Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Remarks on August 8, 2019

　　问：据报道，美国防长埃斯珀访问日本期间称，“中国军事行动和掠夺性经济行为正威胁我们共同维护的国际规则”。中方对此有何评论？

　　答：美方有些人固守冷战和零和思维，无视基本事实，四处给中国扣帽子。这种做法很不地道，也不道德，是别有用心的。

Q: During his visit to Japan, US Secretary of Defense Esper said that China's military activity and calculated strategy of predatory economics violate the international rules-based order that Japan and the United States are trying to uphold. I wonder what your response might be?

A: Some people in the US are attaching various labels to China out of the Cold-War mentality and zero-sum game mindset while turning a blind eye to the basic facts. Such move is unfair, immoral and ill-intentioned.

　　第一，中国坚定不移走和平发展道路，奉行防御性国防政策，是世界和平的建设者、全球发展的贡献者、国际秩序的维护者。美国却在全世界拥有数百个军事基地，在本国领土以外部署了数十万人的军队，在海外打了一场又一场战争。这样一个在全世界部署军力、炫耀武力的国家，有什么理由和资格指责别国？！

　　第二，中国秉持正确义利观同发展中国家开展互利合作，在力所能及范围内向广大发展中国家提供不附加任何政治条件的帮助。这些合作有力促进了当地经济社会发展和民生改善，深受广大发展中国家欢迎。

First, China is committed to peaceful development and a defense policy that is defensive in nature. China is a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and an upholder of the international order. In contrast, the US owns hundreds of military bases worldwide, deploys hundreds of thousands of troops outside its own territory and has fought many wars in other countries. Being such a country that deploys troops and shows off force all over the world, the US has absolutely no reason or right to criticize other countries.

Second, China pursues the greater good and shared interests when conducting mutually beneficial cooperation with other developing countries. We do our best to provide assistance to them with no political strings attached. Our cooperation has effectively advanced local economic and social development and improved people's lives. It is warmly welcomed by developing countries.

　　中国有句话叫“身正不怕影斜”。谁在破坏国际规则，谁在维护国际规则，国际社会早有公论。美方越抹黑中国，国际社会越能看清楚他们的阴暗心理。

　　问：近日，美国副总统彭斯出席所谓“国际宗教自由圆桌会议”，会见了部分人员，其中还包括“民运”、“东突”和“法轮功”等反华势力代表，敦促中国尊重中国宪法保障的人权，允许自由从事宗教信仰活动，中方对此有何评论？

As the Chinese saying goes, "Stand upright and your shadow will not be crooked." The world knows clearly who is breaking international rules and who is upholding them. The more efforts the US makes to smear China, the more its malicious intentions are revealed to the international community.

Q: US Vice President Pence attended the so-called International Religious Freedom Roundtable, during which he met certain people including representatives of anti-China forces like the so-called "pro-democracy movement", the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and Falun Gong. He urged China to respect human rights enshrined in the Chinese constitution and allow believers to freely participate in religious activities. What's your comment?

　　答：美国副总统彭斯会见的“民运”、“东突”和“法轮功”等人员都不是什么宗教人士，而是反华分子，甚至还有邪教分子。其真实目的昭然若揭，就是打着“宗教自由”旗号行干涉别国内政之实。中方对此坚决反对。

　　中国政府依法保护公民的宗教信仰自由和相关权利，同时也绝不允许任何人假借宗教名义从事违法犯罪活动。我们要求美方谨言慎行，停止以“宗教自由”的名义干涉中国内政。

A: These people of the so-called "pro-democracy" movement, the ETIM and Falun Gong that Vice President Pence met are not religious personnel at all but anti-China forces, among whom are even cult members. The true intention behind this is so obvious, that is, to interfere in other country's internal affairs under the pretext of religious freedom. China firmly opposes that.

The Chinese government protects its citizens' freedom of religious belief and relevant rights in accordance with law. At the same time, we will never allow anyone to engage in illegal and criminal activities under the pretext of religion. We demand the US exercise prudence in its words and deeds and stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the cloak of religious freedom.