(13 Jun 2024)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beijing, China – 13 June 2024
Spokesperson: Lin Jian
Duration: 7’16
1. What are the details of President Xi Jinping’s video appearance at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)?
President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of UNCTAD by video and delivered a speech, fully demonstrating the great importance China attaches to the cause of global development and its strong support for the common development of the global South. China looked forward to deepening solidarity and cooperation with the international community, promoting the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road, implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and working together to write a new chapter in global development, help modernize the world and achieve common prosperity.
2. What is China’s position on the exchange of hostages between Hamas and Israel?
China has taken note of the reports that the Gaza conflict has dragged on for more than eight months. It is imperative to fully and effectively implement the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, realize an immediate ceasefire, effectively protect civilians, ensure humanitarian relief and release all detainees as soon as possible. China will continue to work with all parties to promote an early end to the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the dire humanitarian situation and implement the two-State solution.
3. On 12 June, the European Commission announced its intention to impose temporary tariffs of up to 38.1 per cent on imports of electric vehicles from China, effective 4 July. A German government spokesman said we don’t need more trade barriers; Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Economy issued a statement saying the Hungarian side opposes the EU’s savage punitive tariffs on Chinese electric car makers. Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Strandis and other major European car companies were also quick to speak out against it. What is the Foreign Ministry’s comment on this?
Regarding the disclosure of the EU’s preliminary ruling on the countervailing investigation against China’s electric vehicles, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce has already answered reporters’ questions in this regard, stating China’s solemn position. Chinese industry and business associations have also spoken out to express their firm opposition. These investigations are typical protectionist behavior, ignoring the objective facts, disregarding the rules of the WTO, contrary to the historical trend, will only harm others and themselves. We urge the European side to listen carefully to the objective and rational voices of all sectors, immediately rectify its erroneous practices, stop politicizing economic and trade issues, and appropriately deal with economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, so as to avoid undermining the mutual trust between China and the European Union as well as the dialogue and cooperation between China and the European Union.
4. Russian President Vladimir Putin may visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the near future, what is China’s assessment? Will the leaders of China and North Korea meet?
5. The World Bank recently released the latest edition of its Global Economic Prospects, which raised China’s economic growth forecast from 4.5 percent to 4.8 percent in 2024. What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?
STORYLINE:
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