Doha, 29 December 2024

Ambassador Cao Xiolin of the People's Republic of China to the State of Qatar addressing at a press conference this evening has highlighted China's achievements across multiple sectors during the year 2024; insights into China's diplomatic relations; and it's stance on various global conflicts. Additionally, he highlighted China's role both within its borders and on the international stage.

Below are his remarks and responses to questions from the media.

China-Qatar relations

China-Qatar relationship is now at its best in the history and has set a role model for the state-to-state relationship in the world. Over the past 10 years, China-Qatar relations have gone through a golden decade of comprehensive and rapid development.

Firstly, the mutual trust between China and Qatar continues to deepen. Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani have met six times in the past decade. The latest meeting was held on the sideline of 24^th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in July of this year in Astana. The two leaders reached a series of important consensus on deepening the China-Qatar strategic partnership.

One important aspect of the mutual trust is that China and Qatar have supported each other in exploring independent development paths that suit our national conditions, and in safeguarding our core and major interests.

He said that the Amir of State of Qatar and many senior Qatari officials have reaffirmed Qatar’s firm commitment to the one-China principle and its opposition to foreign interference in China’s internal affairs for several times. This year, Dr. Al-Ansari, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has twice reiterated at press conference that Qatar is firmly committed to the one-China principle and that Taiwan is part of China. Qatar unwaveringly supports China’s just position on Xinjiang and human rights related issues and speaks up for China in multilateral occasions.

China supports Qatar in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and stability, and the realization of Qatar National Vision 2030. The mutual supports fully demonstrate the high-level political mutual trust between the two countries. Secondly, the cooperation between China and Qatar in various fields has become increasingly close. The bilateral trade volume has grown from US$10.6 billion in 2014 to US$24.5 billion in 2023, an increase of over 130%. Since 2020, China has consistently been Qatar’s largest trading partner and largest export destination for 4 years.

China and Qatar have formed a new model of cooperation with energy collaboration as its main pillar, infrastructure development as a key focus, and financial investment and high-tech sectors as emerging growth points, delivering tangible benefits to the people of both countries. The highlights of the bilateral cooperation are its strong complimentarily and great potential. The prospects for cooperation in areas such as food security, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence are promising and will further benefit the people of both nations.

Thirdly, the people-to-people exchanges between China and Qatar have become increasingly vibrant. More and more Qatari youth are learning Chinese with a genuine love for the Chinese culture. The 2022 World Cup has showcased a gorgeous and modern Qatar to the Chinese audience. Qatar has become a must-visit destination for more and more Chinese tourists. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Qatar reached 93,000 in 2024, marking a 68% increase year-on-year. The first pair of giant pandas in the Middle East, Suhail and Thuraya, are growing up healthily and happily in Qatar. They bring joy and excitement to both the Qatari people and visitors from all around the world, and have become envoys of friendship between the two peoples.

Fourthly, China and Qatar share the same or similar views on major international and regional issues.The two countries have maintained sound coordination and collaboration in multilateral affairs, such as at the United Nations, particularly in advocating for justice on the Gaza conflict, as we are jointly working to alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinian people.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October last year, Qatar, together with relevant countries, has been actively mediating to achieve a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Qatar successfully facilitated the release of over 100 hostages in November 2023. Although the Gaza conflict is dragging on, the international community highly appreciates Qatar's tireless efforts in pushing for a ceasefire agreement.

China issued the Position Paper on Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict in October, 2023and has continued to provide emergency humanitarian aids to the Gaza Strip. China also promoted the first Security Council resolution since the conflict broke out. Under China's mediation, 14 Palestinian factions signed the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity in July in Beijing. The Beijing Declaration has offered a hope to the long-suffering Palestinian people.

Around two weeks ago, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, elaborated on China’s view on the current Middle East situation at the joint press conference after his meeting with the visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister in Beijing. Wang Yi stressed that the urgent priority is to realize an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. The fundamental way out is to uphold political settlement and resume dialogue and negotiation. The basic principle is to respect the autonomy of nations and avoid external interference. China, as a sincere friend to the Middle Eastern countries, will continue to serve as a defender of peace and stability in the region, a promoter of development and prosperity, a supporter of unity and independence, and a reliable long-term partner for the Middle Eastern nations. 

