Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on July 23, 2024

From July 25 to 27, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos and pay an official visit to Laos.

China Daily: This morning, China hosted the closing session of the Beijing talks for internal reconciliation between Palestinian factions. The representatives of the factions jointly signed the Beijing declaration on ending division and strengthening national unity of Palestine. Can you share the details of the talks?

Mao Ning: At China’s invitation, senior representatives of 14 Palestinian factions held reconciliation talks in Beijing from July 21 to 23. This morning, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and addressed the closing session of the talks. The Palestinian factions signed the Beijing declaration on ending division and strengthening Palestinian national unity. 

This is the first time that all 14 Palestinian factions gathered in Beijing and held talks for reconciliation. It brings precious hope for the Palestinian people who have suffered for too long. The declaration commends China’s sincere effort to support the rights of the Palestinians, end division and bring about a unified position among the Palestinian factions. The declaration stresses the need to hold, under the auspices of the UN, an international conference with a full mandate and broad-based participation from the region and beyond. According to the declaration, parties believe that the Beijing talks demonstrated a positive and constructive spirit, and agree to realize national unity among all factions under the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The declaration reaffirms commitment to establishing an independent State of Palestine with Jerusalem as the capital city based on relevant UN resolutions and ensuring the integrity of Palestinian territory including the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza. Parties are ready to, in line with the consensus of Palestinian factions and the existing basic law of Palestine, establish an interim national reconciliation government, carry out reconstruction in Gaza and prepare and hold a general election as soon as possible in accordance with the adopted election laws. Parties stressed the need to take practical steps to form a new Palestinian national council in line with the adopted election laws. Parties unanimously agreed to activate the provisional Unified Leadership framework which will function institutionally, and jointly carry out political decision-making. Parties agreed to set up a collective mechanism to fully implement the provisions of the declaration and create a timetable for the implementation process.

As Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in his remarks, the most important consensus of the talks is to achieve reconciliation and unity among all 14 factions, the most central outcome is the reaffirmation of the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, the most outstanding highlight is the consensus on post-conflict governance in Gaza and forming an interim national reconciliation government, and the strongest aspiration is to realize true independent statehood of Palestine in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.

In his remarks, Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward China’s three-step initiative regarding the ongoing Gaza conflict. First step: achieving comprehensive, lasting and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible, and ensuring unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and rescue on the ground. Second step: making joint efforts toward post-conflict governance of Gaza under the principle of “the Palestinians governing Palestine.” Third step: making Palestine a full UN member state and beginning to implement the two-State solution. These three steps are interlocked and all of them are indispensable.

China and Palestine are each other’s trusted brothers and partners. China looks forward to the day when Palestinian factions achieve internal reconciliation and, on that basis, realize national unity and independent statehood as early as possible. We will continue to work relentlessly to this end with the relevant parties.

CCTV: You just announced Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the ASEAN Plus Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. How does China view the current East Asian cooperation? What’s China’s expectation for the meetings? 

Mao Ning: Despite the global economic slowdown and ongoing geopolitical conflicts, East Asia has been generally stable, and regional economic integration is making steady progress. To let this region remain an engine of development and champion of cooperation is a shared desire of people from countries across the region.

China hopes the upcoming ASEAN Plus Foreign Ministers’ Meetings will help further build up consensus and prepare the political ground and the deliverables for the leaders’ meetings on East Asian cooperation in October. We stand ready to work with other regional countries to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and contribute to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity; accelerate negotiations on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement 3.0, galvanize high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, make the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges a success, and foster a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future; promote the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, keep regional industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, expand cooperation in emerging industries, advance regional economic integration, and advocate a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization; firmly support ASEAN unity and ASEAN Community building, uphold an open and inclusive regional architecture with ASEAN at its center, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world, properly address hotspot and sensitive issues, and inject more stability and positive energy into the region.

  

AFP: The US Pentagon yesterday released a report warning that the Arctic region faces more competition and increasing collaboration between China and Russia in the field of commerce and military. Did the Foreign Ministry notice this report and what’s China’s response?

Mao Ning: China is an important stakeholder in Arctic affairs and always follows the basic principles of respect, cooperation, win-win result and sustainability in engaging in Arctic affairs and enhancing cooperation with various parties. We are always committed to promoting peace, stability and sustainable development of the Arctic. The US misrepresented China’s Arctic policy and pointed fingers at China’s normal activities in the Arctic conducted in full compliance with international law. This is not conducive to peace, stability and cooperation in the Arctic. China firmly opposes it. 

TASS: On Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba’s visit to China from July 23 to 26, what’s the Foreign Ministry’s expectations and comment regarding the visit? Has there been any positive change recently in Ukraine’s stance on the Ukraine crisis and the prospects of the peaceful settlement of the conflict?

Mao Ning: During Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba’s visit to China, Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will have talks with him. The two foreign ministers will exchange views on implementing the common understandings of the two presidents, promoting China-Ukraine cooperation and issues of mutual concern.

