Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will attend the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) held in Baku, Azerbaijan on October 15 as Special Representative of President Xi Jinping, and visit Azerbaijan, Croatia, Montenegro and Bulgaria from October 14 to 20. 

Beijing Daily: Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs put on its website the decision to take countermeasures against Paraguay’s Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Gustavo Emigdio Villate Samaniego and Belize Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Francis Fonseca. Could you share more information on that?

Mao Ning: The Taiwan question is a major issue of principle bearing on China’s sovereignty and national reunification. It is at the core of China’s core interests. Certain politicians in Paraguay and Belize willingly serve as chess pieces for the DPP authorities in their pursuit of independence by soliciting external support. Their visits to Taiwan and reception of “Taiwan independence” separatist forces in their countries constitute severe interference in China’s internal affairs. They also attacked and smeared China by spreading the “Chinese cyber attack” disinformation, causing egregious impact in the world.

In response to these moves and in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People’s Republic of China, China announced in the form of MFA decree countermeasures as an action of warning and deterrence.

China News Service: Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the Seventh CICA Summit as Special Representative of President Xi Jinping and visit Azerbaijan. What’s China’s expectation of the visit?

Mao Ning: CICA is an important mechanism for security dialogue and cooperation in Asia. Since its inception, CICA has been committed to enhancing interaction and confidence-building among countries and made important contribution to security, stability and development in the region.

With growing complexity and volatility in the international and regional landscapes, Asian countries are increasingly keen to ensure peace and tranquility and promote economic growth. At the upcoming summit, China will engage in extensive dialogue and consultation with various parties to practice multilateralism, actively implement the four global initiatives, and enhance Asian governance, so as to make new contribution to building an Asian community with a shared future.

China and Azerbaijan are comprehensive strategic partners. In recent years, under the strategic planning and guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Ilham Aliyev, China-Azerbaijan relations have maintained strong momentum of growth, with ever-deepening political mutual trust, steady progress in Belt and Road cooperation and fruitful collaboration on international affairs. This will be Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s first official visit to Azerbaijan in seven years. He will hold talks with Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. We believe the visit will help fully implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state and deliver new outcomes for bilateral cooperation across various fields.

AFP: U.S. President Donald Trump announced an “energy ceasefire” between Ukraine and Russia on Sunday. The ceasefire was met with surprise from Kiev and silence from Moscow and appeared shaky as Russia appeared to strike multiple Ukrainian power plants on Sunday. Does the foreign ministry have a comment on this “energy ceasefire”?

Mao Ning: China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We believe that dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out, and support all efforts conducive to peace.

Reuters: The U.S. State Department last week said China’s maritime activities off Taiwan’s east coast are “deeply destabilizing.” What is the foreign ministry’s comment on that?

Mao Ning: China has on multiple occasions made clear its position on this. China has exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in waters east of the Taiwan island. It is fully within China’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction, therefore legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach, for China to carry out activities in these waters. The party that instigates troubles and disrupts stability in this part of waters has never been the Chinese side.

The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair that brooks no external interference. The U.S. needs to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, handle the Taiwan question prudently, and take concrete actions to uphold the overall China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the region.

Xinhua News Agency: On October 10, leader of the Taiwan region Lai Ching-te made a speech in which he again solicited external support for “Taiwan independence,” and smeared Chinese mainland. What’s your comment?

Mao Ning: There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. To uphold the one-China principle, reject “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and support China’s reunification is where international public opinion trends.

Lai Ching-te’s so-called “democracy” cannot hide his “Taiwan independence” separatist nature. Taiwan’s return to China is an integral part of the outcome of WWII victory and the postwar international order. The real status quo across the Taiwan Strait is that both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China. Whatever Lai Ching-te says or does, it does not change the fact backed by history and law that Taiwan belongs to China or the doomed failure of “Taiwan independence,” and will by no means stop China’s ultimate reunification.

CGTN: Could you elaborate on the program and China’s expectation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Croatia, Montenegro and Bulgaria?

Mao Ning: Croatia, Montenegro and Bulgaria are China’s important cooperation partners in Southeastern Europe. In recent years, China has maintained close exchanges with the three countries. Notable results have been achieved in cooperation on economy and trade, investment, tourism and infrastructure. There is extensive common ground on safeguarding multilateralism, tackling global challenges, growing China-Europe relations and other topics. During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold talks with the foreign ministers of the three countries and have in-depth exchange of views with their leaders.

