China's firm position to actively promote international cooperation on climate change and protect the planet we all call home and its sense of responsibility as a major country. China's proposals and measures have been highly praised and recognized by the international community.
MASTV: Antiy Labs, an anti-virus company of China, announced that a number of phishing activities and cyber attacks targeting China and countries in the South Asian Subcontinent have been busted this year with India-based hackers behind attempts to launch attacks on China's defense and military units as well as state-owned enterprises. The analysis report will soon be published. Do you have any response?
Wang Wenbin: I would like to refer you to the competent authorities of cybersecurity for the specifics. As a principle, China stands against all forms of cyber attacks.
Yonhap News Agency: I have two questions. It is reported that China and Russia recently circulated a draft resolution on the DPRK at the UN Security Council. Can the foreign ministry share more information on the content? Also, Yang Jiechi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, met with the DPRK’s ambassador to China last week, and Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Korean Peninsula Affairs had a video conference with his ROK counterpart yesterday. Can you share more information on what China has done to encourage the DPRK to return to dialogue and negotiation and China’s expectation in this regard?
Wang Wenbin: On your first question, China and Russia circulated a DPRK-related draft resolution at the Security Council last Friday. The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is complicated and sensitive with the political settlement process at a standstill. The main consideration behind China and Russia’s decision to put forward this draft resolution at this point lies in the following aspects. First, it is aimed to strengthen the trajectory of a political settlement to the Korean Peninsula issue and create an enabling atmosphere to facilitate the early start of dialogue. Second, given that the DPRK has taken multiple denuclearization measures in recent years, its legitimate and reasonable concerns deserve attention and response. Third, the negative impact of international sanctions and COVID-19 on the DPRK’s economy and people’s livelihood is a cause for concern, so the Security Council should facilitate external support and assistance to the country. Fourth, the Security Council should activate provisions on modifying sanctions in DPRK-related resolutions at an appropriate point to make adjustments to some sanctions concerning the economy and livelihood, which is in line with the spirit of the resolutions. Fifth, to improve inter-Korean relations and promote reconciliation and cooperation is the overriding trend, which the international community and relevant parties should all support by creating necessary conditions. We hope relevant parties will look at the draft resolution by China and Russia with a positive and constructive attitude and make joint efforts to advance the political settlement of the Peninsula issue.
On your second question, China has been playing a constructive role in promoting peace talks on the Peninsula and maintains active interaction and in-depth communication with relevant parties. We firmly uphold peace and stability of the Peninsula, stay committed to promoting peace talks, and support all efforts conducive to easing the situation and facilitating dialogue. The dual-track approach and the phased and synchronized principle put forward by China has received great attention and recognition from all parties. China and Russia jointly proposed a draft resolution at the Security Council on the political settlement of the Peninsula issue, calling for the resumption of talks at an early date. This is very constructive under the current circumstances.
China believes the crux of the Peninsula issue lies in the fact that the denuclearization measures the DPRK has taken have not won due attention, and the country’s legitimate concerns have not received due response. The US should face the crux of the problem squarely, propose attractive plans for dialogue and take real actions instead of simply shouting slogans. China is ready to strengthen communication with all parties on the Peninsula affairs and continue to actively contribute to the political settlement of the Peninsula issue.
Shenzhen TV: According to media reports, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on November 1 that amid the turmoil in Afghanistan, the US had attempted to persuade Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to allow American forces to be stationed in their territory. All rejected the US proposal. During a meeting between the Russian and US heads of state this June, the Russian side stated explicitly that it categorically opposes US attempts to deploy military bases in Central Asian countries. Does the Chinese side have any comment?
Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. The countries you mentioned are all SCO members. To safeguard regional peace and stability is the shared objective of all SCO members. Relevant countries maintain close cooperation. The two-decade war in Afghanistan waged by the US has wreaked havoc on peace and stability in Afghanistan and the wider region and led to a huge humanitarian disaster. The US should draw a hard lesson, rectify its belligerent policy, earnestly respect regional countries’ sovereign independence and territorial integrity, act to promote regional peace and stability and avoid repeating past mistakes.
People’s Daily: At the World Leaders Summit at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26), more than 100 countries, including China, will join the Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forest and Land Use. Could you share more details on that?
Wang Wenbin: Forests are the lungs of our planet and the largest carbon sinks in terrestrial ecosystems. China's participation in the Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forest and Land Use demonstrates its resolve and contribution to protecting ecological environment and actively addressing climate change.
Guided by the concept of a community of life f