On the Syria issue, Foreign Minister Wang Yi underscored that China has long followed a policy of friendship and cooperation towards Syria. China never interferes in Syria’s internal affairs and as always, respects Syrian people’s choice. China supports the early realization of peace within Syria, the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and promoting domestic political process under the “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned” principle, so as to find a nation-rebuilding plan that aligns with the will of the people through inclusive dialogue.

2.  There are many reasons why China-Qatar relationship exemplifies a model of the state-to-state relationship：

At the international level, both China and Qatar uphold the basic norms of international relations based on the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, advocate for sovereign equality and non-interference in the internal affairs, and respect the right of people of each state to choose independently the paths for development and suitable social system.

At the level of the national development, both China and Qatar have created the miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. In achieving the two miracles, the two countries have gained the same or similar experiences, based on which we strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

The key takeaways are:firstly, both countries have established a political system suited to national conditions to provide a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity. Secondly, both the Chinese Government and the Qatari Government implement long-term development strategy aligned with the national realities, which has stimulated the entire nation to work jointly to achieve national development goals. Thirdly, both nations uphold traditional cultures and unite the strength of all ethnic groups and across the entire society.

To sum it up: both countries have embarked on development paths suited to their unique national conditions.

In recent years, under the leadership of H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim, the Qatari people have been actively pursuing the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030, achieving remarkable accomplishments that have captured global attention. From steady progress in economic diversification to rapid advancements in infrastructure, from record-breaking natural gas production to continuous improvements in living standards, Qatar has demonstrated its extraordinary strength and ingenuity.

Notably, the successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and other major events showcased a confident, open, forward-looking, and modern Qatar to the world. Since the beginning of this year, Qatar has launched a series of significant initiatives, including the third phase of National Vision 2030 strategy, charting a clearer path forward. These efforts will undoubtedly lead to new achievements in the journey ahead, boosting Qatar’s contributions to global peace, stability, and development.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China(CPC) in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the people of all ethnic groups across the country to overcome difficulties and press ahead with determination, scoring historic achievements and changes in the cause of the Party and the country. China has eradicated extreme poverty and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and is now marching in confident strides to build a great country and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization.

China is committed to advancing the Chinese path to modernization with high-quality development. From 2013 to 2023, China's economy attained an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. In the first half of 2024, China's GDP reached RMB 61.7 trillion with a year-on-year growth of 5.0%, once again demonstrating to the international community the bright prospects of China's sustained economic growth.

In July of this year, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC was successfully held. The session adopted the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization, which put forward specific requirements on expanding China’s high-standard opening-up. China will stay committed to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world, develop new institutions for a higher-standard open economy, integrate itself into the global economy more proactively, deliver more benefits of our opening up to the world, and promote a modernized world that enjoys common prosperity.

China's development will bolster the power of peace, enhance global stability, and contribute to the expansion of worldwide markets. It is estimated that China will achieve an economic growth of around 5% this year. China remains a key powerhouse of global growth, contributing nearly 30% to the world’s overall growth, surpassing the combined contribution of the G7 countries. The big strides toward modernization of 1.4 billion Chinese people mark a significant progress in human civilization. The Chinese path to modernization will continue to offer new opportunities for countries around the world.

3.  Building a community with a shared future for mankind

As we look into the future, we have many questions of our times. One very important one is where the humanity should be headed? To answer this question, President Xi Jinping put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, which shows the world a bright prospect of peace, security, prosperity, and progress.

China’s action to realize this vision is to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI),the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).

The BRI cooperation is based on the principle of planning together, building together, and benefiting together, establishing a new framework for international cooperation, and sharing China’s development opportunities with the world. The GSI, GDI and GCI indicate the direction for the human society’s development through three dimensions including security, development, and civilization. They provide solutions to the world's major issues and offer paths to achieve the fundamental pursuits of humanity development, including peace and stability, material abundance, and spiritual fulfilment.

