CCTV: Yesterday, the inauguration ceremony of the International Organization for Mediation was held in Hong Kong. Could you share more information on that?

Guo Jiakun: On October 20, the inauguration ceremony of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was held in Hong Kong. Representatives from over 30 founding member states and nearly 200 representatives from various sectors in Hong Kong attended the ceremony. Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying attended the ceremony and delivered remarks.

The vision of IOMed has a lot in common with the Global Governance Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping. The IOMed aims to promote reconciliation, cooperation and harmony, defend fairness, justice and equity, uphold extensive consultation, joint contribution for shared benefit, and focus on people-centered approach and real results. Establishing the IOMed is a pioneering act in international rule of law. The IOMed will play a positive role in advancing the building of a community with a shared future for humanity by promoting the rule of law, and will help make Hong Kong the “capital of mediation.”

On May 30 this year, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi attended the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed and, on behalf of China, signed the convention in Hong Kong. Effective from August, the convention now has 37 country signatories and has been ratified by eight of them. Within just five months, the IOMed has seen its convention signed and put into effect, and started operation, which is not often the case for international organizations. This fully shows that the establishment of the IOMed echoes the trend of the times and is supported and welcomed by the international community.

As the IOMed’s initiator and host country, China welcomes more countries to join the IOMed at an early date, engage in close cooperation with the organization and together make new contribution to world peace and development.  

AFP: U.S. President Donald Trump voiced doubt on Monday that China would invade Taiwan, expressing confidence in his relationship with Chinese leader. When asked about an earlier Pentagon assessment that China’s mainland was eyeing 2027 to attempt to seize Taiwan, Trump said, “I think we’ll be just fine with China. China doesn’t want to do that.” Trump also said he would travel to China early next year. What is the Foreign Ministry’s response to Trump’s comments? And can you confirm that he was invited to China?

Guo Jiakun: China’s position on the Taiwan question remains consistent and clear. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair and a matter for the Chinese ourselves to resolve. We stand ready to strive for peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and the greatest effort, but we will never ever allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from China in any way.

Regarding your question on heads-of-state diplomacy, let me stress that heads-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations. The presidents of China and the U.S. maintain close communication and exchanges. For the specifics you asked about, I have no information to share at the moment.

CRI: It’s reported that on October 19 local time, candidate Rodrigo Paz from the Christian Democratic Party won 54.5 percent of the vote in Bolivia’s presidential runoff, according to early results from Bolivia’s electoral tribunal. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: China congratulates Mr. Paz on winning the runoff. We are confident that under his leadership, Bolivia will score new achievement in its national development.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China-Bolivia diplomatic relations. Bolivia is China’s strategic partner. China stands ready to work with the new Bolivian government to move forward bilateral ties and deliver more tangibly for the two peoples.

Bloomberg: According to the latest reports, U.S. President Donald Trump recently declared “full steam ahead” on the AUKUS pact among the U.S., Australia and the UK, signaling his support for the Biden-era security agreement that had been under a cloud since his return to office. Can the Foreign Ministry provide comments on the reports?

Guo Jiakun: China has made clear more than once its position on the so-called trilateral security partnership between the U.S., the UK and Australia designed to advance cooperation on nuclear submarines and other cutting-edge military technologies. We oppose bloc confrontation and anything that increases the risk of nuclear proliferation and exacerbates arms race.

China Daily: Recently, the U.S. announced visa restrictions on those citizens of Central American nations as well as their immediate family members who work with the Communist Party of China and undermine the rule of law in Central America. The business community in Central America was also threatened by the U.S. not to carry out cooperation with Chinese state-owned enterprises. What’s China’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: Regarding the recent visa restrictions announced by the U.S., China has already made clear its position and lodged serious protests with the U.S. The U.S. takes illegitimate measures in the name of the rule of law, uses unilateral sanctions for political suppression and economic coercion targeting relevant regions, countries and personnel, puts its own domestic law above international law and its international obligations, and undermines the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of other countries. This is yet another example of U.S. bullyism which seriously violates the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and sabotages the international order.

The U.S. pointed fingers at Central American countries’ normal exchanges with China, and its accusations are ill-intentioned and groundless, and lack the basic respect for Central American countries. It’s yet another example of U.S. bullying and domineering acts. That reveals relevant U.S. politicians’ deep-seated arrogance and bias. Weaponizing visa will not intimidate those supporting the right cause. Nor will it hold back the flourishing ties between China and Central American countries. China will continue to be the good friend and good partner of Central American countries in the common pursuit of development and vitalization, and in building a China-LAC community with a shared future.

Reuters: U.S. President Trump said he could threaten China with further restrictions on U.S. airplane parts while also saying that he looks forward to meeting Chinese leader in South Korea. What’s China’s response to this?

Guo Jiakun: China’s position on economic and trade issues between China and the U.S. is consistent and clear. Tariff wars and trade wars serve no one’s interests. The two sides can and should address relevant issues through consultation on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit. On your question about the interactions between the two heads of state, I have made a response just now.

Kyodo News: Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi was just elected as Japan’s Prime Minister. What’s the Foreign Ministry’s comment on that and expectation of the new prime minister? How will that affect China-Japan ties?

Guo Jiakun: China noted the result of the vote and considers it Japan’s internal affair. China and Japan are each other’s neighbors. China’s fundamental position on its relations with Japan is consistent and clear. We hope Japan will work with China, observe the principles laid down in the four political documents between the two countries, honor its political commitments on major issues concerning history and Taiwan, uphold the political foundation of the bilateral relationship, and fully advance the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit.

Beijing Youth Daily: We noted that today, the third Workshop on AI Capacity Building opened in Beijing. Could you share with us more details?

Guo Jiakun: China has hosted the Workshop on AI Capacity Building several times. This is a results-oriented move to implement the UN General Assembly Resolution on Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-Building of Artificial Intelligence and the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All. Representatives from other countries were invited to the workshop for discussions on how to promote AI development for good and for all and the global governance of AI. China was commended for hosting the workshop, which demonstrates its credibility and responsibility as a major country. Through the workshop, China looks forward to an in-depth exchange of views with all parties to deliver the benefits of modernization, including AI, to people worldwide and offer new opportunities to world development through the achievements in Chinese modernization.

Reuters: President Trump and Australian Prime Minister Albanese have both signed a critical minerals agreement with the aim to counter China. What is your comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: The global industrial and supply chains came into shape as a result of the choices of the market and businesses. Countries with critical mineral resources need to play a positive role in keeping relevant industrial and supply chains safe and stable and to ensure normal trade and economic cooperation.