Breakdown of China-Mozambique Joint Statement - Zhong Sheng: Japan Tearing Off the Disguise of a ‘Peaceful Nation’ - BNP Delegation Visits China
Here are the key reports and articles from the People’s Daily’s edition on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Page 1: On the top of the page is a report on Xi Jinping meeting with President Daniel Chapo of Mozambique. The Chinese readout says that “the two heads of state agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to the level of China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era.”
“President Xi Jinping stressed that friendship and mutual trust are the defining features and political strengths of China-Mozambique relations. The two sides should carry forward the fine traditions, continuously extend firm mutual support on issues bearing on each other’s core interests and major concerns, strengthen interactions at various levels and across various sectors between governments, political parties, legislative bodies, and sub-national authorities, and enhance experience sharing in party and state governance. The strong economic complementarity between the two countries opens up broad prospects for cooperation. This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. China is ready to work with Mozambique to strengthen alignment of development strategies, create new cooperation models, explore new pathways for the integrated development of infrastructure, energy and mining, and actively cultivate new growth drivers in areas including agriculture, new energy, digital economy and AI to promote the high-quality and sustainable development of practical cooperation between the two countries. Facing the changing and turbulent international landscape, the two sides should continue to strengthen coordination, solidarity and collaboration in the U.N. and other institutions, and jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and safeguard international fairness and justice.
President Xi Jinping noted that in the past 70 years of China-Africa diplomatic relations, no matter how the international landscape evolved, the two sides have always forged ahead shoulder to shoulder, through thick and thin. China and Africa, together with other Global South countries, represent a just force in this turbulent and transforming world. The conflicts in the Middle East are spilling over into African countries. China is ready to work with Africa to navigate these challenging times, and jointly promote peace and seek common development. First, upholding principles to promote peace. Together, the two sides call for cessation of hostilities and settlement of differences through equal-footed dialogue, and call on the international community to practice true multilateralism, and to firmly safeguard the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and basic norms governing international relations. Second, keeping strategic focus on development. As it expands high-standard opening-up, China always puts Africa in a special and prioritized position. Starting from May 1, China will roll out zero-tariff measures across the board to all the 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, and further expand access of African products to the Chinese market through an upgrade of the green channel and other initiatives. Third, leading by example in mutually beneficial cooperation. In response to Africa’s call, China will work with the continent to further unlock cooperation potential, deepen mutually beneficial collaboration, support African countries’ development, and contribute to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”
Daniel Chapo praised Xi for “China’s exemplary role among Global South countries”; he called China a “true friend”. He backed Xi’s four global initiatives and the “vision of a community with a shared future for humanity”. He added that “Mozambique attaches great importance to its relations with China, unconditionally abides by the one-China principle, and supports China in achieving national reunification.”
The two sides issued a joint statement and signed 20 cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, implementation of the Global Security Initiative, economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, medical and health, and news media.
During his visit, Chapo also met with Li Qiang and Zhao Leji. The report on the meeting with Li says:
“Li Qiang pointed out that the Chinese side is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with the Mozambican side, steadily expand the scale of bilateral trade, deepen cooperation in fields such as agriculture and fisheries, energy and mineral resources, and infrastructure construction, and help the Mozambican side extend its industrial chains, raise added value, and better transform its own resource advantages into development momentum. It is hoped that the Mozambican side will make good use of China’s policies of comprehensive zero-tariff treatment for African nations with which it maintains diplomatic relations and the upgrading of green channels, and actively develop the Chinese market. The Chinese side supports capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Mozambique, and hopes that the Mozambican side will provide a stable and predictable business environment and safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and citizens in Mozambique. Both sides should also strengthen cooperation in medical care, education, culture, tourism, disaster prevention and mitigation, and other areas, and continuously enhance the people’s sense of gain from China-Mozambique friendship. Amidst the current volatile and complex international landscape, China and Africa, as good brothers and good partners, should unite and collaborate even more closely, actively implement the four major global initiatives, uphold fairness and justice, and safeguard their shared interests.” 李强指出，中方愿同莫方加强发展战略对接，稳步扩大两国贸易规模，深化农渔业、能源矿产、基础设施建设等领域合作，帮助莫方延长产业链、提升附加值，将自身资源优势更好转化为发展动能。希望莫方用好中国对非洲建交国全面零关税、“绿色通道”升级等政策，积极开拓中国市场。中方支持有实力的中国企业赴莫投资，希望莫方提供稳定、可预期的营商环境，保障在莫中国企业、公民的安全和合法权益。双方还要加强医疗、教育、文化、旅游、防灾减灾等合作，不断提升民众对中莫友好的获得感。当前国际形势风云变幻，中非作为好兄弟、好伙伴，应当更加紧密团结协作，积极落实四大全球倡议，维护公平正义，捍卫共同利益.
