CCTV: How does China view the significance of Premier Li Qiang’s official visit to Indonesia? Could you share more information on this visit?

Mao Ning: At the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Premier Li Qiang paid an official visit to Indonesia from May 24 to 26. During the visit, Premier Li held talks with President Prabowo Subianto and they jointly attended the Indonesia-China Business Reception. He also met with Speaker of Indonesia’s House of Representatives Puan Maharani and held a symposium for Chinese enterprises operating in Indonesia.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia and Premier Li’s visit is of vital significance. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 75 years ago, China and Indonesia have supported and stood by each other, and the cooperation between the two sides has continued to scale new heights, setting an example of major developing countries seeking self-improvement through unity and achieving mutual benefit. Standing at a new historical starting point, China stands ready to work with Indonesia to form greater synergy between the development strategies of the two countries, deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, improve the level of trade and investment facilitation, expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. Amid an international landscape full of changes and instability and with rising unilateralism and protectionism, the Bandung Spirit has become even more relevant. China stands ready to work with Indonesia and other fellow developing countries to carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, work proactively to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, stay committed to multilateralism and free trade, firmly defend the common interests of developing countries and promote world peace, stability and development. 

TV Tokyo: The date for the return of the pandas from Wakayama, Japan, to China has been decided. Could you please provide the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ comment on this? Additionally, is there a plan to send new pandas to Wakayama in the future?

Mao Ning: Over the years, the giant pandas living in Japan have received tremendous affection from the Japanese public. China and Japan have had fruitful cooperation on giant panda breeding, research, exchanges and public education. Based on the cooperation agreement, giant panda Liang Bang and her three cubs will return to China this June. We thank the teams in Japan for the meticulous care to the pandas, and we welcome Japanese friends to come visit them in China.

AFP: The summit between ASEAN, China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will be held in Malaysia from Monday to Wednesday. What are China’s expectations, especially with regard to the current trade war with the United States?

Mao Ning: As we previously announced, Premier Li Qiang will attend the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. Through the summit, China looks to enhance cooperation with member states of ASEAN and GCC. Information about the meeting will be released in due course. Please stay tuned.