President Xi Jinping’s Special Representative, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Zhang Guoqing will be in Azerbaijan from May 17 to 18 for the Leaders’ Summit of the 13th World Urban Forum upon invitation.

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sara Beysolow Nyanti of Liberia will pay an official visit to China from May 18 to 22.

Shenzhen TV: It is reported that, on May 15, Matthew Wale, the opposition leader of the Solomon Islands, was elected as the new prime minister. Can I have your comment? What’s China’s expectations on its relations with the Solomon Islands?

Guo Jiakun: China congratulates Mr. Matthew Wale on his election as the prime minister of the Solomon Islands. China is ready to work with the country’s new government to expand practical cooperation in various fields, continue deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development, and promote new progress in building a China-Solomon Islands community with a shared future in the new era.

The New York Times: President Trump said that China had agreed to buy 200 Boeing jets. What is China’s position?

Guo Jiakun: China-U.S. economic and trade ties are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. Both sides need to act on the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state and inject more stability into bilateral economic and trade cooperation and the world economy.

TV Asahi: Are there any outcomes on AI cooperation during the talks between the Chinese and U.S. presidents? How does China and the U.S. plan to carry out such cooperation?

Guo Jiakun: China believes that all parties should jointly promote the open and inclusive development of AI for good and for all.

CCTV: According to reports, in the recent general election held in The Bahamas, incumbent Prime Minister Philip Davis, head of the Progressive Liberal Party, was reelected. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: China congratulates Prime Minister Philip Davis on winning another term. The Bahamas is China’s important cooperation partner in the Caribbean. Bilateral ties have enjoyed sustained and steady growth. China stands ready to work with The Bahamas to further deepen political mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation in various areas and deliver more benefits to both peoples.

Reuters: British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will visit China according to sources. Could the foreign ministry confirm this and what are the Chinese sides’ expectations of her visit?

Guo Jiakun: Both China and the UK are permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world. To develop a sustained and steady China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership is an important common understanding reached between the leaders of the two countries. China stands ready to maintain close exchanges and dialogue with the UK side and jointly work for continued development in our friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation. On the visit you mentioned, I have nothing to share at the moment.

The New York Times: Are there any further agricultural deals that China has agreed during President Trump’s visit to Beijing?

Guo Jiakun: During the visit, the two sides reached important common understandings on maintaining stable economic and trade ties, expanding practical cooperation in various areas, and properly resolving respective concerns. The Chinese side stands ready to work with the U.S. side to act on the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state and continuously expand the list of cooperation and deliver for both sides in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit.

AFP: During the talks between Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, did China agree to purchase American oil in the future?

Guo Jiakun: China stands ready to work with all sides to ensure global energy security and keep global industrial and supply chains stable. The pressing task is to restore peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region.

Reuters: President Trump’s warm words of friendship towards Chinese leader have attracted a lot of global media attention. The two leaders are expected to meet each other at more summits this year. How does the Chinese side characterize their relationship?

Guo Jiakun: Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance to China-U.S. relations. Sound communication and interaction between the two presidents can steer China-U.S. relations in a steady, sound and sustainable direction. The two sides are in communication regarding their interaction for the rest of the year.

NHK: Could you confirm the report that Russian President Putin will be visiting China?

Guo Jiakun: China and Russia maintain close communication on preparations for the meeting between the two presidents. We will release information in due course.

Beijing Daily: It is reported that, on May 14, Niue’s assembly re-elected Dalton Tagelagi as its prime minister. What’s your comment? Can you share China’s expectations for its relations with Niue?

Guo Jiakun: China congratulates Dalton Tagelagi on his re-election as the prime minister of Niue. China attaches great importance to developing its relations with Niue, and is ready to work with the country’s new government to strengthen political mutual trust, expand exchanges and cooperation, and elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development to new heights to deliver more benefits to our two peoples.

The New York Times: Has there been any new understanding reached between the United States and China regarding the supply of rare earths?

Guo Jiakun: China has released readouts on the meetings between President Xi and President Trump. China is always committed to keeping global supply chains stable and secure.

Bloomberg: President Trump posted on social media that the Chinese leader referred to the U.S. as being a “declining nation,” which was actually referring to the period under Biden and other administrations, and not referring to the Trump administration. Does China see today’s America as a country that’s in decline?

Guo Jiakun: President Trump hopes to make America great again. Under his leadership, the American people have scored important achievements for their country’s prosperity. President Xi Jinping is leading the Chinese people in the endeavor of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Both China and the United States stand to gain in their respective development and rejuvenation endeavors from strengthening cooperation with each another.

AFP: The White House has also said that, during talks between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, China has agreed to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Can China confirm that it has agreed to do so?

Guo Jiakun: China’s position on the Iran situation is very clear. The conflict has inflicted severe losses on the people in Iran and other regional countries. With the spillover still expanding, the conflict has put a heavy strain on global economic growth, supply chains, international trade order and the stability of global energy supply, which hurts the common interests of the international community. There is no point in continuing this conflict which should not have happened in the first place. To find an early way to resolve the situation is in the interest of not only the U.S. and Iran, but also regional countries and the rest of the world.

The recent U.S.-Iran ceasefire and effort to explore resolving issues through negotiation is welcomed by regional countries and the international community. China always believes that dialogue and negotiation is the right way forward, and the use of force is a dead end. Now that the door of dialogue has been opened, it should not be shut again. It is important to steady the momentum in easing the situation, keep to the direction of political settlement, engage in dialogue and consultation, and reach a settlement on the Iranian nuclear issue and other issues that accommodates the concerns of all parties. It is important to reopen the shipping lanes as soon as possible to respond to the call of the international community and jointly keep the global supply chains stable and unimpeded. It is important to reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire as soon as possible, enable peace and stability to return to the Middle East and Gulf region at an early date, and lay the foundation for building a sustainable security architecture for the region.

Since the conflict began, China has been working for an end to the conflict and peace. President Xi Jinping put forward the four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. China and Pakistan issued the five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region. China will continue to act in line with President Xi Jinping’s four propositions, and work with the international community to provide stronger support for peace talks and play a constructive role in achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.

The New York Times: Did the leaders of the United States and China discuss export controls, particularly on American semiconductors?

Guo Jiakun: The Chinese side has made clear on multiple occasions its principled position on U.S. export of chips to China.

AFP: Did the two leaders discuss the issue of human rights? Specifically, did they discuss the release of Jimmy Lai and others?

Guo Jiakun: China has released readouts on the meetings between the two presidents. As to the Lai Chee-ying case, China has made clear its position more than once. Lai is the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the series of riots that shook Hong Kong. Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs. The central government of China firmly supports the Hong Kong judicial authorities in performing duties in accordance with the law.

The New York Times: Yesterday morning, the General Administration of Customs website showed that 600 American slaughterhouses have been approved to export beef to China. But yesterday evening, roughly 400 of those slaughterhouses were marked as having export licenses that were not valid. Why did that change during the day yesterday?

Guo Jiakun: During the visit, the two sides reached important common understandings on maintaining stable economic and trade ties. We stand ready to work with the U.S. side to act on the important common understandings reached between the two presidents and continuously expand the list of cooperation and deliver for both peoples in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit. As to your specific question, I’d refer you to competent Chinese authorities.