CCTV: Amid the current tense situation and ongoing military conflict in Iran, Foreign Minister Wang Yi had phone calls with his counterparts from several countries. Could you share more details?

Mao Ning: In the recent phone calls with Russian, Iranian, French and Omani foreign ministers, Foreign Minister Wang Yi articulated China’s position and actively worked to promote peace and stop the conflict.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out that it is unacceptable for the U.S. and Israel to launch attacks against Iran in the process of the ongoing Iran-U.S. negotiations, still less to blatantly attack and kill the leader of a sovereign country and instigate government change. These actions have violated international law and basic norms of international relations. The following is China’s position: first, immediately stop the military operations; second, return to dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible; third, jointly oppose unilateral actions.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that China supports Iran in defending sovereignty and security, territorial integrity and national dignity and in safeguarding its own legitimate and lawful rights and interests. China takes seriously Gulf countries’ legitimate concerns and supports them in upholding their sovereignty and security. Major countries should not make use of their military advantages to arbitrarily attack other countries, and the world must not slip back to the law of the jungle. Any moves that violate international law should be resisted by the international community, and basic norms governing international relations should be jointly upheld. China will continue to play a constructive role, stand firm for justice in platforms such as the UN Security Council, work for peace, and stop the conflict.  

Anadolu Agency: After the U.S. and Israel started their military operation on Iran, conflict is now expanding through the Middle East. Israel is reported to target Tehran and Beirut at the same time and several neighboring countries hosting U.S. bases are targeted in retaliatory strikes by Iran as well. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: The U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran have no UN Security Council authorization and violate international law. China is deeply concerned over the regional spillover. China believes that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf states should likewise be fully respected. We urge parties to stop the military operations and prevent further spread of the conflict.

Anadolu Agency: In Israel’s attacks against Iran, we saw a girls’ school was bombed on Saturday. And more recently, Iran’s public broadcaster IRIB’s buildings in Tehran were targeted in military attacks. We are now witnessing a similar, dangerous pattern of targeting civilians, civilian facilities, children, journalists, like we have seen before in Gaza. What is China’s comment about these acts?

Mao Ning: China is deeply saddened by the massive civilian casualties caused by U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. We strongly condemn that. Protection of civilians in armed conflicts is a red line and must not be violated. Indiscriminate use of force cannot be accepted. China calls on all parties to fulfill their obligations under international law, effectively ensure the safety of civilians, and avoid attacks on civilian facilities.

China News Service: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said yesterday the agency has not seen “a structured program in Iran to manufacture nuclear weapons” and countries may have “political considerations.” What’s China’s comment? How do you see the prospects of the Iranian nuclear issue?

Mao Ning: The U.S. once again attacked Iran in the process of an ongoing negotiation. The attack violates international law and basic norms of international relations and has ratcheted up tensions in the Middle East. China is highly concerned over the situation.

China stands for the peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation, and respects Iran’s legitimate right to peaceful use of nuclear energy. We noted that Iran reiterated multiple times that it has no intention to develop nuclear weapons and has recently engaged in serious negotiation with the U.S. The issue ultimately has to return to the track of political and diplomatic solution. China calls for an immediate stop to the military operations, an early return to dialogue and negotiation, and efforts to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.

Ukrinform News Agency: Two questions. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, for Ukrainians, it is important to involve China in efforts to end the Russian war in Ukraine. “For now, we do not see their involvement”, he said. What’s China’s comments? And second, Foreign Minister Wang Yi yesterday in the phone call with French colleague said that major countries must not use their military advantage to launch arbitrary attacks against other nations. This statement is addressed to the United States, but is it also directed to Russia? 

Mao Ning: Since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, China has been committed to promoting talks for peace and the end of fighting. China’s position and effort is clear for all to see. 

Regarding the Ukraine crisis, President Xi Jinping has put forward four principles, namely, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported. This has all along been China’s position and it is also where we stand as we promote the settlement of all hotspot issues.

AFP: The Foreign Ministry confirmed yesterday that a Chinese national was killed in Tehran. Could you confirm if there are others affected? Since the strikes began, how many Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Iran and the Gulf region?

Mao Ning: We have not received any information on other Chinese citizens affected by the conflict. Since the security situation in Iran turned tense, more than 3,000 Chinese citizens have been evacuated from Iran as of March 2. The working groups from Chinese diplomatic missions in Iran’s neighboring countries are continuing their work at border ports to receive and assist the evacuated Chinese citizens.

Bloomberg: We’ve reported that China is pressuring Iranian officials to avoid any action that would disrupt Qatari gas exports or other shipments making their way through the Strait of Hormuz. Would the Ministry like to comment on this?

Mao Ning: Energy security is very important for the world economy. All parties have the responsibility to ensure stable and unimpeded energy supply. China urges all parties to stop the military operations at once, avoid further escalation, keep the shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz safe, and prevent further impact on the global economy.

Reuters: Some analysts suggested that China may take bolder action to stake its territorial claims, including in Taiwan, while the U.S. is distracted in the Middle East conflict. Do you have any comment on this assertion? And also, some analysts said that U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran may hinder oil supplies to China and weaken their diplomatic allies. Do you have any comment on this assertion as well?

Mao Ning: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair. How to resolve it is a matter for the Chinese ourselves. 

On your second question, China firmly opposes violating any country’s sovereignty and security with the use of force in international relations. Energy security is of vital importance to the world economy. Ensuring stable and unfettered energy supply is a responsibility for all. China will do what is necessary to safeguard its energy security.

AFP: China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are expected to meet in Paris next week to discuss business deals between the two countries. That has been reported by Bloomberg News. Do you confirm that this meeting will take place?

Mao Ning: I’d refer you to competent authorities.

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The following question was raised after the press conference: U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran on February 28 have been met with Iran’s counterattacks. Over the past few days, U.S. targets in the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as Jordan and Iraq have been attacked, which affected civilian facilities in relevant countries and caused civilian casualties. Several countries condemn that in their statements. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: The blatant military strikes against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel have ratcheted up regional tensions and caused regional spillover. China is gravely concerned. China believes that Gulf countries’ sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be fully respected, and any attack against innocent civilians and non-military targets should be condemned. China urges all parties to immediately stop the military operations and prevent further spread of the conflict. China stands ready to work with regional countries and the international community to promote peace, stop the conflict, and work actively for peace and stability in the region.