At the invitation of the Namibian government, President Xi Jinping’s special envoy and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Peng Qinghua will attend the inauguration ceremony of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Windhoek on March 21.

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo, Japan on March 22. While he is in Japan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya will co-chair the Sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue.

ZDF: In Germany, there are discussions about publishing all available information about the origin of the COVID pandemic, including findings by the intelligence service allegedly saying that the virus most likely originated in a lab in Wuhan. What is China’s stance on it?

Mao Ning: We have stated China’s position on this issue for many times. We believe the COVID-19 origins-tracing is a matter of science, and the judgement should be made by scientists and the science-based spirit should be upheld. On the COVID-19 origins-tracing, we firmly oppose all forms of political manipulation. It is “extremely unlikely” that the pandemic was caused by a lab leak—this is the authoritative conclusion reached by the experts of the WHO-China joint mission based on science following their field trips to the lab in Wuhan and in-depth communication with researchers. The conclusion has been widely acknowledged by the international community, including the science community.

Anadolu Agency: Israel started a large-scale attack in Gaza Strip early in the morning, breaking the ceasefire. Over 300 people, most of them women and children, were reported to be killed so far in this military operation, and civilian casualties are mounting as we speak. What is China’s comment about the situation in Gaza?

Mao Ning: China is closely following the ongoing situation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We hope parties will work to enable the continuous and effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement, refrain from any escalatory action and prevent further deepening the humanitarian disaster.

Shenzhen TV: We noted that in the Report on the Work of the Government, China set the 2025 GDP growth target at around five percent. According to some media comments, this target is ambitious, showing China’s clear resolve to maintain growth. Some believe, however, difficulty in hitting the target awaits China. What’s your comment? 

Mao Ning: This year, China’s GDP growth target of around five percent is set in light of the science-based assessment of evolving dynamics both at home and abroad, full confidence in high-quality development, and the balance between qualitative and quantitative growth. The target offers a glimpse of China’s general principle of striving hard to pursue progress while ensuring stability.

Despite mounting tariff barriers, a complex external environment and other challenges, we are fully confident in achieving the growth target. On demand, China has an enormous market and great potential for domestic demand. On supply, China has the most complete industrial system and considerable capacity for production. On institutional strengths, China has effective governance mechanisms featuring long-term plans, sound regulation, and coordination between central and local governments. On policy tools, China will adopt a more proactive fiscal policy and an appropriately accommodative monetary policy to fully buttress high-quality growth. A new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other is being fostered at a faster pace. Our diverse trading partners cover more than 230 countries and regions in the world. China is capable of guarding against the uncertainty brought by external shocks.

Yesterday, competent authorities shared information about China’s economic performance for January and February, which shows that the momentum of economic rebound has been sustained and the policy measures are showing effect. We will further deepen reform and expand opening up. The giant ship of China’s economy will continue to cleave the waves and sail steadily toward the future, which will benefit China and provide the world with much-needed stability.

Yonhap News Agency: According to the ROK government, on February 26, an ocean research ship tried to investigate a steel structure set up by China in the provisional maritime zone in the Yellow Sea. As the ROK research vessel approached within 1 kilometer of the structure, China Coast Guard and other Chinese on rubber boats blocked the vessel. What is China’s position on this?

Mao Ning: I am not familiar with the specifics you mentioned. What I can tell you is that China and the ROK have overlapping claims on maritime rights and interests. The two sides are advancing negotiations on maritime delimitation and in the meanwhile, actively carrying out cooperation in the provisional maritime zone in accordance with the China-ROK Fishery Agreement. Regarding the maritime disputes between the two sides, China and the ROK maintain sound communication through the dialogue and cooperation mechanism of maritime affairs, and the maritime law enforcement authorities of the two countries also have smooth communication channel. The situation in the Yellow Sea is stable at the moment.

Reuters: Two questions. President Trump said that the Chinese leader may visit the U.S. in the not-too-distant future for talks. Does China have any comment on this? Second question, the U.S. Commerce Department said that using DeepSeek on government devices is banned. Do you have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: On your first question, I have no information to read out on that. 

On your second question, China opposes overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing trade and tech issues. We will firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

AFP: Australia said today that it raised concerns with China and Hong Kong authorities after Kevin Yam was targeted with wanted letters that referenced alleged national security offenses in Hong Kong and also included a Hong Kong police email address on the letter. Does the Foreign Ministry have a response to this?

Mao Ning: Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs that brook no external interference. Australia blatantly interfered in Hong Kong’s rule of law. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it. We urge Australia to respect China’s sovereignty and rule of law in Hong Kong to foster good conditions and atmosphere for sustainable development of China-Australia relations.

Reuters: Reports say that a delegation of Thai government officials is visiting China this week to check on the welfare of Chinese citizens who were deported from Thailand back to Xinjiang. Does China have any comment on this? And can you confirm the visit?

Mao Ning: This visit is part of the normal friendly exchanges between China and Thailand. I’d like to refer you to the competent authorities for more specifics. I can tell you that Xinjiang will keep its door open to the world and we welcome people from all walks of life in the international community to come and visit Xinjiang.

AFP: There are reports today that Chinese authorities are investigating CK Hutchison’s sale of its overseas ports after the company agreed to sell its Panama operations. Can the Ministry confirm these investigations or give any details?

Mao Ning: On your specific question, I’d refer you to competent authorities. Let me stress more broadly that China firmly opposes moves that infringe on and undermine other countries’ legitimate rights and interests through economic coercion, hegemonism and bullying.

Bloomberg: President Donald Trump has moved to close the agency that oversees Voice of America and Radio Free Asia and that has drawn praise from China and Cambodia. The Global Times used an editorial to celebrate the closing of VOA, which it called a “lie factory” for “stirring up conflict.” We are wondering if the Foreign Ministry has any comment.

Mao Ning: We are not going to comment on U.S. adjustment of its domestic policies and the views of Chinese media. But on those U.S. media you mentioned, their blemished track record on China coverage is hardly a secret.

AFP: I just wonder if you could provide any more information on Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Japan for the trilateral meeting.

Mao Ning: Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Japan to attend the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and exchange views with the Japanese side and the ROK side on advancing the trilateral cooperation as well as on regional and international issues of common interest. While he is in Japan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will co-chair with Foreign Minister Iwaya the Sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue, which is an important step to implement the common understandings between the leaders of the two countries reached in their meeting in Lima. The two sides will enhance macro policy coordination and identify key areas and direction for cooperation going forward through this dialogue. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also meet with political figures of Japan and heads of organizations dedicated to China-Japan friendship. For the specifics, we will release readouts in a timely manner. Please check back for updates later.