AFP: Tensions are escalating between India and Pakistan. Is China in contact with both sides to ease tensions?

Lin Jian: China made clear its position on the ongoing situation between India and Pakistan. China finds India’s military operation early this morning regrettable. We are concerned about the ongoing situation. India and Pakistan are and will always be each other’s neighbors. They’re both China’s neighbors as well. China opposes all forms of terrorism. We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation. We stand ready to work with the international community to continue to play a constructive role in the deescalation of the ongoing tensions. 

Reuters: It’s a follow-up on the escalation between India and Pakistan. Is there any impact on Chinese citizens there or on Chinese airlines that fly over the region?

Lin Jian: China is closely following the developments of the situation. We advise Chinese nationals and institutions in relevant regions to closely watch the developments, take extra safety precautions, avoid traveling to places involved in the conflict and, in case of emergencies, immediately contact Chinese embassies and consulates there for help.

Beijing Youth Daily: Not long ago, U.S. President Trump said on his Truth Social account that “American Ships, both Military and Commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez Canals. Those Canals would not exist without the United States of America. I’ve asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take care of the situation.” These remarks have recently met strong opposition from various sectors in Egypt. What’s China’s comment?

Lin Jian: We noted relevant reports. Egypt has indisputable sovereignty over and right to manage and operate the Suez Canal. We firmly support the Egyptian government and people in defending sovereignty and their legitimate rights and interests, and oppose any acts or statements of bullying.

Shenzhen TV: According to Spanish media reports, the Spanish government recently released the Foreign Action Strategy 2025-2028, stressing the need to deepen Spain-China comprehensive strategic partnership. The measures taken by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to deepen relations with China are not for the short term but an important part of the road map of Spain’s diplomacy for the next four years. What’s China’s comment? 

Lin Jian: China appreciates the importance the Spanish government attaches to developing its relations with China and its continuous effort of advancing practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez paid a successful visit to China not long ago. The two sides jointly issued the Action Plan for Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and proposed to build a more strategically resilient and dynamic comprehensive strategic partnership. China and Spain also signed multiple cooperation documents on economic and trade ties, education and science and technology, and achieved major cooperation outcomes in new energy fields, including electric vehicles and battery. China stands ready to work with Spain to continue deepening open cooperation, especially practical cooperation in such fields as green development, artificial intelligence and digital economy, so as to bring more benefit to the two peoples and add more impetus to China-EU relations.

Reuters: Russia and Ukraine have launched air attacks overnight on each other’s capitals, which disrupted Moscow’s key airports for most of the night. How does China view this development?

Lin Jian: China’s position on the issue of Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We’ve all along been committed to promoting talks for peace and ending the conflict. Most countries in the international community are also playing a constructive role in their own way for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. The pressing priority is to avoid escalation of tensions, and relevant parties need to build consensus and create conditions for this. 

Bloomberg: Earlier today China announced that He Lifeng will be going to Switzerland in part to meet with U.S. senior officials. Can you give us more details about what is Chinese expectations for those talks and also who will be accompanying the vice premier on his trip?

Lin Jian: Recently, the U.S. said repeatedly it wants to negotiate with China. This meeting is requested by the U.S. side.

China firmly opposes the U.S.’s tariff hikes. This position remains unchanged. Meanwhile, as we’ve stressed many times before, China is open to dialogue, but any dialogue must be based on equality, respect and mutual benefit. To pressure or coerce China in whatever way simply does not work. We will resolutely safeguard our legitimate interests and uphold international fairness and justice.

CCTV: To follow up on the high level meeting on economic and trade affairs between China and the U.S., the U.S. recently has been hyping up that the high additional tariff is unsustainable for Beijing. What’s your response?

Lin Jian: No external shocks can change China’s economic fundamentals with a stable foundation, numerous strengths, remarkable resilience and vast potential. Nor can they change the consistent trend of China’s steady progress in pursuing high-quality development. China is highly resilient under pressure and has a full toolbox to defend our legitimate rights and interests, and stands ready to work with the international community to enhance solidarity and coordination, jointly oppose unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, safeguard multilateral trading system and uphold international fairness and justice. 

