At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will pay an official visit to China from September 9 to 11.

CCTV: You just announced Norwegian Prime Minister Støre’s upcoming official visit to China. Could you share with us the program and China’s expectation of the visit?

Mao Ning: During Prime Minister Støre’s visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with him, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will have talks and meet with him respectively. The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

Norway is one of the first Western countries to recognize New China. This year marks the 70th anniversary of China-Norway diplomatic ties. China highly values its relations with Norway. China hopes that through this visit, the two sides will together carry forward the traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, advance the green transition, and work for the sustained, sound and steady growth of bilateral relations.

Kyodo News: Chinese and Japanese defense authorities launched the direct hotline of the maritime and aerial communication mechanism in May last year. Keeping the hotline working is conducive to controlling risks and enhancing the two sides’ ability to manage crises at sea and in the air. Can you comment on the importance of the practice? 

Mao Ning: The direct hotline between Chinese and Japanese defense authorities as part of the maritime and aerial communication mechanism is a concrete measure to deliver on the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries. The measure is a useful addition to the communication channels between the defense authorities of the two countries and for the two sides to enhance ability to manage maritime and aerial contingencies. It is also conducive to peace and stability in the region.

China-Arab TV: We noted that various events such as the Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs are held on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Chinese energy companies, notably CNPC, have carried out in-depth cooperation with African countries in various areas, contributing significantly to local social and economic development. How does the Chinese government view the prospect of China-Africa energy cooperation?

Mao Ning: I’d refer you to competent authorities and businesses on the cooperation between Chinese and African companies. Let me say more broadly that energy cooperation is an important part of China-Africa cooperation. China has deepened energy cooperation with Africa in recent years through technology transfer, project cooperation and financial support. China has delivered several hundred clean energy and green development projects in Africa, which have helped African countries enhance energy security and mitigated the impact of climate change in Africa and globally. There is enormous demand and broad prospect for energy cooperation between China and Africa, which is expected to benefit Africa’s green, low-carbon and high-quality development.

RIA Novosti: According to our exclusive analysis, Ukraine continues to purchase Chinese-made drones, despite objections from the Chinese drone manufacturer. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: I’m not aware of the specifics you mentioned. What I can tell you is that China exercises strict export control over dual-use articles, including drones, and opposes using civilian drones for military purposes.

Yonhap News Agency: According to reports, Pak Jin-a, DPRK basketball player, returned to her home country just one month after joining Wuhan Shengfan, a Chinese professional women’s basketball club in June. Is Pak’s early return to the DPRK related to the sanctions on the DPRK?

Mao Ning: I’m currently not aware of what you mentioned.

Beijing Daily: Africa has long been beset by war, hunger, terrorism, among other security challenges. President Xi Jinping stressed the need to build a China-Africa community with a shared future that enjoys common security. Could you share with us China’s effort and what has been accomplished in its cooperation with Africa in this field?

Mao Ning: Realizing lasting peace and common security is the common aspiration of the Chinese and African people. Helping each other on security issues is very much essential for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. China put forward the Global Security Initiative, and has taken an active part in the UN peacekeeping operations, mediation efforts on hotspot issues in Africa, and efforts to facilitate dialogue and cooperation between regional countries on issues related to Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes Region and so on. China supports Africa in capacity-building on maintaining peace and stability and fighting terrorism, and has provided emergency food assistance to Africa on humanitarian grounds several times to help the continent cope with food and other non-traditional security challenges.

Peace and security will be a major agenda topic of FOCAC Beijing Summit. We look forward to working with African countries to implement the Global Security Initiative, address security challenges, and promote world peace and development.

Bloomberg: On Eswatini. It’s the only African country not participating in FOCAC. What’s the latest view from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on ties with Eswatini? More broadly, can you characterize the ties between the two countries that exist right now both from a political and economic perspective?

Mao Ning: There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. This is a prevailing consensus in the international community. African countries widely support the one-China principle and view their cooperation with China as helpful for Africa’s economic prosperity and sustainable development.

Developing official relations with the Taiwan region is not in Eswatini’s interest. We believe Eswatini will eventually see the prevailing trend in the world and make the right decision accordingly.

Antara: Regarding Global South cooperation, Indonesia also held the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum from September 1 to 3, aiming for more equitable and inclusive development for developing countries. Similarly, China identifies FOCAC as a prime example of Global South cooperation for China and African countries. Considering African countries, what makes the continent so important for this so-called Global South cooperation?

Mao Ning: In conducting cooperation with Africa, China is committed to the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the right approach to friendship and interests. Our cooperation is defined by sincerity, equality, mutual benefit, fairness and justice, and openness and inclusiveness. China and Africa have been actively implementing the outcomes of FOCAC. Those efforts contribute significantly to the common development of China and African countries and deliver tangible benefits to the two peoples. This has laid a solid foundation for the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. 

China and Indonesia are both major developing countries and important members of the Global South. China stands ready to enhance cooperation with Indonesia to jointly support African countries and other Global South partners in achieving development and prosperity.

Reuters: US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Podesta will visit China this week. What specific topics will be on the table? Anything you can share with us regarding what they might agree on? Also, how will the US presidential election in November be a factor in this discussion?

Mao Ning: I’d refer you to competent authorities on that.