Interview with H.E. Ambassador Wang Yu by Afghanistan Times

驻阿富汗大使王愚接受阿主流媒体《阿富汗时报》书面采访

13 August 2020

2020年8月13日

1. Thank you, Your Excellency Ambassador Wang Yu, for giving us the interview. The Chinese government consistently reiterates support to long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan. Recently, Afghanistan’s grand assembly of elders, the consultative Loya Jirga, has approved the release of the last batch of 400 Taliban prisoners, and President Ghani has signed a decree in this regards. The intra-Afghan negotiation is expected to begin in the near future. Do you have any comment on that?

记者：感谢大使阁下接受我们的采访。中方一贯重申支持阿实现长治久安。近期，阿富汗协商大支尔格会议已批准释放最后400名塔利班囚犯，加尼总统也签署了有关释囚总统令，阿人内部谈判有望开启在即。请问您对此有何评论？

Wang Yu: Afghanistan, long regarded as “the heart of Asia”, has a significant impact on regional peace and stability. China consistently supports a broad, inclusive peace and reconciliation process that is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned, supports intra-Afghan talks for national reconciliation, peace and stability at an early date. The release of prisoners is an important step for the Afghan government and Taliban to establish mutual trust and initiate intra-Afghan talks. The Afghan government and people deliberated and agreed on this important decision through the consultative Loya Jirga in accordance with their rules of procedure. China welcomes that and believes it follows the principle for the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process and will contribute to realizing intra-Afghan talks.

王愚大使：阿富汗素称是亚洲的心脏，对地区和平稳定具有重要影响。中方一贯支持“阿人主导、阿人所有”的广泛包容性和平和解进程，支持阿人内部对话谈判，早日实现民族和解与和平稳定。释囚问题是阿富汗政府与阿塔利班建立互信并开启阿人内部谈判的重要一环。中方欢迎阿政府和人民依据本国议事规则，通过协商大支尔格会议讨论议定相关重要事项，这体现了“阿人主导、阿人所有”的阿富汗和平和解进程原则，相信将为阿人内部谈判积累有利条件。

The Afghan situation has come to a crucial juncture and taken the country closer to peace than ever. All relevant parties should follow through on their promises and agreements with Afghanistan to ensure the situation there remains stable and orderly. Afghanistan still faces several urgent tasks:

当前阿富汗局势正处于关键阶段，前所未有地接近实现和平。有关方应恪守和履行对阿富汗所做承诺以及所签协议，确保阿富汗局势平稳有序发展。我认为阿方还面临几项紧迫任务：

First, establish the framework for talks. We call on all factions to immediately cease hostilities and reach an early agreement on the arrangements for intra-Afghan talks on the country’s future political architecture. Second, withdraw foreign troops in an appropriate and orderly manner. The US troop withdrawal must proceed in a responsible way without undermining the interests of Afghanistan or other countries in the region. Third, combat terrorism. All parties need to stay focused on this to prevent a regrouping of terrorist forces. Fourth, secure external support. Afghanistan’s relations with Pakistan and other countries need to be further improved. More needs to be done to mobilize greater international support and collaboration for the peace and reconciliation process.

一是搭建和谈架构。我们呼吁阿各派立即停火，早日就内部谈判安排达成一致，以便就国家未来架构进行商讨。二是妥善有序撤军。美军应以负责任方式撤离，避免损及阿富汗及地区国家利益。三是打击恐怖主义。各方应继续着力反恐，避免各种恐怖势力卷土重来。四是争取外部支持。继续改善阿富汗和周边各国的关系，争取国际社会对阿富汗和平和解进程提供更多支持配合。

As close neighbors and brothers, the Chinese people have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them. Going forward, China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Afghan issue and the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

作为友邻和兄弟，中国人民一直与阿富汗人民坚定地站在一起，愿继续为推动阿富汗问题政治解决及阿富汗和平和解进程发挥建设性作用。

2. The Afghan nation is truly grateful for China’s continued assistance – both in terms of funding and expertise – during the COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan. Recent report revealed Beijing would consider Kabul the first priority as soon as vaccine is ready. Could you please elaborate on that?

