Xinhua News Agency: Foreign Minister Wang Yi just concluded his visit to the four countries in Eurasia. Could you share more information on the visit? With the trade friction between China and Europe under the spotlight, what message does China intend to convey to the European side through this visit?

Mao Ning: From October 14 to 20, Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia as Special Representative of President Xi Jinping, and visited Azerbaijan, Croatia, Montenegro and Bulgaria.

The most important message conveyed through this visit is as follows: Trust is the cornerstone of peace; friendship is an invaluable asset; cooperation is a powerful driving force; and partnership is our shared pursuit. Foreign Minister Wang Yi also noted that China’s foreign policy is featured by partnership and dialogue rather than alliance and confrontation. Underpinned by partnership, state-to-state relations, regional cooperation and China-EU relations can proceed in parallel and are fully compatible. The overall China-EU relationship is sound and stable. The disagreements on trade issues in the course of our growing cooperation can be resolved through dialogue, and should not affect our overall relations. China and Europe share extensive common interests, as we both champion multilateralism, stay committed to the UN’s centrality, and remain ready to pursue political settlements of international and regional disputes through dialogue. The two sides should respect and appreciate each other, help each other succeed, and jointly shoulder the international responsibility on world peace and development.

RT: This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova recently compared China’s efforts towards building a community with a shared future for humanity and advancing Belt and Road cooperation to a new Long March as she spoke highly of China’s development achievements. Would you like to comment on this? How does the Long March spirit inspire China’s diplomacy in the new era?

Mao Ning: We noted the positive comments of Ms. Zakharova. The great Long March spirit has always inspired the Chinese people to overcome difficulties and make remarkable development achievements. On the new Long March towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, China will uphold the independent foreign policy of peace, and work with Russia and other countries in solidarity to promote peace and development and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Phoenix TV: We noted that today marks a full year since the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). Does the spokesperson have any comment?

Mao Ning: Over the past year since its establishment, the IOMed has received broad support and positive response from the international community. The number of founding member states has risen to 48. It has successfully mediated international commercial dispute cases and received high recognition from the disputing parties.

The IOMed is committed to providing a new platform for all parties to settle disputes in a peaceful and friendly way. It is an important public good for the rule of law presented to the international community. It is hoped that more countries would join the IOMed and make good use of it, together making new contributions to the peaceful resolution of international disputes and to promoting world peace and development.

AFP: The U.S. government has instructed its agencies to stop using AI tools from the Chinese firm DeepSeek, which it said could present multiple threats, including the possible transfer of sensitive data to China. Does the foreign ministry have a comment on this?

Mao Ning: China consistently opposes overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing tech and trade issues. We will resolutely safeguard Chinese businesses’ lawful rights and interests.

Kyodo News: It is reported that U.S. President Donald Trump said that he is open to a trilateral meeting with Chinese and Russian presidents. I wonder if China will accept the offer.

Mao Ning: I have no information to share at the moment.