English

Liu Jin: Keep your dignity when you are not powerful, and when you are, help the whole world

Chinese Ambassador to Montenegro, Mr Liu Jin, in the CdM interview talks about the coronavirus, relations between China and WHO, vaccine and responds to the accusations that China was hiding information on the coronavirus outbreak, putting the whole world in danger. Ambassador also talks about the cooperation between MNE and China, new opportunities and China-US relations.

CdM: How did China manage to put the virus under control? How far has testing of the vaccine gone in China? When is China expected to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Mr Liu Jin: For China which has 1,4 billion inhabitants, the current COVID-19 situation is stable owing to strong preventive measures introduced by the institutions at all levels, high understanding and cooperation of the public and commitment of healthcare staff. Safety and health of the people have always been our top priority. Right now this pandemic is part of our lives, and risks are still present. We haven’t eased preventive measures in China, they have become more precise and timely. As a result, new cases that emerged in some regions of China were brought under control very quickly, and I don’t think there will be greater transmission.

China, just like other states, devotes great attention to research and development of the vaccine, cooperating with WHO and Vaccine Alliance – GAVI, as well as with other states. There are over 20 vaccine sin the world that entered the phase of clinical examination on people and several Chinese vaccines have entered the finishing phase of testing before mass production. Hopefully, mass production will be available at the end of this year and in the first half of the next. I think development of vaccine is an urgent task, but there’s no rush. This is a scientific experiment and must be tested over time. In that context, we must be patient.

I would also like to point out that Chinese president, Mr Xi Jinping, announced at the 73rd World Health Assembly that COVID-19 vaccine would serve as global public product, increasing accessibility and availability of vaccines in region countries. This is the concrete measure China takes to apply the concept of the Community with shared future for mankind, the objective of which is to provide vaccines.

CdM: We still hear accusations that China is responsible for the coronavirus pandemic and that it is controlling the work of WHO. What is the real truth? Did China hide information when the virus broke out as some accusations state?

Mr Liu Jin: COVID-19 is the new type of virus and therefore getting to know it takes time. China is the first state that recognized this virus and developed the first reagent and informed the international community about the sequence of the gene of the virus. As signatory to International health regulations, China always maintains cooperation with WHO in open, transparent and responsible way and informs WHO and other states in a timely manner about the epidemic. Deadlines published by Chinese Government and WHO proved that.

Unfortunately, rumors spread fast and China appears to be one of the biggest victims of such rumors. Some states even pinned the responsibility on Chin and WHO and that’s obviously a very irresponsible approach that makes no contribution to global anti-epidemic cooperation. Those who are familiar with the work of international organizations are also aware that financing sources of WHO are very open and transparent. If China can control WHO, who will be willing to provide financing of WHO? WHO should be supported for doing its job well. As I can see, such rumors are not very frequent in Montenegro, which clearly shows that Montenegrin people are wise. When rumors encounter wisdom, they step back.

CdM:  We often hear that China uses this pandemic to increase its political and economic influence. What’s your comment on that?

Mr Liu Jin: Political and economic influence of a state does not depend on its power only, but also on its political will. One country alone cannot defeat the pandemic or other threats to humanity. Strengthening international cooperation or taking care only of one’s own interests, assume or give up on international responsibilities – that’s the option international community is faced with. Every state has a choice and the whole world is watching.

There’s a saying in China: Keep your dignity when you are not powerful, and when you are, help the whole world. Although China is still a developing state, it has been providing emergency medical and material assistance for the countries in need. It’s not fair to regard these humanitarian actions as chance for China to increase its political and economic influence. If all countries cherished their selfishness in the period of pandemic, that definitely wouldn’t be good for others.

There’s another famous Confucius’ quote: Don’t do to others what you don’t want done unto you. China existed as semi-colonial state. That’s why we cherish our national sovereignty and dignity and we won’t do things that have an impact and we won’t meddle into the affairs of other states.

CdM: During the pandemic, China helped many states, including Montenegro. How much is that help worth and can Montenegro count on China’s help in future?

Mr Liu Jin: International cooperation in fight against the pandemic has shown that the mankind shares the same future. The pandemic has provoked serious damage to states around the world and many people have died. The virus knows no boundaries or races and no state can survive alone. The reason why mankind can evolve into highly developed modern civilization without extinction, is that the mankind has wisdom and ability to strengthen cooperation before the disaster occurs. Solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapon against the virus.

