It is a zero-sum thinking for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China to launch a trade war on its own behalf.

SMM7, July 19 / PRNewswire-Asianet / Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying holds a regular press conference on July 18, 2018. Due to the widespread concern of the international community caused by the trade war waged by the United States, the major economies concerned, international authorities and many transnational corporations have expressed strong concern about this. Hua Chunying said at a regular press conference that waging a trade war on her own is a typical unilateralism and zero-sum thinking, and if it continues to develop, the damage to the world economy may be deep-seated.

The following are the details of the Foreign Ministry's reply to reporters' questions:

Q: the launching of a trade war by the United States has aroused widespread concern in the international community. the major economies concerned, international authorities and many transnational corporations have expressed strong concern about this. What does China think of the impact of trade war on the world economy?

A: the Chinese Ministry of Commerce pointed out in a relevant statement last week that the US trade war will not only target China, but also target the world as an enemy, and will drag the world economy into a dangerous situation. Here I would like to emphasize a few more points:

First, the trade war has dealt a blow to the momentum of global trade growth. According to a study by the International Monetary Fund, tariff threats and other barriers will raise import prices by 10 per cent in all countries and shrink global trade by 15 per cent in five years' time. According to the World Bank, the impact of tariff increases between the United States and major trading partners is equivalent to the decline in trade during the financial crisis of 2008-2009.

Second, the trade war has an impact on the confidence of all parties in the world economy. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde warned a few days ago that "the dark clouds hanging over the world economy are getting heavier and heavier, and the biggest and heaviest cloud is the deterioration of confidence." If you go through the newspapers of various countries recently, it is not difficult to see that the escalating trade war has become the biggest "confidence killer" in the world economy, which will undermine the hard-won recovery and shake the foundation of global economic growth. The OECD forecasts that global economic growth will fall by 1.4 percentage points as tariffs rise in the countries concerned.

Third, trade wars endanger the well-being of people around the world. WTO Director-General Azevedo says the trade war is bad for everyone and will have a serious impact on employment, with the poor losing as much as 63 per cent of their purchasing power. Us economic institutions also predict that the trade war will cause 600000 people to lose their jobs in the United States, and that American workers, farmers, and consumers will all suffer collateral damage.

Fourth, and more importantly, out of domestic political considerations, waging a trade war on one's own behalf is a typical unilateralism and zero-sum thinking, which is a complete reversal of international rules and global governance since the end of World War II. if it continues to develop, The damage to the world economy could be deep and indeed worrisome.

Q: what damage will a trade war do to China? Do you think China's economy is strong enough to withstand a trade war with the United States?

Q: did you just warn that a trade war will do harm to global trade, but China will not be affected by a trade war?

A: I don't think that's contradictory. A trade war is something that no one in the world wants to see. As I have just said, a trade war will undermine the momentum of global trade growth, undermine confidence in the world economy, endanger the well-being of global people and undermine global governance and international rules. Of course, we do not want to fight a trade war that harms others and harms ourselves. At the same time, as a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce and officials of the Development and Reform Commission and other departments have repeatedly said, the Chinese Government has firm confidence, sufficient capacity and policy space to take targeted measures. We will mitigate the impact of trade frictions between China and the United States, cope with the impact of uncertainty in the world economy, and safeguard China's legitimate interests.

Q: according to the US White House website, US Vice President Pence said in his speech that in all industries, China imposes three times as many tariffs on US goods as the US imposes on Chinese goods, and the US will take tough measures to prevent China from "stealing" technology. If China refuses fair trade and continues to retaliate against the United States, the United States will not shrink back. What is China's response to this?

A: a few days ago, the statement of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has systematically and clearly stated China's relevant position. Since US officials have also mentioned the so-called tariffs, fairness, "theft", retaliation and other issues in Sino-US economy and trade, I can briefly respond to a few more points:

First, in all industries, China's tariffs on the United States are three times those of the United States on China? Wrong! In the case of car tariffs, for example, the US import rate on passenger cars is 2.5 per cent, but truck imports are 25 per cent, while China's tariff on imported auto parts is only 10 per cent, which has recently fallen to 6 per cent.

