China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning held a Regular Press China FO Presser on June 1, 2023

Some Excerpts

CCTV: Recently President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from Bangladeshi girl Alifa Chin, encouraging her to study hard, pursue her dream, and carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Bangladesh. Can you share more about the story?

Mao Ning: In 2010, Alifa Chin was born to a mother who had a difficult labor with her life in danger due to severe heart disease. China’s navy hospital ship The Peace Ark, which was visiting Chittagong, Bangladesh at that time, sent?doctors to the local hospital immediately after receiving a call for help. The doctors performed an intense C-section to ensure the safety of the mother and the baby. To express his gratitude, the father named the baby “Chin”, which means “China” in Bengali.

Chin wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping recently, expressing her gratitude to China and her willingness to become a friendship messenger between China and Bangladesh. She said she wishes to study at a medical school in China so as to save lives. President Xi sent a reply letter to her just before the International Children’s Day, encouraging her to study hard, pursue her dream, and carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Bangladesh.

President Xi noted that since ancient times, the Chinese and Bangladeshi peoples have been close neighbors and good friends. The friendly exchanges date back over a thousand years. Chin’s story is a very touching one of friendship between China and Bangladesh. President Xi expressed the hope that she will make best use of her youthful years and study hard to make her dreams come true. By then, she will be able to give back to her family, contribute to the society and serve her country. President Xi said that Chin is very welcome to visit China as often as she wants to broaden her horizon and make new friends. He hoped that her actions will inspire more people to dedicate to China-Bangladesh friendship and to work together for a brighter future of China-Bangladesh relations.

AFP: Relevant departments of Taiwan said that Taiwan will sign a trade agreement with the US on Thursday and it hopes that the two sides will reach a comprehensive free trade agreement in the future. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: China strongly opposes official interaction of any form between China’s Taiwan region and countries that have diplomatic relations with China. That includes negotiating or signing any agreement of sovereign implication or official nature. The US’s move gravely violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, and contravenes the US’s own commitment of maintaining only unofficial relations with Taiwan. China has made solemn démarches to the US many times. 

The US needs to stop official interaction of any form with Taiwan, refrain from negotiating or signing any agreement of sovereign implication or official nature with China’s Taiwan region, and stop sending any wrong message to separatist forces seeking “Taiwan independence” in the name of economy and trade.?The DPP authorities’ attempt to solicit US support for “Taiwan independence” in the name of economic and trade cooperation is just futile.

RIA Novosti: Bloomberg citing informed sources reported that India wants an agreement to be reached on the process of expanding BRICS. What’s China’s comment? Does China support BRICS expansion?

Mao Ning: I haven’t seen the report you mentioned. In principle, China always holds that BRICS is open and inclusive. We support BRICS expansion and welcome more like-minded partners to join the BRICS family.

Global Times: According to reports, on May 31, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said to the press after the US-EU Trade and Technology Council ministerial meeting that with regard to China, the US and the EU are not looking for confrontation, a Cold War or decoupling, but are focused on de-risking. What’s your comment?

Mao Ning: De-risking is becoming a buzzword lately. Before talking about de-risking, one needs to find out what the risks are.

China is firmly committed to advancing high-level opening-up and providing market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment for companies of all countries. China pursues trade, sci-tech and investment cooperation with all countries based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. China staunchly upholds international equity and justice and facilitates the settlement of differences through dialogue and consultation. A country like this is a source of opportunities, not risks.

The true risks faced by the world are such practice as stoking bloc confrontation and brewing a new Cold War, wantonly interfering in other countries’ internal affairs and causing regional turmoil and chaos, politicizing trade and sci-tech issues and destabilizing global industrial and supply chains, shifting domestic economic and financial risks overseas and reaping global wealth like a seasonal crop. The international community needs to be vigilant and jointly fend off these risks.

China-Arab TV: We are seeing more and more Chinese business delegations visiting Arab countries. How do you see this?

