Thread by @MahuiChina

1. I did a Zoom call with @SKinnock where “we underlined our shared commitment to enhance co-operation, combat disinformation and build mutual respect” (his twitter). I am surprised by some of his Radix webinar remarks behind my backs. @guardian

2. During our call, I explained at length how #China successfully brought the epidemic under control by giving top priority to treating #Covid19 patients and saving lives, locking down the whole Hubei province of 60 million people.

3. I don’t buy the binary argument of “authoritarianism” v “democracy”. It is governance and delivery that matters.

The right to life is the paramount human right. I support a system that keeps people alive, whether “authoritarian” or “democratic”.

4. To me, #China is the most or one of the most successful countries in containing the epidemic.

As a mark of respect, I am not going to judge which country or countries have a “quite messy response to managing the #coronavirus issue”.

Their people will.

5. I take pride in what 🇨🇳 and its neighbors did in controlling per million deaths to a single digit and hope some other countries might want to look at their experiences since none wants to die.

There is no way that China or @WHO can force any country to do so.

6. One's own feet know whether the shoes fit or hurt.

China’s political system differs from Western countries.

Every country has the right to choose its own system.

If you think China will be like you, that is your wishful thinking.

7. We are not interested in exporting our system.

There is no such thing as that China wants to present its system as a viable rival to “democracy”.

And if your “democracy” is “viable”, why worry?

8. China is not interested in the partisan politics of the UK.
However, like all diplomats, we are bound by duty to defend China’s national interests, hence we explain our positions on the Taiwan question, situations in Hong Kong, human rights, Xinjiang, South China Sea, etc.

9. When speaking of respect, should we respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and refrain from interfering into each other’s internal affairs?

10. If 🇬🇧 is sending warships to South China Sea, instead of China sending warships to English Channel or the Irish Sea, who is intimidating or aggressive?

11. One should not see the trees for the woods.

The economic and trade relationship is essentially reciprocal and encompasses more than trade of goods.

The UK may have a deficit in goods but a surplus in services.

12. The recent acquisition of British Steel by China Hebei Jingye helped save 3200 jobs. Jingye also promised to invest £1.2 billion to upgrade and transform British Steel. Is that an example of China playing the UK economically? No, I say win-win business partnership.

13. Every country has legitimate national security concerns.

What China is opposed to is the politicizing or securitizing of trade and economic relations.

We hope the UK will provide fair, transparent, non- discriminatory policy environment for Chinese investors.

14. China will continue to open up and reform, making it easier to export to China, to invest in China. According to a recent survey of British businesses in China, they have confidence in the Chinese market and will expand their presence in China.

15. China pursues an independent foreign policy for peace and endeavors to build a community of shared future for mankind featured by enduring peace, common prosperity, inclusiveness, win-win.

16. We appreciated the Labour Party’s historic contribution to China-UK relations and hope the Party in opposition will contribute positive energy to China-UK cooperation.

sorry, "backs" should be "back"!