Glorious traditions, narratives traps, and bad checks

Terms to note from today’s PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference:

• 暴力恐怖 / violent terrorism.; violent terror?

Today’s quote:

- 昨天，阿富汗外交部大楼外发生爆炸，导致至少5人遇难，另有约40人受伤。 。。。 中方坚决反对一切暴力恐怖行径，对此事件予以强烈谴责，对遇难者表示哀悼，向伤者和遇难者家属表示慰问。?

There was a bombing yesterday [January 12, 2023] outside the Afghan foreign ministry in Kabul. At least five people were killed and about 40 others were wounded.?... China firmly opposes all acts of violent terrorism. We strongly condemn this incident, mourn for the victims and extend sympathies to the people whose family members were killed and those who were injured in the incident.?

Previous PRC history of the term:

- 共建共治共享的社会治理制度进一步健全，民族分裂势力、宗教极端势力、暴力恐怖势力得到有效遏制，扫黑除恶专项斗争取得阶段性成果，有力应对一系列重大自然灾害，平安中国建设迈向更高水平。?

We have further improved the social governance system based on collaboration, participation, and shared benefits. We have effectively contained ethnic separatists, religious extremists, and violent terrorists and secured important progress in the campaigns to combat and root out organized crime. We have responded effectively to major natural disasters.

• 非洲疾控中心 / Africa Center for Disease Control; Africa CDC?

Today’s quote:

- 非洲疾控中心总部项目是习近平主席在2018年中非合作论坛北京峰会上宣布的对非合作旗舰项目，是继非盟会议中心后中非合作的又一标志性项目。?

The Africa CDC headquarters is a flagship project of China-Africa cooperation announced by President Xi Jinping at the FOCAC Beijing Summit in 2018. Like the AU Conference Center, the CDC headquarters is yet another landmark of China-Africa cooperation.?

Previous PRC history of the term:

- 中非建立了41个对口医院合作机制，中国援建的非洲疾控中心总部大楼项目已于去年年底正式开工。?

A cooperation mechanism has been established for Chinese hospitals to pair up with 41 African hospitals, and construction for the China-assisted project of the Africa CDC headquarters officially started at the end of last year.?

- 迄今中方已向非洲提供近120批紧急抗疫物资，向15个国家派出抗疫医疗专家组，已经并将向35个非洲国家及非盟委员会提供疫苗，中方援建的非洲疾控中心总部大楼项目已正式开工，30个中非对口医院合作机制正抓紧推进。?

We have provided close to 120 batches of emergency supplies to Africa and sent medical expert teams to 15 African countries. We have started to provide COVID vaccines to 35 African countries and the African Union Commission. The construction of the Africa CDC Headquarters, a project for which we are glad to provide assistance, has started, and cooperation between 30 pairs of Chinese and African hospitals is well underway.?

- 中国决定优化升级50个医疗卫生援非项目，重点援建非洲疾控中心总部、中非友好医院等旗舰项目；开展公共卫生交流和信息合作，实施中非新发再发传染病、血吸虫、艾滋病、疟疾等疾控合作项目；为非洲培养更多专科医生，继续派遣并优化援非医疗队；开展“光明行”、“爱心行”、“微笑行”等医疗巡诊活动；实施面向弱势群体的妇幼心连心工程。?

China has decided to upgrade 50 medical and health aid programs for Africa, particularly flagship projects such as the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention and China-Africa Friendship Hospitals. Exchange and information cooperation will be carried out on public health. Cooperation programs will be launched on the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases, schistosomiasis, HIV/AIDS and malaria. China will train more medical specialists for Africa and continue to send medical teams that better meet Africa's needs. More mobile medical services will be provided to patients for the treatment of cataract, heart disease and dental defects. And targeted health care services will be provided to women and children of vulnerable groups in Africa.?

• 光荣传统 / noble tradition; glorious tradition?

Today’s quote:

- 秦刚外长表示，中国始终将非洲置于外交优先方向，传承和弘扬中非友谊已经成为中国外交的光荣传统和鲜明底色。?

Foreign Minister Qin said that Africa has always been a diplomatic priority for China and that carrying forward and advancing the China-Africa friendship has been a noble tradition and a defining feature of China's diplomacy.?