Mao Ning: China and Arab countries enjoy a long tradition of friendship. China has long been Arab countries’ largest trading partner. Last year, trade between China and Arab countries exceeded USD 430 billion. Under the Belt and Road framework, the two sides have had robust cooperation, which has boosted respective development and rejuvenation. The success of the first China-Arab States Summit at the end of last year injected fresh impetus into the growth of China-Arab relations and cooperation in various sectors. We are confident that guided by the spirit of the summit, cooperation between the two sides, including in trade, will continue to deepen and deliver more benefits to our peoples.

Reuters: The US and the European Union have pledged on Wednesday to join forces to counter China’s non-market economic practices and disinformation. In particular, they said, this is over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. How does the ministry respond to this?

Mao Ning: China is a victim of disinformation and we also pay high attention to non-market economic practices. If the US and the EU are concerned about this issue, it is suggested they take actions themselves and first of all, stop undertaking unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdictions in the name of national security, stop implementing discriminatory and differential industrial supporting policies, and stop hobbling other countries’ companies. The world economy is under downward pressure. As major economies, the US and the EU need to take responsibilities, play a positive role and provide an open, inclusive, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for international trade and investment.

RIA Novosti: The Wall Street Journal quoting European diplomats reported that French President Emmanuel Macron has offered to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to host a peace summit in Paris. No clear list of attendees has been established, but European officials have fanned out to capitals of leading world powers in recent weeks, seeking to bring Brazil, India, China and other non-Western countries on board. Will China attend this peace summit?

Mao Ning: China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear. We hope relevant parties make joint effort to promote the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. I have nothing to share on the specific question you asked.?

AFP: Australia’s trade minister said that the talks with China on the review into its tariffs on Australian barley are heading in the right direction. Could you share more information on that? When does China plan to cancel the tariffs??

Mao Ning: As for the tariffs between China and Australia, I would refer you to the competent authorities. To give you a principled reply, we always believe that the sound and steady growth of China-Australia relations serves the shared interests of the two countries and two peoples. We are willing to work with Australia to implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries and boost the sound and steady growth of bilateral relations.

Beijing Youth Daily: We noted that Chinese diplomatic missions to African countries have recently held the “Warm Children’s Hearts: a China-Africa joint action” charity event to promote the health of orphans. Could you share more with us?

Mao Ning: On the occasion of the International Children’s Day, Madame Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping,?jointly initiated the “Warm Children’s Hearts: a China-Africa joint action” to promote the health of African orphans, with the Organization of African First Ladies for Development. Chinese diplomatic missions to African countries and Chinese medical teams visited orphanages and relevant institutions in their host countries, providing free physical examination and other medical services and donating supplies to local children. This has extended the love and care from China to the African children and spoken to the sincere friendship between China and African countries.

The presidents and first ladies as well as senior officials of many African countries attended the events held in their countries. They expressed their appreciation for China’s long-standing selfless assistance and precious support and hope that both sides will renew our friendship and open up a even brighter future.

Going forward, China will continue to follow the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, carry forward the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation and make new contributions to building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Reuters: USA Today reported citing US officials that Chinese citizens claiming to be tourists but were suspected of being spies have been making several attempts in recent years to access military facilities in Alaska in the US. How does the ministry respond to this?

Mao Ning: I’m not aware of what you mentioned. The Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals overseas to observe local laws and regulations.

AFP: US Defense Secretary called China’s refusal to meet high-level US defense officials unfortunate. He also said that the US and Japan are working to modernize their military alliance in face of China’s coercive behavior. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: On the issue of any meeting between Chinese Defense Minister and US Defense Secretary, China’s Ministry of National Defense has made a response, which you may refer to. As for the military relations between the US and Japan, we always believe that military cooperation between states should be conducive to regional peace and stability, instead of targeting any third party or harming the interests of a third party. Talking about coercion, it is the US, not China, who is carrying out massive coercion.

Reuters: US Treasury official said that the US is considering new rules to curb US investment and know-how flowing into Chinese companies in the areas of advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. How does the ministry respond to this?

Mao Ning: We have noted relevant reports and are closely following relevant developments. China is firmly opposed to the US politicizing and weaponizing trade and sci-tech issues, creating obstacles for normal technological cooperation and economic and trade exchanges in the industrial community and private sectors, and disrupting the global industrial and supply chains. Such practice is harmful and serves no one’s interests.

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/202306/t20230601_11088120.html