Question: On 22 March, the UK and Australia issued the Joint Statement on Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations, which "expressed concerns" over issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea. They also "called on" China to refrain from helping Russia to continue its war in any way and to convince Russia to end its "illegal war". The UK, Australia and the US also issued the AUKUS trilateral statement. What is your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: Recently, I have made clear China’s principled position on the UK’s erroneous remarks on a number of issues including those related to Taiwan and Hong Kong. We firmly oppose the use of the above issues to make groundless accusations against China in the Joint Statement on Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations.

The true motive behind the UK and Australia making irresponsible remarks on relevant issues is to interfere in China's internal affairs and obstruct China's realisation of national reunification and stable development, not to “maintain peace and human rights”. Their sinister plot will never succeed.

It must be pointed out that by continuing to promote the so-called AUKUS, the UK, Australia and the US are in essence inciting military confrontation through military cooperation. This is typical Cold-War mentality. It will increase the risk of nuclear proliferation, exacerbate arms race in the Asia-Pacific and undermine peace and stability in the region. China is seriously concerned about and opposed to this.

We urge relevant countries to abandon the Cold-War mentality, stop putting together exclusive blocs, and stop creating trouble for peace and stability in the region.