AFP: I have a question on the report by Microsoft this week, which said a China-based hacking group was targeting Western government data. Does the Chinese foreign ministry have any further details on the origin of these hacks?

Wang Wenbin: I have answered relevant questions yesterday. The US needs to give an explanation for its own cyber attacks as soon as possible, instead of spreading disinformation and deflecting attention.

China Daily: From July 11 to 12, the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council held an urgent debate on acts of burning the Quran in relevant countries and passed a draft resolution proposed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, with a vote of 28 in favour, 12 against and 7 abstentions. The resolution condemns the recent public and premeditated acts of desecration of the Quran, decides to hold a topic discussion and an interactive dialogue at the 54th and 55th sessions of the UN Human Rights Council respectively and requests the High Commissioner to present an oral update on the root causes of religious hatred. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: China supports holding this urgent debate and expresses its strong condemnation over the burning of the Quran that happened once again in relevant country.

China advocates mutual respect, inclusiveness and mutual learning between civilizations and firmly opposes all forms of Islamophobia. The so-called “freedom of speech” is not a reason for stoking conflicts and antagonism between civilizations. All religious beliefs and feelings need to be respected.

China will work with the international community to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, advocate equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, safeguard the world’s diversity of civilizations and together advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

CCTV: According to reports, the Cuban foreign ministry said in a statement on July 11 that it strongly rejects the arrival of a nuclear-powered submarine in the Guantanamo Bay and its stay for days at the US military base located there, which is a provocative escalation. The statement also said that the US has illegally occupied that territory for over 120 years against the will of the Cuban people, and its practical usefulness in recent decades has been limited to operating as a center of detention, torture and systematic violation of the human rights of citizens from several countries. Do you have any comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: As Cuba’s foreign ministry noted in its statement, this US move is a violation of Cuba’s sovereignty.

At the 2014 Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Havana, 33 members of CELAC adopted a declaration proclaiming Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. The US muscle-flexing runs counter to regional countries’ aspiration for peace, which once again exposes its hegemonic and bullying nature.

China firmly supports Cuba in upholding its sovereignty and dignity, firmly opposes interference in Cuba’s internal affairs and firmly rejects the US’s six-decades-long ruthless blockade, political suppression and economic sanctions against Cuba. We urge the US to stop military provocation and lift its blockade and sanctions on Cuba as soon as possible.

Xinhua News Agency: China announced today that Algerian President Tebboune will pay a state visit to China. Can you share more about this visit and how does China view the current China-Algeria relations? What does China expect to achieve through this visit?

Wang Wenbin: This visit will be President Tebboune’s first visit to China after taking office. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will hold talks with President Tebboune to jointly chart the future growth of China-Algeria relations and have in-depth exchange of views on regional and international issues of shared interest.

China and Algeria enjoy a deep traditional friendship. The two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals and supported each other. China was the first non-Arab country to recognize the Algerian provisional government. Algeria made instrumental contribution to the restoration of China’s lawful seat in the United Nations. In 2014, Algeria and China established comprehensive strategic partnership, making Algeria the first Arab state to forge such a partnership with China. In recent years, thanks to the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Tebboune, the China-Algeria relations have achieved comprehensive and in-depth development with deepening political mutual trust. China and Algeria had fruitful practical cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road cooperation, maintained close communication and coordination on regional and international affairs and firmly safeguarded international equity and justice and the common interests of fellow developing countries. China looks forward to working with Algeria through this visit to enhance mutual trust, cooperation and friendship, seek greater progress of the China-Algeria comprehensive strategic partnership and make greater contribution to promoting the security and stability in the Middle East and strengthening the unity and cooperation among developing countries.

Shenzhen TV: We have noted that recently, Ambassador Chen Xu delivered a joint statement on artificial intelligence (AI) to advance the rights of people with disabilities on behalf of 70 nations at the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council. Could you share more information on this? Since AI research and application is a cutting-edge topic of our times, what significance will the joint statement have on advancing the global cause of protecting people with disabilities with AI?

Wang Wenbin: Recently, at the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, China made a joint statement on promoting rights of people with disabilities with AI on behalf of 70 countries. It is pointed out that the fast-growing AI, on the one hand, will help realize inclusive development and the human rights of people with impairments. On the other hand, it will exacerbate the inequality faced by them. The joint statement put forward three proposals. First, there is a need to boost collaboration, have in-depth discussions about closing the digital gap, and develop more diverse ways for people with disabilities to equitably benefit from social and economic progress. The second is to develop inclusively so that the high-quality development of AI may assist the disabled and will be more convenient, accessible, and inclusive. The third is to utilize technology responsibly, encourage AI to further the protection of disabled people’s rights and interests, and give special consideration to the disabled. 

