On October 8, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning held a regular press conference.
Mao Ning announced that at the invitation of Prime Minister Song Sai of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the rotating chair of ASEAN, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council will attend the 27th China-ASEAN (10+1) Leaders' Meeting, the 27th ASEAN-China-Japan-ROK (10+3) Leaders' Meeting and the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Vientiane, Laos, from October 9 to 12, and pay an official visit to Laos.
At the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Premier Li Qiang will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from October 12 to 14.
At the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Murillo of Colombia will visit China from October 9 to 12.
CCTV: You just announced that Premier Li Qiang will attend the Leaders' Meeting on East Asia Cooperation. How does China view the current cooperation in East Asia? What are your expectations for this series of East Asian leaders' meetings?
Mao Ning: At present, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change. On the whole, the East Asian region has maintained a good momentum of peaceful development, but it is facing more and more unstable, uncertain and unpredictable factors. In the face of the new situation, countries and peoples in the region cherish the hard-won peace and stability even more, are more eager to achieve common development, and need to meet challenges through solidarity and cooperation.
China supports the theme of this year's East Asia Cooperation Leaders' Meeting, "ASEAN: Strengthening Connectivity and Resilience", supports Laos in assuming the rotating presidency of ASEAN, and supports new progress in building the ASEAN community. China looks forward to working with ASEAN and other countries in the region to build consensus, deepen mutual trust and strengthen cooperation, so as to inject new impetus into regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity. First, we will work together to promote regional economic integration, improve the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, promote high-level connectivity, and promote the integrated development of regional production and supply chains. Second, we will work together to cultivate new drivers of regional development, seize opportunities in emerging industries, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of digital economy, green development, scientific and technological innovation, and artificial intelligence. Third, we will work together to promote people-to-people exchanges, vigorously promote practical cooperation in tourism, culture, youth, media and other fields, and advocate dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations. Fourth, we need to work together to uphold regional order, consolidate an open and inclusive ASEAN-centered regional cooperation architecture, practice true multilateralism, oppose bloc confrontation, break down the "small courtyards and high walls", and make East Asia a big stage for win-win cooperation.
Xinhua: The Chinese side has just released information on Premier Li Qiang's official visit to Laos and Viet Nam. How does China assess the current China-Laos and China-Vietnam relations? What to expect from the visit?
Mao Ning: Laos and Viet Nam are China's socialist friendly neighbors, and the traditional friendship between the two parties and two countries has endured for a long time. Since the beginning of the new era, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and countries of China and Laos and China and Vietnam, the building of a community with a shared future between China and Laos and China and Vietnam has been deepened and solidified, injecting strong impetus into the modernization of their respective countries.
This visit is Premier Li Qiang's first visit to Laos and Viet Nam since taking office, which is of great significance for promoting comprehensive strategic cooperation and deepening the building of a community with a shared future. During his visit to Laos, Premier Li Qiang will meet with Thongloun, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and president of the Lao People's Republic of China, hold talks with Prime Minister Song Sai, and meet with Chairman of the National Assembly Sai Somphon. During his visit to Viet Nam, Premier Li Qiang will meet with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Surin, hold talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and meet with National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Minh.
Through this visit, China looks forward to working with Laos and Vietnam to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen strategic communication, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote people-to-people bonds, promote the steady and long-term development of China-Laos and China-Vietnam communities with a shared future, and make greater contributions to peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.
China News Service: Yesterday, October 7, 2024, was the first anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza. Do you have any comment? How will a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities be further promoted?
Mao Ning: The conflict in Gaza has dragged on for a year, causing a large number of innocent lives and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, spillover effects to the region, and regional tensions continue to escalate. China is deeply concerned that the fighting is still going on and peace is still difficult.
The brutal facts have amply demonstrated that military and violence are not a means of solving problems, but only allow new enmities to be compounded with old ones, and peace and stability are out of reach. Not long ago, China put forward a "three-step" initiative to get out of the current predicament of the Gaza conflict, with a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance as the top priority, "Palestinians governing Pakistan" as the basic principle of Gaza's post-war reconstruction, and the "two-state solution" as the fundamental way out in the future. The legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people should be realized, and Israel's legitimate security concerns should be taken into account. On the basis of de-escalating the situation, the international community should convene a larger-scale, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference, formulate a timetable and road map for the implementation of the two-state solution, and finally realize the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel and the harmonious coexistence of the Arab and Jewish peoples.
China Global Program Center: According to reports, China has evacuated Chinese citizens in Lebanon in two batches. Is the evacuation of Chinese citizens from Lebanon basically completed? Can you tell us more?
Mao Ning: Since the sudden escalation of the situation between Lebanon and Israel, we have resolutely implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked closely with the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the embassies in Lebanon and Cyprus to protect the safety of Chinese citizens and quickly carry out evacuation operations. With the joint efforts of all parties, we have arranged for two batches of 215 Chinese nationals to be safely evacuated from Lebanon by ship and charter flight, including 3 Hong Kong residents and 1 Taiwan compatriot. Here, we would like to express our gratitude to Air China, China COSCO Shipping Group, and Zhejiang Ningbo Zhongmeng Shipping Union Company for their active support and participation in the evacuation operation.