As per Xinhua’s report, Chapo said that “Mozambique supports China in achieving national reunification and backs China’s stance on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang and human rights…Thanking China for its long-standing support and assistance in Mozambique’s economic and social development, Chapo said Mozambique is willing to strengthen the alignment of national development plans with China and deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, energy, transportation and telecommunication under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. He added that Mozambique firmly supports the four major global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to work with China to strengthen Africa-China cooperation and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.”
As per Xinhua, Zhao told Chapo that “China stands ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Mozambique between legislative bodies, share experience in areas such as reform and development, rule of law construction and rural revitalization, and provide impetus for the development of their respective countries”.
The joint statement inked between the two sides is available on Page 3. The first section focuses on building a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era. Some of these points are noteworthy.
“The Mozambican side highly affirms and supports the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind put forward by President Xi Jinping. Both sides will adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, advocate for equal and orderly world multipolarity and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, build a world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, and cleanliness and beauty, and promote the common values of all humanity of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom.
The Mozambican side commends the scientific guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the people-centered development philosophy of the Communist Party of China, congratulates the major achievements attained during China’s 14th FYP period under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, and believes that the 15th FYP will paint a new and magnificent picture for Chinese-style modernization and bring new opportunities for the development of countries around the world, including Mozambique. The Mozambican side considers that the successful practice of Chinese-style modernization provides beneficial reference for developing countries in exploring their own paths to modernization.”（一）莫方高度肯定并支持习近平主席提出的构建人类命运共同体理念。双方将坚持共商共建共享原则，倡导平等有序的世界多极化、普惠包容的经济全球化，建设持久和平、普遍安全、共同繁荣、开放包容、清洁美丽的世界，弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值。（二）莫方赞赏习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的科学指引作用和中国共产党以人民为中心的发展思想，祝贺在习近平主席领导下中国“十四五”时期发展取得重大成就，相信“十五五”规划将为中国式现代化绘就新的壮丽图景，为包括莫桑比克在内的世界各国发展带来新机遇。莫方认为，中国式现代化的成功实践为发展中国家探索自身现代化道路提供了有益借鉴。
“The Chinese side commends the Mozambican side for continuously achieving new accomplishments in national development and construction, supports President Chapo in leading the Mozambique Liberation Front Party along a development path suited to the country’s own national conditions, supports the Mozambican side in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs, and congratulates the Mozambican side on its first-ever term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2023–2024 and its smooth fulfillment of duties. The Chinese side is willing to continue providing support to the Mozambican side within its capacity. The Mozambican side expresses gratitude for the valuable support China has long provided for Mozambique’s economic and social development.
Both sides emphasize the strategic guiding role of head-of-state diplomacy for bilateral relations, and will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries’ governments, legislative bodies, judicial institutions, as well as political parties, local governments, and other levels and fields, and strengthen exchanges on governance and development experience.
Both sides unanimously decided to continue firmly supporting each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, and to resolutely oppose external oppression and interference. The Mozambican side reaffirms its unconditional support for the One-China Principle, recognizes that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory, and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China. The Mozambican side resolutely opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’, firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification, and resolutely upholds the authority of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The Mozambican side firmly supports the Chinese side’s positions on Hong Kong-related, Tibet-related, Xinjiang-related, and human rights issues.”