Thousand years ago, famous poet Ouyang Xiu wrote: When you travel kilometers from afar, even the small goose feather is a valuable gift. Amount of Chinese aid is limited, but the good will is honest and precious and it carries friendship and respect of Chinese people to Montenegrin people.

Chin and MNE are friendly states, we have always respected one another, helped one another. Friendly cooperation is the chapter both nations have written. As an ambassador, I witnessed that China and MNE cooperated and I felt sympathy towards China. China is always open to be a good friend and partner.

CdM:  We can also hear how much states around the world have lost due to the pandemic. However, no data about China is available. To what extent has the pandemic affected Chinese economy?

Mr Liu Jin: In the economic globalization, hardships and impacts of the pandemic on China and the world economy are very similar. This year China will eliminate poverty and will build stable society. And while it is trying to prevent another outbreak, it is devoting efforts to promoting recovery of the economy and introducing preferential conditions like financing and taxation etc. The epidemic has really affected many traditional economic formats. However, the epidemic has also led to strong development of the internet economy in China, helping many unemployed people find new chances in this new economic model.

Chinese state institute for statistics has recently released macroeconomic data for the first half of 2020. Under the impact of the epidemic, Chinese economy recorded a 6,8% decline in the first quarter of 2020 while in the second quarter it turned from negative into positive, increasing by 3,2%. Fast recovery of Chinese economy has aroused hope that the world economy will recover very soon.

CdM: When you look at how Montenegro is dealing with the coronavirus, what is your opinion? How successful is Montenegro? Have we made any mistakes?

Mr Liu Jin: Montenegro is the last European state where coronavirus was registered and the first state that achieved “coronavirus-free” status, which shows that measures Montenegro imposed in the early phase were very efficient. But this virus is “stubborn”, and unfortunately we witnessed new outbreak in Montenegro and some parts of China. Looks like the virus will be part of our live and our economies until the vaccine is found. It is important to coordinate well relationship between prevention and control of the epidemic and economic development. What everybody can do is to strictly listen to the advice of medical experts, maintain social distance and use protection. Montenegrin healthcare staff fought fiercely in the first wave. I firmly believe that Montenegrin people have wisdom and ability to overcome the epidemic.

CdM:  Montenegro and China have stable cooperation in many areas. Will that continue and can we talk about some new projects when the pandemic is over?

Mr Liu Jin: Cooperation between China and Montenegro will never end. The epidemic has provoked some temporary difficulties in the cooperation but also many new possibilities. Within 17+1 cooperation, the two countries have enormous potential for practical cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, energy, environment protection, culture and education. The epidemic hasn’t stopped the tempo of cooperation. Chinese DEC company will take part in the implementation of project of the ecological infrastructure of the Block I of Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant.

During the epidemic, China sped up the development of digital economy, new infrastructure, cross-border e-commerce and other industries and expanded new business forms and these areas are expected to become new space for the practical cooperation between MNE and China.

CdM: There have been several calls for Montenegro to place its products on Chinese market. Do you see new form of cooperation? What can we export to China?

Mr Liu Jin: Bauxite ores and other goods Montenegro exports to China haven’t been severely affected by the pandemic. Many high-quality agriculture products in MNE are in accordance with the demands of the Chinese market. I hope competent authorities in both states will cooperate in the promotion of high-quality Montenegrin meat and milk products for the export. China will continue to expand and promote high-quality cooperation within the Belt and Road initiative. The third Shanghai import Expo in November will offer new possibilities for Montenegro.

CdM:  International community is very concerned over the diplomatic incident between China and the USA as they are closing their consulates. What’s China’s view on this issue?

Mr Liu Jin: As two big states, China and the USA bear great responsibility for the preservation of world peace and development. A coordinated and cooperative relationship should be established between the two nations. For that reason, two states should communicate rationally instead of exerting pressure.

China’s will and politics have always been very straightforward. But the USA has recently closed Chinese consulate general in Houston, instigating political and diplomatic provocations against Chinese sovereignty and dignity and that’s shocking. China must react and that reaction is legitimate, necessary and rational, completely in line with diplomatic practice. China has never provoked conflicts and has always been restrained. But our determination to protect development interests of our country is also very firm.

The world is again at the breaking historical moment. Although current international situation is changing and very complex, peaceful development is still the topic of our era. For the preservation of world peace, promotion of joint prosperity and current fight against coronavirus pandemic, it is necessary that all countries assume historical responsibilities, maintain international order and strengthen international cooperation.

 

Send this to a friend