At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will pay an official visit to China from April 11 to 15.

At the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will visit the DPRK from April 9 to 10.

CCTV: On the upcoming visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, can you share the arrangement and China’s expectations for the visit?

Mao Ning: This will be the prime minister’s fourth visit to China within four years. It will also be another important high-level exchange between China and Spain shortly after last year’s visits to China by the King and prime minister of Spain. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhao Leji will hold talks and meet with him respectively for in-depth exchanges of views on the bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

Spain is an important cooperation partner of China in the EU. Over recent years, under the strategic guidance of leaders of the two countries, bilateral relations have achieved robust development, and cooperation in various fields has made solid progress, which effectively improved the wellbeing of both peoples. The upcoming visit of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will provide another opportunity for China and Spain working together to deepen strategic mutual trust, have closer exchanges and cooperation, and step up coordination on multilateral affairs, so as to bring the China-Spain relations to a new height and make greater contribution to world peace and stability.

Sky News: President Donald Trump suggested that he believes it was China that pushed Iran to negotiate the ceasefire deal that we now have. Are you able to confirm that this is true, if China was involved with bringing those parties to the table? And secondly, if China was involved, there already seemed to be quite significant discrepancies and confusion about some of the terms, particularly whether Lebanon is included in the ceasefire and whether the enrichment of uranium is part of the 10-point plan presented to the Americans. Are you able to shed any light on any of those specifics? And crucially, is the deal falling apart before it even really began?

Mao Ning: Since the fighting began, China has worked actively to help bring about an end to the conflict. Foreign Minister Wang Yi made 26 phones calls with his counterparts from relevant countries. The Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue traveled to the Gulf and Middle East region in a mediation effort. China and Pakistan jointly put forward the five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region. As a responsible major country, China will continue playing a constructive role and making positive contribution to restoring peace and tranquility in the Gulf and Middle East region.

China Daily: To follow up on Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to the DPRK, can you share the program and China’s expectation of the visit?

Mao Ning: China and the DPRK are traditional friends and neighbors connected by mountains and rivers. It is an unswerving strategic policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to maintain, consolidate and develop China-DPRK relations. Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s upcoming visit is an important step for the two sides to act on the common understandings between the top leaders of the two parties and two countries and to advance the development of China-DPRK ties. China stands ready to work with the DPRK to step up strategic communication, enhance exchanges and cooperation, and further advance China-DPRK traditional friendship and cooperative ties.

Sputnik: It was previously reported that Iran intended to collect shipping fees from each vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz and split the revenues with Oman. What’s China’s position on this? And given that China is in touch with all sides, can the foreign ministry confirm if this model applies to the ceasefire arrangement that was just brokered?

Mao Ning: The Strait of Hormuz is an important international trade route for goods and energy. Keeping the area safe and stable and ensuring unimpeded passage serves the common interest of the international community. We hope that all sides can work together for the early resumption of normal traffic at the Strait.

China News Service: We’ve learned that Pakistani and Afghan delegations recently met with Chinese delegation in Urumqi. Can you confirm that and what’s your comment?

Mao Ning: Based on the common understandings reached between Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi, representatives of the three sides held week-long informal talks in Urumqi, Xinjiang from April 1 to 7. The cross-departmental delegations of the three sides include representatives from authorities in charge of foreign affairs, defense and security. The discussions were candid, pragmatic and proceeded in a sound atmosphere, which shows that the talks follow an approach oriented towards solving problems, striving for results and taking actions.

The Afghan and Pakistani delegations spoke highly of the Global Security Initiative and the Asian security model put forward by President Xi Jinping, in particular his important visions of seeking commonality despite differences, treating each other as equals, and championing dialogue and consultation for peaceful settlement of disputes. The two sides commended and thanked China for the mediation effort and thoughtful arrangement as the host country of the talks. They also expressed appreciation for China’s fair and just position and utmost effort.