Qatar is among the first countries in the Arab region to join the BRI and the Group of Friends of GDI. China and Qatar have become good partners in building a community with a shared future for mankind and implementing the GDI, GSI and GCI. Under the framework of jointly build the BRI and three global initiatives, the practical cooperation between China and Qatar in various fields will harvest greater achievements, benefiting the two peoples.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) is an intergovernmental organization established in 2001 with the aim of promoting cooperation and peace among its member states. As the rotating president of the SCO in 2025, China will host over 100 meetings and events in such areas as politics, security, economy and culture and people-to-people exchanges and we are committed to holding a SCO summit featuring friendship, solidarity and fruitful outcomes that will help build consensus and chart the course going forward.

China stands ready to work with other SCO member states, under the theme of the SCO Year of Sustainable Development, to act on the slogan of “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move” and lead the SCO into a new stage of high-quality development featuring stronger solidarity, coordination, dynamism and productiveness, so as to contribute the organization’s solution to global governance.

In September 2022, Qatar became the Dialogue Partner of the SCO. China looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Qatar under the framework of the SCO, which contributes efforts to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

4.  Summary

China and Qatar enjoy profound political mutual trust and share similar development philosophies with our interests closely intertwined. There exist immense potentials in our bilateral cooperation. China stands ready to synergize development strategies with Qatar, and jointly promote win-win cooperation to a higher level, striving for our respective national development and rejuvenation. China looks forward to collaborating with Qatar to build a community with a shared future for mankind, uphold international fairness and justice, promote regional peace and development, create greater well-beings for our peoples, and usher in a new golden decade of China-Qatar relations!

1.  On China's Core Interests and Major Concerns

Respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns is a fundamental principle for friendly relations between nations. China and Qatar have supported each other on issues which bear upon our respective core interests and major concerns. 

1. On the Taiwan Question 

The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests. It is also the political foundation and important prerequisite for China to develop bilateral ties with other countries.

Taiwan is not a country. Taiwan has always been an inalienable part of China’s territory, which has a solid basis in international law. In 1943, China, the US and the UK released the Cairo Declaration, which clearly stipulates that “all the territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese, such as Taiwan, shall be restored to China.” Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation jointly released by China, the US, the UK and the Soviet Union in 1945 stipulates that “the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out”. Japan accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and declared its unconditional surrender in the same year.

These series of documents with international legal effect constitute an integral part of the post-WWII international order, and also lay down the historical and legal foundation that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. It can be said that Taiwan is part of China like the Pearl Island is part of Qatar.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 in 1971, which clearly recognized the representatives of the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations. Although the two sides across the Taiwan Strait have yet to be reunified, the sovereignty and territory of China has never been severed and the legal status and fact that Taiwan is part of China’s territory have never changed. This is the real status quo of the Taiwan question.

Lai Ching-te, the current leader of China’s Taiwan region, adheres to his entrenched position on “Taiwan independence”, and has gone out of his way to peddle ideas for “Taiwan independence”. He frequently stirs up false narratives such as the “two-nation theory”, “anti-annexation”,and “self-determination of Taiwan residents”. Lai places “Republic of China” on an equal footing with the PRC, with an attempt to push for the so-called “Name Rectification” of “Taiwan independence”.

There is only one China in the world, and only one legal government representing the whole of China. Before 1949, it was the government of the Republic of China; after 1949, it is the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. This represents a change of regime without altering China's status as a subject of international law. China's sovereignty and inherent territory remain unchanged, and the People's Republic of China rightfully enjoys and exercises full sovereignty over Taiwan. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This is an undeniable objective fact, as well as a consensus of the international community and widely recognized basic norm governing international relations.

Based on the one-China principle, China has established diplomatic relations with 183 countries, including Qatar. Qatar does not recognize Taiwan as a country, nor does it recognize the so-called “Republic of China” or “Taiwan” regime. As I mentioned, this year alone, the spokesperson of Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs has twice, in response to reporters’ questions, reaffirmed that the Qatari government has always adhered to the one-China principle and will continue to do so.

