Ambassador Liu Xiaoming Delivers A Keynote Speech and Answers Questions at the Webinar with UK Think Tanks On China-Europe Relations

Michael Maclay from Montrose Associates: Ambassador, regarding the Huawei decision and the current bitterness and absence of trust you describe, maybe there are some specific things that China could do that would help to rebuild trust. First, for example, when the WHO team comes to China, will they be given access to the Wuhan laboratory? Secondly, might China explicitly acknowledge the principle of freedom of navigation in the South and East China Sea? And thirdly, would it still help to use the expression of "peaceful unification"?

Ambassador Liu: On the WHO, China has been very transparent and responsible. From the very beginning, China is the first country to report the case and the first country to share the genetic sequence. We have nothing to hide and I think it is other countries that try to stigmatize China. WTO experts are in China now and China is working with them. I believe the two sides will have a productive and effective cooperation. We support the WHO in playing a leading role but we have to remember two things. Firstly, the research on the origin of the virus should be based on science, not on politics. Secondly, all country should be subject to review, not only China. I think the WHO also has a responsibility to find out why things run so badly in some countries, as the cases keep going up, breaking records within the past few days.

On the freedom of navigation, China is a country which is fully committed to the freedom of navigation. 60% of China's oil supply comes through the South China Sea. We have every reason to ensure peace, stability in this region and we work very hard with the neighbouring countries, working on the DOC and COC. And the situation is very peaceful, if it was not for some foreign naval vessels that came here from time to time to threaten China, to infringe upon China's sovereignty.

On Taiwan, China is still committed to peaceful reunification. There is no change to this principled position. I suggest you read my article on this question carried by China Daily newspaper recently. I wish to reaffirm that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. China has consistently adhered to the policy of peaceful reunification. By making no commitment to giving up the use of force, the Chinese Government is targeting external interference, and the secessionist elements who advocate "Taiwan independence" and their separatist activities. This is not aimed at the compatriots in Taiwan. China must be reunified and will be reunified. This will not be stopped by anyone or any force.