CCTV: It’s reported that on Monday the U.S. State Department spokesperson in a statement said that “the United States condemns China’s ramming and water cannoning of a Philippine vessel” in the South China Sea, and that “China’s sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea and its increasingly coercive actions to advance them continue to undermine regional stability and fly in the face of its prior commitments to resolve disputes peacefully.” The statement also said “the United States reaffirms Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft anywhere in the South China Sea.” Foreign missions of the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Finland and the European Union Delegation to the Philippines issued separate statements urging China to cease its “dangerous” tactics at sea. What’s your comment?

Lin Jian: I’ve made clear China’s solemn position on relevant incident at sea. All facts and evidence show that it was the Philippines who took infringement and provocative activities first. The Philippines is the provocateur responsible for triggering dangerous situation at sea and sabotaging regional stability. Turning a blind eye to the facts, the U.S. vilified and accused China over the legitimate and lawful measures China took to defend its sovereignty, and attempted to threaten China citing the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. Such moves once again exposed the U.S.’s ill intention of deliberately stoking confrontation and destabilizing the South China Sea, and serve as yet another evidence that the U.S. is the biggest source of risks undermining regional stability.

Let me stress that China stands firm in defending its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We maintain that maritime disputes should be peacefully resolved through negotiation and consultation between states directly concerned. Any threat or provocation is nothing but meaningless attempt that will never succeed.

Kyodo News: U.S. President Trump accused China of “purposefully not buying” soybeans from the U.S. and said he might stop trade in cooking oil with China in retaliation. What’s China’s comment? 

Lin Jian: China’s position on the economic and trade issues between China and the U.S. is consistent and clear. Tariff and trade wars have no winners and do not serve any party’s interest. The two sides need to address relevant issues through consultation on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit.

Telesur: Considering the U.S. yesterday announced attack on another fishing vessel near Venezuela’s coast, which reportedly left six dead, along with the deployment of U.S. warships and a nuclear submarine in the Caribbean Sea, and Venezuela’s activation of new integral defense zones, how does the Chinese government assess the risk of potential attacks also announced by the U.S. in Venezuelan territory, and what is China’s position regarding unilateral military actions carried out without United Nations authorization?

Lin Jian: China opposes the threat or use of force in international relations and opposes external interference in Venezuela’s domestic affairs under any pretext. China supports the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and the Declaration of Member States of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, and stands against moves that undermine peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

China supports the effort of combating cross-border crimes through stronger international cooperation, opposes the U.S. unilateral and excessive “enforcement operations” against other countries’ vessels, and calls on the U.S. to engage in normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation through bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks. 

Bloomberg: The European Union is considering forcing Chinese firms to hand over tech to European companies if they want to operate locally. This is an aggressive new push to make the bloc’s industry more competitive. Would the Foreign Ministry like to respond?

Lin Jian: I’d refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. More broadly, China supports trade and investment cooperation between Chinese and European companies based on market principles and for win-win results. We oppose forced technology transfer against WTO rules, interference in companies’ normal operations, and protectionist and discriminatory practices taken under the pretext of enhancing competitiveness.

The Paper: It’s reported that the Bureau International des Expositions (BIS) conferred the gold award for exhibition design among large self-built pavilions on the China Pavilion at the Osaka Expo 2025. This is the 17th time that on behalf of the Chinese government, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade brought China’s pavilion to expos overseas and the first time that the China Pavilion won the gold award. The secretary general of the BIS said that China’s pavilion not only showcased China’s thousands of years of history and culture, but also China’s solution for better development for the society in the future and its sense of responsibility. What’s your comment?

Lin Jian: We congratulate the China Pavilion on winning the award. The China Pavilion is a window into the traditional Chinese wisdom in ecological protection, China’s philosophy and achievements of green development in the new era, and the vision of countries jointly building a community of life for man and Nature. It’s among one of the most popular national pavilions in the Expo.

