Kyodo News: It’s reported that Russia said a delegation from China’s Heilongjiang Province yesterday visited the Northern Territories of Japan. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: A delegation from Heilongjiang Province recently visited Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, capital of Russia’s Sakhalin Oblast, a sister province of Heilongjiang, for friendly exchanges. I will not comment on business activities conducted by private companies during the visit.

CGTN: The 140th China Import and Export Fair is about to open, and the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be launched on November 5. Most recently, China has successfully held the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the China-ASEAN Expo and the Global Digital Trade Expo. Media comments say that these events drew active participation from global businesses and provide important impetus for global economy and trade. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: These expos you mentioned are important windows on China’s global connectedness and how it enables development and delivers for the people across the world. The China Import and Export Fair is in its 70th year now and this year’s fair is expected to host some 32,000 businesses. More than 11,000 of them either possess specialized and sophisticated technologies for producing novel and unique products or are leaders in specific fields. This year’s CIIE will continue to provide free exhibition stands for least developed countries. There will be an upgraded Asia-Africa Products Zone, where African countries having diplomatic relations with China in particular can make full use of the “zero tariff” treatment.  

Underpinning the strong appeal of these expos are China’s determination and efforts to advance high-standard opening up and share development opportunities with the world.

Reuters: Xinhua reported today that the New Yalu River Bridge that links China and North Korea will be open from tomorrow. How much increase in trade does China expect from this land connection? Also about tourism, what are the expectations? There are reports in North Korea saying the bridge is only open for cargo. Is this true?

Mao Ning: As agreed between China and the DPRK, the New Yalu River Bridge connecting the two countries will officially open to traffic on October 15, and a joint ceremony will be held tomorrow to mark the inauguration. China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. The New Yalu River Bridge will serve as an important infrastructure for bilateral connectivity and further facilitate the economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and contribute to the welfare of the two peoples.

AFP: On this Chinese delegation’s visit to this island held by Russia and claimed by Japan, the Japanese foreign minister said today it is absolutely unacceptable that third countries enter and operate on these islands. He said Japan yesterday conveyed its position to China through diplomatic channels. What’s you response to this message by Japan?

Mao Ning: I’ve shared information on the visit of the delegation from Heilongjiang Province. China believes the outcomes of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War must always be respected and upheld.

Reuters: Following up on the New Yalu River Bridge, can we know what are the details of the opening ceremony tomorrow? What time is it happening and who can be expected to be there?

Mao Ning: There will be timely updates on the inauguration ceremony. Please stay tuned.

AFP: The Taiwanese authorities said today they will inject up to US$ 4.4 billion into a U.S. pipeline project in Alaska. Given the huge amount of this investment, I wonder if the foreign ministry has any comment or any view on the deal.

Mao Ning: External exchanges of China’s Taiwan region must be handled in line with the one-China principle. The DPP authorities will not succeed in seeking “Taiwan independence” in the name of trade and investment.