CCTV: According to the International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean 2024 recently issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), China is an important trade partner and the fastest-growing export market for Latin America and the Caribbean. In the 2000-2022 period, goods trade between the region and China expanded 35 times, while the region’s total trade with the world only increased fourfold. So how do you comment on the trade and economic cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean?

Lin Jian: Mutual benefit and win-win results are the overarching principle for the growth of the relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean. Just as the report of ECLAC indicates, the trade volume between China and LAC countries has kept increasing in recent years, which reached US$489 billion last year. In the first three quarters this year, trade in goods between both sides hit US$427.4 billion, up by 7.7 percent year on year, and the total amount for the whole year is expected to exceed US$500 billion.

Since the beginning of the new century, the region’s trade in goods with China has grown at a much faster rate than that with the world, underlying the highly complementary nature of the economies of both sides. Due to the advantage of providing off-season supply, Chile, which is farthest from China in this region, has become China’s second largest source of fresh fruit imports and Chilean cherries are now star products here in China. Also, China’s new energy industrial chain offers a more affordable resolution for the region’s green transformation. So far, China has five free trade partners in the region and has signed an early harvest arrangement of free trade agreement with Honduras and concluded substantial negotiations to upgrade the free trade agreement with Peru. 

The surge of trade in goods between China and Latin America and the Caribbean is supported by the huge market and bright prospect between the two sides. China is the world’s second largest economy and largest consumer market, with a middle-income group totaling over 400 million people, and that number is expected to hit 800 million. Latin America and the Caribbean has a population of 660 million with younger demographic composition and boasts enormous potential for economic development. As China and Latin America and the Caribbean see each other as opportunities for development, we believe that with the concerted effort of both sides, our trade in goods will continue to grow at a high speed and achieve win-win results at a higher level. 

Bloomberg: US officials said in a statement on Wednesday that Chinese state-sponsored hackers carried out a campaign that breached multiple telecommunications companies. The New York Times has reported that the hackers are believed to have targeted the phones of President-elect Donald Trump, running mate J.D. Vance and Trump’s family members, as well as members of Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign staff. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comments on these allegations? 

Lin Jian: China’s position on cybersecurity is consistent. We have no interest in interfering in other countries’ internal affairs through cyberspace and oppose spreading China-related disinformation out of political agenda.

Reuters: Sources say that former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen is planning a visit to Canada next week. Do you have any comment? 

Lin Jian: China’s position on the Taiwan question is consistent and clear. We firmly oppose any “Taiwan independence” separatist visiting countries with diplomatic ties with China under any pretext. We urge  relevant country to abide by the one-China principle and uphold the political foundation of bilateral relations with concrete action.

Shenzhen TV: It’s reported that the Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson said that the Philippine military is considering purchasing the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also said, “We do indeed plan to acquire capabilities of such sort,” and the system “increases deterrence.” He added, “We will not compromise with our right to acquire any such kind of capabilities in the future within our territory.” What’s your comment?

Lin Jian: On the US deployment of Mid-Range Capability missile system in the Philippines, China has made clear our opposition more than once. Let me stress again that the Philippines, by bringing in this offensive strategic weapon, is enabling a country outside the region to fuel tensions and antagonism in this region, and incite geopolitical confrontation and arms race. Such a move is provocative and dangerous, and it is an extremely irresponsible choice to its own people and people of all Southeast Asian countries, to history, and to regional security. What the region needs is peace and prosperity, not the missile system or confrontation. We once again urge the Philippines to heed the call from regional countries and their peoples, correct its wrongdoings as soon as possible, quickly pull out the Typhon missile system as publicly pledged, and stop going further down the wrong path.

Bloomberg: Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar, that Ukraine allies will look to pressure China over North Korea’s growing support for Russia’s war during the G20 summit in Brazil. What is China’s stance on North Korea’s involvement in the war in Ukraine? And how will China respond to this type of pressure? 

Lin Jian: This is a hypothetical question. I do not have a comment on that. What I can tell you is that China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, and the constructive role China has played is widely recognized by the international community.

NHK: It is learned that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to hold talks with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Peru. This will be his first talks with President Xi Jinping as the Japanese Prime Minister. Can you provide more details and share China’s expectation for the talks?

Lin Jian: I have no information to share at the moment on the talks you mentioned.