Question: A few days ago, the UN held a high-level meeting to commemorate its 75th anniversary and the general debate of the 75th UN General Assembly. How do you view these meetings and their background?
Answer: As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the UN, leaders of countries, including President Xi Jinping and His Highness the Amir, have gathered together online to commemorate this pioneering event in the history of human development, and to send a strong message to firmly uphold UN-centred international system and adhere to multilateralism. In particular, as the chair of the negotiations on the “Declaration on the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations,” Qatar has made proactive contributions to the adoption of the Declaration, safeguarding multilateralism and uniting to address global challenges. China highly appreciates Qatar’s efforts.
The world today is seeing dramatic and profound changes. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the pace of major changes unseen in a century, with world economy into deep recession, hotspot issues constantly emerging, and rising non-traditional threats such as climate change and cyber security. Global governance system and multilateral mechanisms have been hit by unilateral acts, and the world has entered a period of turbulence. The human civilization has once again come to the crossroads of choices. Unilateralism or multilateralism? Hegemony and  bullying, or fairness and justice? Distorting international order or defending the role of the United Nations?
To choose beggar-thy-neighbour and blame-shifting approach, or to unite and co-operate and take on responsibilities? To isolate oneself with “my own country first” policy, or to seek for win-win co-operation with an open and inclusive mind? What choice the world makes will define the future and destiny of mankind. We are glad to see that most countries, including China and Qatar, have given loud and firm answers to the above-mentioned questions, that we must UN’s central role in international affairs, uphold multilateralism, and oppose unilateralism and hegemony. This fully reflects the consensus of the international community and the common wishes of people around the world.

Q: His Highness the Amir and President Xi Jinping delivered speeches respectively at the meetings. What do they have in common?

A: I have studied the speeches of President Xi Jinping and His Highness the Amir, and what impressed me most is that the leaders of the two countries have a lot of common views regarding international and regional issues:
Both China and Qatar stand for the common future of mankind. President Xi Jinping pointed out that we are living in an interconnected global village with a common stake. All countries are closely connected and we share a common future. We should reject attempts to build blocs to keep others out and oppose a zero-sum approach. We should see each other as members of the same big family, pursue win-win co-operation. His Highness the Amir said in his remarks that the people on earth are tantamount to one family facing a common destiny, and that co-operation and joint action are inevitable to address global challenges.
Both China and Qatar stand for the principles of UN Charter. President Xi Jinping said that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter are the fundamental guidelines for handling international relations. They constitute a cornerstone of stable international order and must be unswervingly kept and upheld. Relations among countries and co-ordination of their interests must only be based on rules and institutions, and they must not be lorded over by those who wave a strong fist at others.
His Highness the Amir also stressed that Qatar will support and embody the principles and objectives of the UN Charter, which will continue to be a beacon for our international action, and a stepping stone for us to strengthen international co-operation to achieve its lofty goals. He stressed the need to implement the political declaration adopted today by promoting multilateralism and to achieve a comprehensive reform.
Both China and Qatar stand for multilateralism. President Xi Jinping stressed that unilateralism is a dead end. All need to follow the approach of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. All need to come together to uphold universal security, share the fruits of development, and jointly decide on the future of the world. His Highness the Amir also pointed out that multilateral co-operation is the only way to address the challenges such as epidemics, climate and the environment in general, and it’s also preferable to remember this when dealing with the issues of poverty, war and peace, and realising our common goals for security and stability. Both China and Qatar stand for peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogues. 

Q: Given the consensus on international and regional issues between President Xi Jinping and His Highness the Amir how could China and Qatar carry out further co-operation in the future in this regard?

A: China will continue to be promoter of world peace. Peace, like air and sunshine, is hardly noticed when we benefit from it, but none of us can live without it. President Xi Jinping said unilateralism is a dead end, and Cold War mentality, ideological lines or zero-sum game are no solution to a country’s own problem, still less an answer to mankind’s common challenges. His Highness the Amir addressed resolutely that Qatar opposes the use of force in international relations, and stressed the need of promoting multilateralism and preventive diplomacy, respecting the sovereignty of states and dealing with them on an equal footing, finding solutions to protracted crises and conflicts based on international law and decisions of the international legitimacy. China is ready to work with Qatar to give full play of the important role of the United Nations and the Security Council in ending wars and promoting peace. 

Q: Since the beginning of this year, the Covid-19 outbreak swept the world and brought severe impact to all countries. How do you evaluate the co-operation between China and Qatar in the fight against the pandemic?

A: Both China and Qatar believe that in the face of global challenges such as the pandemic, no country can stand alone. Solidarity and co-operation are the most powerful weapons to defeat the epidemic. As responsible countries, China and Qatar both say so and do so. While fighting the pandemic domestically, our two countries have been engaging in international co-operation. As His Highness the Amir has said, Qatar has taken all preventive actions and measures to protect its own people, and has provided aid to more than 60 countries and five international organisations, firmly supporting multinational in pandemic response and medical research. We also highly appreciate Qatar’s $20mn donation to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation and another $140mn to international medical institutions. 

Q: Recently there has been some new development in the Palestine issue. What is China’s view on this?

A: The Palestinian issue remains at the heart of the Middle East situation. It bears on regional peace and stability, international fairness and justice, and human conscience and credibility. China and Qatar hold common consensus in regard of this. China supports the two-state solution, as well as defending the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights and interests which shouldn’t be traded. China is happy to see measures that are helping to ease tensions between countries in the Middle East and promoting regional peace and stability.
We hope relevant parties will take concrete actions to bring the Palestinian issue back to the track of dialogue and negotiation on an equal footing at an early date. His Highness the Amir reiterated his support for international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution, and called for just solution to the Palestinian cause, in order to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. In the next phase, China will work closely with Qatar to continue play a constructive role in supporting the Palestinian people’s just cause to regain their lawful national rights and build an independent state.

Q: The first round of intra-Afghan negotiation has taken place in Qatar, and we see positive signs of Afghan’s peace and reconciliation process. What is your comment on this issue?

A: China is sincerely glad to see important steps taken towards the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, and congratulates on the success of the opening ceremony for first round of negotiation. This is a hard-won effort by all sides, including the host country Qatar, and we wish to express our appreciation on this outcome.
As a close neighbour and sincere friend of Afghanistan, China hopes to see peace, stability, reconstruction and development in Afghanistan more than any other country. We will, as always, continue to support, mediate and provide convenience for Afghanistan’s reconciliation process, while fully respecting the will of all Afghan parties.


Q: What is your view on the three-year-long Gulf crisis? What is your expectation on resolving it?

A: Currently, the pandemic has brought serious difficulties and challenges to the region. At present, solidarity among countries is particularly important and pressing. Regrettably, the Gulf crisis has lasted for more than three years, which has caused great dilemma among Gulf states.
As a true partner and reliable friend of Arab states, the most we want to see is unity among Arab people, and least we want to see is quarrels among brothers.
We highly appreciate the mediation efforts of Kuwait, and we fully believe that the Gulf states have the wisdom and capability to resolve their internal differences, so that the people of Gulf could meet each other again, the flow of commodities and goods restored, and the vitality of the GCC revived. China firmly opposes using the crisis for political gains, and is willing to continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the Gulf region.
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