Q：On August 31st, US Deputy Secretary Stephen Biegun delivered remarks at the 3rd Annual leadership Summit of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, criticizing China for its so-called “outsized demands to claim sovereign territory in the Galwan Valley on the India-Chinese border or in the South Pacific”, “assertion of national sovereignty over the territory and territorial waters of other countries”，“predatory practices” of Chinese economy and conducting “technology theft”. He also delivered remarks on the Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang questions. What is your comment?

A: In today’s world, nations need to enhance mutual understanding and friendly cooperation. However, it is regrettable that, out of the zero-sum Cold War mentality, some senior US officials ignored the basic facts, violated the norms of international relations and basic principles of diplomacy, picked up fights virtually on every front and exploited every opportunities they can to slander and smear China, instigated other countries’relations with China. The Chinese side firmly opposes it. We urge the US side to respect facts and truth, stop smearing and spreading rumors.

China has never provoked a war or conflict over the past 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. China has always insisted on resolving territorial and maritime disputes with neighboring countries through consultations and negotiations on the basis of respecting historical facts, to maintain regional peace and stability.

Regarding the China-India boundary issue, China always advocates finding a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution through peaceful and friendly consultations. For a period of time, the two sides have been in touch and in talks at various levels to seek peaceful settlement of the boundary issue. China and India have the ability to resolve their border disputes bilaterally. We don’t accept countries outside the region pointing fingers, let alone meddling or making instigation, which will only endanger the regional peace and stability.

The so-called accusations of "predatory practices from the Chinese economy" and "technical theft" to China are groundless. For a long time, China has firmly maintained the multilateral trading system and an open global economy. China remains a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order. China's contribution to world’s development is obvious to all.

Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang-related issues are purely China's internal affairs. It has been universally acknowledged by the international community. China does not accept external interference. We urge relevant countries to abide by the Charter of the United Nations, the norms of international relations and international laws, abide by relevant agreements and statements reached with China, and stop using interference in China’s internal affairs to achieve its own geopolitical goals.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. For decades, the important revelation of China-India relations is that we should adhere to the strategic guidance of the leaders of two countries on bilateral relations, strengthen mutual trust and cooperation, properly resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation，and achieve common development. As large developing countries and emerging economies, both China and India are pursuing independent foreign policies. We believe that China and India have the ability and wisdom to handle bilateral relations properly and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.