Diplomatic Adviser to the French President Emmanuel Bonne will be in China from December 13 to 14. He will hold the China-France Strategic Dialogue with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi.

CCTV: During a recent interview with the CGTN’s Leaders Talk, Zhang Ming, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) replied to questions related to President Xi Jinping’s call for building a common home featuring solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, as well as fairness and justice for the SCO members, the significance of the Shanghai Spirit and the participation of SCO members in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Secretary-General Zhang said that there are high expectations for China’s rotating presidency. It is hoped that the SCO will make considerable progress in the year to come and that the SCO summit next year in China will achieve productive outcomes and become another important milestone in the history of the organization. Could you tell us what China will do as the organization’s president?

Mao Ning: Since its inception, the SCO has been following the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development and has now become a regional organization that covers the largest area and population, setting an example of building a new type of international relations.

As a founding member of the SCO, China has always regarded the organization as a priority in its diplomacy. As the rotating president of the SCO, China will host over 100 meetings and events in such areas as politics, security, economy and culture and people-to-people exchanges and we are committed to holding a SCO summit featuring friendship, solidarity and fruitful outcomes that will help build consensus and chart the course going forward. China stands ready to work with other SCO member states, under the theme of the SCO Year of Sustainable Development, to act on the slogan of “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move” and lead the SCO into a new stage of high-quality development featuring stronger solidarity, coordination, dynamism and productiveness, so as to contribute the organization’s solution to global governance and effort to build a community with a shared future for mankind. 

JoongAng Ilbo: ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol in today’s address to the nation mentioned the cases of Chinese nationals threatening the ROK’s national security. He also said that China’s solar facilities will destroy forests across the country. How does the Chinese government comment on that?

Mao Ning: China noted the comments. We are surprised by those comments and find them deeply upsetting. We will not comment on the ROK’s domestic affairs, but we absolutely oppose the ROK side associating its domestic affairs with Chinese elements, amplifying unfounded “Chinese spy” accusations and throwing mud at normal economic and trade cooperation. None of these are conducive to a healthy and steady China-ROK relationship. The Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals overseas to observe local laws and regulations. We noted that the conclusion is yet to be made on the particular cases mentioned by the ROK side, and competent authorities of China and the ROK have been in communication with each other. China once again urges the ROK to handle justly cases concerning Chinese nationals, keep the Chinese side informed of the handling of the cases, and ensure the safety and lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals concerned. China’s booming green industry is a result of global market demand, technological innovation and adequate competition. It has also made important contribution to global climate response and environmental governance.

China Daily: Can you share the program and China’s expectation for the trip to China by Diplomatic Adviser to the French President Emmanuel Bonne?

Mao Ning: During the upcoming trip by French President’s Diplomatic Adviser Emmanuel Bonne to China, Director Wang Yi will hold the China-France Strategic Dialogue with him for strategic communication on implementing the common understandings between the two presidents and deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields. The two sides will also have in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of mutual interest. 

This year marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. In May this year, President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to France. The two heads of state had long and high-level communication and provided strategic guidance for the growth of China-France and China-Europe relations. The two presidents held a meeting again during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November, reaching a number of common understandings on further growing the China-France and China-Europe relations.

Year 2025 opens up the second 60 years of China-France ties. China hopes the dialogue will contribute to further implementing the common understandings between the two presidents, consolidating political mutual trust, enhancing practical cooperation, and deepening the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership. We hope the two countries will jointly steer the China-Europe relations toward sound and steady growth, safeguard multilateralism and respond to global challenges.

CCTV: The Electoral Commission of Ghana announced that National Democratic Congress presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama won the 2024 presidential election and will be the new president of Ghana. What is China’s comment and expectation for the development of its ties with Ghana?

Mao Ning: China congratulates Mr. John Dramani Mahama on his election as Ghana’s president. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to President John Dramani Mahama. We believe that Ghana will achieve even more in national development under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.

Ghana is an important strategic partner of China in Africa. The two countries enjoy time-honored and ever-deepening friendship. Over recent years, bilateral relations have seen steady growth with fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation. Next year will mark the 65th anniversary of China-Ghana diplomatic relations. China stands ready to work with the new government of Ghana to implement the outcomes of the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, enhance political mutual trust, strengthen exchange and cooperation in various areas, and deepen the China-Ghana strategic partnership for the benefit of the two peoples.

AFP: The United States Justice Department said yesterday that a Chinese citizen has been charged with flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and this man allegedly recorded images of the US military facility and he was arrested as he was about to board a flight to China from San Francisco. Has China noted this case and does it have any comment?

Mao Ning: I’m not familiar with what you mentioned.

Reuters: Various sources indicate that to forge ties with the incoming US administration, two high-ranking officials from Taiwan have been dispatched to Washington, DC to meet with President-elect Trump’s team. What is your response to this?

Mao Ning: Our position on the Taiwan question is consistent and clear. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués and handle the Taiwan question with prudence, and not to send any wrong signals to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.

Shenzhen TV: We’ve learned that Taiwan’s “deputy foreign minister” Wu Chih-Chung today attended the inauguration ceremony of “president” of Somaliland as a “special envoy” for Lai Ching-te. What’s China’s comment?

Mao Ning: We noted relevant reports. Let me stress once again that there’s only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The one-China principle is a basic norm governing international relations and a prevailing consensus in the international community. The DPP authorities’ attempt of seeking “Taiwan independence” through foreign support and their secession attempt are doomed to fail.

China highly commends the government of Somalia for upholding the one-China principle. We firmly support Somalia in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. China firmly opposes mutual establishment of official institutions or any form of official exchanges between Taiwan authorities and Somaliland. We urge relevant parties in Somalia to see the trend of history sooner rather than later, and strictly uphold the one-China position.

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The following question was raised after the press conference: You responded yesterday to Canada’s sanctions against some Chinese personnel for alleged human rights violations. Is there any further comment?

Mao Ning: China has made clear its just position on Canada’s decision. The whole thing is an ugly, hypocritical political stunt done by some Canadian political figures under the pretext of human rights to serve an unspeakable agenda and please the US. This is quite apparent to many in the world.

I must note that Canada’s false allegations about China’s human rights and illicit sanctions against Chinese personnel are of an egregious nature and have serious consequences. China has made serious protests and expressed strong condemnation to the Canadian side and called on Canada to correct its wrongdoing at once. China will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard our nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests.