Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference

Date: September 3, 2020

Do you have any comment on India’s decision yesterday to ban 118 Chinese apps citing national security reasons?

Hua Chunying:  By banning these hi-tech, easy-to-use and popular apps, the Indian side is sacrificing first and foremost the rights and interests of the Indian users, and damaging those of Chinese companies. Therefore, no one gains from such an action.

I noticed that almost on the same day, the US State Department called on other countries to join India in carrying out the so-called “Clean Network” program. I wonder if there’s connection or coordination between India and the US on this issue. But India, as a country proudly possessing an ancient civilization, is wise enough to have known about Dirtbox, PRISM, Irritant Horn, Muscular and Undersea Cable Tapping. It knows fully well whether the US is clean or dirty when it comes to US policies and practices. Independence is so precious. We hope that the Indian side will stick to it. No short-sighted decisions shall be made to impede the long-term interests of the two countries and two peoples.

I’d like to add a few words. Recently, there have been unfriendly voices in India that raised concern for clear-eyed people in China and India. Both countries are close neighbors and proud of our civilizations. The start of our exchange and mutual learning can date back to 1,000 years ago. The great Indian poet Tagore is very popular in China. He wrote, “We read the world wrong and say that it deceives us.” Yoga and Indian movies like “Dangal” are also very popular in China. However, it never crossed our mind that India is trying to infiltrate or pose any threat to our country.

We hope that India will attach importance to the two peoples’ friendship and long-term interests, and actively support bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields.