AFP: Canada’s Liberal Party led by Mark Carney won the election. What is China’s reaction to his victory? How does China view the future of China-Canada ties? 

Guo Jiakun: China noted relevant report. China’s position on its relations with Canada is consistent and clear. China stands ready to grow its relations with Canada on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Kyodo News: When talking with the Chinese side in Beijing during their recent visit to China, the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ Union expressed their hope that China will lease giant pandas to Japan again. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: Giant pandas living in Japan are loved by people there. When giant panda Xiang Xiang was about to return to China in 2023, many locals, reluctant to see Xiang Xiang leave, waited in long lines to say goodbye to her. Over the years, China and Japan have achieved good results in giant panda breeding, scientific research, technical exchanges and raising public awareness. We welcome Japan’s continuous interest in international cooperation on giant panda conservation and support for China’s giant panda conservation endeavor to jointly protect this special species. As far as I know, the two countries maintain close communication on relevant cooperation.

China News Service: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Today marks the 28th anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Japan’s abandoned chemical weapons (ACWs) in China are vital testaments to the crimes committed by Japanese militarists to the Chinese people, and the disposal of the ACWs is an important work under the CWC. Could you elaborate on the process of this endeavor? What are China’s concerns on this?

Guo Jiakun: The Japanese army’s abandoned chemical weapons (ACWs) mark one of the gravest crimes committed by the Japanese militarist aggressors during the war of aggression against China. Eighty years have passed since the end of the war, yet the Japanese ACWs are still threatening and even jeopardizing the safety of people’s life and property and the environment of relevant regions in China. To remove the hazardous ACWs is Japan’s unshirkable historical, political and legal responsibility. It is also an international obligation stipulated by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). With China’s active assistance, Japan so far has excavated and retrieved about 150,000 ACWs and destroyed about 120,000. However, the disposal process is still seriously lagging behind schedule in general.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It also marks the 28th anniversary of the entry into force of the CWC. However, there are still Japanese ACWs remaining on China’s territory. China urges the Japanese side to earnestly fulfill its responsibility under relevant convention, fully and faithfully implement the Destruction Plan Beyond the Year 2022 for the Chemical Weapons Abandoned by Japan in the People’s Republic of China in its entirety, and expedite the ACWs disposal process, so that the day will come sooner when the Chinese people no longer have to live on soil threatened and tainted by ACWs, and when justice is restored to the international community.

Bloomberg: Yesterday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that he believes it’s up to China to deescalate on the tariff war, because “they sell five times more to us than we sell to them, so these 125 percent tariffs are unsustainable.” Do you also agree or does China agree that it’s China’s responsibility to deescalate first?

Guo Jiakun: China has made it clear more than once that there is no winner in a tariff war or a trade war. This tariff war is launched by the U.S. If a negotiated solution is truly what the U.S. wants, it should stop threatening and exerting pressure, and seek dialogue with China based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.

Reuters: The Foreign Ministry WeChat account this morning published a video, both in English and Chinese, in which it said China would not kneel to the U.S. and accused Donald Trump of “playing a 90-day pause game with other nations and forcing them to limit trade with China.” Do you have any comment on this? 

Guo Jiakun: Thank you for your attention to the social media accounts of the MFA. We hope this video will help everyone better understand China’s position.

RIA Novosti: Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to 11. I wonder what’s China’s comment on this.

Guo Jiakun: China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is very clear. We support all efforts for peace. We hope relevant parties will continue to resolve the crisis through dialogue and negotiation.

Bloomberg: Today, Korean media Yonhap reported that a Korean boy band is going to play a concert next month in Fuzhou in China. This would be the first Korean or K-pop concert in China for nine years. Can you confirm that this is happening? Why there hasn’t been any concert like this for several years?

Guo Jiakun: I’m not familiar with the specifics of the performance you mentioned. Let me stress that we are open to useful cultural exchanges and cooperation with the ROK. We hope that the ROK will work with China to advance bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

AFP: Syria’s Foreign Minister said his government wants to strengthen relations with China when he met the Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. Can you provide any information on that meeting between Fu Cong and Asaad al-Shaibani? Is China willing to strengthen ties with the new regime in Syria? 

Guo Jiakun: The people of China and Syria enjoy a traditional friendship. China supports Syria in realizing peace at an early date and finding a nation-reconstruction plan that meets its people’s aspirations through inclusive dialogue. We hope that Syria would firmly oppose all forms of terrorist and extremist forces.

AFP: The Italian tire producer Pirelli has reportedly said that Sinochem’s control of the company has ended under a new government ruling that allows the government to block foreign control over strategic assets. Would China’s Foreign Ministry like to comment on this development?

Guo Jiakun: As for the specific details, I’d refer you to competent Chinese authorities.

AFP: Gunfire exchanges between the Indian and Pakistani troops continued again last night after the attack of tourists in Kashmir. Does China plan on stepping in to mediate? 

Guo Jiakun: Both India and Pakistan are important countries in South Asia. Their harmonious coexistence is vital to the peace, stability and development of the region. As the neighbor of the two countries, China calls on the two sides to exercise restraint, properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly keep the region peaceful and stable.

Bloomberg: Today, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said that it’s willing to support cooperation with Boeing, the U.S. airline company, days after rejecting delivery of Boeing jets. Is this a change in China’s position towards Boeing and also towards imports from the U.S. more generally? And would this be seen as a deescalation by the Chinese side?

Guo Jiakun: On the cooperation of specific program, the Ministry of Commerce has issued a press release, which you may refer to. China’s position on the tariff issue is consistent. If the U.S. wants to work on the issue, it should stop threatening and pressuring China, and conduct dialogue with China on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit.