CCTV: Today marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the EU. How do you characterize the development of China-EU relations over the past five decades? What’s your expectation for the bilateral relations going forward?

Lin Jian: In May 1975, then Premier Zhou Enlai met with the then visiting Vice President of the European Economic Community (EEC) Commission Sir. Christopher Soames and they announced the decision to establish diplomatic relations between China and the EEC, which was a major event in international relations at that time. Over the past 50 years, China and the EU have formed strong economic interdependence. Bilateral trade has surged from US$2.4 billion to US$785.8 billion annually, increasing by more than 300 times. And the trade volume for a single day now is equivalent to that of a whole year in the past. The two sides have conducted productive multilateral coordination and cooperation in the response to climate change and other fields. This cooperation has not only delivered tangible benefits to the nearly two billion people of both sides but also made important contributions to world stability and prosperity. The most valuable experience of the 50-year history of China-EU relations is mutual respect and seeking common ground while shelving differences. China and the EU have different histories, cultures and systems, but as long as both sides respect each other’s development path and social system chosen by their people, seek common ground, and set aside and overcome differences whenever possible, we can always achieve common progress, win-win results and mutual success through mutual learning and open cooperation.

The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century and the international landscape is evolving at a faster pace. Unilateralism, protectionism and power politics and hegemonism have dealt a heavy blow to the international rules and order, and humanity is once again at a crucial crossroads. Despite a changing world, the basic fact remains unchanged that for China and the EU, cooperation, consensus and opportunities far outweigh competition, differences and risks. Also, both sides’ pursuit of supporting multilateralism and openness and cooperation remains unchanged. China and the EU together account for over one third of the world economy and over a quarter of global trade. As long as China and the EU choose for dialogue and cooperation, there will be no room for camp confrontation; as long as China and the EU choose for openness and win-win results, there will be no fundamental reversal in the trend of economic globalization. China and the EU, when joining hands, will achieve mutual success and light up the world.

There are many important things on the agenda between China and the EU this year. China welcomes European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s trip to China at appropriate time for a new round of China-EU Summit. Both sides will also hold strategic, economic and trade, environment and climate, and digital high-level dialogues. Starting from today, both sides will hold four high-level receptions in celebration of our diplomatic ties and a series of events in such areas as economy and trade, culture, youth, sports and academy.

At a crucial time of the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties when the relationship goes into the next chapter, China hopes that the EU will work with China to stay true to the aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, remain each other’s partners, step up dialogue and cooperation, properly handle divergences and differences, build on past achievements and forge ahead in bilateral relations, and write more wonderful and successful stories of cooperation between China and the EU. 

China News Service: It’s reported that the Chinese side and the European Parliament have lifted reciprocal exchange restrictions. Can you confirm that?

Lin Jian: For publicly known reasons, the exchange between Chinese and EU legislatures has encountered some setbacks over the past few years. Under the current situation, the two sides recognized the importance of enhancing dialogue and cooperation. As agreed between the two sides, the Chinese side and the European Parliament decided to fully lift reciprocal exchange restrictions simultaneously. We believe and hope that as China and the EU fully resume exchanges between the legislatures, there will be deeper exchanges and understanding, and this will provide new driving force for the sustained, sound and steady growth of China-EU relations.

Dragon TV: Singapore’s People’s Action Party led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong won the general election on May 3 and will remain as the ruling party. What’s China’s comment and expectation of its future relations with Singapore?

Lin Jian: We noted the victory of Singapore’s People’s Action Party led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in the general election. We express congratulations on the victory.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-Singapore diplomatic relations. China attaches importance to growing its relations with Singapore. We stand ready to work with the new Singaporean government to strengthen communication and exchanges, deepen practical cooperation, and elevate the China-Singapore all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership to a new level.

TVB: Recent media reports said that CK Hutchinson has been allowed to sell ports except the ports in the Panama Canal. What is China’s comment?

Lin Jian: This report has no basis.

Let me reiterate that the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said it is paying close attention to the deal and will review it in accordance with the law. SAMR also noted all parties involved in the transaction must not circumvent the review by any means or implement concentration activities without regulatory approval. Otherwise, legal responsibility will be pursued.

The Chinese government will firmly safeguard our national sovereignty, security and development interests in accordance with the law and uphold fairness and justice of the market. Companies should abide by relevant laws in their business activities and should not harm national interests.

China Daily: It was reported that on May 3, Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové was elected by the Togolese parliament as the new president. Former president Faure Gnassingbé was sworn in as the first president of the Council of Ministers after reform of the Togolese political system. Do you have any comment on that? What is China’s expectation for the China-Togo relations?

Lin Jian: China commends and congratulates Togo on completing the political transition smoothly and electing the new president and the first president of the Council of Ministers.

During the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping and then President Faure Gnassingbé jointly upgraded the China-Togo relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening a new chapter for the bilateral relations. China attaches great importance to growing relations with Togo, and stands ready to work with the new Togolese administration to deliver on the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, enhance exchanges and cooperation in various areas, and move the bilateral relations forward.

AFP: U.S. President Donald Trump said in a recent interview with NBC that he would not drop tariffs on China in order to begin negotiations. First, how close are the two sides to formal trade talks? Second, is the U.S. lowering tariffs a prerequisite for China to engage in negotiations?

Lin Jian: The fact is, this tariff war is launched by the U.S. China’s position is consistent and clear: We will fight, if fight we must. Our doors are open, if the U.S. wants to talk. Recently the U.S. has repeatedly expressed the hope to engage in negotiation with China. There is no winner in a trade war or a tariff war. If a negotiated solution is truly what the U.S. wants, it should stop threatening and exerting pressure, and seek dialogue with China based on equality, respect and mutual benefit. 

EFE: What are China’s main goal for the upcoming CELAC-China ministerial meeting? Will trade diversification be discussed amid the ongoing tariff dispute with the U.S.?   

Lin Jian: The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum will provide important opportunities for China and CELAC countries to discuss development strategies and bring more stability and positive energy to the world. On anything specific about the meeting, we will release information in due course. Please stay tuned.

AFP: Israel has approved a plan for expanded military operations in Gaza that the government said yesterday would include displacing most residents. What is China’s view of this plan?

Lin Jian: China is closely watching the situation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We oppose Israel’s continued military operations in Gaza, and hope that parties will work to enable the continuous and effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement and return to the right track of political settlement.

Global Times: The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on May 1 posted two Chinese-language videos on social media. CIA official said that the videos are “aimed at recruiting Chinese officials to steal secrets.” What’s China’s response?

Lin Jian: The U.S. has long been using all kinds of despicable methods to steal other countries’ secrets, interfere in their internal affairs and commit subversion. Such behavior severely violates international law and basic norms governing international relations, and seriously endangers international security and stability. The Chinese videos posted by the CIA on social media are another solid confession of what it does. The U.S. not only maliciously smears and attacks China, but also blatantly attempts to lure Chinese personnel, even government officials, to be their informants. This is a serious infringement on China’s national interest and pure political provocation. China strongly condemns it. We will take all measures necessary to resolutely push back infiltration and sabotage activities from overseas and defend national sovereignty, security and development interest.