Second, China rejects fair trade? Wrong! China has always advocated fair trade. But fairness can not talk to itself, can not be based solely on their own interests and needs to set standards. China is promoting a new round of opening up and will continue to strive to create an open, transparent, fair and predictable business environment. The United States, on the other hand, is creating excuses and even abusing absurd reasons such as "national security" to create obstacles and restrictions on the normal investment and business activities of Chinese enterprises in the United States. China is opening the door, the United States is closing. It is clear who is right and who is wrong.

Third, China "steals" US intellectual property rights? Wrong! The US side's slander on China's "theft" of intellectual property rights is a serious distortion of history and reality. China is firmly implementing the innovation-driven development strategy. instead of stealing and robbing, more than 1.3 billion Chinese people have struggled with wisdom and sweat. To be fair, former US Treasury Secretary Summers said: Chinese companies are in a leading position in technology, not the result of "stealing" US technology. But first of all, it comes from the excellent scientists in the field of basic science in China and the education system that attaches importance to talents and pays attention to science. I suggest that those who are egotistical in the United States might as well carefully read the History of Science and Technology in China by Mr. Joseph Needham, a famous British historian.

Fourth, if China continues to retaliate, the United States will not shrink back? Wrong! The right thing to say is that if the United States continues to act recklessly, the countries of the world will fight back more resolutely and forcefully. This is a dispute between unilateralism and multilateralism, protectionism and free trade, power and rules, initiated by the United States. It is the strong consensus and determination of the international community to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and safeguard multilateral trade rules and systems. If the US side continues to adhere to the hegemonic logic of "the United States is justified in attacking others and other countries defend themselves unjustifiably," it will only go further and further on the wrong road of being alone and alone.

Q: starting tomorrow, President Xi Jinping will visit Middle East and African countries. can you introduce the specific schedule of this visit? During the visit, President Xi will also attend the BRICS leaders' meeting. will the meeting discuss US trade policy?

A: with regard to President Xi Jinping's visit to the five Asian-African countries and his attendance at the 10th meeting of BRICS leaders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a Chinese and foreign media briefing on July 13. Vice Foreign Minister Kong Hyun-woo and Assistant Minister Zhang Jun have given a very detailed account of the situation, which you can consult.

The theme of the Johannesburg meeting of BRICS leaders was "BRICS in Africa: working together for inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the fourth industrial revolution". We hope to work with South Africa and all parties concerned to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among the BRICS countries, deepen the BRICS strategic partnership, seize the opportunity of the new industrial revolution, and enrich the connotation of pragmatic cooperation. We will hold high the banner of multilateralism, improve the global governance system, strengthen institutional building, and promote BRICS cooperation in a stable and far-reaching manner. We believe that under the political guidance of the leaders of the BRICS countries, the BRICS countries will make new and positive contributions to the cause of world peace and development and to the construction of a new type of international relations. We look forward to a positive outcome and a complete success of the BRICS summit with the joint efforts of all parties concerned.

Q: it is reported that Chen Mingtong, chairman of Taiwan's mainland Affairs Council, is visiting Washington. He will speak at a think tank and meet with senior U. S. government officials. This is the first time that the Taiwan side has sent a "cabinet" member to the United States. What is China's response to this? If US officials meet with him, what measures will China take?

A: our position on the issue of US-Taiwan exchanges is clear and consistent. China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, and urges the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three Sino-US joint communiques, handle the Taiwan issue cautiously, and safeguard the overall situation of Sino-US relations with practical actions.

Q: it is reported that the third Binlong Peace Conference of the 21st Century in Myanmar closed on the 16th and the parties reached consensus on 14 provisions of the Federal Peace Agreement. The General Assembly issued a declaration that it would meet at least three more times by the end of 2019 to agree on all the necessary fundamental principles contained in the agreement. Burmese Senior Minister Aung San Suu Kyi said that the meeting produced vital positive results for the fragile peace process in Myanmar. What is China's comment on this?

