At the invitation of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU Kaja Kallas, Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Johann Wadephul and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot, from June 30 to July 6, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will visit the EU Headquarters and hold the 13th round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue, visit Germany and hold the eighth round of China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security, and visit France for talks with the French Foreign Minister and the meeting of the China-France high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges. While in Brussels, Wang Yi will meet and have talks with Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot respectively.

CCTV: What does China expect to achieve through Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to the EU headquarters and the China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialogue?

Guo Jiakun: This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic ties. Bilateral relations face important opportunities for development. As unprecedented global changes unfold at a faster pace and unilateralism, protectionism and bullying practices are on the rise, it is necessary for China and the EU, two major forces, markets and civilizations in the world, to strengthen strategic communication, conduct coordination and cooperation, jointly keep the world peaceful and stable, safeguard multilateralism, free trade, international rules, fairness and justice, and act firmly as anchors of stability and constructive forces in a volatile world. During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will exchange views with the EU side on China-EU relations and major international and regional issues, take stock of the experience in growing China-EU relations over the past 50 years, enhance understanding and mutual trust, continue to see the EU as a partner, build consensus for cooperation, properly handle disagreements and differences, and lay the political groundwork for the future interactions between Chinese and EU leaders.

Phoenix TV: A Chinese correspondent was injured in a Ukrainian drone attack targeting local facilities while reporting in Russia’s Kursk region on June 26 local time. What is your response to this?

Guo Jiakun: We are deeply concerned that a Chinese journalist got injured while reporting. China calls on all parties to work for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and jointly deescalate the situation.

CCTV: Can you brief us on the program of Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to France and China’s expectation?

Guo Jiakun: During Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s upcoming visit to France, he will hold talks with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and they will co-chair another meeting of the China-France high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will exchange views with the French side on the international landscape, China-France relations and China-EU relations, take stock of and plan for China-France people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and have in-depth communication on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Not long ago, President Xi Jinping talked to President Macron on the phone and the two leaders reached important common understandings on enhancing China-France strategic communication, jointly defending multilateralism and promoting world peace and stability, charting the course for the future development of China-France relations. Through the visit, China looks forward to working with France to implement the common understandings between the two presidents, enhance political mutual trust, strengthen practical cooperation, work for closer communication and coordination on international affairs, keep the positive momentum of China-France people-to-people and cultural exchanges, promote mutual learning between civilizations and inject new impetus to world peace, development, openness and inclusiveness.

Reuters: Czech media report that when Taiwan’s Hsiao Bi-khim was in Prague earlier last year, the Chinese embassy closely followed her car. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this report?

Guo Jiakun: By allowing diehard “Taiwan independence” separatist Hsiao Bi-khim to visit, the Czech Republic has seriously violated the one-China principle and its political commitment to China, and grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs. China has expressed its strong concern and firm opposition.

Let me stress that Chinese diplomats always observe the laws and regulations of host countries. China urges the relevant party to avoid being incited or used by “Taiwan independence” forces, and refrain from creating troubles, spreading rumors, and disrupting and undermining the bilateral relations. No matter how the DPP authorities seek independence by soliciting foreign support in whatever form, they cannot cover up their ill intentions and will certainly fail in their attempts.

Hubei Media Group: Can you brief us on China’s consideration for Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s upcoming visit to Germany and the China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security？

Guo Jiakun: China and Germany are all-round strategic partners. Over the past 53 years since our two countries established diplomatic ties, we’ve been committed to mutual respect, mutual trust and equality in our interactions, and win-win development in our cooperation. In the world today, changes on a scale unseen in a century are unfolding at an accelerating pace with all kinds of intertwined challenges. China and Germany are the second and third largest economies in the world, and major countries with global influence. It is all the more important for us to step up to our responsibilities and firmly stand on the right side of history.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s upcoming visit will be the Chinese foreign minister’s first visit to Germany after the new German government was formed. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will co-chair the eighth round of China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. China looks forward to working with Germany to put into action the common understandings reached between President Xi Jinping and Chancellor Merz in their phone conversation in May, pursue close strategic communication, strengthen practical cooperation, work for new progress in the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership, and inject certainty, stability and positive energy to today’s turbulent world.