Previous PRC history of the term:

- 弘扬党的光荣传统和优良作风，促进党员干部特别是领导于部带头深入调查研究，扑下身子干实事、谋实招、求实效。?

We must carry forward the proud traditions and venerable conduct of the Party. In doing so, we will encourage Party officials, especially leading officials, to take the lead in conducting in-depth research and studies and to immerse themselves in hard work, take concrete measures, and deliver solid outcomes.?

- 中华民族具有反对分裂、维护统一的光荣传统。?

The Chinese nation has an honorable tradition of opposing separatism and safeguarding unity.?

- 中华民族具有反对分裂、维护统一的光荣传统。?

The Chinese nation has an honorable tradition of opposing division and safeguarding unity.?

- 我们将一如既往坚持党对外交工作的领导，全面贯彻习近平外交思想，用党的光荣传统砥砺外交风骨，用党的历史经验启迪外交智慧，不断开创中国特色大国外交的新局面。?

We will continue to uphold the Party's leadership of diplomatic work, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, steel the spine of China's diplomacy with the Party's fine traditions, seek inspirations from the Party's history and experience, and keep breaking new ground in China's distinctive major-country diplomacy.?

• 话语陷阱 / narrative trap?

Today’s quote:

- 访问期间，秦外长还驳斥了所谓中国给非洲带来“债务陷阱”的无理指责，指出中国始终致力于帮助非洲减缓债务压力，所谓中国对非“债务陷阱”是强加给中非的话语陷阱。?

During the visit, Foreign Minister Qin also refuted the misguided accusation that China created “debt traps” for Africa. He said that China has been committed to helping Africa ease the debt pressure. The “debt trap” allegation is nothing but a narrative trap imposed on China and Africa.?

Previous PRC history of the term:

- 事实一再证明，所谓“中国债务陷阱”实质上是一些别有用心者编造的用于干扰、破坏中国同发展中国家互利合作的“话语陷阱”。?

Facts have proven time and again that the so-called “China’s debt trap” is nothing but a narrative trap designed with ill intentions to disrupt and undermine China’s mutually beneficial cooperation with other developing countries.?

- 根据世界银行的数据，在49个有数据可查的非洲国家共计6960亿美元的外债之中，借自多边金融机构和不含中国的私人金融机构的债务额占到债务总量的约四分之三。根据英国“债务正义”机构对24个债务负担最高的非洲国家的调查显示，这些国家未来7年向私人金融机构和多边金融机构的债务偿付中位数分别为32%和35%。西方私人机构的贷款平均利率几乎是中国金融机构贷款利率的2倍。这些事实和数据都证明，所谓“中国债务陷阱论”纯属虚假信息，是那些不希望看到中国同非洲等发展中国家合作加快发展的势力炮制出来的“话语陷阱”。正如“债务正义”相关负责人指出的那样，“西方将非洲债务危机归咎于中国，这是在转移注意力。?

According to data from the World Bank, of the $696 billion external debt of 49 African governments with data, about three quarters is owed to multilateral institutions and non-Chinese private creditors. Debt Justice found that for the 24 African countries with the highest debt burdens, the median share of their external debt payments from 2022 to 2028 to non-Chinese private creditors and multilateral creditors is projected to be 32% and 35% respectively. The average interest rate on loans from Western private lenders is almost twice that of Chinese lenders. These facts and data show that the so-called “Chinese debt trap” is pure disinformation and a narrative trap created by those who do not hope to see China-Africa cooperation pick up speed. As Debt Justice’s head of policy said, “Western leaders blame China for debt crises in Africa, but this is a distraction. The truth is their own banks, asset managers and oil traders are far more responsible”.?

- 王毅国务委员指出，所谓非洲“债务陷阱”的说法是那些不希望看到非洲加快发展的外部势力制造出来的“话语陷阱”。?

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out that the so-called “debt trap” is in fact a narrative trap created by forces who do not want to see rapid development in Africa.?

• 空头支票 / bad check; empty promise?

Today’s quote:

- 秦刚外长表示，中国从不开“空头支票”，更不会强人所难。?

Foreign Minister Qin said that China makes no empty promises, still less presses others against their own will.?