The Afghan and Pakistani sides reiterated that they follow the purposes and spirit of the UN Charter and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, stay committed to resolving differences as soon as possible, work for the turnaround of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, and agree to refrain from actions that may escalate or complicate the situation. China expressed readiness to maintain communication with both sides, provide the platform for dialogue, and continue to play a constructive role for improving and developing Afghanistan-Pakistan relations and enhancing practical trilateral cooperation among the three countries.

Intensive bilateral and trilateral meetings were held in seven days. China noted and summed up the talks and common understandings as follows: Afghanistan and Pakistan reiterated that the two countries are Muslim brothers and neighbors. The three sides believed that amid the turbulent and changing international and regional situation, maintaining friendly ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan is of vital importance to peoples in both countries as well as peace and stability in South Asia. The three sides stressed that dialogue and consultation is the viable and effective way to resolve complex international disputes, including the disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The three sides agreed to discuss a comprehensive plan to resolve issues in the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and identified the core and priority issues. China stressed that terrorism is the core issue affecting Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. The three sides believed that the Urumqi process is substantive, and agreed to maintain communication and dialogue on the process.

Hubei Media Group: It’s reported that the Security Council yesterday voted on the draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz submitted by Bahrain. The resolution failed to pass after China and Russia vetoed against it. According to permanent representatives of China and Russia to the UN, the two countries submitted to the Council a new draft resolution on the current Middle East situation and maritime security. Can you share more details?

Mao Ning: On the draft resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz voted at the Security Council, China’s permanent representative to the UN in the explanation of vote has elaborated on China’s stance. China maintains that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Gulf States should be fully respected, and the safety and security of shipping lanes and energy infrastructure should also be safeguarded. The root cause of the disruption at the Strait of Hormuz is the U.S.-Israel illegal military operations against Iran. The fundamental solution to ensuring safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz is to end the conflict as soon as possible. The Security Council’s actions should be aimed at deescalating the situation. They must not provide the legal veneer for unauthorized military operations. The Council’s actions must not grant a license to the use of force, let alone add fuel to the fire, thereby leading to an escalation of the conflict. China’s position on the vote is objective and impartial, and will stand the test of history.

The draft resolution jointly submitted by China and Russia concerning the Strait of Hormuz has been officially circulated to Council members. The text of that draft resolution is objective and fair, aiming at easing tensions, calling for dialogue and negotiations, and upholding navigational rights and freedoms. It responds to what the international community calls for and we hope that it will receive extensive support. China is ready to work with parties concerned to make relentless effort for an early deescalation and restoration of peace and stability in the Strait and the Middle East region.

The New York Times: Did China make a specific request in the past couple of days to Iran to agree to some outline of a ceasefire?

Mao Ning: I just spoke on some of the work that China has done. We have been making active efforts to promote peace talks and end hostilities.

Anadolu Agency: I will also ask about the ceasefire deal. I want to learn about what’s your comment about it, because there are parallels with your own during the crisis. There is a deal for two weeks and about opening of the Hormuz Strait. So we see some elements that China also was calling for. So I want to know what’s your comment about the deal. Secondly, we know that Pakistan has brokered this deal. But I want to also learn, were you directly involved with any party during this process for the ceasefire, I mean specifically with one party and make recommendations to that party?

Mao Ning: China welcomes the announcement of the ceasefire arrangement by relevant parties. We support the mediation efforts by countries including Pakistan. We have all along been calling on parties to end hostilities as soon as possible and resolve disputes through political and diplomatic channels to achieve enduring peace and security in the Gulf and Middle East region. China has made active effort to this end.

Sky News: Another question related to the Middle East. Despite the ceasefire agreements and the agreement to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the energy crisis that’s been caused by all this and that has hit Asia very very hard is likely to continue for some time. China has been accused throughout of being more insulated from that energy crisis because it continues to import sanctioned Iranian oil and then it obscures the fact it does this via shadow fleet and hard-to-trace transactions. Does China deny that it uses so-called teapot refineries to deal in sanctioned Iranian oil? And what do you say to the accusation that this trade has elongated the conflict?

