CNR: Multiple departments and institutions in China recently released monitoring data on domestic economic performance during the May Day holiday. Judging from indicators such as passenger flow, retail and catering sales, and tourist bookings, the Chinese consumer market was heating up continuously during this holiday. The strong vitality of China’s economy seems to stand in sharp contrast with some international institutions’ concerns for the prospect of the Chinese economy. Some others believe that the resilience of China’s economy will enable it to resist external shocks. Do you have any comment?

Lin Jian: The boom of holiday consumption reflects the vigorous vitality and potential of China’s economy. According to statistics, during the May Day holiday, sales revenues of consumer-related industries increased 15.2 percent year on year. The number of inbound and outbound trips made by Chinese and foreign nationals reached an average of 2.179 million per day during the five-day break, up by 28.7 percent from the same period last year. Of those trips, more than 1.115 million were made by foreigners, up by 43.1 percent. Sales related to inbound trips surged by nearly 90 percent. From “China Travel” to “China Shopping”, measures of institutional opening up have added to China’s appeal to foreign tourists. The Canton Fair that just concluded registered record highs in visiting overseas buyers and intended export transactions. A total of 376 leading multinational companies participated in the fair, which also marked a record-breaking number. All this shows that the business community from various countries are optimistic about the Chinese economy’s long-term growth. The report on the development of China’s business environment for 2025 released by China recently also fully indicates the Chinese government’s resolution in and seriousness about continuing to foster a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment for companies both at home and from abroad.

Our innovation in policies has boosted market vitality and the consumption potential has been unlocked while market supplies are further enriched. This is the code of a resilient Chinese economy and the reason why China is confident in withstanding external risks and challenges and achieving steady and high-quality development. Big winds and storms will not upset the giant ship of China’s economy, still less stop the Chinese people’s pursuit and fight for a better life. China will always remain committed to high-level opening up, win-win cooperation and serving as a driving force for world economic growth. 

NHK: Let me ask you a question regarding China-Russia relations, particularly concerning dual-use goods. According to Chinese customs data, export of video game consoles and controllers from China to Russia is surging. There are concerns that these controllers are being repurposed for military use in Russia specifically as control devices for drones. So how does China view this situation?

Lin Jian: China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear. We’ve all along been committed to promoting talks for peace and ending the conflict. We have never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict, and strictly controlled dual-use articles. Let me stress that those who deliberately want to smear China can make an issue out of any normal cooperation between China and other countries. We firmly oppose ill-intentioned and groundless accusations as well as political manipulation.

NHK: Is China considering implementing any export restrictions on gaming devices?

Lin Jian: For the specifics, I’d refer you to competent authorities.

AFP: I got a question on tensions between India and Pakistan. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan will avenge people killed by Indian strikes in the Kashmir region. What’s your reaction to this comment by the Pakistani prime minister?

Lin Jian: We’ve shared China’s position yesterday on the ongoing situation between India and Pakistan. China is concerned over the current developments. India and Pakistan are and will always be each other’s neighbors. They’re both China’s neighbors as well. China opposes all forms of terrorism. We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, observe international law, including the UN Charter, remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation. We stand ready to work with the rest of the international community to continue playing a constructive role in easing the current tensions.

The Paper: When meeting with leaders of Caribbean countries recently, U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio urged these countries to make responsible, transparent decisions when selecting vendors and contractors for critical infrastructure projects, ensuring they are not vulnerable to privacy and security risks and exploitation by “malign actors like the Chinese Communist Party.” What is China’s response?  

Lin Jian: These remarks are malicious attack against China and vilification on China’s relations with relevant countries, and reveal ideological bias and disrespect and ignorance of the basic norms in international relations. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this.

Let me stress that Caribbean countries have the right to independently choose friendly cooperation partners, and don’t need condescending and irresponsible preaching from any country. The overseas projects built by Chinese companies effectively boosted economic growth and people’s welfare in host countries, and delivered tangibly for the local people. This is seen by many countries around the world. China’s relations with Caribbean countries serve the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides and the cooperation has delivered tangible benefit to both peoples. The U.S.’s despicable attempt to attack and vilify the relations and cooperation between China and Caribbean countries will not succeed.

CCTV: The Philippines, the U.S. and Australia recently made statements on their joint sea and air patrol in the South China Sea, claiming that the operation aims at enhancing joint operation capability and is in support of “a free and open Indo-Pacific.” What’s the Foreign Ministry’s comment?

