CCTV: Recent data shows that in the first three quarters of this year, import and export between China and ASEAN totaled RMB 5.57 trillion yuan, up by 9.6 percent year-on-year. ASEAN remained the largest trading partner of China, and multiple events, including the China-ASEAN Expo, were successfully held. China-ASEAN cooperation has been closer with numerous highlights despite increasing external uncertainties. How does China view its cooperation with ASEAN and what is China’s comment on its current relations with ASEAN?

Guo Jiakun: China and ASEAN countries are close neighbors with similar visions and converging interests. The China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to deepen, providing stability and certainty to the development of Asia and the wider world.

The two sides have had close high-level exchanges, cemented political mutual trust and strengthened the momentum of integrated development. The two sides attach great importance to synergizing their development strategies, and have formulated the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030). The two sides have fully leveraged their comparative strengths to enhance the integration and resilience of industrial and supply chains, and will officially sign the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade protocol within this year, which will provide bigger impetus for regional economic integration and global trade. The smooth operation of China-Laos Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway has enhanced connectivity and boosted economic growth along the routes. Cooperation in emerging areas of artificial intelligence and digital economy has thrived, opening up new prospects for innovation-driven development.

China and ASEAN have accelerated exchanges and mutual learning between their civilizations. Various events have been hosted in the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and cooperation in areas of education, the youth, think tanks and media has yielded fruitful outcomes. China has rolled out the “ASEAN visa”, fully exempted visas mutually with Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, and granted each other visa-free entry with Brunei. Easier cross-border travel has brought the people of the two sides closer.

China and ASEAN have jointly worked for regional peace and stability. China firmly supports ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture and resolving the internal affairs of ASEAN through the ASEAN Way. We are committed to properly handling differences in the South China Sea through dialogue and consultation with countries directly concerned, and working with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), accelerate consultations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and deepen practical maritime cooperation to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

In a world with rapid changes, it is all the more important to engage in cooperation and pursue win-win results. China will stay committed to fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, upholding the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the vision of a shared future, and working with regional countries to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home and an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

AFP: The EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said that EU and Chinese officials have agreed to meet in Brussels for urgent talks on China’s export controls on rare earth. He said this after speaking to his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao yesterday. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that a meeting is going to happen in Brussels in the coming days and offer any details on this?

Guo Jiakun: The competent department has released a readout, which you may refer to. Let me stress that China-EU economic and trade relations are shaped by their mutual complementarity and are win-win in nature. We hope the EU will honor its commitment of supporting free trade and opposing trade protectionism, provide an open, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for businesses from all countries, take concrete actions to uphold the principles of market economy and WTO rules, and properly address trade differences through dialogue and consultation.

EFE: Could the Foreign Ministry confirm who will attend the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26 as China’s representative?

Guo Jiakun: China attaches great importance to its relations with ASEAN and to East Asian cooperation, and supports Malaysia’s rotating chairmanship of ASEAN. On the specifics you mentioned, I believe you are aware of the usual practice concerning China’s attendance at those meetings. We will release information in due course.

Yonhap News Agency: This morning, the DPRK fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles, said the ROK’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, which is prohibited in the UN Security Council’s resolution concerning the DPRK. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: China’s position and policy on the Korean Peninsula issue maintain continuity and consistency. On relevant launch activities, we have no new comments to make.

Ukrinform News Agency: Yesterday, leaders of Ukraine, several European countries and top EU officials have issued a joint statement calling for an immediate halt of hostilities in Ukraine and launching peace talks based on the current line of contact between Ukrainian and Russian forces. The statement also stressed that Russia’s delay in engaging demonstrates that Ukraine is the only party genuinely seeking peace. I’d like to ask what is China’s opinion on the idea of an immediate halt of hostilities in Ukraine and the start of peace talks based on the current line of contact?

Guo Jiakun: China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We hope parties will reach a fair and durable peace deal that is binding and acceptable to all parties concerned through dialogue and negotiation.

AFP: U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday he expected to reach a good trade agreement with Chinese leader at the APEC summit next week, even as he warned that the meeting might be canceled. What is China’s response to Trump’s comments?

Guo Jiakun: Heads-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations. The two heads of state maintain close exchanges and communication. On the specifics you mentioned, we have no information to share at the moment.