China rejects US warning of its Arctic cooperation with Russia

(23 Jul 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beijing - 23 July 2024
1. Wide of news conference
2. Wide of reporters
3. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
"We always participated in Arctic affairs based on the basic principles of respect, cooperation, win-win and sustainability. We have strengthened cooperation with all parties and are committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Arctic and promoting sustainable development of the region. The US distorted China's Arctic policy and made irresponsible remarks on China's normal Arctic activities in accordance with international law, which is not conducive to peace, stability and cooperation in the Arctic. China firmly opposes this.”
4. Reporters
5. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“During Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba's visit to China, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold talks with him to exchange views on implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state, promoting China-Ukraine cooperation, and issues of common interest to both sides. Regarding the Ukraine crisis, China always believes that an early ceasefire and political solution are in the common interests of all parties. China will continue to stand on the side of peace and dialogue and support the international community in gathering more consensus and jointly finding practical ways to resolve the crisis politically.”
6. Reporters
7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“China will continue to firmly safeguard its sovereignty and rights and interests. At the same time, we have noted that the Philippines has expressed its willingness to implement the arrangement reached with China. We hope that the Philippines will match its words and deeds and avoid going backward, creating new problems or taking any further actions that complicate the situation.”
8. Wide of news conference
STORYLINE:
China on Tuesday expressed opposition to the U.S. warning of deepening China-Russia cooperation in the Arctic.

The U.S. military released a strategy on Monday that the two countries’ increasing cooperation could impact regional stability, with Russia reopening hundreds of Soviet-era military sites in the Arctic.

China has also eyed the mineral resources in the Arctic and expressed its ambition of building a “Polar Silk Road,” according to the strategy.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning argued that China has been committed to handling Arctic affairs through cooperation and “promoting sustainable development” of the region.

“The US distorted China's Arctic policy and made irresponsible remarks on China's normal Arctic activities in accordance with international law, which is not conducive to peace, stability and cooperation in the Arctic,” Mao said.

Mao also told reporters at the briefing that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will have talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during his visit to China.

They will “exchange views on implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state, promoting China-Ukraine cooperation, and issues of common interest to both sides,” Mao said.

It is Kuleba's first visit to China since Russia's military campaign in Ukraine began.

China, seen as a close ally of Russia, was absent from the Swiss-led Ukraine peace conference in June.

The content on “prior notification and on-site confirmation” in the Chinese statement was “inaccurate,” the Philippine Foreign Ministry responded later in the day.

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