At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will visit China from February 25 to 27.

Hubei Media Group: You just announced that New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will visit China. Could you share the schedule of this visit and China’s expectations?

Guo Jiakun: This year marks the beginning of the second decade for the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand. Last November, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon in Lima. The meeting provided strategic guidance for the two countries’ relationship to continue its sound and steady growth from a new starting point. Premier Li Qiang paid a visit to New Zealand last year and reached important common understandings with the New Zealand side on deepening practical cooperation.

The visit of Deputy Prime Minister Peters will be the first important high-level interaction between China and New Zealand this year and his first visit to China since he took office in 2023. The visit is important for advancing the implementation of the common understandings between the leaders of the two countries and consolidating the sound momentum of growth in bilateral relations. During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Deputy Prime Minister Peters will exchange in-depth views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. China hopes to step up strategic communication, enhance mutual understanding and deepen exchanges and cooperation with New Zealand, and jointly address challenges and strive to build a China-New Zealand relationship that features mutual respect and accommodation, focuses on cooperation and pursues common development.

AFP: Donald Trump said yesterday that he thought a trade deal with China was “possible.” Does China agree that it’s possible and has there been any progress towards a deal on trade and tariffs with the U.S.?

Guo Jiakun: China has stated its position more than once on the China-U.S. economic and trade ties. Trade wars and tariff wars have no winners and hurt the interests of people of all countries. We firmly oppose the U.S. unilateral tariff hikes. The two sides need to address each other’s concerns through dialogue and consultation on the basis of equality and mutual respect. China will continue to do what is necessary to firmly safeguard our legitimate rights and interests.

China Daily: It’s reported that Chinese scientists have been in Japan again to conduct independent sampling and monitoring of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water. Could China share more details with us?

Guo Jiakun: Organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), from February 19 to 21, scientists from China and other countries have been independently collecting samples of nuclear-contaminated water to be discharged and seawater, and participating in marine life sampling from the discharge facility at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station and its nearby waters. This is part of the steps that Japan has promised to take on the issue of the discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea. Going forward, we will keep you updated on the progress of the ongoing international monitoring of the nuclear-contaminated water and China’s independent sampling and monitoring.

Global Times: I’ve learned that the marine life samples that Chinese scientists had collected arrived in China. Could China confirm it?

Guo Jiakun: The discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea involves many aspects. It is a complex and highly scientific issue. To fully assess the impact of the discharge in a science-based way, Chinese scientists, organized by the IAEA, collected different kinds of samples, including the seawater and marine life samples in the vicinity of the discharge outlets and the nuclear-contaminated water to be discharged at the discharge facility of the power plant. China will continue to work with the international community to improve relevant arrangement.

Recently, the marine life samples that Chinese scientists had collected arrived in China. Rigorous independent testing and analysis are being carried out by professional Chinese research institutes, and results will be released in a timely manner.

AFP: There are reports today that Chinese citizens involved in scam centers are being repatriated from Thailand. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that they have already arrived back in China and also could you provide more information?

Guo Jiakun: Fighting online gambling and scam demonstrates our commitment to the people-centered development philosophy. It is also a must choice for safeguarding the common interests of regional countries, and meets the shared aspiration of the people of all countries. 

China is carrying out active bilateral and multilateral cooperation with countries including Thailand and Myanmar. We have adopted various means to address both symptoms and the root cause and worked together to prevent lawbreakers from crossing borders, so as to jointly eradicate the problems of online gambling and scam, safeguard the life and property of the people, and uphold the order of exchanges between regional countries. As for your specific question, I’d refer you to competent Chinese authorities.

Reuters: President Trump has called President Zelenskyy a “dictator.” Does China agree with President Trump’s description of President Zelenskyy? Does China believe that Ukraine should hold elections when Zelenskyy’s term ends in May?

Guo Jiakun: China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear.

Reuters: The G20 meeting of foreign ministers is kicking off in South Africa today, but Secretary Rubio is skipping it because the U.S. administration is not interested in the agenda set by South Africa. Should we expect to see the U.S. further pulling away from groups like G20 this year? Will G20 become G19? How will China step up and assert its leadership in the absence of the U.S.?

Guo Jiakun: We will not comment on the decisions made by the US. We have released information on Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s attendance at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa. We believe that as the premier platform for international economic cooperation, the G20 needs to advocate the spirit of partnership, pool efforts to promote global economic growth, set the pace in making global governance more just and equitable, and help countries achieve common development and prosperity. China will continue to support South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

Reuters: I just want to follow up on my colleague’s question about President Trump’s statements on China yesterday. He also said yesterday that he expected the Chinese leader to visit the United States without giving a timeline. Finally, he also said that he was speaking with China on TikTok without elaborating. Could the Foreign Ministry provide more information?

Guo Jiakun: China’s U.S. policy is consistent and clear. We stand ready to work with the U.S. for steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations under the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. We hope that the U.S. will earnestly act on the important common understandings reached between the two presidents in their phone call, and work with China in the same direction. As for your specific question, I have nothing to share.

On TikTok-related issues, we’ve made clear more than once our principled position.

Reuters: A U.S. government source said that the United States will not be sending a delegation to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change meeting in Hangzhou next week. What is China’s response?

Guo Jiakun: I’m not familiar with what you mentioned. China’s position on climate change is consistent and clear. We will continue to fulfill our climate pledges and actively contribute our part to the joint global response to climate change, a challenge faced by all. 

Reuters: The U.S. State Department has revised its China fact sheet, which is now an expanded section on economic ties emphasizing the U.S.-China trade deficit, China’s alleged unfair competition practices and U.S. firms’ concerns over operating in China. This fact sheet has also dropped all references to aid in China and working with allies on China. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this change of language?

Guo Jiakun: The changes made by the U.S. State Department on its “U.S.-China Relations” page and “U.S. Relations With China” fact sheet misrepresent the facts, attack China’s foreign policy, and peddle the so-called China-U.S. strategic competition. We strongly deplore and firmly oppose it. 

China’s U.S. policy is consistent and clear. We are committed to viewing and developing China-U.S. ties in line with the three principles put forth by President Xi Jinping, namely mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. We are equally determined to defend our sovereignty, security and development interest.

We urge the U.S. to act on the important common understandings reached by the two presidents during their phone call, stop misleading the U.S. people and the international community, stop smearing and putting pressure on China, view and handle China-U.S. relations in an objective and rational way, and jointly promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relationship.