Recently, Mr. Yang Han, Charge d 'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago conducted an interview with Loop News Trinidad and Tobago, and elaborated on China-Trinidad and Tobago bilateral relations, China's economic development, China-Latin America cooperation, artificial intelligence global governance and China-Us relations, China's diplomacy, Taiwan-related issues, etc. The full text is as follows:
Q: In 2024, China and Trinidad and Tobago celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Through a series of interactions between the two countries, our bilateral relations have achieved new progress. How do you envision the development of bilateral relations in the new year?
Yang:The 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations lays a significant milestone in the history of bilateral relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago. The leaders of both countries exchanged congratulatory letters, and legislative bodies conducted high-level mutual visits, further deepening practical cooperation through friendly and in-depth exchanges across various sectors. Over the past four consecutive years, the annual trade volume between China and Trinidad and Tobago has remained higher than USD $1 billion and ranking among the top in the Caribbean region. Notably, the operation of the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate has injected new momentum into the economic transformation of Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, splendid cultural celebrations such as the Chinese Film Festival and concerts, have built bridges for mutual exchange and learning between the peoples of the two countries.
Currently, China-Trinidad and Tobago relations stand at a new historical juncture, offering broad prospects for friendship and cooperation. A week ago, Chinese enterprises achieved practical completion of the new central block of the Port of Spain General Hospital and the new terminal at the Tobago ANR Robinson Airport, which will positively impact local economic and social development and enhance public welfare. Looking ahead, China is eager to continue working hand-in-hand with Trinidad and Tobago to seize opportunities, tackle challenges together, and build the “Belt and Road” with high quality. China also aims to actively create new growth areas for cooperation in agriculture, new energy, digital economy, green development, and other fields, striving for the development of both countries and the well-being of their citizens.
Q: The annual plenary sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) concluded recently. A number of international media, citing the analysis of international institutions and experts, said that the “Two Sessions” released a positive signal of China's economic recovery. Can you give us more details?
Yang: Last year, despite internal and external challenges, China's GDP achieved a 5% year-on-year increase, ranking it among the world's fastest-growing major economies, which fully demonstrates its economy’s strong resilience and vitality. China's industrial upgrading and innovation capabilities continue to improve, with the annual electric vehicle output exceeding 13 million, and new breakthroughs in integrated circuits, AI, quantum technology, and other fields. The unprecedented high-speed growth of the “Chinese miracle” will be followed by even more remarkable high-quality development in the near future.
During this year's “Two Sessions”, the Chinese government's work report set an economic growth target of around 5%, demonstrating China's firm resolve to advancing global economic growth. China will pursue a moderately accommodative monetary policy and a more proactive fiscal plan of action, while also strengthening support for scientific and technological innovation, green development, consumption, and private, small, and micro enterprises. In addition, China will steadily expand institutional opening-up, continuously shorten the negative list, and reduce barriers to entry, positioning itself as a key player in providing new opportunities for world development through its modernization efforts. We firmly believe that the next “China” is still China, and a better China.
Q: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the official operation of the China-CELAC Forum. Can you brief us on its role in deepening bilateral cooperation over the past 10 years? What is China's outlook for the future development of China-Latin America cooperation?
Yang: Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and leaders of Latin American and Caribbean countries, China-LAC cooperation has flourished over the past decade, resulting in a thriving China-LAC community with a shared future. The annual trade volume between both sides is close to USD $500 billion, with China as LAC's second-largest trading partner. More and more Belt and Road cooperation projects, such as the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate in Trinidad and Tobago and Chancay Port in Peru, have taken root in this dynamic region. Many direct flights between China and Brazil, Mexico, Cuba and other countries have been restored or added, establishing an aerial Silk Road for bilateral business exchanges and tourism. Vibrant cultural exchange programs, including the “Year of Cultural Exchanges” between China and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the “Bridge of the Future" China-Latin American Young Leaders Training Campus, have fostered growing enthusiasm for friendly people-to-people connections.
The success of China-LAC cooperation is rooted in both sides' unwavering commitment to the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, without engaging in zero-sum games or geopolitical calculations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the official operation of the China-CELAC Forum. In the first half of 2025, China is set to host the fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum. It is anticipated that both sides will take advantage of this occasion to counter external disruptions, enhance partnerships, and advance China-LAC relations to new levels.
Q: China-US relationship is an important issue of common concern to all countries in the world. Not long ago, US government imposed extra tariffs on China once again with the excuse of fentanyl, adding new uncertainties to the development of bilateral relationship. What’s your view on current China-US relationship?