记者：阿富汗人民衷心感谢中方在新冠肺炎疫情期间给予阿援助。最近有消息称，中方疫苗研制成功后，将优先向阿提供。您能详细介绍一下吗？

Wang Yu: At the opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly, President Xi Jinping declared via video link that COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment in China, when available, will be made a global public good, and this will be China’s contribution to ensuring vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries. On July 27th, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted a conference of foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal via video link, and reiterated joint containment cooperation against COVID-19 and in vaccine, saying that COVID-19 vaccine in China, once developed and deployed, will be made a global public good so that vaccine accessibility would be improved and the building of public health systems would be enhanced in the three countries.

王愚大使：习近平主席在第七十三届世界卫生大会视频会议开幕式上宣布，中国新冠疫苗研发完成并投入使用后，将作为全球公共产品，为实现疫苗在发展中国家的可及性和可担负性作出中国贡献。7月27日，王毅国务委员兼外长主持召开中国、阿富汗、尼泊尔、巴基斯坦四国外长视频会，重申增进抗疫和疫苗合作，表示中国疫苗研发完成并投入使用后，将作为全球公共产品，提高疫苗在三国的可及性，帮助三国加强公共卫生体系建设。

By now China is orderly implementing COVID-19 vaccine development among the leading countries in the world. On June 24, China’s inactivated COVID-19 vaccine candidate has started its phase-3 clinical trial, which is the world’s first phase-3 clinical trial of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine.

目前中方疫苗有序推进，走在全球第一方阵。6月24日，中国新冠灭活疫苗临床三期启动，是全球首个新冠灭活疫苗三期临床试验。

China and Afghanistan are traditionally friendly. Sticking to the policy of “building friendship and partnership with neighboring countries”, China has been doing everything within its power to support Afghanistan. Once China’s vaccine is successfully developed and produced, it will be our priority to consider providing the vaccine to Afghan people. Besides, China will increase its anti-epidemic materials and food assistance to Afghanistan and promote the implementation of more China-aided projects on Afghan people’s livelihood to help Afghanistan tide over current difficulties of the epidemic and restore economic development.

中阿传统友好，中方一直本着“与邻为善，以邻为伴”的工作方针予阿方力所能及的支持。中国疫苗研制成功后，将优先考虑向阿人民提供。此外，中方将继续加大对阿抗疫物资和粮食援助，推动更多援阿民生项目落地，帮助阿早日渡过疫情难关，实现经济正常发展。

3. What opportunities do you see for expanding and boosting bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the countries?

记者：您认为中阿在扩大和促进双边经贸合作方面有哪些机遇？

Wang Yu: Afghanistan was among the first countries to sign the agreement with China for the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and is an important country on the Silk Road Economic Belt. China has become Afghanistan’s third largest trade partner, and the two countries have conducted cooperation and achieved progress in various areas including infrastructure, industrialization, connectivity, energy and people-to-people exchanges. As a typical example, through Afghanistan-China Air Freight Corridor, Afghanistan has in recent years exported more than 3, 000 tons of pine nuts to China, worth more than USD 34 million, and specialties such as Afghan saffrons and blankets are being constantly transported to China. It is safe to say that Afghanistan has benefited and gained at the early stage from the Belt and Road Initiative. China will continue adhering to the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, further tap the potential of economic and trade cooperation between China and Afghanistan, enable Afghanistan to play a more positive role in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, promote its connection with the region, help it utilize its locational advantage and increase self-development, and improve the wellbeing of the Afghan people.

