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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on December 15, 2022

Shenzhen TV: On December 14, the WTO review of US trade policy took place in Geneva. WTO members including China, the EU and Russia criticized US practices such as “America First”, disregard for the multilateral trading system, unilateralism, push for decoupling and fragmenting the supply chain, and disruption of the global industrial chain. Do you have a comment on that?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. Li Chenggang, China’s Ambassador to the WTO, has elaborated on China’s position at the US trade policy review.

The US on the one hand calls for fair competition and yet on the other hand has implemented massive discriminatory subsidies to keep domestic sectors ahead in the game. US export control measures have been veering off what has been widely accepted by the international community. The US refuses to implement a large number of dispute settlement rulings that have come into effect, and continues to impose large-scale unilateral high tariffs under domestic law, particularly Section 301. The US has been seeking decoupling, supply chain disruption and friend-shoring, abused so-called “long-arm jurisdiction”, and coerced other WTO members into acting under the US’s domestic law.

The US has become a saboteur of the multilateral trading system, a manipulator applying double standards in industrial policies, a disruptor of global industrial and supply chains and an expert of unilateralism and bullying. More and more countries are saying no to US unilateralism and protectionism. The world knows what is the right thing to do and is calling for it. The US needs to mend its way, abide by WTO rules, take credible steps to defend the authority of the multilateral trading system and return as soon as possible to the community of nations that uphold multilateralism.

TASS: A group of Azerbaijani nationals, who called themselves ecologists, recently blocked the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. What’s China’s comment?

Wang Wenbin: We hope relevant countries in the region will increase dialogue and communication and jointly protect peace and stability in the region and ensure that people there can live in peace.

AFP: The WHO Director-General Tedros has called on China to share more information about how the virus began in the central city of Wuhan. Will China be sharing more of that data with the WHO? 

Wang Wenbin: China has always supported and participated in global science-based origins-tracing. China is the only country that has invited more than once WHO expert groups to come into the country to conduct joint SARS-CoV-2 origins study. We have shared more data and research findings on SARS-CoV-2 origins study than any other country. This fully demonstrates China’s openness and transparency. 

Reuters: The Biden administration plans to remove some Chinese entities in an unverified list due to greater willingness from the Chinese government to permit US site visits, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Could the foreign ministry comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: I would refer you to competent authorities for the specifics you asked. Let me say, as a principle, that China’s position on the issue is consistent and clear. We urge the US to stop overstretching the concept of national security, stop targeting specific Chinese companies with discriminatory and unfair measures, and stop politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues. China will continue to firmly defend the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.

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