CGTN: We noted that China and Zambia recently co-hosted a side event of the group of friends for international cooperation on AI capacity-building at the UN headquarters. Could you share more details with us?

Lin Jian: On May 6, China and Zambia co-hosted a side event of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building at the UN headquarters. Representatives from more than 70 countries, including Russia, France, Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Ethiopia, as well as international organizations such as the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union, attended the event to discuss the fair and inclusive development of AI. 

President Xi Jinping emphasized that AI can serve as a global public good to benefit humanity. China will continue to engage in broad international cooperation on AI, help the Global South countries in strengthening capacity building, and contribute China’s efforts to bridging the global AI divide. This month, China will also host the second Workshop on AI Capacity Building in Beijing, and we welcome broad participation from members of the Group of Friends.  

Development is a universal right for all countries, not the exclusive privilege of a few. Any country with a passion for AI, aspirations for capacity building, and confidence in international cooperation can use the Group of Friends as a platform to build consensus and promote cooperation.

EFE: So what is China’s view on Colombia’s plan to join the Belt and Road Initiative under President Petro’s upcoming visit?

Lin Jian: Colombia now chairs the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). China is working with Colombia to actively advance the preparation for the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum. On your specific question, I have nothing to read out at the moment.

PTI: Just a few hours ago, India had an official briefing on the current conflict. They have made it very clear that the targets that were taken today in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were mainly related to terror infrastructure. And this was also done because India has an additional information about new attacks being planned against the country. I would like you to elaborate on your position that you’ll work with the international community. Can you just elaborate on what kind of initiatives that Beijing is planning on that front?

Lin Jian: I answered relevant question just now and stated China’s principled position. The international community is following closely what is going on between India and Pakistan. China is committed to promoting talks for peace and keeping the region peaceful and stable. We also noted that both India and Pakistan said they don’t hope to see escalation of the situation. We hope India and Pakistan will remain calm, exercise restraint, work in the same direction and handle differences properly through dialogue and consultation. China stands ready to continue playing a constructive role in easing the current tensions.

Bloomberg: A follow-up to the trade talks. Previously, China’s position has been that without the U.S. reduction or removal of the unilateral tariffs which got to 145 percent, China would not be willing to talk. Now China has agreed to talk without the U.S. removing any of those tariffs except for the exemptions that were announced a few weeks ago. Why has China changed its negotiating stance? And is your expectation for the meeting that both sides will reduce tariff rate?

Lin Jian: As I just said, there isn’t any change in China’s position. This tariff war is started by the U.S. If a negotiated solution is truly what the U.S. wants, it should stop threatening and exerting pressure, and seek dialogue with China on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit. China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, and defend WTO rules and the multilateral trading system.

On specifics about the meeting, please stay tuned.

AFP: I got a question on Ukraine. So Chinese soldiers will march in Moscow on Friday for a military parade to mark the anniversary of the World War Two victory. Ukraine has said yesterday that it sees any participation by foreign army in this parade as support for Russia. So what is China’s response to Ukraine?

Lin Jian: The great victory of the World Anti-Fascist War is the result of concerted efforts of all nations and peoples in the world who love peace and support justice. The Chinese people and people of all ethnic groups in Soviet Union made enormous sacrifice and indelible historic contributions to secure the victory. China’s attendance at the celebrations hosted by Russia marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union shows that China respects and remembers history and is firmly resolved to defend the outcomes of the victory of World War II.

Bloomberg: When President Xi Jinping goes to Russia this week, he’ll have talks with President Vladimir Putin, and one of the topics of conversation will be the Power of Siberia 2 Gas Pipeline, which has been planned to go from Russia across Mongolia to China for years, but has never been started. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that the Power of Siberia 2 Gas Pipeline will be on the table for discussion and can you offer more details about that?

Lin Jian: China and Russia always carry out friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas, including energy, under the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit. For your specific question, I’d refer you to competent authorities.