中方赞赏莫方国家发展建设不断取得新成就，支持查波总统带领莫桑比克解放阵线党走符合本国国情的发展道路，支持莫方维护国家主权、安全和发展利益，在地区和国际事务中发挥更大作用，祝贺莫方2023—2024年首次担任联合国安理会非常任理事国并顺利履职。中方愿继续向莫方提供力所能及的支持。莫方感谢中方长期以来为莫桑比克经济社会发展提供的宝贵支持。（五）双方强调元首外交对双边关系的战略引领作用，将进一步密切两国政府、立法、司法机构及政党、地方等各层级、各领域交流合作，加强治国理政和发展经验交流。（六）双方一致决定在涉及彼此核心利益和重大关切问题上继续坚定相互支持，坚决反对外来压迫和干涉。莫方重申无条件支持一个中国原则，承认世界上只有一个中国，台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分，中华人民共和国政府是代表全中国的唯一合法政府。莫方坚决反对任何形式的“台湾独立”，坚定支持中国政府为实现国家统一所作的一切努力，坚决捍卫联合国大会第2758号决议权威。莫方坚定支持中方在涉港、涉藏、涉疆、人权等问题上的立场.
“Both sides are willing to align the needs of economic and trade cooperation, agree to sign a framework agreement on an economic partnership for common development, in order to provide long-term, stable, and predictable institutional guarantees for bilateral trade and investment cooperation.” 双方愿对接经贸合作需求，同意签署共同发展经济伙伴关系框架协定，为两国贸易投资合作提供长期、稳定、可预期的制度保障.
“Both sides are willing to leverage their respective advantages to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of energy and minerals, carry out exchanges on management policies and experience, and jointly explore new paths of cooperation for the integrated development and coordinated advancement of energy and mineral resources and infrastructure construction. Both sides express satisfaction with the progress achieved in cooperation on oil and gas resources between the two countries, and reaffirm that, in accordance with the principle of mutual benefit, they will consolidate and deepen the progress already made. Both sides believe that new growth points for cooperation need to be created in areas such as resource development and human resource training. Both sides will further deepen cooperation in the field of geology and minerals, fully leverage the role of platforms such as the China–Africa Geoscience Cooperation Center and the Belt and Road International Center for Geoscience Education and Training, attach importance to cooperation in geological science and technology innovation and talent cultivation, and cooperate in implementing a geological survey project in the northern region of Mozambique.” 双方愿发挥各自优势加强能源、矿产领域互利合作，开展管理政策和经验交流，共同探索能源矿产资源和基础设施建设综合开发、协调发展的合作新路。双方对两国油气资源合作取得进展感到满意，重申将根据互利原则巩固深化已取得的进展。双方认为需在资源开发、人力资源培训等方面打造新的合作增长点。双方将进一步深化地质矿产领域合作，充分发挥中国—非洲地学合作中心和“一带一路”国际地学教育培训中心等平台作用，重视地质科技创新合作与人才培养，合作实施莫桑比克北部地区地质调查项目.
The next four sections deal with the four global initiatives individually. Under GDI, the two sides say:
“The Mozambican side highly commends the Chinese side’s comprehensive implementation of zero tariffs for African countries with diplomatic relations with China, and believes that against the backdrop of rising global unilateralism and protectionism, this move demonstrates China’s major-power responsibility and its firm determination to expand high-level opening-up to the outside world. Both sides are committed to mutually reinforcing the zero tariffs with the Mozambican side’s needs to expand exports, attract investment, and increase employment, and to drive China-Mozambique cooperation in emerging fields such as green industries and e-commerce. The Chinese side welcomes the Mozambican side to make good use of the zero-tariff policy and the ‘green channel’ for African agricultural products entering China, and to continuously expand the variety and scale of exports to China. Both sides are willing to establish a ‘smart customs’ cooperative partnership, and the Chinese side welcomes the Mozambican side to join the BRI customs food safety cooperation mechanism.
The Chinese side is willing to strengthen cooperation with countries in the eastern coastal region of Africa, including Mozambique, assist regional countries in achieving faster development and build a demonstration zone for an all-weather China–Africa community with a shared future in the new era. The Chinese side supports the efforts made by the Mozambican side to advance domestic connectivity and thereby promote regional connectivity.
Both sides are willing to seize the historic opportunities of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, and strengthen cooperation in emerging fields such as clean energy, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and mobile technologies. The Mozambican side appreciates the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative and the Global Data Security Initiative proposed by the Chinese side.”
