On 15 March, Minister Ma Hui from the Chinese Embassy in the UK gave an online lecture on China’s foreign policy for the Oxford University Diplomatic Studies Programme. More than 40 diplomats studying with the Programme from 28 countries, including Afghanistan, Russia, Bulgaria, China, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Mauritania, Mexico, the UK and the US, joined the event.

Minister Ma delivered a comprehensive presentation on China’s foreign policy in the new era, emphasizing that in 2020, China’s diplomatic service, under the guidance of the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, met challenges head-on and stepped up to its responsibilities. “We fought the coronavirus as well as the ‘political virus’ and made new contribution to safeguarding national interests and global stability,” he said.

First, China took an active part in international cooperation against Covid-19 as a major responsible country. Second, China opened wider and pursued win-win cooperation. Third, China advanced relations with major countries and provided strong support for world stability. Fourth, China made steady progress in building partnerships with other countries and took global cooperation to a higher level. Fifth, China took an active part in global governance and stood up for multilateralism. Sixth, China’s diplomatic service resolutely fought back against provocations and effectively safeguarded China’s sovereignty, security and development interests.

Minister Ma pointed out that 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the first year to implement the 14th Five-Year Plan. China will start a new journey towards building a modern socialist country in all aspects and realize China’s second centenary goal in 2049/2050. In light of this, China’s diplomatic service will make further efforts for realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation and building a community with a shared future for mankind. First, China will do the utmost to serve its national development strategies. Second, China will strive to accelerate global economic recovery. Third, China will continue working to build a new type of international relations. Fourth, China will take solid steps to advance international and regional cooperation. Fifth, China will take an active part in the reform of the global governance system. Sixth, China will promote mutual understanding and trust with other countries.

Minister Ma also took questions from the diplomats on the bias of Western media against China, China’s soft power influence, issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and China’s relationships with the UK, the US and Africa, etc. He stated China’s principled stance, refuted the untruthful reports by some Western media, and clarified the false understanding of China in the West with truth and facts.

On whether China’s decision to improve the electoral system of Hong Kong SAR breaches the Sino-British Joint Declaration, Minister Ma said that the core point of the Joint Declaration is to ensure Hong Kong’s return to China and China resumes exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. Its historical mission was completed after Hong Kong’s return, hence there is no such thing as the violation of the Declaration by China. Non-interference in other’s internal affairs is the basic norm of international relations. Hong Kong is China’s special administrative region, and Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs. China opposes any countries taking the Joint Declaration as an excuse to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, or any countries imposing their own system and practices on others. Improving the electoral system of Hong Kong SAR and implementing the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong” will promote the sound development of the democratic system in Hong Kong, safeguard the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, and ensure the steady and sustained implementation of “One Country, Two Systems”.

Regarding the so-called “genocide” in Xinjiang, Ma pointed out that in the history, native Americans, African slaves and Jews were subject to genocide. In Xinjiang, however, over the past 60 years and more, the average life expectancy has increased from 30 to 72 years. In the past 40 years and more, the Uyghur population in Xinjiang has more than doubled. From 2010 to 2018, the Uyghur population in Xinjiang increased by 25%, far higher than that of the Han population which is 2%. From 2014 to 2019, the annual growth of the dispensable income per capita in Xinjiang was 9.1%. “Is there any ‘genocide’ like this?” Ma questioned.

About the survey showing that the British public support for trading with China is low, Ma said that China is the world’s second largest economy, the largest consumer market and the largest trade partner of over 120 countries. It is not in the UK’s national interests to reject business cooperation with China. Cooperation in business and investment is mutually beneficial with win-win results. China’s investment and cooperation in various fields with the UK have brought huge benefits to the country. It is hoped that the UK will provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for investors including China.

When asked about whether Western media’s reports on China have affected people’s understanding of the country, Minister Ma noted that some Western media make untruthful reports on China and even repeatedly fabricate fake news, out of double standards and deep ideological bias, which has seriously misled the readers, the public and politicians, and their perception of China. However, such acts do backfire and harm their own interests. It is hoped that the relevant media abide by the professional ethics of journalism and the principles of objectiveness, fairness and truthfulness when reporting on China and China’s development so as to enhance a correct understanding of China.

Diplomats attending the event expressed appreciation to the Chinese Embassy for holding the webinar, saying Minister Ma’s lecture was comprehensive, informative and enlightening. They were impressed by his answers to their questions which are frank, open and targeted to the point. The face-to-face exchanges with a senior Chinese diplomat helped them understand China better than via media.

The lecture and the Q&A session lasted 90 minutes.

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The Oxford University Diplomatic Studies Programme, founded in 1969, is an annual full-time programme of study of diplomacy available to all countries in the world. Many of its alumni have later become senior diplomats or even senior government officials. In recent years, the Chinese Embassy has been keeping regular exchanges with the programme by co-hosting events every year at the Embassy. This year the event was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.