Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on October 25, 2018

　　2018年10月25日外交部发言人华春莹主持例行记者会

　　Q: According to Washington Post, recently the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Pew Research Center surveyed the American people on how they look at China-US relations. The US youngsters that fall within the age bracket of 18 to 29 hold a more positive view of China. 50% of the respondents think that China and the US are partners and 72% of Americans believe that China is more important than it was ten years ago. Generally speaking, the American people do not think that China is a major threat to the US, which seems to be different from the viewpoint of China being the "biggest threat" as touted by the US government. What is your comment?

　　A: We have noted the results of relevant polls. During the past nearly four decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, people from the two countries have played an important role in promoting the growth of China-US ties. The results of relevant polls you mentioned just show that the majority of the American people hope that China-US relations could enjoy sound and stable development and that the US side could strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China. We stand ready to strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation and properly handle differences with the United States so as to move forward our bilateral relations along the right track. This serves the interests of the two countries and meets the aspirations of the two peoples.

　　Q: On Wednesday, the New York Times carried a report saying that the Chinese and Russian intelligence agencies have been bugging President Trump's iPhones. The newspaper cited the US officials as saying that the Chinese government hopes that the eavesdropping could help with its strategy on trade frictions. What is your comment?

　　A: I have also seen the report mentioned by you. I think that now certain people in the US are sparing no effort to win the "Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay". If possible, I have three pieces of advice for them.

　　Firstly, the New York Times should have known that releasing such kind of report would only add to evidence that it was fabricating fake news. Secondly, if they are worried that their iPhones may be eavesdropped, they might want to use the mobile phones produced by Huawei. Thirdly, if they are still not reassured, for the sake of absolute security, they may stop using all modern communications devices and cut themselves off from the outside world.

　　Q: The Saudi Arabian government has officially admitted that Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Arabia's Consulate General in Istanbul. The Turkish President condemned the Saudi Arabian government and said that this incident involves Saudi Arabian high-ranking officials in his latest speech. What is China's attitude towards it?

　　A: The death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi has aroused widespread concern from the international community. We have noted that the Saudi Arabian side has announced the initial result of the investigation and taken steps to find out the truth. We have also taken note of the statements made by Turkey and other parties on this issue.

　　It is a tragic incident. We hope that this case can be dealt with properly. We will continue to follow it.

　　Q: China recently attempted to block a briefing by the UN Human Rights Council Fact Finding Mission on Myanmar's human rights violations against Rohingya people to the Security Council. Could you tell us why China was attempting to block it from taking place?

　　A: China always believes that the international community should play a constructive role in the Rakhine State issue, and its actions should be conducive to promoting consultation and cooperation between Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Security Council is not an appropriate place to discuss human rights issue. The briefing ran counter to the Security Council's working practices. It would be disruptive to the dialogue between Myanmar and Bangladesh and counterproductive to efforts to properly solve the Rakhine State issue. Besides, the Security Council members did not reach consensus on whether to hold the briefing.

　　Q: This morning Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed opened a meeting with Russia, China, Japan and France with the words: "Now we know who our best friends are, and who our biggest enemies are." How do you comment on his remarks? Do you think he was just referring to the meeting or he was implying something?

　　A: Do you mean the "Future Investment Initiative" conference hosted by Saudi Arabia? I haven't seen the report you just mentioned.

　　For China, we would like to develop friendly and cooperative ties with all countries around the world on the basis of the basic norms governing international relations and in the spirit of mutual respect.

　　Q: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be in Beijing today. Do you have some information on his schedule today? What does China expect to achieve from his visit?

　　A: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will soon be arriving in China this afternoon to start his official visit. This afternoon, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit a photo exhibition on China-Japan economic and trade cooperation achievements and attend and address a reception marking the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan. There will be formal talks and meetings and other events tomorrow.

　　As China and Japan celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, we hope that the two sides could make good use of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit, reaffirm that we are each other's cooperative partner and opportunity, and recommit to improving and developing China-Japan relations. We hope that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit will achieve success and reap positive outcomes. As to the details on his visit, the two sides will release relevant information in a timely manner.

　　Q: According to reports, the spokesperson of the US Embassy in China said that the US side will not send senior officials to attend the First China International Import Expo. He also accused China of conducting unfair trade and required China to open its market to US products and services. What is your comment?

　　A: I have seen relevant reports. The US side certainly has the right to decide officials at whatever level they will send to the Expo. However, on the one hand, the US side requires China to open its market to US products and services. On the other hand, when we open our door to embrace guests from all over the world, the US is reluctant to send officials to China. What the US did contradicts with what it said. This really baffles us.

　　The China International Import Expo is the first state-level expo themed on import in the world. It demonstrates that China is willing to open its door wider to share the opportunities brought about by its development with the rest of the world. It fully showcases China's sincerity, goodwill and confidence in opening-up. According to the Ministry of Commerce, now the relevant preparations have entered the final stage. Over 2800 companies from more than 130 countries and regions have confirmed their participation at the Expo, including nearly 180 American enterprises such as Microsoft, Intel, the General Electric Company, the Walt Disney Company and the United Airlines. A lot of participating countries and companies said that they would bring their best-quality and most distinctive products to China. According to my information, many American enterprises told the Chinese side that they hope to make good use of this Expo to build a platform for American companies and institutions to communicate and cooperate with the relevant Chinese departments, local governments and companies. I believe that this Expo will not only provide more abundant, varied and customized choices to Chinese consumers but also set up a platform and offer opportunities for the high-equality and competitive products from other countries to have access to China's huge consumer market of nearly 1.4 billion people.