王愚大使：阿是最早与中国签订共建“一带一路”协议的国家之一，也是丝绸之路经济带上的重要国家。中国已成为阿第三大贸易伙伴，两国在基础设施、工业化、互联互通、能源以及民心相通等方面有很多合作，也取得了进展。一个显著的例子是，近年来，阿通过“阿中空中货运走廊”，在短期内向中国出口超过3000吨松子，价值3400多万美元，阿藏红花、地毯等特色产品也正源源不断运往中国。可以说，阿富汗已从“一带一路”中取得利益和早期收获。中方将继续秉持人类命运共同体理念，深入挖掘中阿经贸合作的潜力，让阿富汗在共建“一带一路”中发挥更积极的作用，促进阿同本地区互联互通，帮助阿发挥区位优势，提升自主造血功能，让阿人民获得更多福祉。

4. Some media says that the Chinese government has detained more than 1 million Muslims in the education and training centres in Xinjiang, banning them from praying and committing cultural genocide against them. What is your response to this?

记者：有媒体称，中国政府在新疆教培中心关押了超过100万穆斯林，禁止他们祷告，对他们进行文化灭绝。请问您对此有何回应？

Wang Yu: For some time, some media with ulterior motives have made groundless accusations against human rights conditions in Xinjiang, China, and disseminated many lies and fallacies. In this regard, I have published two signed articles in Afghanistan Times to refute it. What I want to emphasize here is that, the vocational education and training centers, established in accordance with law in Xinjiang, are useful measures and positive explorations for preventive counter-terrorism and deradicalization. It is a common international practice. Through law-based counter-terrorism, deradicalization and vocational education and training, Xinjiang has not seen a single violent terrorist case in the past three-odd years. Extremist infiltration has been effectively curbed, public security significantly improved and people’s sense of fulfillment, happiness and security markedly enhanced.

王愚大使：一段时间以来，一些别有用心的媒体无端指责中国新疆人权状况，散播了很多谎言和谬论。对此，我已连续在贵报发表了两篇署名文章进行驳斥。在此我想强调的是，新疆职业技能教育培训中心由新疆依法设立，是预防性反恐和去极端化的有益尝试和积极探索，是国际通用做法。通过依法开展反恐、去极端化和职业技能教育培训工作，新疆已连续3年多未发生暴力恐怖案件，极端主义渗透得到有效遏制，社会治安状况明显好转，各族人民的获得感、幸福感、安全感显著增强。

The vocational education and training centers strictly follow the basic principle of respecting and protecting human rights enshrined in China’s Constitution and other laws. Trainees’ freedom of religious belief is fully respected, and they can decide on their own whether to take part in legal religious activities when they are at home. Trainees’ customs is fully respected, and they can select from a rich variety of nutritious halal food free of charge. Trainees’ right to use the spoken and written languages of their own ethnicity is fully protected, and all regulations, curricula and canteen menus at the centers are written in local ethnic languages. Falsehoods find no market among the fair-minded, as we are confident that people will tell right from wrong! No matter how vilified and smeared by the US and other Western countries, the solid achievements made in the cause of human rights and economic and social development in Xinjiang are there for all to see.

教培中心严格贯彻落实宪法和法律规定关于尊重和保障人权的基本原则。学员们宗教信仰自由有保障，回家时可自主决定是否参与合法宗教活动；风俗习惯有保障，可选择种类繁多、营养丰富的清真饮食；使用本民族语言文字权利有保障，中心内各项规章制度、课程表、食谱均有少数民族语言文字。谬论止于智者，公道自在人心！不论美西方如何污蔑抹黑，新疆人权事业和经济社会发展取得的扎实成就，世人有目共睹。

5. There exist many controversies surrounding the National Security Law for Hong Kong, such as the claim that the National Security Law is above the Hong Kong Basic Law, the crimes are vaguely defined, the human rights are violated and even the actions of foreigners outside Hong Kong are restricted as well. Can you share more information with us?