At present, the situation between Lebanon and Israel is still complicated and severe, and the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon is still sticking to it, and will continue to guide and assist the small number of Chinese citizens remaining there to take security measures to protect their own safety.
Global Times: According to reports, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently published an article in Foreign Affairs that China is the only country that has both the will and the ability to reshape the international system. President Biden has called China a "looming challenge" and the most influential, long-term strategic competitor. Do you have any comment?
Mao Ning: These fallacies of US officials are not new. We have said many times that great power competition does not conform to the trend of the times, let alone solve United States own problems and the challenges facing the world. The US view of the international situation and the definition of China-US relations from the perspective of strategic competition is an obsession with the Cold War mentality, and it regards China as a long-term strategic competitor and a "looming challenge", mirrors other countries with its own hegemonic history and hegemonic thinking, and is a serious misjudgment of China and China-US relations, which is not in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the general expectations of the international community. China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. As a matter of fact, it is United States, not others, that so-called unfair competition, aggressive actions, flaunting force everywhere, and exerting pressure and coercion.
Press Trust of India: India President Mohamo recently congratulated China and Chinese leaders on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, stressing the importance of developing peaceful and stable bilateral relations. Do you have any response to this? Earlier, the spokesman referred to the process of disengagement between the two countries, particularly in the eastern Ladakh region. Could you please share the progress of the dialogue between the two countries to resolve this impasse?
Mao Ning: Recently, India President Murmu and other leaders of neighboring Asian countries sent a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping to congratulate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. China attaches great importance to President Mohamu's assessment of China-India relations, and we are ready to strengthen communication with the Indian side, enhance mutual trust, and jointly promote the sound and steady development of China-India relations.
On your second question, China and India have been in close communication through diplomatic and military channels on issues related to the border areas, and have successfully achieved disengagement in four areas, including the Galwan Valley in the western sector. At present, the situation on the Sino-Indian border remains generally stable. At the recent 31st meeting of the China-India Consultation and Coordination Mechanism on Border Affairs (WMCC), the two sides further narrowed their differences, expanded their consensus, and agreed to resolve the border situation as soon as possible.
Beijing Daily: According to data from a number of travel platforms, the number of inbound travel bookings increased by about 60% year-on-year during the National Day holiday, and many cities became popular destinations for foreign tourists. We have also noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant departments have recently continued to introduce measures to facilitate the entry of foreigners. Do you have any further comments?
Mao Ning: The rise of "China Tourism" shows China's attractiveness and openness. China has achieved full visa exemption with 24 countries, implemented visa-free entry policies for 16 countries, and implemented 72-hour or 144-hour transit visa-free access for 54 countries. As far as I know, Beijing has launched the "City Service Guide for Newcomers from Abroad", which provides information on various life services. Shanghai has equipped taxis and subway stations with wild card payment facilities, and eight cities, including Chengdu and Xi'an, are also piloting new measures to facilitate payments for people coming to China.
China's door will be opened wider and wider, and the level of entry and exit facilitation will continue to improve. We welcome more foreign friends to travel to China, enjoy the beautiful mountains and rivers, and feel the charm of China.
Bloomberg: I'd like to confirm your comment. Commenting on the first anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza on 7 October, did you mention that "Israel's legitimate security concerns should also be taken into account"? Can you elaborate on that? Has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also made such a statement before? I would like to know the background of that statement.
Mao Ning: You heard me right, I did say that the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people should be realized and Israel's legitimate security concerns should be taken into account. This is China's consistent position, and only in this way can the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel and the harmonious coexistence of the Arab and Jewish peoples be finally realized.
AFP: China announced today that at the request of the Lebanon government, China has decided to provide emergency humanitarian medical supplies to Lebanon. Can you elaborate on the assistance and supplies that will be provided to Lebanon?
Mao Ning: China is highly concerned about the current tensions between Lebanon and Israel. At the request of the Lebanon Government, the Chinese Government has decided to provide emergency humanitarian medical supplies to Lebanon to help the Lebanese side carry out medical relief work. The China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) has released relevant information, which you can check out.
Press Trust of India: Which Chinese leader will lead a delegation to the upcoming meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO member states in Pakistan?
Mao Ning: Regarding the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Pakistan, we have maintained close communication with the Pakistani side. We will release any news as it becomes available.
Kyodo News: The Japan government announced today that new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will visit Laos. Will Premier Li Qiang meet with the Prime Minister of Japan?
Mao Ning: Regarding Premier Li Qiang's bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the East Asia Cooperation Leaders' Meeting, we will release information in a timely manner, so please stay tuned.
AFP: According to reports, United States intelligence officials warned yesterday that foreign governments are "targeting" congressional elections for the House of Representatives and Senate to interfere in United States democracy during an election year. United States officials say some countries, including China, have launched "influence operations" to help or harm congressional candidates. Do you have any comment?
Mao Ning: China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, and we have no interest in interfering in the internal affairs of any country, including the elections of United States.
Source: Beijing Daily client
Reporter: Zhou Jingwei