Previous PRC history of the term:

- 台湾前途在于国家统一，台湾同胞福祉系于民族复兴。那些外部势力的“空头支票”，终究是靠不住的。?

The future of Taiwan lies in national reunification, and the wellbeing of Taiwan compatriots is linked to national rejuvenation. Those bad checks from external forces are ultimately unreliable.?

- 台湾的前途希望在于两岸关系和平发展，在于实现国家的统一，而不是依靠什么外部的“空头支票”。?

Taiwan’s future and hope lies in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and reunification with the mainland, not in counting on the empty promises of external forces. Seeking foreign support to gain independence is a dead end.?

• 旗舰项目 / flagship project?

Today’s quote:

- 非洲疾控中心总部项目是习近平主席在2018年中非合作论坛北京峰会上宣布的对非合作旗舰项目，是继非盟会议中心后中非合作的又一标志性项目。?

The Africa CDC headquarters is a flagship project of China-Africa cooperation announced by President Xi Jinping at the FOCAC Beijing Summit in 2018. Like the AU Conference Center, the CDC headquarters is yet another landmark of China-Africa cooperation.?

Previous PRC history of the term:

- 中巴经济走廊作为“一带一路”倡议的旗舰项目，已经成为中巴合作的标志性工程，有力促进了巴基斯坦经济发展和民生改善，产生了积极的经济和社会效应。?

As a flagship program of the Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC has become a landmark of China-Pakistan cooperation. It has effectively boosted economic development, improved people’s livelihood, and generated positive socioeconomic effects in Pakistan.?

- 中老铁路是两国互利合作和共建“一带一路”的旗舰项目。?

The China-Laos Railway is a flagship project of the two countries’ mutually-beneficial cooperation and BRI cooperation.?

- 中国决定优化升级50个医疗卫生援非项目，重点援建非洲疾控中心总部、中非友好医院等旗舰项目；开展公共卫生交流和信息合作，实施中非新发再发传染病、血吸虫、艾滋病、疟疾等疾控合作项目；为非洲培养更多专科医生，继续派遣并优化援非医疗队；开展“光明行”、“爱心行”、“微笑行”等医疗巡诊活动；实施面向弱势群体的妇幼心连心工程。?

China has decided to upgrade 50 medical and health aid programs for Africa, particularly flagship projects such as the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention and China-Africa Friendship Hospitals. Exchange and information cooperation will be carried out on public health. Cooperation programs will be launched on the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases, schistosomiasis, HIV/AIDS and malaria. China will train more medical specialists for Africa and continue to send medical teams that better meet Africa's needs. More mobile medical services will be provided to patients for the treatment of cataract, heart disease and dental defects. And targeted health care services will be provided to women and children of vulnerable groups in Africa.?

• 强人所难 / force someone against their will; impose demands on others?

Today’s quote:

- 秦刚外长表示，中国从不开“空头支票”，更不会强人所难。?

Foreign Minister Qin said that China makes no empty promises, still less presses others against their own will.?

Previous PRC history of the term:

- 中国愿继续本着患难与共、风雨同舟的精神，秉持不附加任何政治条件、不干涉别国内政、不强人所难的原则，根据自身财力和经济发展状况，针对非洲国家急迫需求，继续向非洲国家提供紧急和必要的援助并逐步增加援助规模，创新援助模式，优化援助条件，重点用于人力资源开发、基础设施建设、医疗卫生、农业和粮食安全、气候变化、防治荒漠化、野生动植物和环境保护以及人道主义援助等领域，帮助非洲国家减少贫困、改善民生、增强自主发展能力。?

It stands ready to continue to provide and gradually increase emergency aid and necessary assistance to African countries in a spirit of sharing weal and woe and standing together through thick and thin with the latter. While providing the assistance in light of its own financial capacity and economic situation and the pressing needs of African countries, China sticks to the principles of no political strings attached, non-interference in others' internal affairs and no demands imposed on others. China will come up with innovative assistance models and optimize assistance conditions. China's assistance will be primarily used in the areas of human resources development, infrastructure, medical care and health, agriculture, food security, climate change response, desertification prevention and control, and wildlife and environmental protection, and for humanitarian purposes, with the aim to help African countries alleviate poverty, improve people's livelihoods and build up capacity for independent development.?

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