At the invitation of President of the Republic of Guinea Mamadi Doumbouya, President Xi Jinping’s Special Envoy and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zheng Jianbang will attend the president’s inauguration ceremony to be held in Guinea’s capital Conakry on January 17.

TV Tokyo: There have been reports that Japan’s Komeito party is considering forming a new party together with another political party. The Chinese government has so far built close relations with Komeito. Could you please comment on this matter? Additionally, even if the name “Komeito” were to disappear, would exchanges continue in the same manner as before?

Mao Ning: This is the internal affair of Japan. I have no comment on that.

AFP: I got a question about France. There was a French professor that has been charged in France. He has been charged with allowing a Chinese delegation to visit some sensitive sites. It’s a case of suspected espionage. Are you aware of this case? Do you have anything to say to the French authorities on this issue?

Mao Ning: I’m not familiar with the specifics. Let me point out that we always oppose vilifying China by peddling the so-called “Chinese spy” narrative.

Shenzhen TV: China’s 42nd Antarctic scientific expedition is currently underway. Apart from the advanced technologies adopted in this expedition, the media also reported several heartwarming stories. For example, recently, China’s expedition team offered help to a sick member of staff from the Russian research station. This week, when Xuelong vessel went to New Zealand for resupply, it helped transport ROK scientific expedition team members. These are heartwarming stories among countries in the polar regions. What’s your comment on this?

Mao Ning: Thank you for sharing these stories. Over the past 40-plus years since China started the Antarctic scientific expedition, we have always acted in the spirit of mutual support, attached importance to international cooperation, and conducted joint research in various forms. Researchers from more than ten countries and regions including Thailand, Chile and Portugal participated in China’s 42nd Antarctic scientific expedition. Regarding the Arctic, China has taken active effort to provide dialogue and cooperation platforms and share research outcomes with the international community through participating in relevant work of the Arctic Council, holding the China-Nordic Arctic Cooperation Symposium and conducting scientific expedition in the Arctic Ocean.

Peace, stability and sustainable development in the polar regions is in the common interests of all humanity. China is ready to step up exchanges and promote cooperation with other parties regarding the polar regions.

AFP: I got a question on Donald Trump. The U.S. President on Wednesday said that his administration will approve sales to China of Nvidia’s H200 chip for artificial intelligence. But he also said that the U.S. government will take 25 percent of sales. Do you have any reaction to this new announcement from Donald Trump?

Mao Ning: On U.S. chips export to China and the tariffs issue, China has made clear its position more than once.

Reuters: In Wang Yi’s meeting with Canada’s Anand today, Wang said China is willing to eliminate “interference” as it advances ties with Canada. How much of that interference is contributed by the U.S. administration, past and present?

Mao Ning: This morning, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing. We’ve released a readout, which you may refer to. On your question, I believe that, rather than focusing on and where the interference comes from, it is more important to focus on the fact that both China and Canada are committed to promoting the steady, solid and sound development of bilateral relations under the new circumstances, and providing positive expectations and greater confidence for the development of bilateral relations.