Yang: China has always maintained a stable and consistent U.S. policy, based on the three principles of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation” put forward by President Xi Jinping. China is committed to establishing a stable, sound and sustainable bilateral relationship with the U.S. in accordance with these principles. Given the extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation between China and the U.S., we believed that the two countries can become partners and friends, contribute to each other's successes, and advance shared prosperity.
In recent years, China has engaged in significant counter-narcotics collaboration with the United States, resulting in notable advancements recognized worldwide. Nevertheless, even though China has enacted some of the strictest counter-narcotics laws globally and took the initiative to classify all fentanyl-related substances at the request of the U.S. as early as 2019—making it the first nation to do so—the U.S. has persisted in imposing further tariffs on Chinese products under the pretext of this issue. Such behavior is nothing but an attempt to shift the blame for its own problems on to others.
A tariff war or trade war will inevitably harm the initiator while assaulting others. We hope the United States will heed the calls of the two peoples and the international community, take an objective and rational view of China's development, and engage proactively with China in practical exchanges. China is ready to work with the U.S. to find the right way to get along, while firmly defending its sovereignty, national dignity, and legitimate development right.
Q: The current international landscape is increasingly complex, with instability and uncertainty on the rise, which has also impacted countries in the Global South, including Trinidad and Tobago. In this context, how will Chinese diplomacy play a role?
Yang: The world today is indeed fraught with turmoil and unpredictability, which has unfortunately become the norm. However, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated, “China’s diplomacy will stand firm on the right side of history and on the side of human progress. We will provide certainty to this uncertain world.” China will uphold the objectives and principles outlined in the United Nations Charter, champion genuine multilateralism, and persist in fostering equitable, open, and collaborative international partnerships. We hope to contribute more Chinese wisdom and Chinese solution to safeguard world peace and prosperity.
Today, the Global South has significantly strengthened its position, with its economic aggregate accounting for over 40% of the global total and contributing 80% to world economic growth. It has emerged as an important force in driving global development and shaping the international landscape. China naturally aligns with the Global South, as we share a common history of opposing colonialism and hegemony, along with a mutual development goal and revitalization. Regardless of how the international situation evolves, China will continue to stand with the countries of the Global South, uniting for self-reliance, seeking revitalization together, and promoting an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
Q: Chinese company Deepseek launched a new artificial intelligence product, which has attracted wide attention and heated discussion around the international community. How does China view the development of artificial intelligence? How will AI global governance and international cooperation be promoted in the future?
Yang: China is rapidly advancing in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Deepseek, a widely discussed Chinese company, emphasizes open-source sharing, enabling new technological achievements to be quickly promoted and applied globally, thereby expanding the use of AI among more people.
China has also been actively fostering international collaboration in artificial intelligence to bridge the digital and intellectual divide. In 2013, the country introduced the Global AI Governance Initiative, which emphasizes a people-centered approach, the development of AI for the good of humanity, respect for national sovereignty, and joint governance. Last year, China unveiled the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All, aimed at ensuring equitable benefits for the Global South. For example, China and Zambia co-hosted the inaugural meeting of the Group of Friends of International Cooperation in AI Capacity Building at the UN Headquarters, which saw participation from 80 nations. Additionally, during the AI Action Summit in Paris last month, China joined 60 countries and international organizations in signing a statement to collectively advance inclusive and sustainable AI development.
China attaches great importance to mitigating AI-related risks while safeguarding data privacy and security in accordance with legal standards. However, we strongly oppose the overly broad interpretation of national security and the politicization of trade and technology matters. We believe that AI should be a shared resource for all of humanity. China is prepared to enhance dialogue and collaboration with nations worldwide, including Trinidad and Tobago, to ensure AI develops into a global public good that benefits the people everywhere.
Q: Recently, there has been a narrative in certain countries suggesting that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not equate to the One-China Principle. Additionally, there are views that the mainland of China's policy towards the Taiwan region is becoming increasingly assertive. How do you respond to this?
Yang: Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient time. This is a historical fact and and also an international consensus. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, which clearly states that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is a part of China, not a country; and it clearly defines that there is only one seat for China in the United Nations, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate representative. There is no such thing as “two Chinas” or “one China, One Taiwan”. When the United Nations and its specialized agencies refer to Taiwan, the term they use is “Taiwan, Province of China”. The official legal opinion of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat clearly states that “Taiwan, as a province of China, has no independent status”.
The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests. We have always adhered to the one-China principle and the “1992 Consensus”, and are willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts. At the same time, we will take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and firmly oppose “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and interference by external forces.