Since Taiwan is not a sovereign country, terms such as the so-called “Republic of China (ROC)”, “Taiwan”, “Republic of China (Taiwan)” are not eligible to be listed alongside China and other countries in news reports. The flag of the Taiwan authorities should not be used together with the national flags of China and other countries. Furthermore, the leader and deputy leader of the Taiwan authorities are not entitled to use titles such as “President” and “Vice President”, which are reserved for the heads of state and deputy heads of state of sovereign countries. 

2. On the Xinjiang-related Issue 

The issues related to Xinjiang are not about human rights. They are about countering violent terrorism, radicalization and separatism.Some Western countries have been misinforming the public about Xinjiang and seeking political manipulation in the name of human rights simply to smear China’s images and contain China’s development.

In some years leading up to 2017, violent terrorist activities in Xinjiang were rampant. Drawing lessons from international experiences and in view of reality of the region, Xinjiang has taken resolute action to fight terrorism and extremism in accordance with the law, effectively clamped down on terrorism and violence and the spread of religious terrorism. Through these efforts, Xinjiang has responded to the public expectations of security for all ethnic groups, protected the basic human rights, and maintained social harmony and stability in the region.There has been no violent terrorist incident in Xinjiang for over seven consecutive years.

China is a unified multiethnic country, and the various ethnic groups in Xinjiang have long been part of the Chinese nation. However, in recent times, hostile forces in and outside China, especially separatists, religious extremists and terrorists, have tried to split China and break it apart by distorting history and facts. They call Xinjiang “East Turkistan” and clamor for independence. They attempt to separate ethnic groups in Xinjiang from the Chinese nation and ethnic cultures in the region from the diverse but integrated Chinese culture. The advocacy of the so-called “East Turkistan” has become a political tool and program for separatists and anti-China forces attempting to split China.

Some Western countries, organizations and individuals that apply double standards to terrorism and human rights have issued unjustified criticism of Xinjiang’s effort, and fabricated the claim of “genocide” in Xinjiang, This kind of criticisms and lies betray the basic conscience and justice of humanity, and has been repudiated by all genuine champions of justice and progress.

Currently, Xinjiang enjoys social stability, with people enjoying their life and work, achieving unprecedented progress in socioeconomic development and livelihood improvement. Since the establishment of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the local economy has grown 160-fold, the Uyghur population has increased from over 3 million to more than 12 million, and the average life expectancy in the region has increased from 30 years to 75.6 years. Religious freedom for all ethnic groups in Xinjiang is well protected.

We hope that the relevant party will respect facts, tell right from wrong, and treat Xinjiang-related issues objectively and impartially. We always welcome objective and fair-minded foreigners, including you all from media, to visit Xinjiang and see for yourselves, then presenting Xinjiang as it is to the world. 

3. On Human Rights 

China always attaches high importance to respecting and protecting human rights and puts the people front and center. It has found a path toward better human rights that reflects the trend of the times and fits our national realities and made historic progress in our human rights cause. A good example on China’s successful practice in human rights is that China keeps improving the whole-process people’s democracy. There are over 2.7 million deputies at various levels of people’s congresses, including around 3,000 deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC), which ensures that the people are the masters of their own country. China has set up the world’s largest education system, social security system and medical care system. The Chinese people’s average life expectancy has increased to 78.6 years.

Some countries have politicized and weaponized human rights, which has posed severe challenges to global human rights governance. The Gaza war is a telling case. The Western countries turned a blind eye to the deaths of over 45,000 innocent civilians, leaving a “scar on their conscience”. Those countries have no moral grounds to criticize the human rights conditions of others, including China and the Middle Eastern countries. It is the hope of the international community that certain countries will discard megaphone diplomacy and stop interfering in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of so-called human rights issues. 

III. International and Regional Issues 

China has always been committed to upholding world peace and promoting common development, and is dedicated to building a community with a shared future for mankind.  

1. The China-U.S. Relationship

The Unites States and China are the world’s first and second largest economies in the world. How China and the United States get along concerns the well-beings of the two peoples and also the future of the world. The history shows that as long as the United States workswith China in the same direction and cooperate with each other, the two countries can accomplish many great things together.