When it comes to the Ukraine crisis, China always believes that an early ceasefire and a political settlement is in the interest of all parties. China will continue to stand on the side of peace and dialogue and support the international community in building up more consensus and jointly looking for viable ways to achieve a political settlement of the crisis.

CRI: We noted that Rwanda’s National Electoral Commission released the final results of presidential elections, and President Paul Kagame has been reelected. What’s China’s comment on it and expectation for the future of China-Rwanda relations?

Mao Ning: President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory message to President Paul Kagame through the diplomatic channel on his reelection. We believe that under the leadership of President Kagame, Rwanda will make even greater achievements in national development and revitalization.

China always values its traditional friendship with Rwanda and stands ready to work with Rwanda to deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields, elevate China-Rwanda relations, and deliver more for the two peoples.

Phoenix TV: US State Department spokesperson, when responding to a question, said that the Taiwan region “has been purchasing military equipment from the United States to the tune of billions of dollars, and the military equipment that they have purchased supports American manufacturing, industry, and technology. It has not been in any way charity from the United States.” What’s your comment?

Mao Ning: The US keeps stressing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, while making tons and tons of money out of the pockets of people in Taiwan. Taiwan is China’s Taiwan, not a chess piece for the US to interfere in China’s internal affairs. US arms sales to Taiwan violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués. China firmly opposes it.

Shenzhen TV: To follow up on the announcement of Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Laos, could you share more details about the program and China’s expectation for the visit?

Mao Ning: This year marks the 15th anniversary of China-Laos comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and is the first year of implementing the new action plan on building a community with a shared future between the two countries, and Laos has assumed the rotating presidency of ASEAN, which all provide China and Laos with new opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields. During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with Lao leaders. He will have talks with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and exchange views with him on implementing the common understandings of the top leaders of the two countries and parties, and on advancing exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

China and Laos are traditional friendly neighbors and the two countries have been at the forefront of advancing a community with a shared future. Under the strategic guidance of General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, and General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, the relations between the two parties and countries have scaled new heights. China looks forward to working with Laos through this visit to deepen the China-Laos community with a shared future, translate high-level common understandings into concrete outcomes of cooperation, deliver benefits to the two peoples, and make greater contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

CCTV: It’s reported that the spokesperson of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday that the arrangement between China and the Philippines was concluded with the clear understanding that it will not prejudice the two sides’ respective positions, China’s statement regarding prior notification and on-site confirmation is inaccurate, and the Philippines will continue to assert its rights and jurisdiction in its maritime zones, and nonetheless, remains ready to implement the arrangement it reached with China. What’s China’s comment on that?

Mao Ning: Based on the principled position of China on dealing with the current situation at Ren’ai Jiao, China reached provisional arrangement with the Philippines on resupplying humanitarian necessities. This is an active effort China made to keep the situation under control. The Chinese side will continue to firmly defend China’s sovereignty and rights and interests. We take note that the Philippine side said it’s ready to implement the arrangement it reached with China. We hope the Philippines will keep its word. We call on the Philippines to not to backpedal, not to create problems, and not to do anything that would complicate the situation.

Xinhua News Agency: On July 22, the Preparatory Committee for the Eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) held its second session in Geneva, Switzerland. What’s China’s expectation for the session?

Mao Ning: The Preparatory Committee for the Eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT is holding its second session in Geneva. The treaty is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation regime, and the important pillar of the global governance system of security and development. As a party to the treaty, China stays firmly committed to the goals and purposes of the treaty, faithfully observes obligations under the treaty, and stands for advancing nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and peaceful use of nuclear energy—the three goals of the NPT—in a comprehensive and balanced manner.

The Chinese delegation will take the building of a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping as the fundamental guidance, promote the common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security vision, and work with other parties to play an active and constructive role, strengthen the universality, authority and effectiveness of the NPT, and contribute to world peace, security, and development.

Dragon TV: To follow up on the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the Eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT, China submitted four working papers to the session. Can you brief us on that?

Mao Ning: With deterioration of the global strategic security environment and rising risks of nuclear conflict and war, China has actively advanced the Global Security Initiative, and, in line with the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, submitted four working papers to the session on the No-first-use of Nuclear Weapons Initiative, security assurances, nuclear arms control and the US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation. You can find the documents on our ministry’s website.

China’s core proposition in the documents is as follows. Nuclear weapon states need to earnestly respond to the concerns and requests of non-nuclear weapon states, and conclude a treaty or issue a political statement on no-first-use of nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapon states need to support the Conference on Disarmament to conclude an international legal instrument as soon as possible on not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear weapon-free-zones. All countries need to follow the principle of “maintaining global strategic stability” and “undiminished security for all,” and advance international nuclear disarmament under the step-by-step approach and promote cooperation on reducing nuclear risks. In the meantime, countries need to categorically oppose double standard in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and the act of putting geopolitical selfish interests above international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

These four working papers are China’s proposal for making progress in NPT review, effectively strengthening the universality, authority and effectiveness of the NPT, and solving security challenges facing the world today. China hopes that the documents can receive active support from all sides and be included in the final document of the session to contribute to a better international security environment and lasting peace and common security of our world.