China Daily: Starting from May 1, 2026, China will extend zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China across the board. We noted that various sectors of Africa pay high attention to this policy and African leaders and media have spoken highly of it, regarding the policy as yet another milestone in China-Africa cooperation. What is your response?

Lin Jian: China noted the earnest expectation and positive feedback from Africa regarding the zero-tariff treatment. This is an important measure of China taking the initiative to expand unilateral opening up. It demonstrates China’s willingness to shoulder more international obligations and steadily expand high-standard opening up. It is a vivid example of how China upholds the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests with Africa, and how China and Africa jointly build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. It can well be said that the policy is epoch-making in the history of China-Africa relations and international relations.

As protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise, and continents near the Middle East are hit by spillovers of the situation there, China shares opportunities and pursues common development with Africa through the zero-tariff policy, and contributes to global peace and development with greater stability in China-Africa ties. The zero-tariff treatment will become a golden key to trade prosperity, a propeller to industrial investment, a timely response to challenges, and a bridge connecting the hearts of Chinese and African people. It will allow more quality and special products from Africa to find their way to the Chinese households, thus delivering tangible gains to the Chinese and African people and improve their wellbeing. It will also help Chinese companies explore the African market, bring more opportunities of investment and industrial upgrade to African countries, and build up Africa’s own capacity for development. We hope the policy will promote China-Africa trade, industrial and investment cooperation and integration, deliver tangible benefits of such cooperation to businesses and people of both sides, and foster a sound environment for advancing global trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. The warm welcome expressed by African friends to the zero-tariff treatment speaks to the mutually beneficial nature of China-Africa cooperation.

China will continue to sign agreements on economic partnership for shared development with African countries and at the same time upgrade the “green lanes” for import of African agricultural and food products to China, so as to further improve China-Africa trade facilitation. China stands ready to work with Africa to further enrich the zero-tariff treatment and develop it into a powerful engine driving China-Africa high-quality cooperation and a source of impetus for solidarity and collaboration in the Global South.

Asahi Shimbun: According to our information, Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi will put forward a new version of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” during her upcoming visit to Viet Nam this weekend. Does China have any comment?

Lin Jian: Exchanges between countries should not target any third party or harm others’ interests. When the Japanese side chants “a free and open region,” it is actually seeking to divide the region to create more confrontation and exclusive circles. This is at odds with the region and world’s pursuit of greater peace, prosperity and cooperation.

People’s Daily: Today marks the 29th anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention. According to its provisions, Japan shall destroy all its abandoned chemical weapons in China by 2007. However, it has missed one deadline after another. Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, once said “the complete destruction of chemical weapons worldwide can solely be achieved once the task of destroying all the chemical weapons abandoned in China is completed.” Do you have a comment on this?

Lin Jian: Japan’s abandoned chemical weapons (ACWs) in China is one of the gravest crimes committed by the Japanese militarists during the war of aggression against China. To this day, the ACWs continue to pose a serious threat to the health and safety of the Chinese people and the environment in affected regions. Complete destruction of these weapons is Japan’s due international obligation. China has been urging Japan to completely and thoroughly destruct the ACWs without further delay in accordance with the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the MoUs between the two governments regarding this issue.

To remove the hazardous ACWs is Japan’s unshirkable responsibility. Once again we demand that Japan earnestly take its historical and present responsibilities, fulfill its obligation under the CWC, provide clues to burial sites with nothing withheld, and invest more resources to accelerate the process, restore a safe living environment for the Chinese people and eliminate the roadblock to a world free of chemical weapons.

AFP: The United States on Tuesday led a group of regional countries in a joint call backing Panama in a dispute with China over the canal, calling Beijing’s actions a threat to them all. The U.S. led this joint statement of countries, including Bolivia and Costa Rica, and said China’s actions are a blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade. What is China’s comment on this?

Lin Jian: The allegations are completely unfounded and merely distortion of facts. Who exactly exerted long forcible control of the Panama Canal, invaded Panama and trampled on Panama’s sovereignty and dignity? Who exactly is coveting the Panama Canal, attempting to own an international waterway that should be permanently neutral, and disrespecting the sovereignty of countries in the region? The answer is rather clear. It is the United States that has framed normal affairs concerning relevant terminals as issues about politics and security. It is the United States that has been making pretenses and slandering others with rumors. Chinese competent authority conducted routine inspections of vessels in accordance with laws and regulations. China’s position on the Panamanian ports issue is clear and will firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests. We urge relevant countries not to be blinded and utilized by those with ill intention.

