Asharq News: Syria has been subjected to a number of Israeli attacks. Multiple members of Syria’s security forces and civilians were killed. What is China’s position and what is its view of the situation in Syria? (Similar question from Al Jazeera)

Lin Jian: Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected. In particular, given the continuous ongoing turbulence in the Middle East, there shouldn’t be any action that may lead to escalation. 

Reuters: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he thinks China will soon sentence people to death for fentanyl manufacturing and distribution. What’s China’s response to these remarks?

Lin Jian: We’ve repeatedly made it clear that fentanyl is the U.S.’s problem, not China’s. It’s the U.S.’s responsibility to solve the issue. Despite the goodwill China has shown, the U.S. wrongly slapped “fentanyl” tariffs on Chinese imports. The move has dealt a heavy blow to China-U.S. dialogue and cooperation on counternarcotics, and gravely hurt China’s interests. If the U.S. truly wants cooperation with China, it needs to face the facts squarely, and seek dialogue with China based on equality, respect and mutual benefit. 

Beijing Youth Daily: According to a recent UN assessment report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, nearly “half of the goals are moving too slowly” and “18 percent of the goals have gone backwards.” UN Secretary General António Guterres said that “We are in a global development emergency” but “the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are still within reach, but only if we act — with urgency, unity, and unwavering resolve.” What’s your comment?

Lin Jian: As we have seen, rising unilateralism and protectionism is impacting the global economic recovery. International development cooperation lacks momentum. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is seriously lagging behind. Certain country even openly rejects and denounces this overarching document for international development cooperation. Development crisis has become a real challenge facing all countries. China has always taken strong actions to advance global development. The Chinese government has included the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into the 14th Five-Year Plan. China has already realized relevant SDGs in poverty alleviation, public health and other areas ahead of schedule, contributing significantly to the implementation effort worldwide. China actively promotes international development cooperation. China put forward and has been implementing the Global Development Initiative. We have deepened cooperation under this initiative with over 20 development agencies in recent years, benefiting more than 30 million people in over 60 countries. At last year’s G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, President Xi Jinping outlined China’s eight actions for global development to facilitate international cooperation in food security, scientific and technological innovation, green transition and other key areas and inject more impetus into global development.

Realizing the SDGs calls for solidarity and action. To meet the challenges, we need to renew the very purpose of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, reinvigorate the global development partnership, remain committed to development as an important pillar of the UN, and bring development back to the center of the international agenda. China stands ready to work with all parties for a more prosperous world.

RT TV: Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the plan of constructing new highways in the East Section of the M-12 Highway which is part of the Western Europe-Western China International Transit Corridor and leads up to Russia’s border with China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. How will the highway impact the development of tourism and logistics between China and Russia? 

Lin Jian: Under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, China-Russia transport cooperation has maintained sustained, sound and steady development, with cross-border connectivity making significant progress and internal driving forces for the mutually-beneficial cooperation becoming increasingly robust.

China stands ready to work with Russia to continue deepening cooperation on transport, and tap the potential for transit transport, so as to facilitate cross-border travels, attract more mutual visits of tourists, and further enrich the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

TASS: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said recently that Russia is negotiating the restoration of the Russia–India–China (RIC) format with Beijing and New Delhi. He pointed out that Russia remains positive towards promoting the operation of this mechanism. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this?

Lin Jian: China-Russia-India cooperation not only serves the respective interests of our three countries, but also helps uphold peace, security, stability and progress in the region and in the world. China stands ready to maintain communication with Russia and India on advancing the trilateral cooperation.

AFP: I’m just wondering if you could confirm that the China-EU leaders’ summit will take place soon and can you provide any details on it?

Lin Jian: I have no information to share at the moment.