CCTV: A blast at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul, Afghanistan on the afternoon of January 19 killed and wounded Chinese nationals. Reports say that the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. What’s China’s comment? 

Guo Jiakun: A blast hit a Chinese restaurant in Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday and killed and injured many. One Chinese national was killed and five were wounded. China expresses deep condolences over the lives lost and heartfelt sympathies to the injured.

China has made urgent representations with Afghanistan and has urged Afghanistan to make every possible effort to save and treat the injured, do more to keep Chinese nationals, projects and institutions safe, get to the bottom of the attack, and bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. Officials of the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan have visited the injured in hospital.

China strongly condemns and firmly opposes any form of terrorism, supports Afghanistan and regional countries in jointly fighting all forms of terrorist and violent activities.

Given the current security situation in Afghanistan, the Ministry once again advises Chinese nationals not to travel to Afghanistan in the near future and asks Chinese nationals and companies already in Afghanistan to take extra precautions, step up security and depart high-risk regions as soon as possible.

RIA Novosti: U.S. President Donald Trump announced the establishment of the Gaza Board of Peace and invited world leaders to join the body. What’s China’s stance on the initiative? Has China been invited to join the Board of Peace? (Similar questions from Bloomberg, AFP, and PTI)

Guo Jiakun: China has received the United States’ invitation.

China-Arab TV: Days ago, when speaking to the press, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that in recent years “the world has changed dramatically,” and that in recent months, Canada’s relationship with China is “more predictable.” How does China view such statements from the Canadian side? Does China believe that this would bring more opportunities to the development of China-Canada relations?

Guo Jiakun: The sound and steady development of China-Canada relations serves the common interests of both countries and is conducive to peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the world. China’s position on developing China-Canada relations has been consistent and clear. China stands ready to work with Canada, with a responsible attitude toward history, the people, and the world, to advance the building of the China-Canada new strategic partnership, and steer our relations onto a sound, steady, and sustainable track of development, so as to deliver greater benefits to our two peoples.

Xinhua News Service: The Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) entered into force on January 17. China and other 81 countries as well as the EU have become parties to the BBNJ agreement. Can I have your comment on that? According to reports, the Permanent Representative of China to the UN wrote in a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on January 16 that China has decided to present its candidature of the city of Xiamen to host the Secretariat of the treaty. Commentators say that the bid underscores Beijing’s desire to have greater influence over global environmental governance. Can you share more details and China’s consideration?

Guo Jiakun: As the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction enters into effect, the milestone international treaty under the UN framework opens a new chapter of global marine governance and marks the success of multilateralism. China is one of the first countries to sign the agreement and one of the first party states to the agreement. We welcome and extend congratulations on the entry into force of the agreement.

China always upholds true multilateralism and supports the UN-centered international system. China attaches high importance to the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans. As a responsible major country, China is deeply involved in global marine governance, and is willing and capable of making even greater and positive contribution to the implementation of the BBNJ agreement. With the aim of realizing the purpose and objective of the agreement and safeguarding the overall interest of the international community, China has proposed to host the Secretariat of the agreement in Xiamen and presented the decision to the UN Secretary-General on January 16.

Xiamen, known as the “Garden on the Sea,” is a beautiful and liveable city that boasts time-honored history and openness and inclusiveness. The city’s favorable environment for innovation and the booming blue economy are recognized worldwide and have made Xiamen an important hub in international marine cooperation. The city’s relentless effort for sustainable marine development dovetails with the purpose and objective of the BBNJ agreement. China stands ready to provide the best working environment for the Secretariat and help better realize the purpose and objective of the agreement. We are confident that Xiamen is the most ideal host city of the Secretariat of the agreement.

China stands ready to step up communication and cooperation with all parties, jointly support the full, accurate and effective implementation of the BBNJ agreement, and make greater contribution to advancing global marine governance and upholding international maritime order.

NHK: It has been a year since President Trump took office and his foreign policy is closely watched by the world, including his tough actions on Venezuela and recent statements of threatening to annex Greenland. How does China assess the U.S. President’s foreign policy and the influence on the international landscape over the past year? On President Trump’s planned visit to China in April, does China have any consideration or arrangement for the visit? Can you share some details?

Guo Jiakun: In the past year, China-U.S. relations, despite ups and downs, realized overall and dynamic stability. This serves the shared interests of the people in both countries, and meets the common aspiration of the international community. The development of China-U.S. relations in the past year once again demonstrates that China-U.S. cooperation would benefit both sides and that confrontation would hurt both sides. China and the U.S. should find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other based on equality, mutual respect and reciprocity. China stands ready to work with the U.S. to promote the steady development of their relations, and at the same time China will firmly uphold its sovereignty, security and development interests. On your specific question, I don’t have information to share at the moment.

Rudaw Media Network: Will China urge the Syrian government to stop attacking Kurdish civilians in Syria?

Guo Jiakun: China hopes Syria could realize peace and stability as early as possible. We hope factions in Syria could advance the political reconciliation process through dialogue and negotiation, and find the national reconstruction plan that suits the interests of the Syrian people.

Bloomberg: Bloomberg has reported that British and Chinese security officials set up a forum to discuss cyberattacks. We’re wondering if the Foreign Ministry can confirm this?

Guo Jiakun: I’m not familiar with what you said.