On February 10, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will attend and address the opening session of the First APEC 2026 Senior Officials’ Meeting in Guangzhou.

Kyodo News: The Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory in yesterday’s Lower House election which would keep Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in power. What foreign policy does China expect from the new government led by Takaichi?

Lin Jian: The election is the internal affair of Japan, but this election reflected some deep-seated and structural issues as well as certain emerging views, trends and developments, which deserve serious examination by people with insights in Japan and the international community. The lessons of history are still fresh in memory and should not be left behind. We urge those running the Japanese government to take seriously rather than brush aside the concerns of the international community, follow the path of peaceful development rather than return to militarism, and abide by the four political documents between China and Japan rather than go back on commitments made. If Japan’s far-right forces miscalculate and act recklessly, they will be met by resistance from the Japanese people and serious backlash from the international community.

China’s policy on Japan has been stable and consistent, and will not change because of one election. We once again urge Japan to retract the erroneous remarks of Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan, and take concrete actions to demonstrate the necessary sincerity to uphold the political foundation of China-Japan relations. Our message is very clear: The Chinese people remain unwavering in our determination to safeguard the nation’s core interests, defend the outcomes of WWII victory and postwar international order, and fight back and thwart any form of provocation and reckless behavior of forces against China.

TV Asahi: When asked about a possible visit to the Yasukuni war shrine in an interview after the election, Sanae Takaichi said she is working to “create an environment.” What is China’s comment?

Lin Jian: The Yasukuni war shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists’ war of aggression. The shrine honors 14 convicted Class-A war criminals responsible for Japan’s aggression in the 1930s and 40s. The nature of the issue concerning the Yasukuni war shrine is whether Japan is able to rightly perceive and deeply reflect on its history of militarist aggression. The issue bears on human conscience, the political foundation of China-Japan relations and the credibility of Japan as a nation. Amnesia of history means betrayal, and denial of responsibility spells relapse. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Tokyo trials. In such a special year, Japan in particular needs to face squarely and reflect on its history of aggression, be prudent on historical issues such as the Yasukuni war shrine, not repeat history and make a clean break with militarism with real actions.

AFP: Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison today for what Hong Kong authorities have declared national security crimes. Lai is a UK citizen and his case was raised by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his recent trip to China. President Donald Trump has also previously asked China to release Lai. What is the Foreign Ministry’s comment on his sentencing today?

Lin Jian: Jimmy Lai is the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the series of riots that shook Hong Kong. His moves seriously breached the principles and bottom line of One Country, Two Systems, endangered national security and hurt Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability and Hong Kong residents’ wellbeing. There is every reason to bring him to justice.

Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. The judicial authorities of the Hong Kong SAR perform their duties in accordance with the law to uphold its sanctity and safeguard national security. This is legitimate, justified, lawful and beyond reproach. The central government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security and punishing criminal activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law.

Facts have proven that when the law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong is implemented well, there is greater assurance for security and stability in Hong Kong, for the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, for Hong Kong’s reputation, and for the steady and sustained implementation of One Country, Two Systems.

Jimmy Lai is a Chinese national. The judicial case is purely an internal affair of the Hong Kong SAR. We urge relevant countries to respect China’s sovereignty, respect the rule of law in Hong Kong, not make irresponsible remarks on the Hong Kong SAR’s handling of the case, and not interfere in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs and China’s internal affairs in any form.

TV Tokyo: There is a view that China’s recent tough stance toward Japan had a significant impact on the outcome of Japan’s election yesterday. What is your assessment of this?

Lin Jian: China never interferes in other countries’ internal affairs and firmly opposes any erroneous words and deeds that interfere in China’s internal affairs, infringe on China’s core interests, violate international law and basic norms governing international relations and disrupt regional peace and stability. China’s policy toward Japan is clear and maintains continuity and consistency. Whichever leader or political party is in power in Japan, they must abide by the four political documents between China and Japan and Japan’s own pacifist Constitution, and honor Japan’s commitments and international obligations.

TV Tokyo: Following Japan’s election results, many posts have appeared on Chinese social media expressing concern about a rightward shift in Japan. How does the Chinese government view this reaction?

Lin Jian: Japanese militarists once led Japan to the war of aggression, committed horrendous crimes against Japan’s Asian neighbors and the world, and also inflicted untold suffering on the Japanese people. No one should forget the potent lessons of history. Only by truly learning those lessons can one look to the future. Whether Japan will stick to the path of peaceful development and take concrete actions to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community, or go against the trend of history and challenge the post-war international order, is a serious question for those running the Japanese government and people with insights in Japan.

TV Asahi: The Liberal Democratic Party won Japan’s Lower House election. Commenting on Sanae Takaichi’s election victory, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he wished Takaichi “great success” in passing her “peace through strength agenda.” What is China’s comment?

Lin Jian: The election is Japan’s domestic affair. The way that the U.S. and Japan handle their bilateral relations should be conducive to keeping the region peaceful and stable.

AFP: It’s been reported that U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace will hold a leaders’ meeting in Washington, D.C. on February 19. That’s next Thursday. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that China was invited to this meeting? If so, will China attend and who?

Lin Jian: We previously answered questions concerning the Board of Peace and have nothing to add.

AFP: China has overturned the death sentence of Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, according to a Canadian official and Schellenberg’s lawyer. Does the Foreign Ministry have comments on this decision? Can it be seen as a signal of improving relations between China and Canada?

Lin Jian: We’ve learned that relevant Chinese judicial authorities recently reviewed the death penalty case and issued a ruling. For anything specific, I’d refer you to competent authorities.

Let me stress that Chinese judicial authorities handle the case and make the ruling independently in accordance with the law.