CCTV: The Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held yesterday in Xiamen. Can you brief us on the meeting and its outcomes? How does China view the development prospect of relations between China and Pacific island countries? 

Mao Ning: Yesterday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau of Kiribati.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Pacific Island countries (PICs). The “four full respects” proposed by President Xi Jinping is the fundamental guidance for China to develop relations with PICs. We always see them as good friends, good partners and good brothers. The development of our bilateral ties vividly demonstrates that friendship, whenever it happens, is cherishable; cooperation, whatever its size, is valuable. We’ve set fine example of big and small countries pursuing peaceful coexistence and Global South countries seeking development in solidarity.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi made six-point proposal on building a China-PICs community with a shared future, namely rendering each other respect, putting development first and people at the center, pursuing exchanges and mutual learning, upholding fairness and justice, and strengthening mutual assistance. Foreign Minister Wang stressed that  faced with profound changes of our times and of the historical trajectory, China believes that upholding peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit is the only right choice, and stands ready to work with all sides to open up a new chapter of building a China-PICs community with a shared future.

Common understandings in five aspects have been reached during the meeting. First, we should uphold equal treatment, continue to render each other support and defend each other’s core interest and major concerns. Second, we should uphold common development, promote synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. Third, we should uphold fairness and justice, firmly defend multilateralism and the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. Fourth, we should uphold openness and inclusiveness, the international community needs to support PICs in independently choosing development and cooperation partners, and the most urgent topics such as climate change need to be prioritized in the effort of developing relations with PICs. Fifth, we should uphold mutual learning, carry forward our traditional friendship and affinity, strengthen mutual understanding and support and jointly advance the civilization of human society.

Participating parties thanked China’s long-term precious support to the development of PICs and reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle as well as their understanding and support to China’s legitimate rights of defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The meeting adopted a joint statement. China also released the List of Measures for China to Implement the Consensus of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which includes China’s Initiative on Deepening Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries on Combating Climate Change. In the initiative, China promised to provide new funding and expand sustainable development cooperation with PICs.

Bloomberg: Regarding the U.S.’s decision to begin aggressively revoking the visas of Chinese students, including those with links to the Communist Party of China or those that are studying in so-called “critical fields.” In relation to this, I just like to ask given that it is probably the most prominent story of the moment in terms of U.S.-China relations, I’d like to ask what is the Foreign Ministry’s comment on this? Can we expect a retaliation of sorts from Beijing? How might this affect the overall climate, especially as we are looking towards further trade talks? 

Mao Ning: The U.S. decision to revoke Chinese student visas is fully unjustified. It uses ideology and national security as pretext. It seriously hurts the lawful rights and interests of international students from China, and disrupts people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. China firmly opposes it and has protested to the U.S. over the decision.

This politically motivated and discriminatory move exposes the U.S. hypocrisy over freedom and openness. It will further damage the image and reputation of the U.S. itself.

AFP: The U.S. Court of International Trade has ruled that Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs as well as a separate set of tariffs on China over fentanyl which were issued by executive orders form an overstep of his authority as president. How might this ruling impact China’s trade negotiations with the U.S. and would the Foreign Ministry like to further comment?

Mao Ning: China has made its position very clear: tariff and trade wars have no winners. Protectionism benefits no one and is ultimately unpopular.

Kyodo News: It’s reported that China removed a buoy located in the exclusive economic zone to the south of Yonaguni Island of Okinawa. Why did China remove this buoy?

Mao Ning: China’s installation of a meteorological observation buoy in waters east of Taiwan, which are under China’s jurisdiction, is consistent with China’s domestic laws and international law. It is learned that competent Chinese authorities are maintaining the buoy as needed by relevant work.

Bloomberg: I just like to circle back a little bit and ask about do you see these moves on the visas as having a broader or spillover effect onto other areas of U.S.-China relations, including trade?

Mao Ning: China’s position on its relations with the U.S. is consistent. We hope the U.S. will work with China in the same direction, do more constructive things, and contribute more to the sound, steady and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

O Globo: Brazilian prosecutors announced that they are suing Chinese vehicle company BYD over allegations of using workers in awful labor conditions and engaging in international human trafficking. Can you give your comments please?

Mao Ning: As we stressed more than once, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the lawful rights and interests of workers, and asks Chinese companies to do business in accordance with laws and regulations.