Mao Ning: The root cause for the impact on world economy and energy security is the Iran conflict. China always stands firmly against illicit unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or the authorization of the UN Security Council.

Yonhap News Agency: First question, the DPRK fired ballistic missiles yesterday and today, a move in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. What’s China’s comment? Second question, after ROK President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone flights into the North, Kim Yo-jong, department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, said on Monday that President of the State Affairs Kim Jong-un assessed Lee as having a “frank and broad-minded” attitude. But the DPRK’s first vice foreign minister, Jang Kum-chol, reiterated yesterday Pyongyang’s unchanged hostile stance against Seoul. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: On your first question, we have noted varying descriptions of the nature of the projectiles.

On your second question, we have noted the recent statements. China’s basic position on the Korean Peninsula issue remains unchanged.

Associated Press: A couple of questions. One related to Iran. Can you tell us a little bit more about the behind-the-scenes China is doing to try to solve this crisis? I know that maybe you cannot tell us a lot of details, but if you can talk about why China is privileging behind the scenes than going public in the effort? Second, Pakistan and Afghanistan, have you agreed on a new meeting here in China or not yet for the peace talks?

Mao Ning: On your first question, we have shared information about China’s efforts on multiple occasions. China always advocates resolving disputes through political and diplomatic channels and maintains communication with various parties regarding this. We will continue working for easing tensions and bringing about a full stop of hostilities.

On your second question, I have shared information in detail just now. One of the important common understandings reached at the unofficial talks is that the three sides agreed to maintain communication and believed that the Urumqi process is substantive, so going forward, we can expect meetings at various levels.

The New York Times: Iran’s ambassador to China reportedly asked for a security guarantee from China just now. What is China’s position? Would you consider security guarantee for Iran?

Mao Ning: We hope parties can properly settle disputes through dialogue and negotiation. China will maintain communication with all parties and continue to work for deescalation and put an end to the conflict.

BBC: In terms of securing this peace, has China made any specific offer to be part of that, for example, to send ships to the region or in any way play a role in making sure that the current peace holds?

Mao Ning: I have nothing to share at the moment.

EFE: According to reports, Brazilian authorities have added Chinese automaker BYD to a list of companies linked to labor conditions analogous to slavery following an inspection at one of its projects. What is China’s view on this case?

Mao Ning: The Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting the lawful rights and interests of workers and always asks Chinese companies to abide by laws and regulations in their operation.

Reuters: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the U.S. has been able to access Chinese rare earths, but the U.S. is nonetheless working on plurilateral agreements to boost alternative supplies. Should the U.S. be concerned about the return of Chinese curbs on rare earths export to the U.S.?

Mao Ning: For anything specific, I’d refer you to competent authorities. Let me point out that China-U.S. economic and trade relations are mutually-beneficial in nature. The two sides need to jointly deliver on the important common understandings between the two presidents, and provide greater stability to China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation.

BBC: I want to ask you about the death of a Chinese researcher in the United States at the University of Michigan. Can you tell us if the Chinese government has any concerns regarding his death, especially since apparently his death followed some questioning from the authorities in the United States? Any more information on what China would like to see happen with this case?

Mao Ning: China has stated its position on the heartbreaking incident. Let me stress again that China calls on the U.S. to carry out a full investigation, give the family of the victim and the Chinese side a responsible explanation, and stop any discriminatory law enforcement targeting Chinese scholars and students in the U.S. China will continue to take what is necessary to firmly defend Chinese citizens’ legitimate and lawful rights and interests.

Associated Press: We have seen reports that Viet Nam’s top leader To Lam is planning to come to China. Do you have any information about that?

Mao Ning: I have no information to share at the moment.