Shenzhen TV: It’s reported that amid China’s military activities, a land lease deal was signed on December 15 by Japan’s Defense Ministry on the easternmost island of Okinawa for the deployment of a mobile surveillance radar unit to monitor Chinese aircraft carriers and airplanes in waters between Okinawa’s main island and the Miyako Island, the sources said. Construction work is expected to begin next year, where around 30 people are expected to be stationed for the mission. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: We noted the reports. It needs to be stressed that countries enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight in relevant waters and airspace in accordance with the international law.

Due to Japanese militarists’ history of aggression and other reasons, Japan’s moves in military and security areas have been closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. The Japanese side kept strengthening targeted military deployment near China’s Taiwan region and even claimed it will deploy mid-range missiles. This time, it went even further by deploying radar unit and troops to secretly monitor its neighbor. Given the erroneous and dangerous remarks made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan, we must question: Is the Japanese side making trouble and provocations at one’s doorstep to find a pretext for its military buildup and missions overseas? Is the Japanese side once again going down the wrong path of militarism to a dead end laid out by the right-wing forces? We urge the Japanese side to learn from history.

Bloomberg: The U.S. has announced a package of arms sales to Taiwan worth up to US$11 billion, making it one of the largest sales. I wonder if the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: The U.S. blatantly announced its plan to sell massive advanced weapons to China’s Taiwan region. This move grossly violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, infringes on China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and sends a gravely wrong signal to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it.

The “Taiwan independence” separatist forces on the island attempt to advance their independence agenda and resist reunification through military buildup, squander the taxpayers’ money to purchase weapons, and even risk turning Taiwan into a “powder keg.” Such moves will not reverse the inevitable failure of “Taiwan independence,” and will only push the Taiwan Strait into the danger of military conflict at a faster pace. For the U.S., assisting the “independence” agenda by arming Taiwan will only backfire, and using Taiwan to contain China will never succeed.

The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests, and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. No one shall underestimate the firm will and strong capability of the Chinese government and the Chinese people in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China urges the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, act on its leaders’ serious commitments, and immediately stop the dangerous act of arming Taiwan. China will take resolute and strong measures to defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

NHK: Facing more pressure from the U.S., Venezuela has requested an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council. Given the ongoing tensions, how does China view and assess the current developments? What role will China play? (Similar question from Reuters)

Guo Jiakun: China opposes all acts of unilateralism and bullying, and supports countries in defending their sovereignty and national dignity. Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries. We believe the international community can understand and support Venezuela’s stance of protecting its own legitimate rights and interests. China supports Venezuela’s request for holding an emergency session of the UN Security Council.