EFE: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Cuba allows “adversaries” of the United States to conduct intelligence activities close to U.S. territory, and warned that Washington will not tolerate such a situation. Given China’s ties with Cuba, does China consider itself targeted by these remarks? What is your response?

Lin Jian: China’s cooperation with Cuba is there for all to see. Fabricated narratives and smearing can never justify U.S.’s blockade and illegal sanctions against Cuba, and can never cover up the fact that the U.S. has severely violated Cuba’s right to survive and thrive, and the basic norms in international relations. China will firmly support Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, and calls on the U.S. to immediately stop its blockade, sanctions and any other forms of coercion and pressure on Cuba.

Beijing Youth Daily: It’s reported that Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Monday held a discussion on the margins of an ASEAN meeting in Brunei to exchange views on the border situation and their bilateral ties. Can I have China’s comment on that?

Lin Jian: Foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand held another meeting this week, reaffirming their commitment to properly resolving differences peacefully through bilateral mechanisms. China commends the effort. Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week visited the two countries and had in-depth communication with both sides on the dispute along their borders. Both Cambodia and Thailand clearly stated that they will earnestly act on the common understandings reached by China, Cambodia and Thailand at the Fuxian meeting last December and properly settle disputes through dialogue and consultation. They thanked China’s mediation effort and look forward to China’s continued constructive role.

It serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Cambodia and Thailand as well as regional peace and stability for the two countries to consolidate the ceasefire momentum, resume bilateral engagement and resolve border disputes at an early date. China is a friend of both Cambodia and Thailand and will continue to provide the platform for rebuilding trust and improving ties.

AFP: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is in Beijing today and will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. What are China’s expectations for Wong’s visit and what does the Chinese side hope to achieve in meetings with the Australian side?

Lin Jian: We will release information about Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s visit in due course. Please check back for updates.

The Paper: We notice that yesterday, the Permanent Mission of China in Vienna announced that the Group of Friends of Global Governance Vienna Chapter has been officially launched. Can you share more details?

Lin Jian: On April 28, the Permanent Mission of China in Vienna hosted the launch ceremony of the Group of Friends of Global Governance Vienna Chapter alongside an event on Global Governance Initiative at the UN Office at Vienna. Many participants joined, including permanent representatives from more than 40 countries as well as the founding members of the group, representatives from United Nations Industrial Development Organization, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and other international organizations, and experts from international think tanks. Participating parties had heated discussion at the event. The attendees expressed strong recognition and support for the Global Governance Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, praising China’s leading role in supporting the UN, championing multilateralism, safeguarding fairness and justice, and reforming and improving global governance system. It is expected that the group can help strengthen communication and coordination at the UN office at Vienna, build broader consensus, and make new contributions to the efforts to advancing the building and reform of global governance system.

It is another Group of Friends of Global Governance established by China under the UN framework, following the launches in New York last December and Geneva in February this year. In less than 5 months, with more and more member states and increasing influence and cohesion, the Group of Friends of Global Governance keeps developing, taking root in New York, Geneva, and Vienna. It fully demonstrates that reforming and improving global governance and tackling global challenges together is where the arc of history bends and public opinion trends.

Global governance is a matter for all. China hopes that more and more like-minded countries can join the Group of Friends of Global Governance, support the authority and stature of the UN, and make joint efforts to reform and improve global governance.

Reuters: Reuters reported today that China is approving more fuel exports in May, although they remain well below the average levels from last year. Has the foreign ministry received requests from countries in Asia and elsewhere for fuel? Does China intend to release more fuel exports to trading partners?

Lin Jian: The Middle East conflict is straining global fuel supplies. Many countries are feeling the impact. The key to resolving this issue fundamentally is to prevent by all means a relapse in fighting, achieve a full and lasting ceasefire and stem any new turmoil that could further hit the global economy. China stands ready to maintain communication with all sides to jointly safeguard global energy security and keep industrial and supply chains stable.

Reuters: Reuters reported that the U.S. last week ordered multiple chip equipment companies to halt tool shipment to China’s second largest chip maker Huahong. What’s China’s comment on this?

Lin Jian: China has made clear more than once its principled position on U.S. export of chips to China. We hope the U.S. will take concrete actions to keep the global supply chains stable and unimpeded.