（十三）莫方高度赞赏中方对非洲建交国全面实施零关税，认为在全球单边主义、保护主义抬头背景下，此举展现了中国大国担当和坚定扩大高水平对外开放的决心。双方致力于将零关税同莫方扩大出口、吸引投资、增加就业等需求相互促进，带动中莫绿色产业、电子商务等新兴领域合作。中方欢迎莫方用好零关税政策和非洲农产品输华“绿色通道”，不断扩大对华出口种类和规模。双方愿建立“智慧海关”合作伙伴关系，中方欢迎莫方加入“一带一路”海关食品安全合作机制。（十四）中方愿加强同包括莫桑比克在内的非洲东海岸地区国家合作，助力地区国家更快发展，打造新时代全天候中非命运共同体示范区。中方支持莫方为推进国内联通，继而推动区域联通所作努力。（十五）双方愿抓住新一轮科技革命和产业变革的历史性机遇，加强清洁能源、数字经济、人工智能、移动技术等新兴领域合作。莫方赞赏中方提出的《全球人工智能治理倡议》《全球数据安全倡议》.
Under GSI, the document says:
Both sides stand ready to actively implement the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation under the Global Security Initiative between the two countries, and conduct cooperation within this framework. 双方愿积极落实两国全球安全倡议合作谅解备忘录，并在此框架内开展合作.
Both sides reaffirm that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, that the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter must be upheld, and oppose hegemonism and power politics, and practice true multilateralism. Both sides express concern over the current situation in the Middle East and other regions, and call on the parties concerned to cease military operations and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation.
Both sides are committed to strengthening cooperation in the field of peace and security, closely enhancing exchanges between the two countries’ militaries and law enforcement and security departments, and deepening cooperation in areas such as personnel training, equipment and technology, and joint exercises and training. The Chinese side supports the efforts made by the Mozambican side to combat terrorism and achieve domestic peace and stability, and is willing to continue assisting the Mozambican side in strengthening relevant capacity building.
Both sides are committed to strengthening cooperation in the field of emergency management, carrying out joint research on disaster risk monitoring and early warning, risk assessment, and emergency rescue technology and equipment, and, through personnel exchanges, training seminars, technical exchanges, and scientific research cooperation, enhancing disaster risk prevention and emergency search and rescue capabilities, and expanding cooperation under the international cooperation mechanism on natural disaster prevention and emergency management under BRI.
Both sides agree to strengthen the protection of the safety and legitimate rights and interests of the other country’s citizens, institutions, and projects within their own territories.
（十七）双方重申各国主权和领土完整必须得到尊重，以《联合国宪章》宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则必须得到维护，反对霸权主义和强权政治，践行真正的多边主义。双方对当前中东等地区局势感到担忧，呼吁当事方停止军事行动，通过对话谈判解决问题。（十八）双方致力于加强在和平安全领域合作，密切两国军队和执法安全部门交流，深化在人员培训、装备技术、联演联训等领域合作。中方支持莫方为打击恐怖主义、实现国内和平稳定作出的努力，愿继续帮助莫方加强相关能力建设。（十九）双方致力于在应急管理领域加强合作，围绕灾害风险监测预警、风险评估及应急救援技术装备等开展联合研究，通过人员互访、培训研讨、技术交流与科研合作等，提升灾害风险防范和应急搜救能力，拓展在“一带一路”自然灾害防治和应急管理国际合作机制下合作。（二十）双方同意加强保护本国境内对方国家公民、机构及项目的安全和合法权益.
Under GCI, the document says:
Both sides are willing to take the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges as an opportunity to cooperate in implementing the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and enhance people-to-people connectivity. 双方愿以2026年“中非人文交流年”为契机，合作落实“文明对话国际日”联大决议，深化交流合作，增进民心相通.
Both sides highly evaluate the achievements of cooperation between the two countries in fields such as culture, tourism, education, public health, youth, think tanks, media, and sports, and are willing to continue to give full play to the role of cultural exchange platforms such as Confucius Institutes and the Mozambique–China Cultural Center, and further enhance cultural exchanges between the two countries. The two countries will advance the signing of an agreement on establishing a China Cultural Center in Mozambique.
China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Mozambique in the field of human resources, and will continue to provide Mozambique with government scholarships and training opportunities.
China is prepared to actively support the development of Mozambique’s healthcare system, continue dispatching medical teams to the country, and strengthen cooperation between partner hospitals…Both sides will jointly advance the Mozambique National Surgical Center project, promote the joint construction of a joint medical center, and strengthen cooperation in fields such as laboratory construction, infectious disease prevention and control, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and traditional medicine.
