CCTV: We noted that last weekend, the fifth China International Consumer Products Expo opened. Yesterday, the 2025 Global Industrial Investment Promotion Conference for the Hainan Free Trade Port was held. This morning, the 137th Canton Fair kicked off in Guangzhou. Some believe that amid the looming tariff and trade war, China has hosted multiple events, which shows its commitment to opening up. What’s your comment?
Lin Jian: I believe many from both Chinese and foreign media have noted recent events. The fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) was attended by 65 Fortune Global 500 companies and over 4,100 consumer brands, a record high in its history. At the 2025 Global Industrial Investment Promotion Conference for the Hainan Free Trade Port during the CICPE, 265 projects were signed with an investment of about RMB 233.6 billion. At the Canton Fair that kicked off this morning, nearly 73,000 booths are dedicated to export-related displays and the number of exhibitors surpasses 30,000 for the first time. Moreover, the China Development Forum 2025 that was held not long ago attracted official representatives from 86 multinationals in 21 countries. The success of these events says a lot about the resolve and confidence of all parties in strengthening trade and economic cooperation and resisting unilateralism and protectionism.
Being more and more open is China’s firm commitment to sharing development with the rest of the world. Since 2017, the negative list for foreign investment has been shortened from 93 to 29 items nationwide, and all restrictions on access in the manufacturing sector have been removed. Last year, 59,000 foreign-invested companies were newly established in China, up by 9.9 percent year-on-year. According to the latest data released by competent authorities yesterday, China’s total import and export of goods reached RMB 10.3 trillion in the first quarter, of which exports exceeded RMB 6 trillion with a relatively fast growth of 6.9 percent.
China is the world’s market and a source of opportunities for every country. In a world full of uncertainties, China will continue to seek joining hands rather than throwing punches, removing barriers rather than erecting walls, and promoting connectivity rather than decoupling. We will further expand the trade network, be an even stronger magnet for investment, and provide stability and positive energy to the world economy through high-quality development and high-standard opening up.
AFP: There have been reports in the last few days that Google Maps now shows the name “West Philippine Sea” for the body of water next to the Philippines where previously it only showed the South China Sea. Does China have any comment on this apparent change by Google?
Lin Jian: Let me point out that “South China Sea” is the geographic name that has long been used, recognized and accepted by the international community, including countries worldwide and international organizations such as the UN.
Ukrinform News Agency: Two Chinese nationals, who were fighting as part of the occupying Russian army and were captured by Ukrainian defense forces in the Donetsk region, yesterday at a briefing in Kyiv have declared their readiness for a prisoner exchange and appealed to the Chinese government to bring them back home. Would the Ministry like to comment on this?
Lin Jian: China’s position on relevant issue is very clear. We’ve issued multiple security alerts to ask Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any party’s military operations. We are verifying relevant information. With regard to the personal behavior and individual consular cases involving Chinese nationals overseas, China will handle that in accordance with the law.
China’s position on the issue of the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We have all along been committed to promoting talks for peace and ending the conflict. We urge relevant parties to have a correct and clear understanding of China’s objective and just position and refrain from political manipulation and hype.
Hubei Media Group: It’s reported that Dominican Interior Minister Faride Raful said on April 14 that the death toll from the roof collapse in the capital of the Dominican Republic has risen to 231. What’s China’s comment? Has China sent sympathies to the Dominican side?
Lin Jian: China sent deep sympathies to the Dominican Republic. We mourned for the lives lost, and our thoughts are with the bereaved families and the injured. We hope those who are injured get well soon.
AFP: The Harbin Public Security Bureau said today they implicated three U.S. agents in cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games earlier this year. I just wonder if the Ministry would like to comment on this case.
Lin Jian: We noted the reports. We previously made clear China’s position more than once. At the ninth Asian Winter Games, the U.S. government conducted cyberattacks on the information systems of the Games and the critical information infrastructure in Heilongjiang. This move is egregious for it severely endangers the security of China’s critical information infrastructure, national defense, finance, society and production as well as its citizens’ personal information. China condemns the above-mentioned malicious cyber activity by the U.S. government.
China raised concerns with the U.S. through various means about its cyberattacks on China’s key infrastructure. We urge the U.S. to take a responsible attitude on the cybersecurity issue, and stop any attack, including cyberattack, and groundless vilification against China. China will continue to do what is necessary to protect its own cybersecurity.
Beijing Youth Daily: Today is the 10th National Security Education Day of China. We noted that this year’s theme is “The 10th anniversary of National Security Education Day: advancing towards more in-depth and effective implementation.” Can you share with us how the effect of national security education is reflected in diplomatic work, and how to ensure diplomatic work help keep the country secure and the world peaceful and tranquil?
Lin Jian: After the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core put forward a new holistic approach to national security, providing the fundamental principle and guidance for national security work in the new era. Over the past few years, various education activities have been held around the country for people to gain a deeper understanding of this thinking, and increase awareness and sense of responsibility for national security.
We in the foreign service are staunch defenders of and active contributors to national security. We work hard to deepen our understanding of and closely follow the holistic approach to national security, actively carry out national security education, and take concrete actions to fulfill our responsibility and mission of defending national security through diplomatic work. We firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests with strong determination and strenuous effort, and stand against any external pressure, threats and coercion. We have actively advanced the Global Security Initiative, promoted international security cooperation, and worked with various parties to jointly address traditional and non-traditional security challenges, improve global security governance, and make the world as a whole a safer place.
As we embark on the new journey, China’s diplomacy will continue to apply the holistic approach to national security in our diplomatic work, and aim to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and development interests, advance the Global Security Initiative, hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and work with other countries to build a beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace and universal security.
Bloomberg: The U.S. Treasury Secretary recently described China’s investments in certain Global South countries as “rapacious,” saying they take the countries’ mineral rights and leave them with debts on their balance sheets. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on those remarks?
Lin Jian: China is always an important member of the Global South and stays committed to promoting solidarity and revitalization of the Global South. The economic and trade cooperation between China and Global South countries as well as other countries follows international rules and market rules, and is characterized by complementarity and mutual benefit. The cooperation not only improves the well-being of the people in developing countries, but also promotes economic transformation and upgrading in these countries, thus bringing tangible benefits to countries’ prosperity and development and people’s lives.
I noted that the U.S. official you mentioned made those remarks in Latin America. Let me point out that China carries out practical cooperation with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, which greatly boosted socioeconomic development in LAC countries and was welcomed and commended by them. The U.S. long-term bullying and plundering has left Latin America with open veins. The U.S. is not in the position to point fingers at the cooperation between China and LAC countries.