AFP: China’s Ministry of Commerce has just confirmed the details of the framework reached by the U.S. and China in London on implementing the Geneva trade deal. The Commerce Ministry said China will review and approve applications for export control items. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that this includes expediting rare earth exports? Can the Foreign Ministry share any additional details on this?

Guo Jiakun: The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce has issued remarks on that. Let me stress that we hope the U.S. will work with China to act on the important common understandings reached by the two presidents and make good use of the consultation mechanism. Hopefully, through communication and dialogue, there will be more consensus and cooperation and less misperception and we will enable the steady, sound and sustainable development of the China-U.S. relations. 

EFE: It was reported that Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa concluded his visit to China today. What’s China’s comment on the visit? What new progress has been achieved in China-Ecuador relations?

Guo Jiakun: At the invitation of the World Economic Forum, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa was in China from June 23 to 27 for the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhao Leji met with him respectively. The two sides agreed that over the past 45 years of diplomatic ties, China-Ecuador relations have maintained a sound growth momentum, achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation, and delivered tangibly to the two peoples, and it is in the common interests of both countries and peoples to deepen the China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides expressed willingness to enhance cooperation in areas of economy and trade, science and technology, culture, education and youth for the benefit of the two peoples. During the visit, the two governments signed a cooperation plan on promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.

China highly values its relations with Ecuador. We stand ready to work with Ecuador to deliver on the important common understandings between the two presidents, carry forward the traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, deepen and enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership, and provide more impetus for our respective modernization drive.

Beijing Daily: To follow up on Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s upcoming meeting with Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Brussels and his talks with Maxime Prévot, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, how does China view its current relations with Belgium and what does China hope to achieve through these meetings?

Guo Jiakun: Belgium is China’s important cooperation partner in the EU. In recent years, the two countries have had frequent high-level exchanges, and achieved fresh outcomes in trade, investment, shipping, logistics, biomedicine and other areas, which benefits the two peoples. Through relevant meetings, China looks to work with Belgium to enhance understanding, broaden consensus, deepen cooperation, promote the sustained, sound and steady growth of bilateral relations, and make new contributions to China-EU ties.

TV Asahi: Wakayama’s four giant pandas will soon return to China on June 28. What’s China’s comment? In February next year, Japan’s only remaining two giant pandas in Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo will also return to China. Many in Japan are panda lovers and hope that China will lease giant pandas to Japan again. Will China and Japan continue their international cooperation on giant panda conservation?

Guo Jiakun: Giant pandas are a precious endangered wild species and are loved by people around the world. They are emissaries of friendship from the people of China. China and Japan have established sound cooperation ties since our two sides carried out international cooperation on giant panda conservation and research and have had positive cooperation on giant panda breeding, research, technical exchanges and public education. Such effort has played an important role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples.

Looking forward, we stand ready to continue enhancing exchanges and cooperation with Japan and other partners in the world to jointly contribute to the protection of endangered species.

Reuters: A spokesman for India’s Foreign Ministry said that the SCO meeting could not reach agreements to issue a joint statement because India wanted the statement to reflect its concerns about terrorism, but “one country cannot accept it.” What is China’s response to this and which country is India referring to?

Guo Jiakun: Competent authorities of China have released information on that, which you may refer to.

Rudaw Media Network: After the ceasefire, has your trade with Iraq returned to pre-war level? My second question is Trump said China can buy oil from Iran. How many barrels per day do you import from Iran?

Guo Jiakun: On your first question, China maintains normal trade with Iraq. China hopes to realize a lasting and effective ceasefire and achieve peace and stability in the Middle East. 

On your second question, as we stressed before, China will take energy supply measures that are right for China based on our national interests.

TASS: U.S. President Donald Trump said an economic and trade deal will be reached between the U.S. and India. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: China has no comment on the interactions between the U.S. and India. China’s position on its economic and trade issues with the U.S. is consistent and clear.