At the invitation of the government of the Russian Federation, from June 19 to 21, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang will attend the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia.

CCTV: What’s China’s expectation regarding Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang’s trip to Russia for the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum?

Guo Jiakun: The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is an important platform for discussions on global economic governance and consensus-building on international cooperation. President Xi Jinping attended the forum twice upon invitation, sending the important message of upholding true multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for mankind, which resonated strongly with the international community. The theme for this year’s forum is “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World,” which will be the focus of the forum’s conversations as participants explore effective ways to tackle global issues.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang will attend the forum’s events and meet with Russian leaders. China looks forward to enhancing communication and exchanges at the forum to build consensus on cooperation, advocate humanity’s common values, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and give a strong boost to improving global governance and promoting development and prosperity in the world. China is also willing to work with Russia to follow through on the important common understandings reached between our two heads of state, deepen practical cooperation in all areas, and continue to advance the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.

CGTN: Israel’s strikes on Iran have led to escalation of military conflict. Local people are facing severe security risks. Does China plan to evacuate Chinese nationals in Iran and Israel?

Guo Jiakun: Keeping our fellow nationals safe abroad is an absolute priority for the government. As soon as conflict broke out between Israel and Iran, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and our embassies and consulates in Iran and Israel activated the consular emergency response mechanism. We have asked both countries to effectively protect the safety and security of Chinese nationals and institutions, issued timely alerts and safety advisories, and stayed in close touch with local Chinese citizens and institutions to provide instructions for safety precautions and  emergency shelter. We are also providing active assistance to Chinese nationals evacuating from the region. Some of them have already been safely relocated to neighboring countries.

Our Ministry and relevant embassies and consulates are working with other government agencies to do everything possible to keep Chinese nationals in Iran and Israel safe and swiftly organize their evacuation. Chinese nationals in Israel and Iran, please contact our local embassies and consulates, or dial the consular service hotline 12308.

Anadolu Agency: U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform wrote “everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran” as Israel’s military continued its attacks on Iran’s capital. He said Iran should have signed “the deal”, which refers to the negotiations on the nation’s nuclear program. What is China’s comment? I wonder how do you see Washington’s attitude that is just one-sided and has let Israel do the attacks on Iran’s territories.

Guo Jiakun: The heating up of the Middle East region serves no one’s interests. To fan up the flames, use threats and exert pressure does not help deescalate the situation and will only aggravate tensions and enlarge the conflict. China calls on relevant parties, especially countries with special influence on Israel, to take up their due responsibilities and take immediate actions to cool down the situation and prevent further spread of the conflict.

China News Service: Today is the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. We noted that China is working with Central Asian countries to tackle the Aral Sea ecological crisis, which brings green hope to the “dry tears” of Central Asia. Could you share with us more details?

Guo Jiakun: Desertification is a challenge for both China and the Central Asian countries. At the first China-Central Asia Summit in 2023, President Xi Jinping said China will work with Central Asian countries to tackle the ecological crisis of the Aral Sea. Over the past two-plus years, we have carried out in-depth joint scientific exploration, worked on the improvement of saline-alkali land, and established a demonstration zone of water-saving cotton fields, which were welcomed and highly recognized by local people.

Tackling the ecological crisis of the Aral Sea is an epitome of China’s contribution to the global efforts to combat desertification. As a signatory of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, China has actively observed the convention, conducted international cooperation in desertification prevention and control in a results-oriented way, and injected driving force into the green development of the Global South. We stand ready to deepen cooperation in ecological and environmental protection with Central Asian countries and the rest of the world to jointly create more miracles of turning desert into oasis.

Bloomberg: The Financial Times is reporting that the EU-China high-level economic dialogue has been canceled by the EU because they didn’t see any point of having discussions with China when there is no progress on trade issues. Can you confirm that the dialogue will not go ahead and if you have any further comment on that?

Guo Jiakun: For anything specific, I’d refer you to competent authorities. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and the EU. In an increasingly volatile world with rising unilateralism and economic bullying, greater strategic communication and further dialogue and cooperation between China and the EU benefit both sides and the rest of the world. The two sides have maintained communication on trade and other issues.

We stand ready to work with the EU to implement the important common understandings between Chinese and EU leaders, strengthen high-level exchanges, dialogue and cooperation, and promote the steady and sustained development of China-EU relations.

EFE: According to Ecuadorian officials, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa will meet with Chinese leader. Could China share with us the arrangement of the meeting and the latest progress in China-Ecuador relations?  

Guo Jiakun: China and Ecuador are comprehensive strategic partners. The growth of our bilateral relations has maintained sound momentum. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties. China stands ready to work with Ecuador to elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and deliver more tangibly to the two peoples.

As to your specific question, I have no information to share.  

Anadolu Agency: Israel’s military, during its attacks against Iran, targeted state television channel after the Defense Minister of Israel Katz said Iran’s broadcasting and radio facilities is about to disappear. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the attack and the Iranian side called it “criminal act” and “war crime.” What is China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: China is deeply worried about the escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran. We have expressed serious concerns. We once again call on parties to take immediate measures to ease tensions as soon as possible and prevent the region from spiraling into greater turmoil. To put in place a ceasefire is of utmost urgency. Only dialogue and consultation can bring about lasting peace. We stand ready to maintain close communication with all parties and continue playing a constructive role for a deescalation.

