At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Ian Borg, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, will pay an official visit to China from July 13 to 16.

The Paper: To follow up on Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg’s visit to China, how does China view its current relations with Malta? What does China hope to achieve through this visit?

Mao Ning: China and Malta enjoy traditional friendship. Over the past 53 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have conducted friendly cooperation with mutual respect. Through this visit, China stands ready to work with Malta to further consolidate political mutual trust, discuss how to advance mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, culture, tourism and education, and inject fresh impetus into the sound and steady growth of China-Malta and China-EU relations.

AFP: Ukraine announced yesterday that it had detained two Chinese citizens charged with attempting to smuggle missile technology out of the country. Does China have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: China is verifying the information. If any Chinese nationals are involved, we will safeguard their lawful rights and interests in accordance with the law.

Kyodo News: China will mark its National Pavilion Day tomorrow at the Osaka Expo. What’s China’s expectation? Which Chinese official will lead the delegation to the event at the China Pavilion?

Mao Ning: We attach importance to the Osaka Expo. As I’ve learned, the China Pavilion is unique in design and quite popular. We hope through the wonderful exhibition and diverse activities of the China Pavilion, people from all countries will gain a better understanding of China. 

On the Chinese delegation attending the event at the China Pavilion, details will be released when available. Please stay tuned.

CCTV: We noted that the China International Communications Group announced today the winners of the Orchid Awards, including nine foreign friends and the Philadelphia Orchestra from the United States. Could you share more details with us?

Mao Ning: We congratulate the foreign friends and institution on winning the awards. Although they are from different fields and walks of life, they share one thing in common—a commitment to cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world and building closer bond between the people.

The Orchid Award is a vivid practice of implementing the Global Civilization Initiative. China stands ready to continue to work with the international community to enhance mutual understanding through dialogue, bridge differences with communication, promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations to enable each other’s success, and build an even better future of human civilizations.

AFP: China announced today that it had cracked three espionage cases. Could you provide more details on that? Which countries are involved?

Mao Ning: I’m not familiar with what you mentioned.

AFP : President Trump announced yesterday that a 50-percent tariff would be imposed on imported copper, citing national security concerns. Does China have any comment on that?

Mao Ning: China’s position is very clear. China has all along opposed moves to overstretch the concept of national security, and has always upheld that trade and tariff wars have no winners, and the abuse of tariffs is in no one’s interest.

Reuters: Malaysian state media Bernama has reported citing the Malaysian Foreign Minister as saying that China will sign the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty as soon as all documents are ready. The treaty covers Southeast Asian countries, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves. Could we confirm if China has agreed to the treaty and how soon does China expect to sign it?

Mao Ning: As ASEAN’s comprehensive strategic partner and friendly neighbor, China firmly supports establishing the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). We have said more than once that China is ready to take the lead in signing the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty. Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed that position at the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting this morning. We are in communication with ASEAN countries on this matter.