At the invitation of Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó of Hungary and Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger of the Munich Security Conference, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will visit Hungary on February 11 and travel to Germany to attend the 62nd Munich Security Conference where he will deliver a speech at its China session.

Shenzhen TV: On the Hong Kong High Court’s decision to sentence Lai Chee-ying to 20 years in prison, parties including the U.S., the UK, Australia and the EU expressed concerns by releasing statements. What’s China’s response?

Lin Jian: Certain countries and institutions used the judicial case to make malicious smears against Hong Kong and its rule of law, and interfered in China’s internal affair. China firmly opposes it and has lodged serious protests with those countries and institutions.

Lai Chee-ying is the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the series of riots that shook Hong Kong. The facts concerning his crimes of endangering national security are clear and the evidence is solid. The judicial authorities of the Hong Kong SAR made the ruling based on facts and in accordance with the law. This is lawful, justified and beyond reproach.

Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. To abide by the law and bring lawbreakers to justice is a basic principle. No one should be allowed to use “democracy” and “freedom” as a pretext to engage in unlawful and criminal activities and escape justice.

Let me stress again that Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs. The rule of law in Hong Kong is unshakable and no foreign country has the right to make irresponsible remarks. The Chinese government remains unwavering in its determination to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests and to implement One Country, Two Systems. Any attempt to disrupt Hong Kong’s advancement from stability to prosperity or to destabilize Hong Kong and contain China is doomed to fail. We urge relevant sides to respect China’s sovereignty, abide by the principles in international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs in any form.

CCTV: How does China view the current China-Hungary relationship? What is China’s expectation for Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit?

Lin Jian: Hungary is China’s all-weather comprehensive strategic partner in Europe. During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with Hungarian leaders and hold talks with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó for an in-depth exchange of views on our bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. China stands ready to work with Hungary to implement the important common understandings reached between the leaders of our two countries, deepen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, and work for sustained and steady progress in growing China-Hungary relations and China-EU relations.

AFP: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said yesterday that she is open to dialogue with China and that the countries will continue to exchange views. How does the Foreign Ministry view this? Is China willing to engage in dialogue with Takaichi?

Lin Jian: China has made clear its just position on this issue more than once. True dialogue is built on the basis of respecting each other and honoring the agreements made. If anyone just talks about the need for dialogue while keeping themselves busy stoking confrontation, then this so-called “dialogue” is apparently unacceptable. If the Japanese side truly wants to develop the strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China, what it needs to do is simple and clear, that is, retract Takaichi’s erroneous remarks on Taiwan, abide by the four political documents between China and Japan and its own political commitments, and take concrete actions to demonstrate its sincerity for dialogue.

Reuters: At the end of last month, there was an ASEAN-China senior officials’ meeting on implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and countries agreed to strengthen dialogue. Have the talks helped to ease all the tensions in the South China Sea? Did the Philippines show any willingness to resolve the South China Sea issues? What are the next steps that both sides are planning to take?

Lin Jian: Recently, officials from foreign ministries of China and the Philippines had a bilateral meeting in Cebu, and had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on maritime issues and other issues of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to continue maintaining communication through diplomatic channels, properly handle maritime differences, and get the situation at sea under control.

Bloomberg: The new Dutch cabinet will include several China hawks after the dispute with Beijing over the ownership of the chipmaker Nexperia. The Dutch government plans to “take decisive action against the theft of our intellectual property and unwanted interference in our critical infrastructure” by China. Would the ministry like to comment on this stance? Also, the cabinet includes Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, who is slated to be trade minister and whom China sanctioned in 2021. Can the ministry confirm that Sjoerdsma is still sanctioned?

Lin Jian: Both China and the Netherlands are important economies in the world and are each other’s major cooperation partner. Over the decades, the two sides have been advancing mutually beneficial cooperation in the spirit of openness and practical results and have benefited the two peoples. Such effort serves the common interest of the two countries and is conducive to developing relations between China and Europe and keeping the global industrial and supply chains stable. We hope and believe that the new Dutch government will continue to uphold an objective and rational attitude toward China and work with China to promote the sound development of the bilateral relationship. On your second question, I have nothing to share on that.

Beijing Youth Daily: According to preliminary results of Thailand’s House of Representatives election, the Bhumjaithai Party, the People’s Party and the Pheu Thai Party are leading as the top 3. What’s China’s comment?

Lin Jian: Thailand held a smooth general election. As Thailand’s close and friendly neighbor, China supports Thailand in following a development path suited to its own national conditions and maintaining stability and development. China stands ready to work with Thailand to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, deepen and substantiate the building of the China-Thailand community with a shared future, and deliver more benefits to the two peoples.

Reuters: Cuba is set to face a jet fuel shortfall from today until March 11. International carriers are suspending flights to Cuba. Are there Chinese citizens who are stranded in Cuba? Will China take any practical steps to help Cuba alleviate the oil supply shortage?

Lin Jian: On your first question, so far we have not received any report of Chinese citizens stranded in Cuba.

On your second question, I’d refer you to competent authorities for specifics. I would like to stress again that China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty and security and opposing external interference. China stands firmly against the inhumane actions that deprive the Cuban people of their right to subsistence and development. China will, as always, do our best to provide support and assistance to Cuba.