Dragon TV: The 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council opened yesterday. We noted that the event of “Accessibility for All Exhibition: Building an Inclusive Future” opened at the Palace of Nations. This event was jointly held by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland and the United Nations Office at Geneva. Can you share more details about the event?

Guo Jiakun: In October last year, the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus the resolution “Promoting accessibility for the full enjoyment of all human rights by all” tabled by China representing 30 countries. Holding this exhibition is an important step to implement the resolution. The exhibition consists of three parts, information accessibility, cultural accessibility, and physical accessibility, which showcases the thinking behind China’s Law on Building Accessible Environments and the good practices ensuring special groups’ access to the benefits of China’s high-quality development. Over 300 guests, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and representatives of permanent missions at Geneva attended the event. We stand ready to continue putting efforts together to deepen international cooperation on building accessible environments, achieve accessibility for all, deeply engage and take a lead in global human rights governance, and promote sound progress of the international human rights cause.

Ukrinform News Agency: The leaders of China and Kazakhstan, during their meeting in Astana yesterday, along with economic, trade, cultural and other traditional questions, paid great attention to security issues. Does this mean that the Chinese side intends to increase its participation in ensuring security in troubled Central Asia and, if it may say so, replace Russia, which, due to continuation of the aggressive war against Ukraine for more than three years, is losing its ability to help Central Asian countries maintain the appropriate security level?

Guo Jiakun: To keep Central Asia secure and stable is in the interest of countries in this region. China and Russia are Central Asian countries’ good friends and partners. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and friends and neighbors of Central Asian countries, China and Russia share the same firm position of maintaining stability and promoting development in Central Asia. China stands ready to work with other parties to continue contributing to the lasting peace and shared prosperity of the region.

Anadolu Agency: Will China take any initiative to start diplomatic attempt to stop the conflict between Israel and Iran? Iran is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. So my question is, will there be multilateral effort on behalf of these organizations?

Guo Jiakun: Since the conflict broke out, China has been having communication with Iran, Israel and other parties for ceasefire and deescalation. Relevant international organizations have issued statements on the ongoing situation.

Let me stress that the use of force will never bring lasting peace, any international disputes should be resolved through dialogue and consultation, and only through common security can there be a fundamental solution for the legitimate concerns of all parties. China will continue to enhance communication with relevant parties to promote talks for peace and prevent the region from spiraling into greater turmoil.

Anadolu Agency: Does China have any concerns about interruption of energy supplies from Iran as conflict intensifies and Israel targets energy facilities operated by Iran?

Guo Jiakun: China is deeply concerned over Israel’s attacks on Iran and the subsequent spike of regional conflict. It is imperative for relevant parties to take immediate measures to ease tensions as soon as possible, prevent the region from spiraling into greater turmoil, and create conditions for returning to the right track of resolving issues through dialogue and negotiation.

Shenzhen TV: Yesterday foreign ministers of 21 Arab and Islamic countries, including Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Pakistan, Bahrain, Türkiye, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait released a joint statement on the conflicts between Israel and Iran. They emphasized the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and called for efforts of resolving disputes based on the principle of good neighborliness and through peaceful means. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: Israel’s attacks on Iran have led to the spike of conflict in the region. It has become the world’s focus of attention. The most urgent priority is to bring about a ceasefire, take effective measures to avoid further escalation and prevent the region from spiraling into greater turmoil, and return to the track of seeking political settlement through dialogue and negotiation. This is the prevailing consensus of the international community. China welcomes the joint statement released by Egypt and other Arab and Islamic countries, and commends the effort of relevant countries in promoting deescalation. China stands ready to maintain communication with relevant parties and play a constructive role for the deescalation of the situation.

Anadolu Agency: This morning, the Chinese Embassy in Tel Aviv urged its citizens to leave the country, but we’ve noticed that there isn’t a similar leave warning for the Chinese citizens in Iran. Is there any change of the security status in that country as well?

Guo Jiakun: I answered this question just now. Let me reiterate that our Ministry and diplomatic missions, together with our colleagues from other departments, are doing everything possible to protect the safety of Chinese nationals in Iran and Israel and swiftly organize their evacuation. Chinese nationals in Israel and Iran can contact our local embassies and consulates or reach us through the consular service hotline 12308.

Bloomberg: Bloomberg has reported that the Taiwanese authorities, in response to U.S. pressure, have added Huawei and SMIC, the chip company, to Taiwan’s version of the entities list. Does China have a response to this?

Guo Jiakun: China opposes the U.S. politicizing tech and trade issues, overstretching the concept of national security, abusing export control and long-arm jurisdiction, and maliciously blocking and suppressing China. The DPP authorities’ kneeling and ingratiating themselves with the U.S. will only hurt and ruin Taiwan’s interests.