A: China congratulates Myanmar on the successful conclusion of the third Binlong meeting and appreciates the consensus reached by the participating parties through active discussions and consultations. We firmly support Myanmar in advancing a comprehensive and inclusive peace and reconciliation process and will continue to support and assist Myanmar's peace and development in accordance with the wishes of all Burmese parties.

Q: Japan's high school textbook plans to list the Diaoyu Islands as an "inherent territory of Japan." how do you respond to this?

A: the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times, and China's determination and will to safeguard territorial sovereignty is unswerving. No matter what Japan says or does, it will not change the fact that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China. We urge the Japanese side to face history and reality squarely and educate the younger generation with a correct view of history.

Q: Australian Foreign Minister Bi Xiaopu said a few days ago that China may impose an unsustainable debt burden on Pacific island countries. In addition, Australian security agencies oppose Huawei's commitment to the construction of Solomon Islands submarine optical cable and its participation in the construction of Australia's 5G network. What is China's response to this?

A: with regard to the remarks you made by the Australian Foreign Minister, it is no longer a new issue. Similar remarks and hype have recently been made by individual Australian officials and the media.

I would very much like to ask these Australian officials whether they can give a concrete example of which country, when and on what issues are the debt unsustainable problems caused by China. It is not always possible to use the word "may" to make unfounded guesses or preconceived and irresponsible assumptions.

Any country's economy takes off or has huge financial needs in the early stages of industrialization, and we support financing within our means, in accordance with the wishes of the countries concerned. The economic and social development of the countries concerned has played a role in delivering charcoal in the snow, and has been unanimously affirmed and welcomed by the countries concerned.

I have noted that not long ago, many officials and the media in the Pacific island countries made public their voices and forcefully refuted the Australian side's erroneous remarks. For example, Tonga's justice minister said: "Australia accuses China of helping poor and needy Pacific island countries, which is sad." Samoa's prime minister said: "the remarks made by Australian officials are an insult to the leaders of the Pacific island countries and will destroy the friendly relations between Australia and the Pacific island countries." The Vanuatu Daily Mail once published an editorial saying: "the biggest difference between Beijing and Canberra is that Beijing is good at listening to the leaders of Pacific island countries and often gives island countries the help they need most. Who benefited from the docks built in China? It's us, the people of Vanuatu! The Australian side should listen to our voices more, because we live in this land. " "Australian officials should think twice before speaking," the editorial added. "Australia should perhaps put down the stones it is throwing at China and learn from its mistakes first." I think that speaks for itself. It is hoped that Australia will correctly and objectively look at the relations between China and the Pacific island countries and work with China to sincerely help the island countries achieve sustainable development.

You mentioned that Australian security agencies oppose Huawei's commitment to the construction of Solomon Islands submarine optical cables and its participation in the construction of Australia's 5G network. we are concerned about the relevant reports. The Chinese Government has always encouraged Chinese enterprises to carry out foreign investment cooperation on the basis of compliance with local laws in accordance with market principles and international rules. It is hoped that the parties concerned will uphold the principles of objectivity and non-discrimination, provide a fair environment for the normal business activities of Chinese enterprises, and do more things conducive to achieving mutual benefit and win-win results, rather than the other way around.

Q: on the 13th, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued a communiqu é announcing the official end of the Ebola outbreak in May this year. What is China's comment on this? Does China assist the Democratic Republic of the Congo in dealing with the epidemic? Can you give me an account of the situation?

A: the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced the official end of the Ebola outbreak in May this year, which is a major victory in the fight against the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We congratulate the Ministry of Health on this.

After the outbreak, China was in a hurry with Fang Zhi, and immediately donated epidemic prevention materials such as protective clothing, masks and gloves to the Congolese side, and provided emergency humanitarian assistance to the Congolese side. The Chinese team of experts on epidemic prevention went to Congo in early June to assist in the prevention and control of the epidemic, and has now successfully completed its mission and returned home.

China's assistance measures have once again demonstrated the brotherly friendship between China and Africa, reflecting that China and Africa are a community of shared destiny, which has been positively evaluated by the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the international community. China is ready to continue to help African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to strengthen public health prevention and control systems and capacity-building within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, so as to enhance the capacity of African countries to meet the challenges of major infectious diseases.