At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djurić will pay an official visit to China from December 19 to 21.

Yonhap News Agency: On December 14, the ROK’s National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, suspending him from office. How does China view the impeachment against President Yoon Suk Yeol and what’s the impact on the ROK-China relations and on the situation in the Korean Peninsula? Will the appointment of a new ambassador be postponed due to the impeachment?

Lin Jian: We have taken note of the most recent political developments in the ROK. They are the ROK’s internal affairs, which I’ll not comment on.

Let me say that China and the ROK are important neighbors and cooperation partners. The sound and steady growth of bilateral relations is in the interest of both sides. China’s policy towards the ROK has been consistent, and we have maintained the continuity of that policy. We hope the ROK will make continued positive efforts with China to actively deepen our friendly cooperation and strategic cooperative partnership.

A peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula is in the interest of all parties and requires the concerted and strong effort of all sides.

On your second question, I have no information to share. You may follow the Foreign Ministry’s website for any update.

Xinhua News Agency: To follow up on Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djurić’s visit to China, how does China view its current relations with Serbia? What’s China’s expectation of the visit?

Lin Jian: China welcomes Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djurić to visit China.

Serbia is China’s ironclad friend. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Aleksandar Vučić, bilateral relations have realized leapfrog growth and historic achievements. Cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, energy, cultural and people-to-people exchange, and education continues to expand, and bilateral relations have been deepened and upgraded. Through this visit, China stands ready to work with Serbia to consolidate ironclad friendship, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation and advance the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era.

China News Service: According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, China and the US extended the Agreement Between the United States and China on Cooperation in Science and Technology for years. What’s China’s comment?

Lin Jian: On December 13, the representatives of the Chinese and US governments signed in Beijing a protocol to amend the Agreement Between the United States and China on Cooperation in Science and Technology (STA) and extend it for an additional five years, effective from August 27, 2024.

Scientific cooperation between China and the US benefits both sides. The STA is one of the first government-to-government agreements signed between the two countries after establishment of diplomatic ties, and has been a strong buttress for scientific exchange and cooperation between the two countries. The extension of the agreement is an important move to follow up on the common understandings reached between the two presidents when they met. The extension is in the interest of both peoples, and what the international community hopes to see. It will not only contribute to both countries’ science and technology advancement and socioeconomic development, but also enable China and the US to respond to global challenges together, which will in turn benefit people around the world. We hope the US will work with China to earnestly implement the agreement so that the two sides’ cooperation in science and technology can truly deliver for both countries and the world.

AFP: Taiwan’s defense ministry said today that it has received 38 advanced Abrams battle tanks from the US. Does China have a comment on this?

Lin Jian: Let me first correct you by pointing out that there is no such thing as “Taiwan’s defense ministry.” China is firmly opposed to the US’s military ties with and arms sales to China’s Taiwan region. This position is consistent and unequivocal. China calls on the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, especially the August 17 Communiqué of 1982, stop arming Taiwan, and stop abetting and aiding separatists’ attempt to seek “Taiwan independence” through military buildup. The Taiwan authorities’ attempt of seeking “Taiwan independence” through military buildup and soliciting foreign support for that agenda will not succeed. China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

AFP: A US warship arrived in Cambodia on Monday just kilometers away from the Chinese renovated Ream naval base. This is the first American military port call to Cambodia in eight years. Does China have a comment on this?

Lin Jian: We noted relevant reports. China believes that security and defense exchange and cooperation between countries should be conducive to regional peace and stability, not otherwise.

PTI: The special representatives’ talks, that is Indian National Security Adviser Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, are due to take place after the October agreement and there’s speculation that the meeting is likely to take place shortly. Do you have any dates for it?

Lin Jian: Not long ago, the Chinese and Indian leaders met in Kazan and reached important common understanding on making good use of the Special Representatives mechanism on the China-India boundary question. The two sides are in close communication on holding a meeting under the mechanism. We will release the information once we have any update on that.

AFP: According to Kyodo News report, Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is arranging talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on December 25. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm this and give any details?

Lin Jian: We believe it is important to maintain dialogue and communication with Japan in all areas and at various levels, and stand ready to work with Japan to improve and advance bilateral relations. As for the specific visit you mentioned, I have no information to share at this time.