CCTV: Tajikistan held elections to the lower house of parliament on March 2. What’s China’s comment? 

Lin Jian: China congratulates Tajikistan on the successful elections of the lower house of parliament. At the invitation of Tajikistan’s Central Commission for Elections and Referenda, China sent a group to Tajikistan to observe the elections. China believes that the elections are democratic, open and transparent, and demonstrate the political openness and inclusiveness of the country. China highly commends that and sincerely wishes the people of Tajikistan new, greater achievements in national development under the leadership of President Emomali Rahmon.

As a friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic cooperative partner in the new era, China values its relations with Tajikistan, and stands ready to work with Tajikistan to earnestly implement the important common understandings between President Xi Jinping and President Rahmon. We will step up mutual support, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation on all fronts, and strive for more solid progress in building a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future.

Beijing Daily: New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters said after his visit to China last week that the special relationship between New Zealand and China is in the “second decade”, and the two sides had substantive and constructive dialogues on bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues. Can you share more details?

Lin Jian: From February 25 to 27, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters visited China. This is an important high-level exchange as the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters the second decade. This visit is aimed at delivering on the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, enhancing strategic communication, and promoting the continued sound and steady growth of the bilateral relations at the new starting point.

Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met and had talks with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters respectively. The two sides had candid and in-depth exchange of views on China-New Zealand relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, and agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen dialogue and communication, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to the one-China policy and that it is committed to being a positive partner with China. China expressed appreciation for this stance.

China stands to work with New Zealand to renew the traditional friendship, carry forward the spirit of “striving to be the first”, and become partners with mutual trust and achieve mutual success, thereby better benefiting the peoples of both countries and maintaining regional and global peace and stability.

The New York Times: The United States has imposed further 10 percent tariffs on most goods from China. What is your reaction?

Lin Jian: I believe you’ve noticed the statements released by competent Chinese departments. The fentanyl issue is a flimsy excuse to raise U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports. China has made clear its opposition more than once. Our countermeasures to defend our rights and interests are fully legitimate and necessary.

The U.S., not anyone else, is responsible for the fentanyl crisis inside the U.S. In the spirit of humanity and goodwill towards the American people, we have taken robust steps to assist the U.S. in dealing with the issue. This is obvious to all and people from various sectors in the U.S. have expressed thanks to China on multiple occasions. Instead of recognizing our efforts, the U.S. has sought to vilify and shift the blame to China, and is seeking to pressure and blackmail China with tariff hikes. They’ve been punishing us for helping them. This is not going to solve the U.S.’s problem and will undermine our counternarcotics dialogue and cooperation. 

Let me reiterate that intimidation does not scare us. Bullying does not work on us. Pressuring, coercion or threats are not the right way of dealing with China. Anyone using maximum pressure on China is picking the wrong guy and miscalculating. If the U.S. truly wants to solve the fentanyl issue, then the right thing to do is to consult with China on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit to address each other’s concerns. If the U.S. has other agenda in mind and if war is what the U.S. wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end. We urge the U.S. to stop being domineering and return to the right track of dialogue and cooperation at an early date.