记者：围绕香港国安法有很多争议，如国安法凌驾《基本法》，对罪行的定义模糊，侵犯人权，连外国人在香港境外的行动也会受限。您能介绍有关情况吗？

Wang Yu: The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hereinafter referred to as “the National Security Law”) is fully in the spirit of the Constitution and the Hong Kong Basic Law, fully and faithfully implements the principles of “one country, two systems”, fully considers safeguarding national security in light of the actual situation and needs, substantially safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong residents, and provides the solid foundation for the lasting prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the steady and enduring growth of the cause of “one country, two systems”. It is a good law that will definitely bring good governance in Hong Kong.

王愚大使：香港国安法完全符合宪法和香港基本法精神，全面准确贯彻“一国两制”方针，充分考虑了维护国家安全的现实需要和香港的具体情况，切实保障香港居民合法权益，为香港长期繁荣稳定、“一国两制”事业行稳致远提供了坚实法律保障。这是一部良法，必将带来香港的善治。

Meanwhile, anti-China, destabilizing elements in Hong Kong are greatly deterred by the National Security Law, and do whatever they can to slander it, which is full of ignorance and prejudice. With regard to the so-called “controversies” you mentioned, I would like to make clarifications on them one by one:

与此同时，反中乱港势力在国安法面前受到极大震慑，极尽所能进行污蔑诋毁，充满了无知和偏见。对于你所指出的几点所谓“争议”，我将愿在此一一进行澄清：

Firstly, the saying that “the National Security Law is above the Hong Kong Basic Law” is ignorant. The Hong Kong Basic Law was adopted by the National People’s Congress, and the National Security Law was legislated by Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, authorized by the National People’s Congress. Therefore both Laws are national laws sharing equal status, and neither is above the other.

第一，“国安法凌驾《基本法》”是无知之言。基本法是全国人大通过的，香港《国家安全法》是全国人大授权全国人大常委会制定的，两者都是全国性法律，两部法律地位平等，不存在一方凌驾另一方之说。

Secondly, National Security Law only targets four categories of offences that severely endanger national security, far less than dozens of national security crimes stipulated by laws in countries such as the United States and Britain, and there is no such problem as vaguely-defined crimes. Related law clearly restricts law enforcement on safeguarding national security, and requires that the law enforcement must strictly follow the laws, meet the legitimate duties, follow legal procedures and should not violate the legitimate rights and interests of any individuals or organizations. The Law also stipulates that the Office for Safeguarding National Security shall perform its mandate in strict compliance with the Law and be subject to supervision in accordance with the law. The staff of the Office shall abide by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as well as national laws.

第二，涉港国安立法仅针对四类严重危害国家安全的犯罪行为，远少于美英等国动辄几十项的国安罪名，不存在罪行模糊的问题。有关法律明确约束国安执法，要求所有执法行为都必须严格依照法律规定、符合法定职责、遵循法定程序，不得侵害任何个人和组织的合法权益。有关法律还规定，驻港国安公署应当严格依法履行职责，依法接受监督，其人员除须遵守全国性法律外，还应当遵守香港特别行政区法律。

Thirdly, the National Security Law clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, which the residents of the Region enjoy under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law.

第三，《中华人民共和国香港特别行政区维护国家安全法》明确规定香港特别行政区维护国家安全应当尊重和保障人权，依法保护香港特别行政区居民根据香港特别行政区基本法和《公民权利和政治权利国际公约》《经济、社会与文化权利的国际公约》适用于香港的有关规定享有的包括言论、新闻、出版的自由，结社、集会、游行、示威的自由在内的权利和自由。

Fourthly, Article 38 of the National Security Law stipulates that this Law shall apply to offences under this Law committed against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from outside the Region by a person who is not a permanent resident of the Region. This article meets the international common practice with the principle of protective jurisdiction on national security it embodies. Accusations on this article expose double standards and are completely groundless.