People with disabilities are equal members in the family of humanity. Safeguarding their equal rights and promoting their integration and development are common consensus of the international community. As a major country in science and technology and a member state of the UN Human Rights Council, China is committed to better integration and development of people with disabilities through the application of AI, and contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to the sound development of the global cause of people with disabilities.

Reuters: Billionaire Elon Musk has said that China is interested in working in a cooperative international framework for AI regulation. Could the ministry confirm if this is true? And if so, what kind of cooperation is this, and with which countries or parties?

Wang Wenbin: I’m not aware of what you mentioned. China attaches importance to the development and governance of artificial intelligence (AI). We believe in a people-centered and “AI for good” approach in the regulation of AI tech and participate in global cooperation in a highly responsible way. China stands ready to step up communication and exchanges on AI security governance with the rest of the world and help establish a broad-based international mechanism and a set of widely accepted international AI governance framework, standards and norms. 

China News Service: NATO Summit issued a communiqué saying that “China’s malicious cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation harm Alliance security” and “China strives to subvert the rules-based international order, including in the cyber domain.” The communiqué also stated that “a single or cumulative set of malicious cyber activities could reach the level of armed attack and could lead the North Atlantic Council to invoke Article 5 of the Washington Treaty” and NATO needs to “enhance the contribution of cyber defence to our overall deterrence and defence posture.” What’s China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: As we can see, NATO’s cybersecurity policy is being hijacked by certain member states and is dominated by double standards and self-contradiction.

NATO says “malicious cyber activities could reach the level of armed attack and lead the North Atlantic Council to invoke Article 5”. But when its member publicly launched an “aggressive” cybersecurity strategy, NATO simply chose to ignore it. NATO says it promotes a “peaceful cyberspace”. But when its member launched cyber attacks that risk dragging nuclear powers into geopolitical conflict, NATO selectively overlooked it. NATO says it promotes order in cyberspace. But when its member declared other countries’ critical infrastructure to be “legitimate targets” despite UN consensus, NATO simply chose to remain silent.

We hope that small and medium-sized member states of NATO will be more aware of the need to stay strategically independent on cybersecurity. We call on NATO, especially the big countries inside NATO, to earnestly follow the UN framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace and work with the international community to responsibly uphold peace and stability in the cyberspace.

AFP: Chinese diplomat Wang Yi is expected to meet US Secretary of State Blinken today on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit. What are the Chinese side’s main goals and expectations for this meeting?

Wang Wenbin: I suggest you follow our updates. 

Reuters: China carried out military drills around Taiwan the past couple of days, which coincide with the NATO summit in Lithuania. Is China sending a message to NATO not to interfere in the Taiwan issue?

Wang Wenbin: I’d refer you to competent authorities on the specific question you asked. 

Let me stress that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Chinese people will never waver in our resolve and determination to uphold China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

CCTV: Recently some US and European officials have advocated “de-risking” from China. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: When talking about “de-risking”, one must know what the risks are and where they come from.

China played an important role in the response to the Asian financial crisis and international financial crisis. China put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the vision of a human community with a shared future. And China is committed to the settlement of international and regional hotspot issues, such as facilitating the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. China is undoubtedly a force for stability, a source of certainty and a factor of predictability as the world undergoes changes unseen in a century. China brings opportunities, not risks. Anyone seeing China as the source of risks is getting their target wrong.

In today’s world, failure to cooperate is the biggest risk, failure to develop is the biggest security threat and failure to unite is the biggest challenge. What countries need to jointly guard against are: political risks stemming from instigation for bloc confrontation and a new Cold War; economic risks stemming from “decoupling”, fragmented industrial and supply chains, and “small yards with high fences”; military risks stemming from military interference and aggression and expansion of military alliances; diplomatic risks stemming from scapegoating and risk-deflecting; and risks stemming from attempts to fan division and confrontation among the public. China is not the source of those risks, but a staunch force for preventing and defusing them. To shut out China in the name of “de-risking” is to throw away opportunities, stability and development. Such a move would only create and spread risks, and no one would benefit from it.

In recent months, a large number of senior executives of multinational corporations have visited China, which is essentially their way of expressing support for cooperation with China. We stand ready to enhance dialogue and cooperation with parties that have the sincerity to jointly guard against and address the real risks and contribute to world peace, security and prosperity.