China News Service: The Foreign Ministry in recent years has held the “Embracing the Chinese New Year” special program around the Spring Festival annually extending festive greetings to overseas Chinese. Can you give us more details about this year’s special program?

Lin Jian: This is the fourth consecutive year since 2023 that our Ministry and Chinese diplomatic missions worldwide have held the “Embracing the Chinese New Year” special program. The program is aimed to deliver the CPC Central Committee’s care for overseas Chinese, and organize cultural events that celebrate the festival and serve as cultural bridges. The program is warmly welcomed abroad.

As we celebrate the Spring Festival, our thoughts turn all the more to Chinese people living abroad. The special program will continue to be held for this year’s Spring Festival. Our embassies and consulates around the world will visit overseas Chinese to extend festive greetings and hold various events to celebrate the Spring Festival. They are ready to invite more overseas Chinese and friends from around the world to take part and we expect the events to create great momentum for cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. We hope overseas Chinese will feel the warmth of their motherland and ancestral home in the festive season.

We wish overseas Chinese around the world a happy and prosperous Year of the Horse!

Bloomberg: Japan has said it seized a Chinese fishing vessel and arrested its captain after the ship entered the nation’s exclusive economic zone and sought to avoid inspection. We are wondering if the Foreign Ministry has any comments on this?

Lin Jian: The Chinese government always asks Chinese fishermen to operate in accordance with laws and regulations. Meanwhile, China firmly protects their lawful rights and interests. China hopes that the Japanese side will strictly observe the China-Japan Fisheries Agreement, ensure impartial law enforcement and protect the safety of the Chinese crew and their lawful rights and interests.

Hubei Media Group: Results of the general election in Barbados that came out on February 12 show that the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) claimed all the 30 seats in the House of Assembly, and incumbent Prime Minister and leader of the BLP Mia Mottley will serve another term as prime minister. What is China’s comment?

Lin Jian: China congratulates Prime Minister Mia Mottley on winning another term. Barbados is an important cooperation partner of China in the Caribbean. Over the past 49 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have achieved sound and steady growth. China stands ready to work with Barbados to continue deepening practical cooperation in various areas and bring the traditional friendly relations to a new level.

The following question was raised after the press conference: Do you have any updates regarding the Chinese vessel seized by the Japanese side?

Lin Jian: The Chinese Consulate General in Fukuoka is assisting with relevant Chinese crew member’s safe return.

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During the Spring Festival holiday, there will be no regular press conference from Monday, February 16 to Monday, February 23. The regular press conference will resume on Tuesday, February 24. During this period, questions can be submitted to the Spokesperson’s Office via fax, email or WeChat.

This is the last regular press conference before the Spring Festival. With the Year of the Fire Horse just days away, we draw inspiration from the hallmark perseverance of the horse, and stand ready to work with you to continue presenting a warm and vibrant China as it is. My colleagues and I have prepared lucky pouches which embody a festive atmosphere and new year greetings for you. We wish you good fortune, great vigor and every success in the Year of the Horse!