Croatia is China’s important partner in the EU. The Chinese-built Pelješac Bridge is a landmark project of China-Croatia and China-EU cooperation. The two countries have enjoyed a more mature and stable partnership of comprehensive cooperation. Through the visit, China looks to better synergize development strategies and expand practical cooperation with Croatia, so as to promote the steady and sustained growth of bilateral ties.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of China’s diplomatic relations with Montenegro. Throughout those two decades, the two sides have always treated each other with respect and as equals. Together, the two countries have built a series of landmark projects, such as the South-North Expressway in Montenegro. China hopes that through the Chinese foreign minister’s first visit, the two sides will expand the breadth and depth of mutually beneficial cooperation, carry forward the traditional friendship, and inject new impetus into bilateral relations for the next 20 years.

Bulgaria is the second country in the entire world to establish diplomatic relations with New China. In recent years, China-Bulgaria strategic partnership has grown steadily, with close high-level exchanges and fruitful outcomes of practical cooperation. Through this visit, China looks to cement mutual trust, advance cooperation and deepen friendship with the new Bulgarian government, so as to further advance and deepen bilateral ties.

Reuters: Regarding China’s sanctions on the Paraguay and Belize ministers, would this be first of such measures against ministers from countries that maintain ties with Taiwan?

Mao Ning: For diehard supporters of “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, China will take all necessary punitive measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We urge the very few countries left which still have so-called “diplomatic ties” with China’s Taiwan region to avoid being repeatedly manipulated and used by separatist forces for “Taiwan independence.” Betting on “Taiwan independence” has no future. It will only cost them opportunities for development and lead to international isolation.

Global Times: Following his recent visit to China, former Japanese Foreign Minister and head of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade Mr. Takeshi Iwaya said that the deterioration in China-Japan relations was caused by the Japanese side and that the Japanese government should seek ways to improve the bilateral ties. There are voices in Japan criticizing the evasion of historical responsibility for leading astray Japan’s policy toward China, and calling on the Japanese government to face up to and address the wrongdoings. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: China commends these remarks, which reflect reason and conscience among those with insight in Japan. As they have pointed out, the real issue lies in the distorted and erroneous views toward history and China held by those running the Japanese government, which has severely undermined the political foundation of China-Japan relations. The situation does not serve the two countries’ interests, and the responsibility rests fully with Japan. To bring China-Japan relations back to the right track, the ball is, apparently, in Japan’s court.

We urge those running the Japanese government to heed and take seriously the just voice at home, face up to the root causes of the problem, abide by the four political documents between China and Japan, and genuinely reflect on and correct wrongdoings on such issues as Taiwan, the history, and their China perception.

AFP: A fresh Houthis strike hit Riyadh’s international airport on Sunday, killing one person and wounding 11 others. This comes a day after another deadly attack claimed by the Yemeni group. Can the Chinese foreign ministry comment on this?

Mao Ning: China condemns the attacks, which caused significant casualties, and expresses grave concern over the escalating conflict. China opposes attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. We urge the parties concerned to refrain from actions that could further escalate regional tensions, resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and negotiations, and work toward peace and stability in the region at an early date.

Shenzhen TV: Today is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Papua New Guinea. How does China see the development of bilateral ties over the past 50 years? What’s China’s expectation moving forward?

Mao Ning: Today marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Papua New Guinea. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang have respectively exchanged congratulatory messages with Governor-General Bob Dadae and Prime Minister James Marape. As President Xi pointed out in his congratulatory message, over half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have deepened political mutual trust, conducted fruitful cooperation for mutual benefit, and expanded people-to-people exchanges. The remarkable progress in bilateral relations has not only benefited the two peoples, but also injected strong momentum to building a community with a shared future between China and Pacific Island countries.

China stands ready to work with Papua New Guinea to jointly implement the important common understandings reached between the two leaders, carry forward our traditional friendship, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation across the board, so as to elevate our comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and build an even closer community with a shared future between China and Pacific Island countries.

Reuters: There was a landslide in Nepal’s Gorkha district that led to the downstream flooding in the Budhi Gandaki river. This area is part of a major trekking route. Were there any Chinese nationals affected by the flood?

Mao Ning: We have no information on Chinese casualties for the time being. We extend sympathies to Nepal, and will provide assistance within our capacity in light of Nepal’s need.

AFP: The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, vowing to cripple its operations just hours after the Nobel Peace Prize went to a former ICC judge. I wonder if China has a comment on this.

Mao Ning: We noticed the developments. China is not a state party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. China’s position on relevant issues is consistent.

AFP: South Korea’s military said that North Korea on Monday fired multiple ballistic missiles off its east coast. I wonder if the foreign ministry has a comment on this.

Mao Ning: We notice relevant reports, and have no comment to add.

Reuters: There have been youth-led protests happening in Delhi over the weekend and in several other cities in India as well, calling for the resignation of India’s election chief. Will China consider issuing any travel advisories against visiting Delhi or any part of India in the near future?

Mao Ning: China noted the developments, and will assess whether advisories are needed as the situation evolves.