“中国永远不会允许台湾独立”
4月16日，外交部副部长乐玉成接受美联社专访，就中美关系、涉疆、涉港、台湾等问题阐述中方立场，并对抹黑中国的不实论调予以有力批驳。
China is calling on the U.S. for healthy competition and win-win cooperation between the two countries, Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said in an interview with the Associated Press on Friday, adding that the two countries should do their utmost to avoid confrontation, especially of the factitious kind. Below is a summary of the interview with the AP.
“中美合则两利，斗则俱伤”
谈到中美关系，外交部副部长乐玉成表示，中美合则两利，斗则俱伤。中美两个大国之间竞争难以避免，但我们主张竞争应该是你追我赶的良性竞争，而不是你死我活的恶性竞争。作为对世界负有特殊责任的两个大国，中美要全力避免对抗，尤其要避免人为制造对抗。
乐玉成强调，中国不是美国的对手，更不是敌人，而是抗疫队友和发展伙伴。中美关系要拨乱反正，不能把队友当对手。面对疫情挑战，中美只有携手合作，才能共克时艰。
The U.S. approach to its relationship with China "disproportionately stresses competition and confrontation, and plays down cooperation. Such an approach is too negative and lacks a forward-going spirit," said Le.
The U.S. has said China is a "most serious competitor," and defined the relationship as competitive, cooperative and adversarial.
"In English, you have the prefix of 'co-,' which means doing things together. In cooperation, one should not be selfish and care only about self-interest with little regard for the well-being of the other side," Le said.
“不能以人权为借口干涉他国内政”
对于人权问题，乐玉成表示，中美处于不同发展阶段，两国历史文化背景不同，在人权问题上有分歧是正常的，但关键是不能把分歧点变成冲突点，更不能以人权为借口干涉他国内政。
乐玉成指出，尽管人权具有普遍性，但具体到不同国家会有不同的人权实践。他以抗击疫情为例，强调中国坚持生命至上的理念，“既然有人愿意以生命为代价，甚至以死亡几万、几十万人的代价来维护其不戴口罩的权利，维护其所谓自由与人权价值观，那我们也无话可说。回到你刚才的问题，避免因人权分歧影响合作的最好办法就是相互尊重、平等对话、互不干涉。”
"Differences must not be turned into points of friction, and human rights are no excuse to interfere in each other's internal affairs. No country is in a position to lecture others on human rights issues," Le stressed.
The vice foreign minister noted that practices can be different, though human rights have some universality, and mentioned the COVID-19 response as an example: "If for some, tens of thousands of lives are the cost to pay for the right to not wear masks, if that is what they call personal freedom and human rights, then we have no comments to make."
"How can our two countries keep our differences on human rights from derailing cooperation in other areas? My answer is to respect each other, not interfere, and have dialogue as equals," he said.
“新疆是开放的，大家都可以去”
针对所谓美西方搞有罪推定、借口“强迫劳动”制裁新疆企业，乐玉成表示，新疆不存在强迫劳动。劳动者自愿签订劳动合同，权益得到保障，享有自己的劳动成果。在新疆摘棉花是高收入工作，更何况新疆全区棉花机播率达到100％、机采率达到70％。近日，瑞士良好棉花发展协会（BCI）上海代表处发表声明称，按照BCI的审核原则，新疆没有发现一例强迫劳动现象。
乐玉成指出，被制裁的新疆企业都是合法注册、合规经营，企业员工都对工作非常满意。制裁损害了这些企业的利益，也损害了新疆老百姓的利益，而且一定程度上影响了棉花等产品的全球产业链、供应链稳定。美西方制裁的真实意图根本不是保护人权，而是破坏新疆的稳定，遏制中国的发展。制裁的结果是破坏了当地人权，在新疆人为制造“强迫失业”、“强迫贫困”。
乐玉成表示，新疆是开放的，大家都可以去。凡是去过新疆的外国朋友，都对我们的治疆政策予以高度评价，这一点是有目共睹的。这是我们自信的来源——我们做得好，不怕大家去新疆看。
As for Xinjiang-related issues which have always been a flash point, Le reiterated China's stance, saying that those companies which have been sanctioned are registered and operate lawfully. "Xinjiang is open to the outside. You are all welcome to go and see."
He pointed out that people in Xinjiang are free to choose their job and sign work contracts according to their own will. Their rights and interests are protected. They own the fruits of their work. Plus, cotton-picking is a well-paid job for many in Xinjiang. What is more, cotton in Xinjiang is 100 percent planted and 70 percent picked by machines. There is simply no need for forced labor.
"Those who imposed the sanctions are using human rights protection and opposition to forced labor as their excuse. But what they have actually done undermines human rights in Xinjiang, adding unemployment and poverty. The real purpose behind is far from human rights protection," he said.
“香港是中国的香港”
谈起香港问题，乐玉成表示，香港是中国的香港，香港同胞是地地道道的中国人。香港的治理遵循的是中华人民共和国宪法和香港基本法，不是别国的法律。
针对香港治理中暴露出来的问题，特别是法律制度存在的明显缺陷和漏洞，我们颁布香港国安法、修改完善香港选举制度，不是要改变“一国两制”，而是为了完善“一国两制”，确保“一国两制”行稳致远，确保香港长治久安。“爱国者治港”原则是基本法所要求的，符合世界通行的政治伦理和普遍实践。一个连自己的国家都不爱、不效忠、还要搞香港独立的人，怎么能有资格参与香港治理？
乐玉成指出，完善香港选举制度的做法得到了广大香港民众的支持。民调显示，超过七成香港居民赞同，还有230多万香港居民联署支持。
Le also touched on the issue of Hong Kong, saying that Hong Kong is part of China and our compatriots in Hong Kong are fellow Chinese. The administration of Hong Kong follows the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, instead of the laws of any other country. The improvement of the Hong Kong SAR's electoral system has won support from residents in Hong Kong.
"According to opinion polls, 70 percent of people support the improvement, and over 2.3 million Hong Kong residents have signed letters to express support," he said.
“我们永远不会允许台湾独立”
针对美国政府派遣低级别代表团赴台湾，乐玉成强调，台湾问题涉及中国的核心利益。中国政府在台湾问题上没有任何妥协的余地和退让的空间。我们坚决反对任何形式的美台官方往来，无论是低级别还是高级别。美国不要打“台湾牌”，这是一张危险的牌。一个中国原则是中国的红线，我们绝不允许“越线”行为。中国国家统一是不可阻挡的历史进程和大势，任何人、任何势力都阻挡不了。我们永远不会允许台湾独立，中方维护国家主权、安全、统一的立场坚定不移。
As for Taiwan-related questions, Le said the national reunification of China is a historical process and the tide of history.
"We will never let Taiwan be independent. We are prepared to do everything we can for peaceful reunification. That said, we don't pledge to give up other options. No option is excluded," he stressed.