At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Philémon Yang, President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, will visit China from October 30 to November 3.

PTI: Earlier you said that the process of disengagement was going on smoothly. Some reports said that perhaps it is ending today. Can you please update us about the process of disengagement in the India-China border along the Line of Actual Control that is going on?

Lin Jian: China and India recently reached resolutions on relevant issues concerning the border. At the moment, the Chinese and Indian frontier troops are implementing the resolutions in an orderly way.

NHK: The Spokesperson of the US State Department said on the press briefing on October 28 that the US has communicated with China on the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia and expressed concerns about this matter. At yesterday’s press conference, you said you were not familiar with that. Do you have any information to share today?

Lin Jian: I have nothing to share. China’s position on the Ukraine crisis and the Korean Peninsula issue is consistent.

PTI: Follow up on what I asked earlier. Is there a kind of a deadline to this particular process of disengagement?

Lin Jian: I have nothing to add.

ZDF: My question is on the EU tariffs which come into effect today on the EV cars from China. Does the Chinese government still have some hope that the negotiations will come to a result and following up, we heard that there was a directive from the Chinese government to the Chinese carmakers to hold or stop investment or building of car factories in Europe. Can you share any information on that?

Lin Jian: The Spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Commerce has elaborated on China’s position on the EU’s tariff increase on Chinese EVs. Let me stress that the EU’s anti-subsidy probe and high tariffs on Chinese EVs—neither of which were demanded by the industry—is pure protectionism detrimental to China-EU industrial and supply chain cooperation, to European consumers, and to EU’s green transition and global climate response.

Dialogue and cooperation is the underlying feature of China-EU relations, and China-EU trade and economic cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature. Trade frictions should be dealt with properly through dialogue and consultation based on mutual respect, which is in the interests of both China and the EU, and what the business community and the wider public would expect. We urge the EU to continue its consultations with China, work constructively and show sincerity and flexibility to find the solution and avoid escalating trade frictions.

China Daily: Recently, the Chinese government has rolled out a package of incremental policies to encourage and expand domestic demand and boost investment and consumption. These policies have drawn widespread attention from the international community. Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted that the measures issued by the Chinese government are conducive to lifting confidence and demand. Michael Schumann, Chairman of the Board of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade said that the batch of incremental policies plays a crucial role in boosting market confidence, and the sustained growth of China’s economy is very important to global market. What is your comment?

Lin Jian: Since the beginning of this year, China’s economy has been on a generally steady, sound and upward trajectory, showing both dynamism and resilience. In the first three quarters of this year, China’s trade volume with over 160 countries and regions increased, total import and export hit a record high, and China was leading major economies in the world in terms of GDP growth. These speak volume about the booming Chinese economy, and prove once again that the overall trend of China’s steady growth in the long run has not changed.

The package of incremental policies rolled out by multiple Chinese authorities recently further unlocks growth potential, spurs consumption and investment, and boosts the world’s confidence in China’s development. International financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, the Swiss National Bank, have raised their forecast for China’s economic growth this year. In a recent survey of over 100 Swiss businesses, the decision-makers of these firms largely maintain a high level of confidence in successfully doing business in China, and around 50% of respondents consider China to be among their top 3 global investment priorities.

The positive momentum of China’s steady growth provides stability for global economic recovery. As China promotes high-quality development and high-standard opening-up, its interactions with the world become more robust. As the package of polices take effect in a coordinated way, China’s economic dynamism will continue to be unleashed. We will continue to meet the international community’s optimism and businesses’ investment enthusiasm in China with concrete actions, and provide fresh impetus and opportunities for global economic growth.

Reuters: Russian media reported that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing today. Did the two sides discuss or plan to discuss issues related to DPRK troops’ participation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. If yes, can you share more information?

Lin Jian: China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent.

ZDF: This is the second part of my first question. We heard that there was some understanding or some directive from the Chinese government to Chinese carmakers. Can you share any information about their being asked to stop or hold investment or building of EV car factories in Europe?

Lin Jian: I’d refer you to competent authorities for specifics.

Reuters: CAAC News reported that Air Canada plans to increase the number of direct flights between Canada and China. In light of the trade disputes between the two countries, how does China view this step? What’s China’s position and attitude towards its relations with Canada?

Lin Jian: On Air Canada’s plan of increasing the number of direct flights between China and Canada, I’d refer you to competent Chinese authorities. China’s position on growing China-Canada relations is consistent and clear. We value this step by the Canadian side, and hope that Canada will continue to create sound conditions for normal exchange of personnel between China and Canada.

AFP: Just a follow-up on Andrey Rudenko’s meeting with Wang Yi in Beijing today. Can you provide details on what was discussed at that meeting, including the topic of North Korean troops in Russia?

Lin Jian: I answered this question just now.

Reuters: Many European heads of state have visited China recently. Is China inviting these leaders in rapid succession to urge them to play a constructive role in the EU’s tariff increase on Chinese electric vehicles?

Lin Jian: China and Europe have normal exchanges at various levels. As I just stressed, dialogue and cooperation is the underlying feature of China-EU relations, and China-EU trade and economic cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature. Trade frictions should be dealt with properly through dialogue and consultation based on mutual respect, which is in the interests of both China and the EU, and what the business community and the wider public would expect. We urge the EU to continue its consultations with China, work constructively and show sincerity and flexibility to find the solution and avoid escalating trade frictions.

AFP: Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto is set to visit China, according to Indonesian media. Can you confirm this?

Lin Jian: Under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of the two countries, China-Indonesia relations have maintained a robust momentum of growth. Not long ago, China’s Vice President Han Zheng, as President Xi Jinping’s special representative, attended the inauguration of President Prabowo Subianto, which shows the firm support of China for the new government of Indonesia. China is ready to maintain close communication and coordination with Indonesia, deepen strategic cooperation across the board, and promote even greater progress in the building of the China-Indonesia community with a shared future, to deliver more benefits to the two peoples. 

On the specific visit you asked about, we will release information in due course.