双方高度评价两国在文化、旅游、教育、公共卫生、青年、智库、媒体、体育等领域合作成果，愿继续发挥好孔子学院、莫桑比克—中国文化中心等文化交流平台作用，进一步增进两国文化交流。两国将推进签署关于在莫桑比克设立中国文化中心的协定。（二十三）中方愿同莫方加强人力资源领域合作，继续向莫方提供政府奖学金和人员培训名额。（二十四）中方愿积极支持莫方卫生健康体系建设，继续向莫方派遣医疗队，加强对口医院合作。莫方感谢中方长期以来向莫方派遣医疗队，双方将共同举办援莫桑比克中国医疗队派遣50周年纪念活动。双方将共同推进莫桑比克国家外科中心项目，推动共建联合医学中心，并加强在实验室建设、传染病防治、制药、疫苗、传统医药等领域合作.
Finally, under GGI, the document says:
The Chinese side appreciates the Mozambican side’s participation in the Group of Friends of the Global Governance Initiative and welcomes the Mozambican side to join the International Organization for Mediation. 中方赞赏莫方加入“全球治理之友小组”，欢迎莫方加入国际调解院.
“As developing countries, both sides believe that enhancing the representation and voice of the Global South in the international system is of crucial importance. Both sides will continue to uphold the core values and basic principles of the World Trade Organization, actively promote WTO reform in a direction beneficial to developing countries, and firmly oppose unilateralism, protectionism, illegal unilateral sanctions, ‘decoupling and breaking chains’, technological blockades, and other hegemonic practices.
Both sides are committed to making global climate governance a priority area for implementing the GGI, upholding the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and promoting all parties to comprehensively and effectively implement the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. The Chinese side is willing to continue, within the framework of South-South cooperation on addressing climate change, to strengthen cooperation with the Mozambican side in areas such as early warning and clean energy, and enhance the Mozambican side’s capacity to address and adapt to climate change.
Both sides welcome the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. As among the first batch of signatory states to the convention, both sides are willing to promote the convention’s entry into force as soon as possible, strengthen international cooperation in combating cybercrime, maintain communication in the convention’s subsequent processes, and continuously improve the international legal system for combating cybercrime.”
（二十六）作为发展中国家，双方认为提升全球南方在国际体系中的代表性和发言权至关重要。双方将继续维护世界贸易组织核心价值和基本原则，积极推动世贸组织改革朝有利于发展中国家的方向发展，坚决反对单边主义、保护主义，反对非法单边制裁、“脱钩断链”、技术封锁等霸权主义行径。（二十七）双方致力于将全球气候治理作为落实全球治理倡议的优先领域，维护共同但有区别的责任原则，推动各方全面有效落实《联合国气候变化框架公约》及其《巴黎协定》。中方愿继续在应对气候变化南南合作框架内，同莫方加强早期预警、清洁能源等方面合作，提升莫方应对和适应气候变化的能力。（二十八）双方欢迎联合国大会通过《联合国打击网络犯罪公约》。双方作为公约首批签署国，愿推动公约尽快生效，强化打击网络犯罪国际合作，并在公约后续进程中保持沟通，不断完善打击网络犯罪国际法律体系.
Back to the front page, there’s a report on Xi meeting Saleumxay Kommasith, who is the special envoy of General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. Xinhua says:
“Xi pointed out that the mutual dispatch of special envoys by the CPC and the LPRP to brief each other on major political agendas demonstrates the profound traditional friendship and high-level political mutual trust between the two sides. Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the Year of China-Laos Friendship, Xi said that not long ago, he and Thongloun reached a consensus through exchanged letters on deepening the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future. Xi said it is believed that under the leadership of the Central Committee of the LPRP headed by General Secretary Thongloun, the Lao Party, state and people will surely overcome all difficulties, successfully complete all goals and tasks, steadily follow the socialist path, and achieve the centenary goal of the Party. Xi emphasized that, at this new historical starting point, China and Laos should follow the policy of long-term stability, forward thinking, good neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation, and the spirit of being good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners. The two sides should take a strategic perspective on the future and destiny of socialism to maintain close coordination and cooperation, deepen strategic alignment, expand practical cooperation, jointly address common challenges, and advance the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future toward high standards, high quality and high levels, Xi added.”