President Xi Jinping met with President Biden on the sideline of the APEC in Lima in November, and sent a congratulatory message to President-Elect Trump after he won the election. These top-level contacts have provided strategic guidance for the growth of China-U.S. relationship at this critical juncture.

At the meeting with President Biden, President Xi Jinping summed up seven pieces of experience and inspiration based on a thorough account of bilateral exchanges in recent years, and drew four clear red lines that must not be challenged, namely, the Taiwan question, China’s path and system, democracy and human rights, and China’s development right.

He stressed that China’s goal of a steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged; its commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation as principles for handling China-U.S. relations remains unchanged; its position of resolutely safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged; and its desire to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people remains unchanged. This is not only the authoritative interpretation of China’s policy towards the U.S., but also our earnest expectation on future China-U.S. relationship.

The fact that China has maintained its US policy stable and consistent demonstrates its firm strategic resolve and broad-mindedness as a major country. China will engage in dialogue, manage differences, enhance mutual trust, remove misunderstandings and expand cooperation with the US side, and work with the US to explore the right way to get along with each other on this planet to the benefit of the two countries and the world. 

2. The China-Russia Relationship

China-Russia relationship has set an example of friendly exchanges between major countries and neighbors. The three meetings between President Xi Jinping and President Putin this year further deepened the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. The two countries maintained close communication and coordination on multilateral platforms, such as the U.N., BRICS and the SCO, and in regional affairs, fulfilling their responsibilities as major countries.

China-Russia relations are based on non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, and are not subject to interference or coercion from any external factor. Amid the shifting global dynamics, China and Russia will maintain a high degree of strategic mutual trust, support each other's development and revitalization, and jointly safeguard global strategic stability. 

3.The Ukraine Issue

China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear. China calls on all parties to work on ways for de-escalation, observe the three principles for deescalating the situation, namely, no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting and no fueling the flame by any party, and create the conditions for working towards a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. China will continue to maintain communication with the international community to play a constructive role for the political settlement of the crisis. 

4.The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

The Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue. China never has any selfish interests on the Palestinian question. China was among the first countries to recognize the PLO and the State of Palestine. China all along firmly supports the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. At present, the Gaza conflict drags on, its spillovers continue to spread, and multiple regional conflicts are interconnected.

To help get out of the current conflict and predicament, China proposes a three-step initiative:

The first is to achieve comprehensive, lasting and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible, and ensure access to humanitarian aids and rescue on the ground. The international community should build more synergy for ending the hostilities and establishing a ceasefire.

The second is to make joint efforts toward post-conflict governance of Gaza under the principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine”. Gaza is an inseparable, integral part of Palestine. Restarting post-conflict reconstruction as soon as possible is an urgent priority. The international community needs to support Palestinian factions in establishing an interim national consensus government and realizing effective management of Gaza and the West Bank.

The third is to help Palestine become a full member state of the U.N. and get down to implementing the two-State solution. It is important to support the convening of a broad-based, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to work out a timetable and road map for the two-State solution.

Ceasefire and humanitarian rescue are pressing priorities. “Palestinians governing Palestine” is the basic principle for the post-conflict governance of Gaza. The two-State solution is the fundamental way forward. The international community should support the parties in taking the three steps in real earnest. 

5. The Syria Issue

Recently, the situation in Syria has undergone drastic changes, to which China pays great attention. China has long followed a policy of friendship and cooperation towards Syria. China never interferes in Syria’s internal affairs and as always, respects Syrian people’s choice.

China supports the early realization of peace within Syria, the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and promoting domestic political process under the “Syrian-led and  Syrian-owned” principle, so as to find a nation-rebuilding plan that aligns with the will of the people through inclusive dialogue.

Syria in the future should stand firm against any form of terrorism and extremist forces. The international community should effectively safeguard Syria’s independence, unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, respect Syria’s ethnic and religious traditions, and allow the Syrian people to make their own decisions. It is incumbent on all parties to lend a helping hand to Syria, lifting the unlawful unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria, to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria.