China Daily: It’s reported that from August 4 to 7, the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between Cambodia and Thailand is being held in Malaysia. China is invited to attend an extraordinary session of the GBC meeting on August 7. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: Since the informal consultation among China, Cambodia and Thailand was successfully held on July 30, there has been no fighting along the Cambodia-Thailand border, the situation on the ground has been deescalating, and the ceasefire has been gradually implemented by Cambodia and Thailand. Under the active coordination of Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, the two countries are holding the General Border Committee meeting to have multi-tiered communication through a variety of avenues on developing a detailed mechanism for ceasefire monitoring, which is conducive to an effective and sustained end of the fighting. China commends and welcomes that.

According to the will of Cambodia and Thailand, China has actively maintained close communication with the two countries, Malaysia and other regional countries, cemented the ceasefire, promoted communication and dialogue, and helped deescalate the situation. China will continue to support ASEAN in promoting talks for peace, uphold a just and fair position, and play a constructive role in its own way for the turnaround of Cambodia-Thailand relations.  

The Associated Press: What’s the Foreign Ministry’s comment on the India-Philippines joint exercises in the South China Sea this week? (Similar question from Reuters) 

Guo Jiakun: Disputes over territory and maritime rights and interests should be settled through negotiation and consultation by countries directly concerned, and no third party is in any position to interfere in that.

Bloomberg: The Australian government recently charged a Chinese citizen under the “foreign interference” law. Does the Ministry have a comment on this? (Similar questions from AFP, the Associated Press and Reuters)

Guo Jiakun: We are not familiar with the specifics. Let me say more broadly that China develops relations with other countries, including Australia, on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of others. We never interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and in the meanwhile, firmly oppose any disruption to the normal people-to-people interactions, exchanges and cooperation between China and relevant country under the pretext of foreign interference. China will follow this case closely and protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals.