Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Regular Press Conference on August 22, 2018

问：美国务院称，对萨尔瓦多决定同台“断交”深感失望，正在审视与萨关系，指责中方片面改变现状，敦促中方节制，不可采取危害台湾人民的胁迫手段。美国驻萨尔瓦多大使表示，萨台“断交”会影响美萨政府间关系。“美国在台协会”称，中国大陆“单方面改变台海现状”的作为损害地区稳定。有美国参议员声称将推动取消美国对萨援助。请问中方对此有何评论？ 

　　答：中国和萨尔瓦多都是独立的主权国家，有权决定自己国家的对外关系。中萨两国在一个中国原则基础上建交，顺应历史潮流，顺应国际大势，符合国际法和国际关系基本准则，也符合中萨两国和两国人民的根本利益，不影响彼此同其他国家发展关系。 

Q: The US State Department said that the US is deeply disappointed by El Salvador's decision to break its "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan in favor of China and is reviewing its relationship with El Salvador as a result. It accuses China of unilaterally altering the status quo and urges China to abstain from coercion that would jeopardize the people of Taiwan. The US Ambassador to El Salvador said that this will impact the relationship between the US and the Salvadoran government. The American Institute in Taiwan said that China's efforts to unilaterally alter the status quo are harmful and do not contribute to regional stability. There are also US senators calling for cancellation of US aid to El Salvador. What is your comment?

A: An independent sovereign state has the right to determine its own foreign relations. This is true for both China and El Salvador. We two countries established diplomatic ties on the basis of the one-China principle. This corresponds with the trend of the times and the development of the international situation. It conforms with international law and basic norms governing international relations, serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, and will not affect our respective relations with other countries.

　　萨尔瓦多政府作出联合国及其他177个国家已经作出的正确决定，其他人没有道理对此指手画脚甚至横加干涉。美国自己早在近40年前就已同中国建交了。现在美方一方面阻挠甚至恐吓其他主权国家承认一个中国原则，同中国发展正常国家关系，一方面允许蔡英文“过境”美国并在美活动，美方这种做法毫无道理，中国人民坚决反对。我们敦促美方恪守一个中国原则和中美三个联合公报规定，正确看待中萨建交，慎重妥善处理涉台问题，不得向“台独”势力发出任何错误信号，以免损害中美合作和台海和平稳定。 

　　问：据报道，阿富汗总统加尼19日宣布，为庆祝宰牲节，阿政府将在阿富汗塔利班停火的前提下自20日起实施为期3个月的停火。中方对此有何评论？ 

　　答：中方赞赏阿富汗政府再次提出同塔利班临时停火倡议。中方衷心希望阿富汗早日实现和平稳定，希望阿所有有关各方相向而行，早日停止冲突，启动和谈。中方坚定支持“阿人主导、阿人所有”的阿富汗和解进程，愿继续为此发挥建设性作用。 

The Salvadoran government made the same right choice as the UN and other 177 countries. Others are in no position to interfere in it or even try to deter it. The US established its diplomatic ties with China almost 40 years ago. But now, it is threatening another sovereign country not to recognize the one-China principle and develop normal relations with China while allowing Tsai Ing-wen to stop over and attend activities in the US. The Chinese people are firmly opposed to these unreasonable actions. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, view the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and El Salvador in an objective way, cautiously and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, and make sure that no wrong signal is sent out to the Taiwan independent forces so as to avoid damaging China-US cooperation and cross-strait peace and stability.

Q: According to reports, on August 19, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced a three-month ceasefire with the Taliban starting from August 20 which is conditional on Taliban's participation. This ceasefire is meant to celebrate the Eid al-Adha. What is your comment? 

A: The Chinese side commends the Afghan government on proposing another temporary ceasefire with the Taliban. We sincerely hope that Afghanistan can achieve peace and stability at an early date and that all relevant parties in Afghanistan can make concerted efforts to end conflicts and start peace talks as soon as possible. China firmly supports the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. We are willing to continue with our constructive role in this regard.