‘The Top Priority Is To…’: China’s Big Statement Just Before Trump ‘Hell’ Deadline Amid Iran War

[0:01] Media friends, good afternoon. Welcome to today's press conference. Now, questions, please. [0:08] Dibai Zhu, a little bit. [0:10] China Arab TV. Trump threatened Iran, saying that the deadline for reaching ceasefire agreement is 20 o'clock on the 7th, [0:19] otherwise the entire nation can be taken out in one night. What is China's comment? [0:24] As we speak, the situation in the Middle East continues to worsen and the military conflict is still escalating, [0:36] hitting the world's economy and energy security and drawing up deep concerns from the international community. [0:42] Since the conflict began, China has held an objective, just and balanced position [0:48] and has been working to help bring about a ceasefire and end to the conflict. [0:53] Foreign Minister Wang Yi made 26 phone calls with parties including Iran, Israel, Russia and the Gulf states. [1:01] It is reported that the Japanese government plans to officially revise the three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology this month. [1:19] The draft revision includes removing limits on the export of non-combat defense equipment categories to allow the export of lethal weapons in principle. [1:28] What is your comment? [1:29] China is gravely concerned. International scholars and those with insights in Japan also find the development deeply concerning [1:36] and believe it marks a fundamental shift in Japan's post-war arms export policy. [1:42] Constitutes a grave violation of instruments with legal effect under international law such as the Cairo Declaration, [1:49] the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. [1:53] Goes against Japan's own constitution and norms and sabotages international safeguards designed to prevent the revival of Japan's militarism. [2:02] We also noted a survey conducted by the Japanese government previously showed that the majority of Japanese people oppose relaxing arms export controls. [2:11] Various developments show that Japanese right wing forces are pushing for a more offensive and expansionist defense policy. [2:19] Japan's re-militarization is gaining speed with an actual road map and concrete steps and it is posing a threat to regional peace and stability. [2:27] The international community must stay on high alerts and reject the reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism. [2:33] We urge the Japanese side to deeply reflect on its history of militarist aggression, [2:38] honor its commitments and act prudently in military and security areas and avoid going further down the wrong path. [2:45] Next one, please. [2:49] Real novelty. [2:51] Is Vestia quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying that China had notified Russia of its willingness to extend the visa-free policy for Russian citizens for one year. [3:02] Can the Foreign Ministry confirm this? [3:04] Is China willing to extend the visa-free policy for Russian citizens for another year? [3:10] China attaches great importance to people-to-people exchanges between China and Russia. [3:16] We welcome more Russian friends to visit China visa-free and see the beautiful China with their own eyes. [3:22] It is also related to the Iranians. [3:33] The Iranians and Iran have exchanged some tough rhetoric over the past few days. [3:37] The two sides continue to exchange military strikes. [3:44] There is a growing call for ceasefire and safe passage. [3:47] The US and Iran have exchanged some tough rhetoric over the past few days. [3:51] Sources said the two sides might reach a ceasefire deal. [3:54] How does China view the situation? [3:56] As we speak, the situation in the Middle East continues to worsen, [3:59] and the military conflict is still escalating, [4:02] hitching the world economy and energy security and drawing up deep concerns from the international community. [4:08] Since the conflict began, China has held an objective, just and balanced position [4:12] that has been working to help bring about a ceasefire and end to the conflict. [4:16] Foreign Minister Wang Yi made 26 phone calls with parties including Iran, Israel, Russia and Gulf States as of April 5th. [4:24] Not long ago, China and Pakistan issued the Five Point Initiative, [4:28] which embodies the international consensus for ceasefire and peace. [4:32] The use of force does not bring peace. [4:35] Political settlement is the right way forward. [4:37] The root cause of the conflict is the US-Israeli launch of military attacks against Iran in violation of international law. [4:46] The top priority is to bring an immediate end to the military operations and return to dialogue and negotiations, [4:52] so as to fundamentally resolve the issues and restore peace and stability in the Gulf region. [4:58] All parties need to demonstrate sincerity and quickly end this war that should not have happened in the first place. [5:04] Question from Reuters, also about the Iran war. [5:08] So, Iran has rejected the US proposal, the proposal that was brokered by Pakistan. [5:14] In that proposal, it sought an immediate ceasefire that would lead to a broader agreement later on. [5:20] And in the midst of all this, Tehran has also refused to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. [5:26] I just wanted to ask, was China in favour of that ceasefire proposal, the one that was brokered by Pakistan? [5:33] And was China able to reach Tehran directly to talk about that proposal? [5:38] And I know you mentioned Minister Wang Yi has made many calls, 26 phone calls. [5:45] Just wondering at this point, will China step up its mediation or diplomatic efforts? Thank you. [5:51] Reaching a ceasefire and resuming dialogue as soon as possible is what the international community hopes to see. [6:03] China welcomes all efforts conducive to peace and supports Pakistan in making active mediation effort. [6:09] It's hoped relevant sides can seize the opportunity for peace, bridge differences through dialogue and put an early end to the conflict. [6:17] And China is willing to make an effort in this regard. [6:20] Global Times, former U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns recently shared his views to U.S. media on China's position on Iran and Venezuela. [6:36] What is China's response to those views? [6:39] China noted the views. [6:42] In terms of the situation regarding Iran and Venezuela, the facts and merits are rather clear and so is China's position. [6:50] Nicholas Burns chose not to mention the root cause of the issue and yet made irresponsible comments about China. [6:56] He applied the U.S.'s hegemonic logic to distort and vilify China's just position for peace and to sow discord between China and relevant countries. [7:05] This is clearly ill-intentioned. [7:07] From PTI, do you have any update on the Pakistan-Afghanistan talks being mediated by China in Urmuchi? [7:16] Urmuchi is being mediated by China in Urmuchi. [7:18] Urmuchi is being mediated by China in Urmuchi. [7:19] Urmuchi is being mediated by China in Urmuchi. [7:21] If there is further information, we will release it in due course. Please keep up with it. [7:28] So I understand that the talks are still going on. [7:34] Urmuchi is being mediated by China in Urmuchi. [7:37] On June, I have introduced a related situation last week. [7:42] China is willing to engage in mediation and they are willing to sit down and talk again. [7:52] The process is being implemented and advanced steadily, but I do not have more information. [7:59] May I ask you about the U.N. resolution being piloted by Bahrain and the U.N. Security Council on the Iran-U.S. conflict? [8:15] I would like to know what is China's stand on that? Is this going to be voted today? [8:23] Is this going to be voted today? [8:27] Is this going to be voted today? [8:28] Is this going to be voted today? [8:29] The U.N. Security Council's action should promote a ceasefire and not add fire to the flames. [8:41] UN Security Council's action should promote a ceasefire and do not add fire [8:49] to the flames. As a responsible country and a P5, China is willing to play a [8:55] constructive role in promoting a ceasefire and resuming peace and stability [9:00] in the region. Are there any more questions? Thank you AFP. My question is [9:08] about Zhongliwen visiting the mainland this week. Her visit is taking place [9:12] around a month before Donald Trump is due in China and there are some [9:16] suggestions that Trump and President Xi will discuss US arms sales to Taiwan when [9:21] they meet. So first I wondered if you could tell us if Zhongliwen and President [9:24] Xi are going to meet and whether they will discuss arms sales to Taiwan. Thank you. [9:29] The Taiwan question is China's internal affairs and the relationship across the [9:40] strait is not a diplomatic issue, but I can say that China's standpoint is very [9:46] clear on US arms sales to Taiwan. This is all for today's press conference. Thank you.