The small number of individuals and groups who are biased against China and want to politicize the Beijing Olympics will "never get their way", Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Wednesday.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi answers a question at a press conference held on the sidelines of the first session of the 11th National People's Congress in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 12, 2008. [Xinhua]
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This is because the anti-China forces have positioned themselves against people in China and the rest of world who will oppose them, he said.
"Those who want to tarnish the image of China ... will only have their own images tarnished," Yang told a news conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress, the lawmaking body. It was also the first time he addressed domestic and foreign media together after taking the post last April.
Yang noted that the Olympic Charter requires that the Games not be politicized. "The people who attack China often talk about the importance of laws and regulations. Then why are they violating the Olympic Charter?" he asked.
To host a successful Games, China is willing to talk to the world and people from all walks of life, Yang said. "We welcome suggestion and criticism made in goodwill."
He dismissed reports of a few foreign athletes' concerns about Beijing's pollution.
"Most athletes who are coming to Beijing are satisfied with, and have full confidence in, Beijing's air quality, environment and sports facilities," he noted. "I believe the air quality in Beijing will only become better and better."
Climate change
Asked about China's role on issues concerning Africa and climate change, Yang noted that as a developing country, China "cannot shoulder international responsibilities that go beyond its capability".
And China will not "take international responsibilities to serve the interests of certain countries or a group of countries," he said.
The nation will shoulder more international responsibilities as it becomes stronger, but its "responsibilities should not be judged by the criteria of certain countries or a certain group of countries", he added.
On climate change, Yang said it is "unfair and unscientific" to blame China for greenhouse gas emissions, which should mainly be attributed to developed countries.