第四，香港国安法第38条规定，不具有香港特别行政区永久性居民身份的人在香港特别行政区以外针对香港特别行政区实施本法规定的犯罪的，适用本法。该规定符合国际通例，涉及的国家安全保护管辖原则在世界上通行，有关指责纯属“双重标准”，完全站不住脚。

Facts speak louder than words. Since the National Security Law took effect in, Hong Kong’s financial markets have remained in stable and normal operation, different market participants have cast their “vote of confidence” for Hong Kong’s future with a series of rational decisions. Hong Kong is now restoring order, and the “Pearl of the Orient” will shine again with the dust on it wiped away.

事实胜于雄辩。自香港国安法实施以来，香港金融市场保持稳定、交易活跃，各类市场主体通过一系列理性决策为香港未来投下“信心票”。香港正由乱入治，蒙尘的“东方之珠”正重新被擦亮。

6. China has gained remarkable achievements in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic, and its economy is the first to recover from the shadow of the epidemic. What do you think is the main reason for this?

记者：中国在抗击新冠肺炎疫情中取得举世瞩目的成就，经济率先走出疫情，您认为主要原因是什么？

Wang Yu: China has achieved strategic success in the program of epidemic prevention and control, and positive effect in coordinating epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, and the fundamental reason lies in the incomparable role of advantages of the CPC (Communist Party of China) leadership and the socialist system.

王愚大使：中国疫情防控阻击战取得重大战略成果，统筹推进疫情防控和经济社会发展工作取得积极成效，其根本原因是中国共产党的领导和中国社会主义制度的优势发挥了无可比拟的重要作用。

At the early stage of the epidemic, the CPC Central Committee attached great importance to it, thought in terms of the big picture and created top-level design, and shifted in focus of epidemic prevention and control in accordance with the development of the epidemic, showing its outstanding foresight and planning. After phased achievement was gained on epidemic prevention and control, the CPC Central Committee timely put on the agenda the resumption and development of production, local authorities took targeted measures to orderly resume and develop production, and strove to minimize the losses caused by COVID-19. The CPC Central Committee has also actively adopted related policies, stepped up macro-economic policy adjustment and tapped China’s great potential of development and robust dynamics. Significant progress has been made in the resumption of work and production, and the resumption of social and economic orders has also been stepped up. In recent days National Bureau of Statistics released a report on Chinese economy in the first half of 2020. Over the preliminary calculation, China’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the first six months stood at USD 6.6176 trillion. In the first quarter the GDP shrank 6.8 percent year on year, while in the second quarter it expanded 3.2 percent year on year. China has become the first major economy to grow since the start of COVID-19.

疫情初期，中共中央高度重视，从全局出发进行顶层设计，根据疫情的发展状况随时调整防控工作重心和工作重点，显示了出色的前瞻和规划能力。在疫情防控取得阶段性成效后，党中央及时把恢复和发展生产提上日程，各地政府精准施策，有序恢复和发展生产，努力把疫情造成的损失降到最低。党中央也积极出台相关政策，加大宏观政策调节力度，把中国发展的巨大潜能和强大动能激发出来。复工复产取得重要进展，经济社会运行秩序加快恢复。近日，中国国家统计局发布2020年经济半年报。经初步核算，中国上半年国内生产总值456614亿元。分季度看，一季度GDP同比下降6.8%，二季度GDP同比增长3.2%。中国成为自疫情爆发以来首个实现增长的主要经济体。

Recently Harvard University published a 13-year survey of 31, 000 Chinese residents, which found that Chinese citizens’ satisfaction with the government has reached 93.1 percent. The foundation for the Party’s rule is solid, and such resilience derives from the wide support of the people. China’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic has proven that CPC, supported by the people, is able to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and make great contribution to the progress of human civilization.

