CCTV: According to the Chinese side, Myanmar’s Acting President Min Aung Hlaing will travel to China to attend the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Will China also invite him to attend the SCO Tianjin Summit?

Guo Jiakun: Myanmar is a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Myanmar’s Acting President Min Aung Hlaing will attend the “SCO Plus” Meeting upon invitation.

China Daily: China will host the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War next week, which has drawn close attention from the world. Some European leaders may attend the events, and some European countries may send high-level representatives. But some say that a few countries may be unwilling to attend due to various reasons. What is China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War and China will hold grand commemorative events. Over 80 years ago, as the pillar of resistance in the main theater in the East during the World Anti-Fascist War, China made enormous national sacrifice and coordinated with and supported allied countries in their fight, making major historic contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Over those years, many European countries and friends provided invaluable human and material resources to support China’s war of resistance. Some even sacrificed their precious lives. Those touching stories will forever be remembered by the Chinese people.

As of today, nearly 50 leaders, former political dignitaries, high-level officials, diplomatic envoys and people with friendly sentiments towards China from 30 European countries have confirmed their attendance at the commemorative events, displaying their will and determination to keep and protect the historical memory, and uphold peace and justice together. China stands ready to work with all peace-loving countries and peoples to establish a correct view of history, jointly defend the outcomes of the WWII victory and the post-war international order, and safeguard world peace and stability. 

AFP: The new U.S. Consul General for Hong Kong and Macao Julie Eadeh has arrived in Hong Kong. Some Chinese media have previously referred to her as a subversion expert, citing her meeting with Joshua Wong in 2019. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: We hope the new U.S. Consul General for Hong Kong will observe relevant international conventions, uphold the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, respect China’s sovereignty and the rule of law in the SAR, and play a positive role for the exchanges and cooperation between the U.S. and the Hong Kong SAR and the sound development of China-U.S. relations.

Reuters: China announced this morning a list of foreign dignitaries coming to attend the September 3 military parade. In the list, there were no major Western countries mentioned. How important is it to China to include Western dignitaries at the parade, especially from major countries?

Guo Jiakun: This morning, China released information about foreign leaders attending the commemoration, which you may refer to. Let me stress that China holds the commemoration events in order to remember history, honor the martyrs, cherish peace and create a better future. 

NHK: This morning China announced that General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un will come to China. When will he arrive in China and when will he leave China? Will he visit Beijing only?

Guo Jiakun: General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un will attend the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. For more details, China will release information in due course. Please stay tuned.

Bloomberg: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security earlier this week proposed a new rule that would limit visas for Chinese journalists in the U.S. to 90 days, although extensions are permitted. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this new proposed rule as it pertains specifically to Chinese journalists?

Guo Jiakun: Closer people-to-people exchange serves the common interests of both countries. We oppose the U.S.’s discriminatory move targeting a specific country.

Shenzhen TV: In a recent interview, the spokesperson of the Philippines’ National Maritime Council said that despite a marked increase of China’s activities in the waters near Ren'ai Jiao, the Philippines will not stop their regular rotation and resupply missions. These days, officials from the Philippine government and military have made aggressive remarks on the issue of Ren'ai Jiao and hyped up tensions. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: Ren’ai Jiao, as part of Nansha Qundao, is China’s territory. The activities of Chinese ships in waters within China’s jurisdiction are legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach. By keeping its “warship” “grounded” at Ren’ai Jiao for decades, the Philippines has continuously infringed on China’s sovereignty, and violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, especially Article 5 which says the parties should refrain from the action of inhabiting the uninhabited islands and reefs. China has from the very beginning demanded that the Philippines tow away the vessel and restore Ren’ai Jiao’s state of hosting no personnel or facilities.

In recent years, in a humanitarian spirit, China has permitted the Philippines’ resupply of necessities if it commits itself to not sending construction materials to the “warship” and informs China in advance, and after on-site verification is conducted. China reached provisional arrangement with the Philippines on that. This fully shows China’s goodwill and sincerity to keep the situation at Ren’ai Jiao under control. But for quite some time, the Philippines’ repeated infringement and provocation at sea have severely infringed on China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, disrupted peace and stability at sea, and undermined the political foundation between the two countries on properly handling maritime issues.

China is firmly resolved to defend its territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests. We call upon the Philippines to stop hyping up the maritime issues and stop any infringement or provocation that might complicate the situation.

Reuters: Russia has attacked Ukrainian capital Kyiv overnight, killing several people. President Zelenskyy has said that the attack shows Russia’s answer to diplomacy, and he also said that he expects China’s reaction to this. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment to this?

Guo Jiakun: China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out of the Ukraine crisis. We call on relevant parties to follow the principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting and no provocation by any party, facilitate the deescalation of the situation, and accumulate conditions for the political settlement of the crisis.

Bloomberg: The Mexican government plans to increase tariffs on China as part of its 2026 budget proposal with the aim of protecting the nation’s business from cheap imports. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on Mexico’s plans to increase tariffs on China?

Guo Jiakun: Mexico is China’s second largest trading partner in Latin America, and China is Mexico’s third largest export destination. Our trade and economic cooperation benefits both sides. China always advocates a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and opposes unilateralism, protectionism and discriminatory and exclusive measures in any form. China firmly opposes moves that are taken under coercion to constrain China or undermine China’s legitimate rights and interests under any pretext. We believe the relevant country will uphold independence and properly handle relevant matters.