A separate report on Page 3 briefly talks about Wang Yi’s meeting with Saleumxay Kommasith.
Next, there’s a report on Vice President Han Zheng meeting with a high-ranking cadre delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary-general of the Party and minister of local government, rural development and cooperatives. Xinhua says:
“Noting that China and Bangladesh are friendly neighbors with mutual understanding and deep ties, Han said China congratulates Bangladesh on the smooth and successful conclusion of its general election, stands ready to work with Bangladesh, guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen cooperation in areas such as jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, and advance the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The Communist Party of China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the BNP, Han added.”
As per the report, “Alamgir said China is a trustworthy friend and partner of Bangladesh. The new government will adhere to the one-China principle and the tradition of friendship with China, and looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields with China to elevate Bangladesh-China relations to a new level, he added. Alamgir also said that the BNP will remain committed to enhancing friendship between the two parties and the two countries.”
The delegation also met with ILD chief Liu Haixing.
Finally, there’s a brief report (English report) on Zhao Leji meeting with Vice President of the European Parliament Younous Omarjee in Beijing.
Page 3: There’s a brief report informing that Wang Yi will be traveling, from April 22 to 26, to Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar, and jointly attend the first meeting of the China-Cambodia ‘2+2’ mechanism with Defense Minister Dong Jun.
Also on the page is a Zhong Sheng commentary, criticising the Japanese Prime Minister for her ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine. The article calls this “a deliberate trampling of human conscience, an open desecration of historical justice, and an arrogant provocation against the outcomes of victory in World War II. Forces of justice around the world should remain highly vigilant against such regressive acts and exercise sober judgment regarding Japan’s strategic trajectory.”
This paragraph below is the core point of the article.
“The current Japanese leader’s insistence on offering ritual items to such a place that summons the spirit of militarism reflects the strategic intent of Japan’s right wing to further break through the constraints of the postwar international order and domestic law. For some time, from Takaichi openly making fallacious remarks concerning Taiwan and crudely interfering in China’s internal affairs, to the Japanese side dispatching Self-Defense Forces vessels to transit the Taiwan Strait to flaunt military might and deliberately provoke; from the Ministry of Defense deploying in Kumamoto Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture respectively so-called long-range missiles with ‘enemy base strike capability’, to the Japanese government completing revisions to the ‘Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology’ and their implementation guidelines, in principle allowing the export of lethal weapons…these actions are essentially the same as offering ritual objects to Yasukuni Shrine, all demonstrating Japan’s right wing’s departure from the path of peaceful development and, in essence, constituting reckless moves of a neo-militarism. Under the hijacking of these forces, Japan is tearing off the disguise of a ‘peaceful nation’ one step at a time, and once again becoming a threat to regional peace and stability. 日本现职领导人执意向这样一个为军国主义招魂的场所献祭品，反映了日本右翼试图进一步突破战后国际秩序和国内法律约束的战略图谋。一段时间以来，从高市公然发表涉台谬论，粗暴干涉中国内政，到日方派自卫队舰艇过航台湾海峡耀武扬威、蓄意挑衅；从防卫省在熊本县和静冈县分别部署所谓具备“对敌基地攻击能力”的远程导弹，到日本政府完成对“防卫装备转移三原则”及其运用指南的修改，原则上将允许杀伤性武器对外出口……这些行为与向靖国神社献祭品本质相同，均显示出日本右翼对和平发展道路的背离，本质上都是新型军国主义的妄动。在这股势力的裹挟下，日本正在一步步撕下“和平国家”的伪装，再度成为地区和平稳定的威胁.
On Page 15, there’s coverage of the criticism from the MFA on the Yasukuni Shrine issue and Japan revising limits on defense equipment exports. Some excerpts:
“Nippon TV: Today, the Japanese government has revised limits on defense equipment exports which enables the sales of weapons overseas. The government says that it will promote security cooperation with partner countries. Does China have any comment on this?
