Question: The G7 foreign ministers’ statement following their meeting at Münster, Germany said that the G7 members “aim for constructive cooperation with China, where possible and in our interest”. The G7 foreign ministers also reminded China of the need to uphold the principles of the UN Charter on peaceful settlement of disputes and to abstain from threats or the use of force. The statement also mentioned China’s internal affairs including issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet. Do you have any comment? 

Zhao Lijian: China’s position on issued related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Taiwan is consistent and clear-cut. The G7 foreign ministers’ statement grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs and maliciously smears China in disregard of our solemn position and the plain facts. We deplore and firmly reject it.

China has been exemplary in implementing the UN Charter and practicing true multilateralism. We are committed to promoting joint international response to global challenges and to building a human community with a shared future. We urge the G7 to discard the Cold War mentality and ideological bias, stop meddling in other countries’ internal affairs, stop peddling lies and falsehoods, stop stoking regional tensions and bloc confrontation, and work instead to create enabling conditions for global cooperation.