Fine traditional Chinese cultures are relevant in addressing current global challenges. In recent years, China has proposed the philosophy of building a community with a shared future for humanity, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, the Global Governance Initiative, and the Belt and Road Initiative. These visions vividly demonstrate how China, a peace-loving major country, stands up to its responsibility by embracing solidarity and inclusiveness and honors commitment and promotes amity in interactions with other countries. They also dovetail with humanity’s common values and are recognized and supported by the international community.

In a world with exacerbating deficits in global peace, development, security and governance, China will continue to contribute to the common good, shoulder its responsibility as a major country and offer its wisdom and solutions that are rooted in Eastern civilization to the questions of the times.  

Reuters: South Korea said it is in talks with China to minimize the impact of Chinese measures against its shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean and in particular its U.S.-linked subsidiaries. Could we confirm that talks are ongoing? What does China have to say in these talks? And any comment on what analysts are saying, including that the sanctions are more of a warning gesture? And also just a while ago, South Korean media reported that South Korea says that the sanctions may be linked to tensions between the U.S. and China over supply chains.

Lin Jian: Competent authorities yesterday have issued remarks on that, which you may refer to. We once again urge the U.S. and companies concerned to respect facts and multilateral trade rules, abide by the principles of market economy and fair competition, correct the wrong practices as soon as possible and stop undermining China’s interests.

Bloomberg: European Union officials called for strong measures against China after Beijing imposed fresh export restrictions on rare earth minerals. Would the Foreign Ministry like to comment?

Lin Jian: Competent authorities have made clear China’s position on the export control measures on rare earths and related items. China took export control measures on relevant items in accordance with the law to better safeguard world peace and regional stability, and fulfill non-proliferation and other international obligations. The measures are consistent with international practice. We stand ready to enhance dialogue and exchange with other countries on export controls to keep the global industrial and supply chains safe and stable.

AFP: Netherlands-based chip maker Nexperia said yesterday that the Chinese government has banned it from exporting goods from China. This is after Dutch authorities seized control of the firm citing concerns over national security. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that China has imposed an export ban on Nexperia?

Lin Jian: I’d refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. Let me reaffirm once again that China opposes overstretching the concept of national security and discriminatory moves against companies in certain countries. The relevant country should abide by market principles and refrain from politicizing trade issues. China is firmly resolved in safeguarding its legitimate and lawful rights and interests. 

Reuters: Our second question is about U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. He said that whether the additional 100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods kick in on November 1 or sooner depended on what China does. He also said Chinese officials made contradictory statements about the latest rare earth export restrictions. How does the Foreign Ministry respond to this?

Lin Jian: Competent authorities have made clear China’s position on the export control measures on rare earths and related items. China took export controls on relevant items in accordance with the law to better safeguard world peace and regional stability, and fulfill non-proliferation and other international obligations. The measures are in line with international practice. China’s position has been consistent and clear. It is the U.S. who asks for talks while threatening high tariffs and new restrictions. This is not the right way to deal with China. We urge the U.S. to correct its wrong approach as early as possible and address relevant issues through dialogue and consultation on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit.

Reuters: A follow-up on the rare earth restriction. Has any foreign government or any embassies reached out to the government and departments for clarification on what these new export restrictions really are?

Lin Jian: I’d refer you to competent authorities.

AFP: Prosecutors in the United States said yesterday that Ashley Tellis, a well-known U.S. scholar on India and the government adviser, has been charged with retaining classified information. Tellis also allegedly met multiple times with Chinese officials near Washington D.C. Does the Foreign Ministry have information on this case?

Lin Jian: I am not familiar with what you mentioned.

Reuters: About the news that came out overnight. Major Chinese airlines have urged the Trump administration to abandon a plan to bar them from flying over Russia on U.S. routes. They said that it would increase flight times, raise airfares and could disrupt some travel plans for passengers. Does the Ministry have any comment on this method?

Lin Jian: We previously answered relevant question. For anything specific, I’d refer you to competent authorities. The U.S.’s planned restriction on Chinese airlines’ operation is not conducive to people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and harms the U.S.’s own interests. We also noted that the restriction is met with strong domestic opposition from the U.S. public. We support Chinese companies in safeguarding their legitimate and lawful rights and interests.