Guo Jiakun: China is gravely concerned. Japanese militarists during their aggression and expansion last century committed horrendous crimes against China and other neighboring countries in Asia. Given the history of aggression and to prevent the revival of Japanese militarism, the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, the Japanese Instrument of Surrender and a series of documents with full legal effect under international law explicitly require Japan to be “completely disarmed” and not to maintain industries that “would enable her to re-arm for war.” The Japanese Constitution also contains strict restrictions on Japan’s military strength, right of belligerency and right to war. After WWII, Japan further established stringent norms such as the “exclusively defense-oriented principle” to limit the development of military strength and the export of weapons. In 1976, the Japanese government issued a unified view on arms exports demanding that Japan, “as a nation dedicated to peace,” exercise caution on arms export. Japan’s recent dangerous moves in the military and security fields defy its self-proclaimed “dedication to peace” and adherence to the “exclusively defense-oriented” policy. Many experts and scholars expressed concern that Japan is restarting its “war machine” and “exporting wars.” Japan’s quickened remilitarization is already a reality and comes with actual roadmap and steps being taken. The international community, including China, will remain highly vigilant and firmly resist Japan’s reckless moves of neo-militarism.”
“Kyodo News: It’s reported that at the annual spring festival of Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine, Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual “masakaki” tree offering to the shrine in her name as Prime Minister. What is China’s comment on this?
Guo Jiakun: China firmly opposes and strongly condemns Japan’s latest negative moves related to the Yasukuni war shrine and has lodged serious and strong protests with the Japanese side. The Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists responsible for the war of aggression. It is in fact a shrine for war criminals. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Tokyo trials. For over two and a half years, judges from 11 countries heard the cases, and with undeniable evidence and in strict accordance with law, exposed horrendous crimes committed by Japanese fascists and militarists in their war of aggression, which laid the foundation for the post-war international order. However, to our indignation, eighty years on, the notorious Yasukuni war shrine still honors convicted Japanese Class-A war criminals with direct responsibilities for the war crimes committed during that war of aggression, and Japanese officials and politicians still make visits or send ritual or cash offerings to the war shrine. Japan’s negative moves related to the Yasukuni war shrine is in nature an attempt to evade war responsibilities, an affront to justice, a provocation against Japan’s war victims, and a challenge to the outcome of WWII victory. Such moves have been widely condemned and firmly rejected by the international community. Japan must do serious soul-searching. Will it continue to let the spectre of militarism spread, distort historical facts and whitewash its crimes during the war of aggression? Or will it deeply and sincerely reflect on its war crimes, foster a right view of history, and earn trust from its Asian neighbors and the international community? With massive increase in military budget, the deployment of intermediate-range offensive missiles, relaxed restrictions on weapon export, proposed revision of its pacifist Constitution and the idea of abandoning the three non-nuclear principles, how can Japan profess itself as a “peace-loving country?” What’s Japan really up to? What Japan needs to see clearly is that all peace-loving forces for justice in the world will never allow neo-militarism to spread and threaten regional peace, and will instead make a firm response. Amnesia of history means betrayal, and denial of responsibility spells repetition of crimes. The international community needs to be vigilant against Japan’s historical revisionism, stand firmly against its neo-militarist tendencies and work together to keep the region and the world peaceful and stable.”
Page 15: On the page, we have MFA’s comments on Xi’s call with MBS:
“The Iran conflict is one of the most pressing challenges facing the international community. Recently, President Xi Jinping made a four-point proposition on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
First, stay committed to the principle of peaceful co-existence. China supports regional states in improving their ties. It’s important to work to build a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture of the Middle East and the Gulf region.
Second, stay committed to the principle of national sovereignty. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf states should be earnestly respected.
Third, stay committed to the principle of international rule of law. It is important to firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We should prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle.
Fourth, stay committed to a balanced approach to development and security. China stands ready to share with regional countries the opportunities through Chinese modernization. All sides should work to create a sound environment for the development of the Gulf states. The proposition fully embodies China’s consistent position and active efforts to promote peace, end hostilities, and advocate resolving disputes through dialogue. As a Chinese solution to end the conflict and realize peace, the proposition has received growing recognition and support from regional countries and the international community.
The current situation is at a critical stage of whether the conflict could end or not. In times like this, it is more imperative than ever that all sides show utmost sincerity, stick to the direction of political settlement, keep up the momentum for ceasefire and negotiation, and work for the early restoration of normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz and peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region. Guided by the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposition, China will work together with the international community to play an active and constructive role in this process.”