Lin Jian: China firmly opposes the recent joint sea and air patrol in the South China Sea by the Philippines, the U.S. and Australia and their hyping up. 

The current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. There isn’t any problem with the freedom of navigation and overflight that countries enjoy in accordance with the law. When carrying out activities in the South China Sea, countries need to observe international law and uphold the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and should not target any third country or endanger regional peace and stability.

The Philippines, in violation of international law and the DOC, has repeatedly made infringement and provocation and created trouble at sea. It has also brought in and collaborated with forces outside the region to create disruptions and flex military muscles in the South China Sea, acting as a pawn for these forces. Such acts will only backfire.

The U.S. and other countries outside the region have patched up small groupings in the South China Sea to stoke confrontation in the name of cooperation, flex military muscles in the name of freedom, and create trouble in the name of upholding order. They are the biggest source of risks undermining the peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and works with other countries in the region to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea. We urge relevant countries to stop forming small groupings and making waves in the South China Sea and stop undermining peace and stability in the region.

Bloomberg: I have a question on the trade talks or trade discussions this weekend. Just now the Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said that the U.S. needs to be prepared to revoke the unilateral tariffs that it has imposed on China. Is it that unless the U.S. revokes these tariffs, China will not revoke the tariffs and there could be no progress made on bilateral trade issues?

Lin Jian: On the high-level meeting between China and the U.S. on economic and trade affairs, we have made China’s position clear yesterday. For anything specific about the meeting, please stay tuned. Let me stress that China’s determination to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests will not change, and our position and goal of defending international fairness and justice and upholding the multilateral trading system will not change.

EFE: Could the Ministry elaborate on China’s expectations for the upcoming Community of Latin American and Caribbean States’ meeting?

Lin Jian: Thank you for your interest in the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum. We will release relevant information in due course. 

AFP: The Philippine military said today that there has been an incident involving the Chinese navy near Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. The Philippines said that Chinese military vessels conducted “a high-risk maneuver.” What’s your response to that? Can you share more information?

Lin Jian: The Philippines’ remarks disrespect facts and confuse right and wrong. Huangyan Dao has always been China’s territory. The Philippine military vessel attempted to intrude into waters of Huangyan Dao. China took necessary measures to handle the matter, which are legitimate, lawful, professional and restrained. The Philippines’ repeated infringement and provocation at sea is the root cause leading to the current tensions. China urges the Philippines to stop infringement and provocation at once, and refrain from challenging China’s firm resolve to safeguard the nation’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

AFP: Another question on the DPRK. North Korea fired some ballistic missiles today. That’s according to South Korea’s military. So did China monitor this situation and what is your reaction?

Lin Jian: China’s position on the Korean Peninsula issue is consistent and clear. On relevant launch activities, I have no new comments to make.

Reuters: Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te told Western diplomats in an event marking the end of World War Two that Taiwan and Europe are facing the threat of “a new authoritarian bloc”. Do you have any comment on the remarks?

Lin Jian: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the World Anti-Fascist War, and the restoration of Taiwan. Taiwan’s restoration to China in 1945 is a victorious outcome of WWII and an integral part of the postwar international order. A series of instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, have all affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan, and laid the groundwork of the postwar international order.

It’s the DPP authorities’ go-to tactic to cover up its nature of seeking “Taiwan independence” under the pretext of “democracy” and “freedom.” No matter what they say or do, they cannot change the historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China’s territory, nor can they change the prevailing international consensus on the one-China principle.

We ask relevant countries to abide by the political commitments that they made to China on the Taiwan question, stop the behavior of relevant personnel that goes against these commitments, stop supporting such political stunt of those separatist forces, and stop sending any wrong signal to them.

Reuters: Reuters reported today that Chinese leader will visit Malaysia later this month for a summit with Southeast Asian and Gulf countries. Could you confirm that and do you have any more details?

Lin Jian: ASEAN and Gulf countries are emerging economies in Asia and important members of the Global South. They are also important partners of China in Belt and Road cooperation. China actively supports Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, in hosting the ASEAN-China-GCC summit, which embodies the common aspiration of regional countries for open cooperation and win-win results. China stands ready to work with ASEAN and GCC member states at the summit to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly safeguard our legitimate development right and interests, defend international fairness and justice, and jointly uphold the international trade order and multilateral trading system.