近期，哈佛大学发布其对中国3.1万名居民长达13年的跟踪报告，结果显示，中国民众对中央政府的满意度高达93.1%。中国共产党的执政基础稳固，韧性源于民众的广泛支持。此次抗击新冠肺炎疫情，证明得到人民拥护的中国共产党，能够战胜任何艰难险阻，能够为人类文明进步作出重大贡献。

7. What is your message Sir, to the Afghan people in this crucial time?

记者：在此关键时刻，您想对阿富汗人民传递什么信息？

Wang Yu: At the Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit held to tackle COVID-19, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed “to jointly help developing countries with weak public health systems enhance preparedness and response”. As a responsible power, China always adheres to the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and already spared no effort to provide emergency assistance to developing countries, share its experience of epidemic prevention and hold video meetings when itself was under huge pressure in epidemic prevention. Since the outbreak of the epidemic of COVID-19 in Afghanistan, Chinese government and people from all walks of life fully support Afghanistan’s anti-epidemic work, and have by now provided three batches of anti-epidemic materials weighting more than ten tons to Afghanistan. China has held two remote meetings between Chinese and Afghan medical experts to share its epidemic control experience, and the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan also handed over food assistance package to Kabul civilians. In addition, non-governmental institutions and individuals volunteer to donate and express to Afghan people the deep friendship between the two peoples.

王愚大使：在二十国集团领导人应对新冠肺炎特别峰会上，中国国家主席习近平发出倡议：“要携手帮助公共卫生体系薄弱的发展中国家提高应对能力。”中国作为一个负责任大国，一贯秉持“人类命运共同体”理念，在自身防疫压力仍很大的时候，就已开始尽自己所能向发展中国家紧急提供援助，传授防疫经验，召开视频会议等。阿新冠疫情爆发后，中国政府和社会各界大力支持阿抗疫，迄已运来3批共十多吨抗疫物资，两次举行中阿医疗专家远程会议，分享中国抗疫经验。使馆还为喀布尔平民送去粮食“救济包”。更有民间机构、人士自行向阿捐助，给阿人民送去中国人民的深情厚谊。

The peace in Afghanistan and the well-being of Afghan people are China’s greatest expectations. Over the years, based on the full respected for the sovereignty of Afghanistan and the will of each party, China has adhered to the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and the principle of “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned”, actively participated in and pushed forward the peaceful reconciliation process, and played an important role by building connections between all parties involved and concerned, and mediating between them for peace talks. China promoted the establishment of different mechanisms including China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue, China-Russia-US trilateral consultation on the Afghan issue, and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization)-Afghanistan Contact Group, built platforms, created favourable conditions and contributed Chinese wisdom and Chinese approach in order to promote the peaceful reconciliation in Afghanistan. China hopes the end of war and violence in Afghanistan at an early date, and that conflicts could be solved by dialogues and all parties work together to tackle the epidemic and any possible difficulties and challenges in the future.

阿富汗和平、人民幸福安康是中方最大期盼。多年来，在充分尊重阿国家主权和各方意愿基础上，中方秉持人类命运共同体理念和“阿人主导、阿人所有”原则，积极参与和推动阿和平和解进程，在相关当事方和攸关方之间牵线搭桥，调解斡旋，劝和促谈，发挥了重要作用。中方推动建立中阿巴三方外长对话、阿问题中美俄三方磋商、“上海合作组织—阿富汗联络组”等机制，为推进阿和平和解搭建平台，创造条件，贡献中国智慧与中国方案。中方希阿早日停战止暴，以对话解决纷争，携手应对疫情和未来可能出现的困难挑战。

In the next stage, China will aid the construction of mask production line for women organizations in Herat Province and of photovoltaics power generation project in Bamyan Province, strive to reopen the investment and training programs in Afghanistan which stagnated due to the epidemic, and promote increasing Afghanistan’s capacity for sustainable development. China will continue playing active and constructive role in promoting internal negotiations, recovering peace and stability, promoting economic reconstruction in Afghanistan and integrating it in region cooperation.

下阶段，中方还将为赫拉特省妇女组织援建口罩生产线，为巴米扬省援建光伏发电项目，并尽快重启因疫情停滞的在阿投资项目和培训工作，促进阿增强可持续发展能力。中方将继续为促进阿人内部谈判、恢复和平稳定、推进经济重建、参与区域合作发挥积极建设性作用。