CCTV: As the Spring Festival approaches, diverse celebrations are taking place worldwide. There are traditional elements, such as dragon and lion dance, lantern display, writing the character Fu, and Hanfu clothing experience. Innovative elements also abound, such as humanoid robots at the UN’s celebration, AI red envelopes, and digital goods for the festival. For many people overseas, it’s quite trendy to come to China to celebrate the Spring Festival. Some foreign media say that this Spring Festival may be the busiest and most anticipated holiday travel season. What’s your comment?  

Lin Jian: This will be the second Spring Festival since its inscription on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. The festival is becoming a global holiday and a cultural feast for the world. As you said, the Spring Festival customs offer a glimpse of not only traditional Chinese culture but also modern technology and innovation, and become all the more invigorating when celebrated worldwide.

The signature color red of the Spring Festival is adding festive vibes across the world, just as “China travel” has become a magnet to international tourists. The Spring Festival is China’s invitation to the world to get to know its culture. Traditions such as family reunion, staying up late to ring in the new year, and exchanging Chinese New Year greetings shine a spotlight on the rich heritage and diverse charm, and touch a soft spot with people worldwide. As the world witnesses growing tension and division, the values embodied by the Spring Festival such as peace, inclusiveness and harmony is a source of warmth and resilience for the world. We look forward to welcoming even more foreign friends to come and celebrate the Spring Festival in China. We hope and believe that these Spring Festival journeys will become bridges between cultures and strong bonds that connect China with the rest of the world.

The Year of the Horse is just around the corner. Horse symbolizes courage, wisdom, diligence, resilience, and enterprise. Let us galvanize ourselves with the “vigor of a galloping horse”—to use a Chinese idiom—enhance mutual understanding and exchanges, and make a common effort to energize world peace and development.

China-Arab TV: Several measures were approved by the Israeli cabinet to strengthen its control of the West Bank. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned it as colonialism and war crime. What’s China’s comment?

Lin Jian: Gaza and the West Bank are both Palestine’s inalienable territory. The two-State solution is the fundamental way out of the Palestinian question. China opposes the establishment of settlements on the occupied Palestinian territory. China opposes any attempt to annex or encroach on Palestinian territory and disrupt the political foundation of the two-State solution. The current situation in Gaza remains highly fragile. Relevant parties need to stop any action that may worsen or escalate the tensions.

AFP: On the Netherlands. A Dutch court on Wednesday ordered a formal investigation into so-called mismanagement of Nexperia. Does China have any response to this?

Lin Jian: Competent authorities have stated our position on the Nexperia issue on multiple occasions. The root cause of the Nexperia issue is the improper administrative intervention of the Dutch side in the operations of businesses. The Dutch side needs to create enabling conditions for companies to resolve internal disputes as soon as possible and for keeping global semiconductor supply chains stable and unimpeded. China will continue supporting Chinese companies in safeguarding their legitimate and lawful rights and interests.

Brasil de Fato: Yesterday, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs stated it was “concerned” that Peru could become “powerless to oversee” the Port of Chancay under Chinese owners, warning that “Chinese money costs sovereignty.” How does China respond to these U.S. public statements on a commercial and judicial matter between Peru and a Chinese company?

Lin Jian: China strongly opposes and deplores the U.S. false accusation and disinformation against the Chancay port.

AFP: Lai Ching-te said in an interview that if Taiwan were “annexed” by China, “the next countries under threat would be Japan, the Philippines, and others in the Indo-Pacific region.” What is China’s response?

Lin Jian: Lai Ching-te’s remarks once again reveal his nature as a diehard separatist for “Taiwan independence.” He has fully proven himself to be the saboteur of peace, maker of crises and instigator of war. “Taiwan independence” is the root of all threats to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Whatever Lai Ching-te says or does, it does not change the fact backed by history and law that Taiwan belongs to China, or the world’s abiding commitment to the one-China principle, and still less the inevitability of China’s reunification. Seeking independence by soliciting foreign support and resisting reunification through military buildup are just futile and doomed to fail.

Antara: Indonesia is reportedly planning to deploy 8,000 troops for peacekeeping missions in Gaza under the Board of Peace. As the second-largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and the largest troop-contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, will China deploy peacekeepers to Gaza as part of its humanitarian efforts to help rebuild the Palestinian homeland?

Lin Jian: China has made clear its stance on the situation in Gaza on multiple occasions. We hope that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza can be effectively implemented, a full and lasting ceasefire be realized, the humanitarian crisis be effectively alleviated and regional stability be restored at an early date. 

Reuters: Do you have any comment on the French Agriculture Ministry recently naming a Chinese company as the producer of a contaminated milk formula ingredient behind the widespread recall of milk powder in Europe?

Lin Jian: I’m not familiar with the specifics. I would like to point out that the Chinese government attaches great importance to food safety and will continue taking effective measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.

Bloomberg: We’re wondering if the Foreign Ministry could respond to the report that President Trump is expected to travel to China in early April for a summit with President Xi. Sources say that they expect the trade truce to be extended. We are looking for comment on this. The second question is that the U.S. Energy Ministry’s Chris Wright told reporters that China recently bought crude oil from Venezuela that had earlier been purchased by the U.S., and that the U.S. is looking at more deals with China regarding Venezuela’s oil sector. Can you confirm the recent oil purchase, and does the Foreign Ministry have any further comment?

Lin Jian: On your first question, heads-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations. During the telephone conversation between the two presidents a few days ago, President Trump once again expressed his desire to visit China in April. President Xi Jinping renewed the invitation to President Trump to visit China. The two sides are in communication on this.

The China-U.S. economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial in nature. The two sides need to work together to deliver on the important common understandings between the two presidents, and provide greater certainty and stability for China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation and the global economy.

On your second question, I am not familiar with that.

AFP: Lai Ching-te said that he “would like Taiwan and Europe to enhance cooperation in the defense industry and on defense technology.” What is your response?

Lin Jian: I have made it very clear that seeking independence by soliciting foreign support and resisting reunification through military buildup are just futile and doomed to fail.