AFP: U.S. President Donald Trump said that he was postponing any strikes against Iran’s power plants for five days to allow for talks. Trump said that his administration was speaking with an unidentified Iranian top official. What is China’s comment on this? And what is China’s position on who the U.S. should negotiate with from Iran?

Lin Jian: A drawn-out conflict serves no one’s interest. Ceasefire and dialogue is the only way out. China is deeply concerned about the continued escalation and spillovers, which have dealt a blow to regional and international peace and stability. We call on relevant parties to end hostilities immediately and return to the track of peace and dialogue as soon as possible.

Reuters: The European Union and Australia have signed a trade deal today and European Commission President von der Leyen in her speech about this deal said that the EU and Australia’s critical mineral partnership would be crucial and that both cannot be overdependent on any supplier. She also spoke out against absorbing China’s export-led growth model and industrial overcapacity. Does China have a response to these remarks?

Lin Jian: International trade is in essence a two-way choice by the market that benefits both sides. The EU itself has always enjoyed a trade surplus. China’s high-quality and innovative products enrich global supply, boost trade and drive industrial development. China never seeks trade surplus. In fact, 40% of exports of China-based European companies are sold to Europe and counted as China’s surplus. But the profits of the sales go to European investors. China is ready to be not only a “world factory” but also a “world market”. Committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening-up, China is actively implementing the strategy of expanding domestic demand. We are increasing imports of quality foreign products through such platforms as the China International Import Expo and the China International Fair for Trade in Services, unlocking consumption potential at a faster pace, and injecting fresh momentum into the world economy.

We hope the EU will abandon the zero-sum mentality, steer clear of protectionist measure, and view China’s development in a rational and objective light. By seizing new opportunities presented by China’s 15th Five-Year Plan blueprint, the two sides can work together to seek robust and balanced trade. It is hoped that the EU will work with China to keep the international trade environment open and inclusive.

AFP: Taiwan said that it would skip for the first time a high-level World Trade Organization meeting in Cameroon. Taiwan said that Cameroon had designated the island as a province of China in paperwork issued to its delegation. What is the Foreign Ministry’s comment on this?

Lin Jian: There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. China’s position on the Taiwan region’s participation in the activities of international organizations is consistent and clear, that is, it must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle. The one-China principle is the political prerequisite for the Taiwan region’s participation in the WTO. The DPP authorities are engaging in political manipulation despicably under the pretext of participation in the WTO conference to create disruption and serve their “Taiwan independence” agenda. There is no way they will succeed.

As the international economic and trade order faces severe challenges with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise and the multilateral trading system gravely impacted, it is of special significance that the WTO holds a ministerial conference in Africa again after a decade. China firmly supports Cameroon in making this WTO Ministerial Conference a success.

Reuters: This is according to a draft reviewed by Reuters. Japan will downgrade its description of ties with China from “one of the most important” to instead describing China as an important neighbor and the relationship as “strategic and mutually beneficial.” This is in an annual diplomatic report that is being under review by the government. Does China have any comment on this?

Lin Jian: The root cause of the current situation facing China-Japan relations is Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s erroneous remarks on Taiwan, which have sparked outrage from the Chinese people and tested the red line of the post-war international order. If the Japanese side truly wants to improve and develop relations with China, it needs to abide by the four political documents between China and Japan and its own commitments, retract the erroneous remarks on Taiwan as soon as possible, do soul-searching and correct its wrongdoings, and take concrete actions to uphold the political foundation of China-Japan relations. 

AFP: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will travel to China from April 13 to 15 for an official visit, according to his office on Monday. Can China confirm this trip or provide comment for your expectations for this visit?

Lin Jian: China and Spain are comprehensive strategic partners. In recent years, bilateral relations have maintained sound momentum. On the visit that you mentioned, I have no information to share at the moment. Please stay tuned. 

Global Times: We’ve learned that this morning, a member of the Japanese ‌Self-Defense Forces broke into China’s embassy in Tokyo. Could you share more details with us?

Lin Jian: On the morning of March 24, a man who claimed himself to be a sitting officer of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces scaled the wall and broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo. The individual admitted ‌that his actions were illegal and threatened to ‌kill Chinese diplomats in the so-called “name of god.”

China is deeply shocked at this incident and has lodged strong démarches and protests with Japan. The incident is a serious violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and posed a grave threat to the safety and security of Chinese diplomatic personnel and facilities. The incident is egregious in both nature and impact. The incident once again highlighted the danger of the rampant spread of far-right impact and neo-militarism in the country. It also reveals the toxicity of the Japanese government’s erroneous policies on vital issues concerning China-Japan relations such as history and Taiwan, and Japan’s failure in maintaining discipline in SDF and in fulfilling its responsibility to protect the Chinese diplomatic and consular premises and personnel.

China asks the Japanese side to thoroughly investigate the incident at once, bring the full weight of law to bear on the perpetrator and fully account for the incident. The Japanese side must ensure the safety and security of Chinese diplomatic and consular premises and personnel, reflect on and correct its erroneous policies on China and get rid of the root cause for such incidents once and for all. The international community needs to stay on high alert against Japan’s accelerating rightward turn and loss of control inside the rapidly expanding SDF.