CHEN BO FOR KURIR: 'No one to underestimate resolve of 1.4 bn Chinese to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity'

"No one should underestimate the resolve and ability of 1.4 billion Chinese people to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Taiwan issue is China's purely internal matter. We will leave no room whatsoever for 'the independence of Taiwan' and foreign interference," Ambassador of China Chen Bo said in her interview with Kurir.

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. 'The One China Principle' is a general consensus of the international community and a foundation of international relations. China has the right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as achieve national unification again. The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited the Chinese region of Taiwan disregarding the strong opposition of the Chinese side, thus violating seriously the 'One China Principle' as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People's Republic of China. This event clearly shows who provokes first. Who destabilizes the situation in the Taiwan Strait? Who adds new turbulence and concern to an already tense global situation? The issue of Taiwan is China's purely internal matter. The main reason that prevents a peaceful solution to the Taiwan issue is that the Taiwan authorities depend on the US for achieving independence, and the US uses Taiwan to stop further development of China. No one should underestimate the resolve and ability of 1.4 billion Chinese people to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Taiwan issue is China's purely internal matter. We will leave no room whatsoever for 'the independence of Taiwan' and foreign interference. I would especially like to thank the Serbian people for their understanding and support for the efforts of the Chinese people to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The recent statement of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian, who accused the United States of America of being an "empire of lies", and that it "had lied in 1999 about Yugoslavia, in 2003 about Iraq, in 2011 about Libya, and in 2018 about Syria", caught the attention of the general public here. Previously, US State Secretary Antony Blinken designated China as "the most serious long-term threat to the international order". How do you see the relations between the US and China? And is China a threat to the international order?

"As the largest developing country in the world, China maintains its economic development and social stability, which is in and of itself a great contribution to the peaceful development of humanity. China's contribution to the global economic growth has for years stood at app. 30 percent annually. We promote the 'Belt and Road' initiative and share our developmental opportunities with the countries the world over. We uphold the idea that all countries – whether big or small – are equal, and that disputes should be resolved through consultations and dialogue. China has no history of invasions and colonization. The Chinese people aspire for a happy life while fully committed to honest work. We never interfere with the internal matters of other countries, don't pass ourselves off as a teacher, export systems, apply unequal standards, or start wars. China has made the principle of peaceful development part of its Constitution. China doesn't wish to replace anyone, nor is it interested in that. All we want is to better ourselves and contribute to the peaceful development of humanity. Not only is China not a threat, but it is also a stabilizer of the peaceful development of the modern world. During the past two or three decades, Serbia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independent policies have often been met with 'threats'. When have they been made by China? Everyone knows who is the main cause of the current turbulence in the world, and who poses a threat to peace and development.

So how can the relations between China and the US be improved? The presidents of China and the US had a long talk recently, and there were some rather harsh messages.

"In order to get out of a difficult position in the relations between China and the US, it is important to seriously implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state. The China-US relations are very important not just for the two countries, but also for the whole world. China understands its international responsibility and has always developed the relations with the US in line with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation in which everyone wins, as stated by President Xi Jinping. The US side emphasized that the US was not looking for a new Cold War, that it did not seek to change the Chinese system, that strengthening its alliances was not directed against China, that it did not support the 'independence of Taiwan', and that it did not want a conflict with China. However, what about the facts? In the name of preserving values, the US joins forces with certain powers and forms 'small select groups' to curb China; Speaker of the US House of Representatives has visited Taiwan, thus undermining the 'One China Principle' and violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China; under the banner of 'human rights' and 'democracy', the US has interfered with China's internal matters and imposed unilateral sanctions to Chinese companies, etc. It is the consistency of the US' words and deeds that is key to bringing the bilateral relations back to normal."

The war between Russia and Ukraine has been the number one topic for months, with the world in a sort of crisis that has not been seen in decades. Do you think that international affairs will never go back to what they were prior to the start of this conflict? Are you perhaps even scared of the current profound polarization of the world?

"With every new day, new history is written down, times keep changing, and the world cannot simply go back to its past state. In the current international situation, instability, uncertainty, and insecurity keep increasing, and the world is in danger of serious divisions. Hegemonism, the politics of 'forming select groups', and confrontation of the blocs won't bring peace and security; rather, it will only make the world's divisions worse. The Ukraine crisis has demonstrated that. Being concerned doesn't solve the problem. We need to look at today's world through new ideas and thoughts. As science and technology advance and the economy develops, fundamental changes have taken place in human lives, and the degree of interconnectedness and interdependence of countries has skyrocketed. We all live in the same global village, and we are increasingly directed to each other, becoming a 'community for the common future of humanity'. Based on this understanding, President Xi Jinping proposed the creation of the Community for the Common Future of Humanity and put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Security Initiative. In order to resolve the current challenges, we hope that the relations between countries will be treated in light of the idea of cooperation in which all sides win, rather than in accordance with the law of the jungle; in the spirit of unity and cooperation, rather than following a zero-sum game logic."

Why does China appear to be rather reserved about the Russian aggression against Ukraine?

"As regards the Ukrainian crisis, our position is clear: We have always been on the side of peace, promoting dialogue and peace negotiations. The Chinese side thinks that in order to resolve the current crisis, we must adhere to the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter; respect and ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries; uphold the principle of indivisible security; and be mindful of the justified concern over the security of the parties involved. We must adhere to the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and negotiations; focus on the long-term stability of the region; and build a balanced, efficient, and sustainable European security mechanism. Many countries in the world have similar views to the Chinese ones. Delivering weapons cannot bring peace to Ukraine, and sanctions and pressure cannot solve the European security dilemma."

Is it already certain that the world is faced with the threat of a great energy crisis and a difficult winter as a result of this conflict?

"It is obvious that wars and sanctions have resulted in a continued crisis spillover, and the world is facing serious challenges such as the energy crisis, food shortages, and inflation. Only dialogue and consultations are the right way to avoid a tough winter."

How do you comment on the pressure that is put on Serbia, primarily regarding the recognition of the independence of Kosovo and imposing sanctions on Russia?

"Serbia is an independent sovereign country, which has the right to protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also has the right to formulate its own foreign policy based on its own legitimate interests. Putting pressure on Serbia in order to achieve one's own geopolitical interest is a typical act of hegemony."

Will China adhere to the position that it does not recognize the independence of Kosovo in the future?

"China's position regarding the issue of Kosovo & Metohija is consistent and will not change."

A direct airline between Belgrade and Beijing has been restarted. Last month, you arrived in Serbia on the first flight. How important is this re-opening of the airline? And will this perhaps increase the number of Chinese tourists in Belgrade?

"I've travelled between China and Serbia countless times. This journey, on a direct flight, is the fastest and most practical. It took me less than ten hours to arrive in Belgrade from Beijing. Establishing a direct flight will considerably facilitate travelling between the two countries, certainly bring more tourists, and create favourable conditions for expanding cooperation in various areas. This direct airline also contributes to the continuation of the close exchange between China and the other countries in the region, which – we believe – is beneficial for Serbia as well in the further development of its role of the regional transport hub."

Is a visit by the President of China Xi Jinping perhaps being prepared?

"In recent years, the two heads of state have been maintaining close contacts and, at the strategic level, leading the development of the bilateral relations. Exchange at the high level plays an irreplaceable role in promoting the development of the bilateral relations. I am convinced that the two countries will maintain different forms of high-level exchange.

Kurir.rs/Boban Karović