Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on September 3, 2019

Q: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo again on Twitter said negative things about the vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang. What's your comment? Will China lodge representations to the US?

A: The tweet you mentioned is just a repeat of those old narratives that make groundless accusations against China. We firmly oppose that and have lodged stern representations with the US side.

Xinjiang affairs are purely China's internal affairs and no foreign country has the right to interfere. A white paper recently released by the Chinese government elaborates on the vocational education and training work in Xinjiang. By establishing vocational education and training centers in accordance with law, the Xinjiang local government aims to save the people who are deceived by or even have joined terrorist forces and committed minor offenses and help them get rid of extremist ideas. Xinjiang now enjoys social stability, sound economic momentum, harmony between ethnic groups and there has not been a single terrorist attack in Xinjiang in the past three years. People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang support the government's measures to fight terrorism and safeguard stability.

Not long ago, ambassadors and envoys from seven countries, namely, the Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bahrain and Nigeria visited vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang and spoke positively of what the Chinese government has done in fighting and preventing terrorism in accordance with law, saying that Xinjiang's successful experience is worth learning.

We advise certain people in the US to take off tinted glasses, discard the Cold War mindset, stop using Xinjiang-related issues to criticize China and interfering in China's internal affairs and do more to enhance mutual trust and cooperation between China and the US rather than the opposite.

Q: Could you share more details about State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to the DPRK today and tomorrow? Will Chairman Kim Jong Un meet with him? What does China expect from this trip?

A: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang is currently in the DPRK. More information on this visit will be released soon.

Regarding China's expectation, I already talked about that when first announcing the visit. Through this trip, we hope to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by President Xi and Chairman Kim and make proper preparations for commemorative events marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. We will advance friendly exchanges, promote practical cooperation and strengthen communication and coordination in international fora to achieve more progress in bilateral relations in the new historical era.

As to whether DPRK leaders will meet with State Councilor Wang Yi, please follow our updates. If there is any information, we will release it timely.

Q: According to media reports, Lithuanian foreign ministry summoned China's ambassador in the country. Lithuania said it's because some Chinese diplomats at the embassy disturbed a demonstration supporting the Hong Kong protesters and that the diplomats were behaving in a way that is incompatible with their diplomatic status. Will China offer an apology to the Lithuanian side?

A: It is only natural and totally reasonable for overseas Chinese citizens to express indignation and opposition towards the violent offenses in Hong Kong and attempts to split China and tarnish its image. We hope these citizens will abide by local laws and regulations and stay safe while expressing patriotism rationally. The Chinese government always asks overseas Chinese citizens to comply with local laws and regulations. At the same time, we also hope relevant countries will respect and understand these Chinese citizens' lawful activities and protect their rights and interests.

Regarding what happened in Lithuania, the Chinese diplomats there fulfill their duties in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. They didn't do anything against local laws.

Q: About the joint declaration signed by Poland and the United States urging stricter checks on suppliers of 5G networks in terms of foreign government control. The two countries agreed to support the proposals from the Prague 5G Security Conference. A US official said that they must work together to prevent China from collecting intelligence through Huawei. When asked about Huawei, Polish President Duda said that Polish counterintelligence has detected certain actions which might have been of an espionage nature. I wondered if you had a comment on that?

A: We note this from media reports. 5G technology is an innovation outcome shared by all members of the international community. Its development and application is important to global growth, the interests of all countries and the progress of human civilization. Rules and criteria relating to 5G should be discussed in a multilateral process that is open and inclusive and within an authoritative mechanism with extensive representation.

Attempts to apply political factors to 5G development, application and cooperation or even politicize relevant issues in a discriminatory manner are not good for the technology's growth and run counter to fair competition and the common interests of the international community.

Regarding the Joint Declaration between Poland and the US, as we noted on previous occasions, Polish President and Prime Minister made clear that Chinese companies in Poland would be treated in a fair and just manner, and that no discriminatory measures would be taken against any specific country or company. I hope the Polish side will honor its commitments.

I must point out that for some time the US has, in the absence of evidence, abused the national security concept and state power to oppress Chinese companies. This behavior is both disgraceful and immoral. The US not only lectures other countries on their 5G networks, but also pushes and even threatens them to take the same stance, which is a blatant demonstration of unilateralism and hegemony.

We urge the US to stop abusing the concept of national security to smear and criticize China and oppress Chinese companies. I believe all countries upholding justice and objectivity are well aware of its true intention.

I once again advise some in the US not to overestimate their rumors or underestimate others' judgment.

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