On 24 March, Minister Ma Hui of the Chinese Embassy in the UK gave an online lecture on China’s major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era entitled Understand Chinese Characteristics and Promote Win-Win Cooperation. Sergey Radchenko, Director of Research and Professor of International Relations of the School of Law and Politics of Cardiff University, and over 30 teachers and students attended the lecture.

Minister Ma said, the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is the choice of history and the Chinese people. China’s diplomacy is based on a firm commitment to CPC leadership and the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The CPC pursues not only happiness for the Chinese people but also progress of all mankind. Accordingly, China’s diplomacy not only strives for better life for the Chinese people but also for world peace, development and shared benefits for people of all countries. In light of this, China’s diplomacy emphasizes safeguarding the sovereignty, security and development interests of China, promoting open and win-win cooperation, building global partnership, participating in global governance, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

In response to the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy issued by the British government a few days ago, Ma stressed that China is both an opportunity for and a partner of the UK. The differences between China and the UK in political and social system do not mean that China poses a threat to the UK. Moreover, China-UK cooperation is win-win in nature. The two countries have common interests and potential for cooperation in areas such as climate change and green economy. Lastly, mutual respect and equality is essential to the healthy development of China-UK relations. China respects the UK’s sovereignty and has never interfered in UK’s internal affairs. Hence, China firmly opposes the UK using human rights as an excuse to interfere in China’s internal affairs. China is firmly against the practice of imposing sanctions based on nothing but lies and will take resolute countermeasures.

During the Q&A session, Minister Ma took questions from the audience on issues related to Xinjiang and Hong Kong, business relationship between China and the UK, and mutual trust between China and the West. Ma pointed out, some Western media and politicians spread lies about “genocide” in Tibet in 1998 and 2008, and in Xinjiang in 2018, all of which constitute nothing more than re-enactment of tricks, malicious slanders and political manipulation. The average life expectancy in Tibet has grown from 35.5 years before the democratic reform in 1959 to 70.6 years today, with the entire population increasing from less than 1.2 million to 3.43 million, 90% of which are Tibetans. In Xinjiang, the average life expectancy has increased from less than 30 years before the founding of the New China in 1949 to 72 years by the end of 2018. The Uyghur population increased from 3.29 million to 12.71 million in 2018, up by 3.86 times. “Is there any ‘genocide’ like this?”questioned Minister Ma.

The human rights records of countries like the US, the UK, France, Germany, Canada and Australia are far from flawless. There have been in these countries human rights violations of all kinds, from genocide, crime against humanity, brutal suppression of colonized people to culture genocide of aboriginal people and forced separation of indigenous children from their parents. They are in no position to lecture others on human rights.

Ma encouraged students to discard prejudice, keep up critical and independent thinking, and have a correct understanding of an open, inclusive, diverse and vigorous China.

Professor Radchenko chaired the lecture and the Q&A session. He said, “Enhancing communication and exchanges between the two sides benefits both China and the UK. We welcome opportunities for direct engagement and unhindered exchange of opinions.”

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Cardiff University, founded in 1883 and located in the city centre of Wales’ capital Cardiff, is the largest university in Wales and a member of The Russell Group. The School of Law and Politics is an important part of the University known for research in political theory, public policy, international relationship, etc.