Q: Mr. Vladimír Pčolinský, the Director General of the Slovak Information Service (SIS) made some remarks on China in an interview. Does the Chinese Embassy in Slovakia have any comments?

A: Since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship, China has worked with Slovakia to jointly enhance the bilateral friendship and cooperation, following the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. During the difficult time of Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese and Slovak governments and two peoples have provided mutual moral support and medical materials assistance. With our joint efforts, China and Slovakia have made hard-won progress in our bilateral exchanges and cooperation in many fields, despite the global pandemic and its negative economic impact. We achieved the regular operation of the China-Europe Express freight railway between China and Slovakia. The export from Slovakia to China is still rising, bucking the trend of steep decline in global trade. Those harvests are in line with our common aspiration of success in fighting against the COVID and embracing the recovery. Both Chinese and Slovak people gain.

The signal from the China-related content given by the Director General of the SIS is full of ideological prejudice and a Cold-war mindset. By smearing and slandering China, his irresponsible remarks seriously distorted the Slovak media and citizens’ view of China-Slovak relations and Chinese diplomatic missions, in disregard of two people’s common aspiration and the development of two countries’ friendship and mutual-beneficial cooperation. The Chinese Embassy would like to express its firm opposition.

China never intervenes other countries’ internal affairs or hurt their national interests and security. The Chinese Embassy in Slovakia protects the interests of China, Chinese companies and nationals and keeps working relations with the Slovak Government and National Council, to promote Sino-Slovak friendly relations and develop result-orient cooperation in all fields. It is the duty, function and daily work of diplomatic missions all around the world.

We request overseas Chinese companies and citizens to follow the receiving State’s laws and regulations. , Huawei and ZTE always obey the local laws and regulations, provide cost effective, advanced and trustworthy ICT products to its business partners in Slovakia and other countries, and create high value-added jobs, without bringing any security risks

We advise the SIS to stop its smearing and slandering to the normal activities between China and Slovakia, and to make more positive efforts for enhancing the mutual trust, friendship and mutual beneficial cooperation between China and Slovakia.